I now understand the word AGONY!!!!!

[luvmy40]

I have been informed that I am suffering from a pinched nerve in the C6/C7 area. This information was provided after a visit to the emergency room because my wife was sure I was suffering a massive heart attack. The only reason I didn't think I was having a heart attack was simple. If I had actually been having a heart attack that hurt as bad as this did and went on as long this did, I'd surely have been dead.

 

I've been shot, stabbed, and beaten(more than once). I have never experienced pain like this before. Excruciating and endless.

 

I have not slept in three days.

 

I have a second appointment with a Chiropractor tomorrow morning. I saw marginal improvement after the first Chiropractic visit this morning.

 

The meds(non steroidal NSAID anti inflammatory) the ER prescribed do not seem to have much effect.

 

Wish me luck.

[skydoc_17]

Hey Rich,

I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear of your injury! Take it from someone that has had 7 hernia surgeries, a broken pelvis, and 3 blown discs, that a Chiropractor is not going to fix this!! You NEED to get a referral from your family doctor to an orthopedic surgeon and get this repaired ASAP. More time makes the pain worse, and could cause more damage. The "Discectomy" surgery should have you back up and around in 6 weeks. Anything short of a repair to that disc is a band aid.

Sorry for the bad news, but in my opinion, the sooner you get the correct help, the better off you will be.

Get well soon brother, we'll be prayin' for ya'!

Earl and Jean.

[luvmy40]

Earl,

Thanks for the advice. I hear what you are saying and get where you are coming from with it. It IS appreciated and not discounted. However, There was no significant injury or situation that precipitated this event. None. I simple woke from sleep in pain.

 

So far, the MD side has only suggested/prescribed pharmaceutical solutions that have had from little to ZERO effect. I have had good results in the past from chiropractics. Granted, it was a completely different scenario.

 

Rich

[SpencerPJ]

Ouch. And I'm only trying to find better orthotics to ease some back pain. Hope you get it figured out pronto, and rehab and ready for next summer riding season.

[skydoc_17]

Hey Rich,

I fully respect the fact that you know your body better than I do. I hope that the Chiropractor can bring you some much needed relief, my friend. I wouldn't wish a back injury on my worst enemy!!

Just like Spencer said, when you are in the grips of that kind of pain, it makes the rest of us with chronic back pain say, "OUCH"!

Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery Rich.

Earl

[BlueSky]

Really sorry you are in such pain. I don't think nsaids have much effect on nerve pain or at least that has been my experience with sciatic pain and the nerve pain in my left hip when I got shingles. You need some opioids for that. Drs are reluctant to prescribe opioids now with all the hoopla about over prescribing them in the past. I did get a little for the nerve pain when I got shingles and I went into a bit of withdrawal when I quit taking them for 3 weeks.

[sldunker]

I have same problem Cortizone shots give me relief I will need surgery eventually but holding off on that till absolutely necessary.

[N3FOL]

Hope your pain dissipate over time. Feel better soon - luvmy40...

[WildBill1]

My remedy for occasional back pain brought on by me over lifting something that needed lifted with a hoist. I usually hobble to the boat dock grab an overhead horizontal beam and hang there for a few minutes. After a few trips to the boat dock and a couple drinks of Jim Beam the pain is usually subsided. Works for me and the buddy who gave this remedy an old Moto cross racer.

[Snaggletooth]

Ok, very similar story from about 24 years ago. I was taken by surprise when they found me laying face down in the snow in a driveway. I thought I'd been hit by lightening. My back was twisted and could barley even move. Pain was like none I'd ever felt. No idea how I'd gone down. Soooo..... I got home and called my family doctor. Got me right in. He did his thing and told me I'd strained my back. Yeah, Mr. Medical Education. LOL So his advice was take his magic pills and stay off my feet for a few days. Pills did nothing. Sitting, standing, laying down, did nothing to stop the pain. Like you, sleep was not going to happen. I was twisted like a snake hit by a truck. After a couple more visits with that Doc and a week off work I asked him about seeing a bone cracker. Oh.. absolutely NOT! They can do NOTHING for this.

