1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Disc Prolapse

4 cervical prolapsed discs HELP

Posted , 4 users are following.

Guest
Guest

After an accident and dislocating my right shoulder and the pain and numbness in my hand and arm has not stopped I had an MRI scan. This showed I have 4 prolapsed disc at c3-c4, c4-c5, c5-c6, c6-c7 and possible c7-c8. I have shooting pains down my arm and sometimes have pain over my scalp. I struggle to sit up and walk. I am unable to sleep in my bed with my partner as I am in soo much pain so for the past 2 months have been sleeping on the sofa. I say sleeping but I really mean insomnia. I am unable to sleep at all and spend most of the night crying from the pain. I am currently taking 3x 100mg tramadol, 1600mg daily gabapentin and 200mg sertraline (for my depression). I found out today that I am being made to go back to work or be sacked which is highly upsetting and worrying. I am currently waiting to see a spinal surgeon and have not had anything done for 3 months now (thanks to NHS). I wondered if anyone else has the same sort of pains and what you take or do to stop or control the pain? I also wanted to know what the doctor has done for you (ie, surgery, physio etc)? I am so fed up and feel like people don't believe me that the pain is that bad, the only people that do understand are the doctors. Just wish I could be fixed and better. Would really appreciate any replies. Thanks in advance.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • tina29338
    tina29338 Guest

    Posted

    Hi there, I totally understand your pain. I too have prolapsed discs. I have it in c4-5 c5-6 and possible c7. On my left side I also have a bone spur on my right side.

    I'm on 2400g of Gabapentine, 1000g of naproxen, 6 co codamol a day sometimes more, and now oral morphine. I've been waiting 4 months to just be allocated a surgeon and got to wait 2-3 months to actually see him ( nhs)

    I've had this now for almost3 yrs. I have all the same pain as yourself and daily headaches from it all. I haven't had a full nights sleep for 2yrs.

    I'm hoping to go back to work once Ive been sorted by the surgeon fingers crossed. I've been fortunate enough that my job has kept my job open so far but they won't do it for much longer. I'm sorry I can't say I've had any work done as physio didn't help me at all and not actually seeing a doctor that can fix it to tell you how it went. All I can say is your not on your own at all smile

    • Guest
      Guest tina29338

      Posted

      Thank you Tina for your reply it's reassuring to hear from someone who has the same. I keep getting told callback Tuesday for an update on if a surgeon has excepted my case. I am so comforted to know there are people having the same symptoms as myself. What did the phyiso do when you attended sessions as work are trying to force me to have physio and I am concerned it will make my symptons worse or could cause more damage to my spine or nerves that are being damaged.
    • tina29338
      tina29338 Guest

      Posted

      I was told it was my posture! But that was quite early on into the investigation of what's wrong. I had my back taped up so I couldn't slouch. To be honest it hurt loads, then it was exercises on my left arm to walk it up a wall and to rotate my shoulder. But because it hurt so much they then said it wasn't to do with my posture but more to do with my neck. So they reported back to the doc who said ok I'll send you for MRI scan. It took 2yrs of keep goin every month to get my doc to do anything!!!

      The last professional I saw was on community orthopaedic who said that waiting as long as he did and me carrying on working for 12 months had caused me so much more damage!! So I changed my doc at surgery. All I can suggest is keep phoning and visiting your doc to see if they can push for an earlier app x

  • carol52607
    carol52607 Guest

    Posted

    Hi I really do sympathise with you as i was in the same position but mine was L5/S1 prolapsed disc. As you say no sleep, screaming in pain and popping the tablets plus oral morphine is no joke as even though you are in a "zombie" like state the pain breaks through. I continual made a nuisance of myself at the doctors and consultants secretary knew me on first name terms. I dont know if you have a pain clinic in your area as the consultant in mine looked at my MRI results and immediately phoned the neurologist and appt was made to be admitted for surgery the next day. Unfortunately the surgery hasnt been successful in my case but can work for some.  Good luck
    • Guest
      Guest carol52607

