lisacreature
Stranger
Reged: 09/13/03
Posts: 16
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Hello!
I had an EMG study about a couple of weeks ago because of pain and numbness in my arms. The test came back that I had severe carpal tunnel and required surgery. I also have ome numbnes in a couple of my toes, and ALOT of noise (crunchiness, sizzling, bubbling) noise in my neck. At the advice of some people (thank you Pecan!) I decided to request an x-ray. I'm wating for that referral so I can get it done. I know have stiffness and achiness on my right side of my neck. Now, I also seem to feel occassional waves of heat spread down my back. Not paiful, but with everything else going on, I'm nervous! I don't want to start down this path!
I have a couple of questions for people with picnched/compress nerve problems:
1)What do you recommend as the best sort of test for neck problems that may be interfering with nerves?
2)Have you been able to manage your symptoms with anything other than surgery? Any specific bodywork, or physical therapy?
3)What the HECK is this sick crunchy/sizzling noise in my neck?
Thank you.
Lisa
Lisa
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CeeBee
Member
Reged: 08/09/03
Posts: 183
Loc: garden state
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I have stiffness on the right side of my neck and definite crunching and crackling sounds. No sizzling though. I have not seen a doctor about this, but I think it may be arthritis. Let us know what your test results show.
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pecan
Enthusiast
Reged: 09/09/03
Posts: 264
Loc: KINDA N.W.
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Sometime traction or wearing a "Stiff" hard neck brace will help. Sometimes it will put everythign back into place, but you still need to have a neuro look at it. Don't mess around with it, cause if it goes out and pinches the Wrong nerve, it could be bad news, like paralisis. I don't want to scare you, but don't want you to just let it go either....Good Luck...I've been there, so I know what I'm talking about.
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pecan
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pecan
Enthusiast
Reged: 09/09/03
Posts: 264
Loc: KINDA N.W.
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And I think the crunchy noise is probably the vertabrae bones rubbing back and forth either on a hardend disc, or ther is no disc left and they are rubing, or grinding, bonr to bone. Boy I am having trouble spelling tody, sorry.
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pecan
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Greycie
Old Hand
Reged: 07/08/03
Posts: 461
Loc: Pacific NorthWest
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Lisa,
Re: tests- get an EMG for your neck- that's a nerve conduction study which will tell if there is nerve involvement and an MRI as well which will pick up on things an x-ray will not.
My neck issues are related to my back so when my back's really out of whack, so is my neck. As far as relief, only exercise in the form of walking (or in my case, the EFX- non-impact) gives me any form of relief. Swimming is alright, after the initial OMG(!) shock of getting into the water and the pain assosiated with my body trying to fix itself, lol. As for PT- works for some people- didn't work for me. However, I'm in a lot better physical shape than most people in PT (as told to me by my therapist- most people can't do 1/4 of the exercise I can do in PT) and as such, the results for me would be minimal as where they may be maximized by others who aren't as active as I am.
Hope this helps- do talk to your doctor, but INSIST an MRI of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine as well as x-rays and EMG studies.
Sometimes, even if there is nothing you can do, knowing that there really IS something wrong and it's not in your head is satisfying in some way. Oh, also- if you can find a good chiro, that sometimes helps me, too- but getting a bad one (which I think is how I came about with such severe problems) can leave you much worse off. My ortho. surgeon told me of a young girl who had no problems before seeing a chiro and after doing the treatment he insisted she do for a little bit, came out with problems that can only be corrected by surgery... so be careful if you go down that road. Also, my step-mom, whose back is gross and much worse than mine, swears by acupuncture. I've never done it, but am not opposed- I've heard wonderful things.
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"I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
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trixxie
Member
Reged: 05/23/03
Posts: 121
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Lisa, I am going through the same thing.
Its called "creiptus" (sic) its osteoarthritis, bone on bone, and nothing you can do about it. I hate that sound too.
See a doc, I see a naturopath in addition to my PMD, for natural alternatives, and pain meds. There is pain, and I go to the website http://www.arthritis.org
hth,
hang in there, not much at this point anyone can do for ppl like us..
trixxie
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The truth shall set you free!
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lisacreature
Stranger
Reged: 09/13/03
Posts: 16
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CeeBee, Pecan, and Graycie:
Thank you for your replies. I went for the neck x-ray yesterday, and I'm waiting for the results. I will post them. I've heard the crepitus term before. I will look more into that. I'm developing my own system of stretches right now, and know I need to do more exercise. I'm also going for weekly massages! 
I have two questions:
1) what sort of pain meds do you find help your condition?
AllI have ever been prescribed is NSAIDS and Elavil
2)What is PMD
Thanks!
Lisa
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pecan
Enthusiast
Reged: 09/09/03
Posts: 264
Loc: KINDA N.W.
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Personal Medical Doctor
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pecan
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trixxie
Member
Reged: 05/23/03
Posts: 121
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Hi, PMD is Pain Management Doctor(mine is an anesthesiologist)
my meds were like yours, but now is CII meds LA, with oxyir b/t
zonegran to reduce muscles spasming/burning..
Lisa, make sure you get an MRI, and see the problems. They are expensive. Hoepfully, you have insurance.
Regarding pain meds, it takes awhile to get to where I am(and others) to get to this point. I have been told that its best to treat acute pain quickly to stop the nerve impulses sending pain signals to the brain. After three months(or less depending on who you talk to)its a chronic condition, and you have a situation that you will deal with for a long time. Comfort, and your willingness to work with the doctors, PT, and your own body's healing all play into the picture.
hth
trixxie
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The truth shall set you free!
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