Words I did not want to hear (back blogging)

[drwex]

People have been asking, so here's a fast update.

My preliminary diagnosis is "advanced degenerative disc disease throughout the cervical spine."

The first thing that happens is we move from preliminary to final diagnosis. This will involve at least an MRI, a consultation with a neurosurgeon, and a PT eval. Those are scheduled and once all the data are in we'll arrive at a final diagnosis and treatment plan.


Right now the drugs are taking the top edge off things. My baseline pain level is about a 4 with mornings being particularly bad. I rarely get spikes into the 7-8 range now but it's frequently 5 or 6 and I have mobility and functional impairment of the right arm.

The Ortho thinks that there may be problems unrelated to the spinal disease that have been set off by it - colloquially I have "golfer's elbow" - and we're going with new meds (steroidal anti-inflammatories in place of NSAIDS), some new stretches, and instructions to do peripheral ice. With luck that gets the arm more functional.

I'll update again in a couple weeks when I know more. Meanwhile I'm sort of off heavy lifting with the right hand, and am experimenting with different things I can do at bedtime to improve my sleep.

Comments

[chienne-folle.livejournal.com]

Oh, my. I'm so sorry to hear that! I hope they can come up with a treatment plan that will give you both pain relief and improved function.

[drwex]

Thanks, me too.

[(Anonymous)]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I've got the same thing with some moderate spinal cord compression as well. If you want to talk at all, I'm here. I also have a great neurosurgeon to recommend - I saw him for an eval and really liked his approach. Hang in there, I'm sending good wishes to you.

[kimberlogic.livejournal.com]

oops - i wasn't logged in when i posted my comment.

[drwex]

That's ok, I do that sometimes too. I'll see what I think of the neuro I'm going to see later this month and if I don't like them I'll get your info.

[selenite.livejournal.com]

Yeouch. That sounds like a very rough time. I hope the doc helps you find a fix soon.

[taura-g.livejournal.com]

I am really sorry. Make sure you have second opinions and really advocate for getting to the root of the matter.

[sariel-t.livejournal.com]

This. *hug*

[drwex]

Agreed, thank you both. One of the reasons I went to the Ortho in the first place was I didn't like the answers I was getting from the regular doc. I'll also have at least three sets of eyes on the MRI results so that'll help.

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you're moving forward anyway, and I hope whatever it turns out to be can be remedied without too much trouble. Meanwhile, I hope the kids are old enough to shovel!

[drwex]

Thanks. They're at the age where "shovel" and "no, really, SHOVEL" are two different things.

[tamidon.livejournal.com]

That doesnt sound good, but a diagnoses is a good start at least? Best hopes for a successful outcome

[drwex]

Thanks. It's not good - if correct, it means the condition is incurable and the best I can do is manage it. We'll see.

[tamidon.livejournal.com]

I have had to spend a lot of this past year understanding that "cure" isnt a word I can use, "cope" is where I'm at and have to get used to. It hasnt been easy to accept.

[drwex]

I hear ya. I had that with my arthritis a few years ago. Plus I've always had it with my reflux, so there's that.

[ckd]

A diagnosis is, I hope, the start of progress toward more effective treatment. Best wishes.

[drwex]

Thank you.

[vibrantabyss.livejournal.com]

Blech. I'm going from the other end (lumbar) and seem to have caught it sooner, so I have some idea what it is like. *hugs* and sorry to hear about it.

[drwex]

Thanks. I had pretty bad lumbar issues around this time last year but they were more easily treated.

[persis.livejournal.com]

Ack. Seeing as I have severe arthritis in my neck, plus severe degenerative discs, and almost no disc between tail bone and lumbar discs, I feel your pain. Here's hoping ibuprophen is your friend, and that you find less pain and solutions soon. For me, physical therapy, chiropractic and the rare massage have been helpful, but YMMV. Sending you healing energy and strength and fortitude.

[drwex]

Thank you.

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I hope the right things to help ease your pain are found.

[drwex]

Thanks.

[aelf.livejournal.com]

Ugh. Like everyone else, I hope you and your medical team find good ways of managing this.

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

::reading and paying close attention::

There isn't anything I would say that hasn't been said, but I'm here, and I care about what happens in your world. If I could send you analgesic vibes, I would.

Please do keep us posted. Especially on what can be done to alleviate the pain, prevent further damage and to speed recovery. If you want me to ping my chiro for advice or to ask if she's taking on new patients, just let me know.

[drwex]

Thanks. I don't object to more advice. If I do decide to go chiro I'll probably go back to the guy who treated my lower back last year.

[davidfcooper.livejournal.com]

Sorry you're hurting. I hope the final diagnosis is less discouraging and that second opinions provide insights that elude your current MD. Even if it turns out that the condition is incurable and the best you can do is manage it, that doesn't mean the state of the art of possible treatments will never improve. Find docs who stay on top of developments in the field. Refuah shelemah.

[drwex]

Thank you.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Urgh. That stinks. I'm sorry the news isn't good, but I hope it means you'll be able to get good treatment for managing the pain. My sympathies.

[drwex]

Thanks. The various pills I've tried this time have been remarkably ineffective. So far.

[rmd.livejournal.com]

Well, that sucks.

[drwex]

Yes, and a very apropos icon.

[make-your-move.livejournal.com]

Well - it's a start. I hope you can work as a team to find a solution that leaves you relatively pain free and mobile.

Sending you hugs (but I'd rather give them in person)

[drwex]

I'd rather get them in person. Sadly this would limit so much of what we'd want to do.

[intuition-ist.livejournal.com]

yeouch. I'm sorry to hear it, and I hope you can get the best possible care. :\

[drwex]

Thanks. The joys of privilege really shine through sometimes in medical access.

[silentq.livejournal.com]

Yikes! My very best wishes that the MRI looks as good as possible and the treatment plan is effective. *gentle hug*

[drwex]

Thanks hon. Looking forward to collecting those in person.

[mizarchivist]

::sympathy:: That sounds pretty wretched- I'm sorry. I hope they come up with a useful and reasonable treatment for you.

[drwex]

It's... annoying. Like, I'm just f'ing tired of being in pain ALL THE TIME. And it's only been three weeks.

[hammercock.livejournal.com]

Boooooo. :( Also, what everyone else said.

[drwex]

Heh, thanks.

[gosling.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear that! I hope useful ways to manage pain and improve functionality are found!

[drwex]

Me too.

[rednikki.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry. I'm thinking of you.

[lsl.livejournal.com]

From personal experience (mine is lumbar though), I'll say it is likely that this will be a manageable condition. I hope this is true in your particular case. It's encouraging that the x-rays didn't turn up osteoarthritis. Please keep LJ informed.

[tshuma]

I'm sorry to hear that you have this facing you. *pebble*