 

So..... I chased down a bone cracker. After a full battery of X-rays he started with those electrical massage table sessions and minor adjustments to my back 3 times a week. After the first week I was feeling a little bit better. After the second week I was able to move and return to my work, thankfully I was driving a desk back then, but still had some serious burning sensations when I moved too fast and my back was still a bit twisted. I think it was about my 10th visit to the cracker when he says, "I want to try something a bit more intense". And he did. All I remember is coming around wondering how I got hit by lightening inside a building. The bone cracker is white as a ghost his young assistant looked like she was going to faint. And there were two people in the room I did not know. They were dressed like EMTs. Turned out they were. They all looked shocked when slid off the table and stood up and stretched. I felt great. No more pain. I could stand up straight for the first time in weeks. His "Little more intense" move and taken the pressure off the nerve and let everything fall back in place. But when he popped it back the nerve flared up and he said I was was flopping like a hooked fish then passed out. His clerk called for an ambulance.

 

I still saw him once a month for a bit of an alignment treatment for a while until I felt trust in my back again. Still send him Christmas cards. Been years now with no more issues. I did change my family doctor and sent the old one a Voodoo Doll to remind him there are other choices rather he believes in them or not.

 

So, the point of this is keep a lil faith in what a bone cracker can do for you. Hopefully it will work as well for you as it did for me. Minus the EMTs. To this day I still have no faith in pain pills or pain meds. I do enjoy a massage when I get tight.

 

Good luck.

[RDawson]

Sorry to hear that. There's nothing worse than back pain, can't do anything without hurting. I've been using bone crunchers for 40 years, my experience has been to find a very aggressive one. Some feel the need to do a little at a time but that doesn't seem to work for me. I have one now that throws me around like a rag doll and makes all my joints move, some of those adjustments hurt like hell but get me moving quickly. It's a great arrangement, I work on his equipment keeping it in top shape and he does the same to me, no $$$ changes hands.

[Marcarl]

I have some experience with back pain, goes back 40 years or so, mine was mostly in the lower back but not always. I wasn't so gentle on my back when I was younger, so the results had to be dealt with in later years. Yep, the first was drugs, but my Dr. was not a drug pusher so sent me to a bone crusher,,,, that helped for a number of years but it always came back. The one day my bone crusher suggested a massage, not a masseuse, but a registered Massage Therapist seeing as he had one join his office recently. I had a friend who is a RMT and so went to see him,,,,, no more sore back. Makes sense. The muscle holds the bones in place and God made them things to work together. Put the muscle out of wack and the bones will follow suit resulting in a mis-aligned joint. Keep those muscle in line and tuned and things are much better.

[bpate4home]

I agree with Marcarl. I've been lucky and have had very few back issues. My wife on the other hand is a CNA and has severe back issues. At times to the point of needing assistance just trying to stand and walk. She tried all of these and the only thing that has provided consistent relief for her is a full on massage therapist, deep tissue style. When she was in some of the worst lower back pain the massage therapist was working a knot in her thigh and her shoulder. I would have never believed that would fix the lower back pain she was having but it did. The basic explanation from the therapist was that they all work in conjunction so a knot in your calf may help even a stiff neck. I figure that's a stretch but hey, her work has been a godsend for my wife.

 

I have some experience with back pain, goes back 40 years or so, mine was mostly in the lower back but not always. I wasn't so gentle on my back when I was younger, so the results had to be dealt with in later years. Yep, the first was drugs, but my Dr. was not a drug pusher so sent me to a bone crusher,,,, that helped for a number of years but it always came back. The one day my bone crusher suggested a massage, not a masseuse, but a registered Massage Therapist seeing as he had one join his office recently. I had a friend who is a RMT and so went to see him,,,,, no more sore back. Makes sense. The muscle holds the bones in place and God made them things to work together. Put the muscle out of wack and the bones will follow suit resulting in a mis-aligned joint. Keep those muscle in line and tuned and things are much better.

[luvmy40]

Just returned from my second chiropractic adjustment. I did see improvement after the first visit, the chiropractor confirmed today that things are looking better.

 

I was still not able to sleep well last night but I was not in excruciating pain as I have been for the previous few days.

 

This chiropractor uses a different method than the last one I saw effectively(many years ago). He uses a mechanical "thumper" to pin point impact rather than twisting me up and torquing my spine. I'll give it few more sessions, but I do feel the difference after each so far.

[BlueSky]

Let me find a big tree to hide behind! Okay! Here goes! One of the best treatments for most ailments is to lose weight. I've had trouble with weight gain because I love to eat, meat, potatoes, ice cream, beer. But, when I get sciatic pain or my back gets worse, I try to lose a few lbs and it always helps. Right now I'm trying hard to get the excess weight off and of course it's making me feel better. My back pain is less. My general overall feeling is better and it's easier to get around which is important for an old codger of 75. Of course routine exercise should be part of our lives too. Let me know when I can come out from behind the tree!

