Hi everyone,
I haven't been on here since March but I wanted to check in and let you guys know what has been going on with me and I really need some support and advice. I went to pain management in March and got evaluated and the pain management doc is giving me the epidural and steroid injections. I have had two rounds of four. My next one is scheduled for June 3rd.Seems they are scheduling them once a month when in the beginning I was told it would be every two weeks?? This thing keeps on dragging out! I recently found out May 6th, when I had my second round of shots that I had a significant amount of scar tissue in the lower level of my c-spine?? My muscles are still tight and weak and spasm a lot. Still have headaches and pulling in my neck. I can't reach,bend, lift or stoup without pain and spasms. I am still sore from the shots and it is day four and I am still sore because this time the doc used a catheter to get the medicine in deeper. So I can't tell if I am going to get any relief. So far NOT! The first round the soreness only lasted for two days but I didn't get ANY relief from the first round. I am now on percocet 7.5 3 times a day and Zanaflex at night. Still confused and no relief. Still putting on the happy face and being brave.
About the scaring on my lung..my regular physician said it was nothing to worry about, could be the two times I had pneumonia. He didn't do any test to check. He must have had a busy day that day. Still gotta get that checked but now I am so broke and I can't even afford to go to the dentist or the eye doctor and I need to real bad. I am still outta work and all I have is medical coverage and I don't even know for how long because my FMLA time has run out and personal time on my job is probably about to run out.
Just as a reminder, I had ADR prodisc surgery July 2010 on C-5 C-6 level and pain is worse since my surgery.
Here is all I know that is wrong with me so far:
My MRI Cervical Spine with and without contrast Impression
1.Status post cervical disc replacement at the c-5-6 level with marked magnetic susceptibility artifact emanating from the metallic artificial disc. This precludes adequate assessment of the underlying spinal canal, neural foramina and opposing vertebral bodies.
2.early disc desiccation at the C2-3,C3-4,C4-5, and C6-7 levels.
3.Loss of the lordotic curvature.
CT of the Cervical Spine with Contrast
1.loss of lordotic curvature.
2.Status post cervical disc replacement at the c5-6 level without evidence of artificial migration. The artificial endplates appear to be well incorporated into the opposing vertebral bodies and in satisfactory alignment and position.
3.Incidentally noted is subtle pleuroparenchymal scarring and emphysematous changes in the bilateral lung apices, particularly on the right.
and now.....significant amount of scar tissue in the lower level of my c-spine??
I suppose after I get all four rounds of the shots and I go back to see the Spine specialist possibly by August, he will know by the relief I get from the injections if any, how to come up with a treatment plan. Hopefully, I don't get stuck at pain management with all these docs giving up and telling me I don't know what is wrong and wind up at square one because I don't wanna take pain meds the rest of my life.I want my life back and I definitely don't wanna have another surgery until it is absolutely necessary...and yes, I was asked that question by a co worker who ask do you wanna have surgery!! DUH!! NO!! It seems no one understands because I don't look sick but I am in a lot of pain. I'm trying to think positive and not give up hope. So with that said just maybe they will figure it out. In the meantime, does anyone know what all of this could mean.? What could be wrong? What could be done about it with the info I have so far??
Thanks in advance for any support and advice,
msrudy
PS sorry dustman9725 for what you are still going through. Let's try together not to give up hope.