      Posted

      Thank you for replying. I have had so many issues with my Doctor at the hospital who said they couldn't do anything there and that they are referring me to a specialist. They knew I was seeing a specialist for my shoulder so told me they were sending my scan results to the doctor and when I see him he will be able to do something. I had to travel for an hour to get to the hospital when I got there I was in soo much pain I was crying and couldn't be touched. My specialist told me he couldn't do anything as he doesn't do spines and I would need to be referred to a spinal specialist. My doctor told me to go back to my doctor and ask for a referral but when I went to my doctor/GP she told me that she was unable to do it until she has been given a referral letter. After calling my specialist back I was told he could find a doctor at his hospital as it would be quicker if I did decide to decide to get referred it would be at least 10 weeks before any consultation. Am feeling soo down and stuck!!
    • carol52607
      carol52607 Guest

      Posted

      Oh Becky they push you from pillar to post. Ask your G.P to be referred to the nerve clinic and a neurosurgeon in your area and to put on the referral URGENT. also keep badgering your DR  till they are sick of the sight of you its the only way.  I waited 12wks to see the neurosurgeon and a further 12 weeks for surgery. the first time.   Let me know how you get on. xx

       

    • Guest
      Guest carol52607

      Posted

      Thank you carol,

      I attended my GP today and he has no upped my tramadol and gabapentin. I have told him how my work have told me that I have to get back to work in the next two weeks otherwise I will be sack. He told me they can't do that as I am in no fit state but I think my work don't believe that I am off sick because of an accident that I had at home as my other GP had put on my sick note that I am not fit for work due to a pain in my neck!! It's horrible. On the plus side my GP have received an update from my specialist shoulder surgeon in London to say that he has passed all my case files to a spinal specialist so that's a good thing. I will keep you updated. Thanks again x

  • sola89502
    sola89502 Guest

    Posted

    I had the same that you have experien pai in your body the only thing different had only in disc c5 and c6 in December 2014 and had surgery on disc 5 and 6 and after recovery back to work for about 8 to 9 month my symptom back again now after ctscan find out have problem on disc c4 c5 and c6 and my different surgeon told me to have surgery again to fix that,plan on April 20 but I still worry going better or no because I had already surgery now again , that not easy I feel like stress.

    i learn from searching Internet  there is help without surgery but I still contact not have answer yet,

    this California’s Most Experienced Provider of Next-Generation, Regenexx® Patented Stem Cell & Platelet Procedures for Common Joint Injuries and Spine Conditions.

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Well here's an update!!

    Well nothing has changed much as haven't seen any specialist yet and still waiting for any appointment to be made!!! I'm still in lots of pain and still taking 400mg of tramadol and 1800mg of gabapentin and still in lots of pain. I now have new symptons of shaking in my arms and hands and the pain has radiated down my left arm now.

    My depression has hit really bad and work are no longer paying me so can't afford anything. Can't see a private specialist because I can't pay and I some times think maybe I should kill myself so my partner can get my life insurance and keep our house as we can't pay the mortgage!!

  • carol52607
    carol52607 Guest

    Posted

    Oh Becki Dont despair all you can do is make a nuisance of yourself at the doctors. Find out which specialist he has referred you to then ring that consultants secretary and explain the situation and dont give up till you have some answers/appointment. Another alternative is present yourself at A&E but all they will possibly do is up your medication. Its a never ending battle and i times you do feel as though it is never going to end. I have had two failed operations but now learning to live(you cant call it living) with the pain rather than have more surgery at the present time as it has taken so long for me to recover from each operation. Hope you get some news soon. x

     

    • Guest
      Guest carol52607

      Posted

      Thank you Carol for your reply.

      Unfortunately I am under a specialist for my shoulder and still haven't been given a specialist for my spine as the hospital just sent me to my shoulder specialist thinking he could do my spine (soo wrong). They were waiting for the report from the MRI to be sent to the specialist so he could pick a spinal specialist.

      Been calling every week sometimes 3-4 times a week and still nothing. It's getting me down as I have seen my works doctor who has said I am clearly in a lot of pain and can't work or drive.

      I feel I need my medication upped as I am now in more pain than ever before. My hands and arms shaking is really hurting as well as annoying. To top all of this off everytime I use my arm or lift anything including a knife the muscles in my right bicep keep tearing which is excruciating. I am unable to sleep and it's stressing me out. I have decided I am going to complain to the hospital board as I can't keep this up for much longer. Just want to be somewhat sorted and getting back to normality.

      Thank you again for the reply. I really hope your pain can get under control and I'm soo sorry to hear that the operations didn't go well and you are taking awhile to recover from them. Please do let me know how you get on. Xx

    • carol52607
      carol52607 Guest

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply, thinking of you keep your chin up and keep fighting, xx
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.