[bpate4home]

Let me find a big tree to hide behind! Okay! Here goes! One of the best treatments for most ailments is to lose weight. I've had trouble with weight gain because I love to eat, meat, potatoes, ice cream, beer. But, when I get sciatic pain or my back gets worse, I try to lose a few lbs and it always helps. Right now I'm trying hard to get the excess weight off and of course it's making me feel better. My back pain is less. My general overall feeling is better and it's easier to get around which is important for an old codger of 75. Of course routine exercise should be part of our lives too. Let me know when I can come out from behind the tree!

 

Darn tree keeps getting in the way of those rocks

[cecdoo]

Not meant to scare anyone, but if you have back pain that lasts more then a month or so, ask your Dr to set you up with a bone scan. I worked in construction most of my life, always had back pain one way or another. Then at 64 woke up with pain like OP posted, tried Chiro, massage and Phys Therapy, Aug till Nov. the last therapy session I saw lightning shooting out of every opening in my body, convinced me to go back to Dr. Set up bone scan and then the news Multiple Myloma, Cancer in the bone marrow. So if that pain dont seem quite rite, ya mite want to get it checked. You can balk all you want about taking drugs, but like the nurse in ocology told me, you will be back and you will need the drugs. I was, and I do.

 

Craig

[Chaharly]

My suggestion for finding a Chiro would be to go to a college town where they play alot of sports and ask around for the best sports chiro. I'd trust them over many others

[cowpuc]

Soooo glad you are doing better Rich!! PRAYERS UP for continued recovery brother!! Back/neck pain related to spinal issues is absolutely NO FUN and nothing to fool with!!

 

Way it happened to me:

 

Car/deer accident in 03 left me in a wheel chair with MAJOR sciatic pain down legs and numbness/tingling in arms/hands.

Primary care Doc starts me on opioids for pain, helps a lot, and sends me to therapist (Chiropractor) to begin accessment of damages.

6 months later, after regular adjustments/spending time on stretching table and on and on,,, Chiropractor recommends visit to a Neuroligist to get a look.

Neuro Surgeon was miffed that I was not sent to him right away. Recommends surgery to remove fractured pieces of facia joints on my L5/Sacreum and realignment of my spine (spine was resting on edge of sacreum by 1/4 of an inch so it was "S" shaped instead of straight connection.. Neuro Surgeon upped my opioid script to Fentynal Patch.. Nasty stuff those opioids are,, they really worked for pain management BUT - WOWZY do they dry out the poop action = poopen BRICKS is an understatement plus permanent bowel issues!

YES - as mentioned, weight loss is mandatory for low back repair - the Doc made me loose 50 pounds to assist in healing.

5 back surgeries and 1 neck surgery, 1 year in body cast and back on my feet .

The fracturing of the facia was only findable by MRI and a good Neuro Surgeon as Chiropractor and Primary completely missed the tiny elements of bone fragments and only the Neuro found them.. Neuro told me that was common and that just the slightest scraping of bone against nerves in the spinal bundle can result in permanent damage..

I did live on opioids for 3 years after surgeries.. They did try electrical stimulus (they run a small wire with little copper electrodes on it) along the spine with an under skin controller. IT WAS AMAZING to be able to dial away pain. Regrettably, the length of the wire was only 8 inches so it could not manage both lower and upper back (could not reach my neck). I used it for 1 year but it did nothing for my arms/hands. Removed the electrical and back on the Fentynal Patch. Eventually weaned off the Fentynal and on to Norco (class higher than Vicodin)..

 

Jumping from Fentynal to Norco proved to be alarming,, found out I was a junky... Went into withdrawels BIG TIME.. Made a vow to get off the opioids and find a way to work with the pain. Had permanent "drop foot" and hand numbness but as I worked off the Norco withdrawels (tough stuff) discovered that if I was careful about what I lifted and stayed off the MX tracks (Neuro Surgeons face was when he saw my first MRI's and asked "what have you done to your back = there is not ONE vertebre that is square shape, there all rounded off = did not laugh when I told him of my love for MX'n and that those early bikes with 2 inches of suspention probably didnt help in my spines survival = NO MORE DIRT BIKES was a promise he made me shake on:missingtooth:) I could now do ok with just over the counter stuff..

By the way,, the sciatic nerve pain in my legs was like having a camp fire going on them 24/7,, I know EXACTLY what you are talking about! Personally I can not stand what misuse of opioids have done in peoples lives - they are potent and addictive. On the other,, I TOTALLY understand the importance of such RX when it comes to pain management.. It's a double edge sword to say the least..

[BlueSky]

What an ordeal you went through Puc! My heart goes out to you. You are one tough cookie!

[videoarizona]

Geesh, Rich...very sorry to hear!

 

Only suggestions I can offer are to do the bone cracker regiment and see if it works, but I would also go see a specialist to get a referral for an MRI. You need to see what's going on. If it's a disc issue, the surgeries today are far better than even 10 years ago. I was watching an animation where they go in through the front by the stomach and inject this "stuff" into the space between two discs, raising the discs and taking the pressure off the nerve bundles. The stuff is supposed to mimic the normal stuff between the discs and last. I thought that was pretty cool.

 

Regardless, you want to know why the pain is there! Then look at ALL the options. Make your decision.

 

Good luck and Prayers Up!

David

[luvmy40]

I went for X-Rays yesterday. The Chiro will go over them with me tomorrow. To my untrained eye, I see two vertebrae that aren't watching their gig line. By my count, they are C5 and C6 which is where the Bone Cruncher told me the base problem is.

 

I am feeling a bit better every day. I'm down to two adjustments a week from daily sessions.

[BigLenny]

Hey 40,

 

You are going through the exact thing I've been dealing with the past few months.

Woke up from a nap, and my neck and across my right shoulder, and about half way down my arm were in so much pain I couldn't stand it. I was delirious for 3 days, with no sleep, and constant excruciating pain. I couldn't function. Stayed immobile. My right arm was buzzing, and my hand was tingling, and weak. My wife convinced me to go to a good chiropractor that she goes to. After 13 visits over 5 weeks, the pain was way better. Actually, it was getting where the pain was almost gone. But, I still had the buzzing in my arm, and hand, when I turned my head, and kept it in a certain position. The Chiro had taken X-rays the first visit, and had stated it appears to be a bulging disc, along with some degenerated discs, that were narrowing done on the nerve. But, the Chiro, after 13 visits, suggested I go see a specialists, and have an MRI done. I did that, and it showed a bulging disc between the C5-C6, that was pushing against the nerve cord. The specialist gave me 3 options: 1. Give it some time and see if the nerve gets used to it, and the bulge may work its way back in. 2. Get an injection in my neck that would deaden the nerve. 3. Have a discectomy surgery, going through the from of my neck, and replacing the disc with an artificial disc, and fusing the two vertebra together. I chose the give it some time option, since the pain has subsided.

 

I have been 3 months since the ordeal started, and the pain is gone, so I'm not having to deal with that, but I still do have the arm buzzing, and hand tingling when I hold my head in a certain way. It's getting more livable.

 

Tomorrow, I am gonna pick up an over the door neck traction unit that Chiro is wanting me to try. Hopefully, that will assist the disc to ease back into its place. We'll see.

 

At least i can deal with it now, and get a full nights sleep.

 

I hope you get better.

 

BigLenny

[HermanK84VR]

Hey Rich

 

Been there done that and living with the pain, My Chiropractor has been good to keep me aligned and is one of the best in my area, he has been trained in lots of different treatments including Infrared massage and some old methods that will cause you pain but works including the Thumper you mentioned it is basically a medical grade Air Chisel bout is very effective to get the knots out.

 

I have 3 compressed discs in my mid back and I too have gone in to the ER thinking I was having a Heart attack; within this area of the compressed discs the rib bone attached will pop in and out at random making it very difficult to breath, my only relief is to lay down on a hard surface and slowly stretch it out. the nerves in this area control gastro functions as well as heart and breathing so when things go wonky these nerves get pinched and simulate some heart attack symptoms, a good Chiropractor knows the Central nervous system and all pressure points.

 

When the pain flares up and I have a hard time sleeping a single Gravol before bed is typically enough to relax the muscles while i sleep and i wake up fine but stiff and take it easy for the next couple days.

 

I was a heavy user of Advil in the past but after my Hi BP diagnosis I am limited on drug choices for pain relief so weight control and watching what I do keeps the pain in check or away, lots of Stretching works for me to minimize the flare ups.

 

Get better my friend

 

Herman

[luvmy40]

Spent some time yesterday evening going over the X-Rays with the Dr. I have a couple slightly compressed vertebrae(C5-C6 and C6-C7) and T1 is slightly out of line. A couple places with very minor arthritic build up, nothing major. The Dr. suspects that one or both of the compressed discs are bulging slightly but is confident that adjustments, NSAIDs and possibly some PT will take care of it.