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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by NikkiT2 on June 15, 2006, at 10:17:14
So, my cervical MRI came back showing degeneration in the disc, and cervical spondylosis - he said my vertebre were at the point they should be when I am 60 (I'm halfway to 60 so far!)
He has referred me to an orthopedic consultant to discuss this further.. and I have ofcourse googled. He said that, as the orthopedic appointment will be quite some time coming, that I should start something like Yoga or Pilates to start strengthening the muscles that will need to work a little harder as my spine degenerates.
OK, so it does worry me a little.. I was expecting to get nothing from the MRI, so it was alittle bit of a suprise..
Any info or advice??
Nikki
Posted by MidnightBlue on June 15, 2006, at 17:04:15
In reply to MRI shows Cervical Spondylosis.., posted by NikkiT2 on June 15, 2006, at 10:17:14
Oh wow Nikki!
Well, at least you know something now. Let us know how it comes out.
MidnightBlue
Posted by Dinah on June 15, 2006, at 22:26:01
In reply to Re: MRI shows Cervical Spondylosis.. » NikkiT2, posted by MidnightBlue on June 15, 2006, at 17:04:15
I'm sorry, Nikki.
That would definitely account for the pain. Hopefully they'll come up with an effective pain management program now that they definitively know the cause.
Posted by gardenergirl on June 16, 2006, at 9:17:21
In reply to Re: MRI shows Cervical Spondylosis.., posted by Dinah on June 15, 2006, at 22:26:01
I'm glad you got some answers, and I hope that leads to feeling better.
I wish I could ship a massage therapist/healer I know to you. She does Reiki and cranial-sacral therapy along with healing touch. Just being in her presence is calming, and I always feel so much better after a session with her. Truly an angel on earth.
If your doc approves, you might want to consider cranial-sacral therapy. I find it helpful with some of my neck stuff.
Take care,
gg
Posted by NikkiT2 on June 16, 2006, at 9:40:59
In reply to Re: MRI shows Cervical Spondylosis.., posted by gardenergirl on June 16, 2006, at 9:17:21
Sorry.. I should have been clearer.
They don't think this is what is causing the arm pain. Its what is causing the neck pain and head aches I've been getting for some while )but it was managable pain, not like the arm pain), but its a whole seperate thing annoyingly.
So now I have TWO loads of pain to deal with. Woo hoo. And am no nearer to answers about the arm.
No way I can afford massages on top of everything else (medical bills at nearly 2 months wages so far).. *sighs*
Nikki
Posted by Dinah on June 16, 2006, at 12:15:02
In reply to Sorry - its not this causing arm pain, posted by NikkiT2 on June 16, 2006, at 9:40:59
I'm so sorry, Nikki. That's an awful turn of events. I hope they find the cause of the arm pain soon.
Posted by ClearSkies on June 16, 2006, at 12:30:41
In reply to Sorry - its not this causing arm pain, posted by NikkiT2 on June 16, 2006, at 9:40:59
Yoga and Pilates are great for increasing your muscle strength and stamina. GG is absolutely right about pursuing alternative forms of healing and pain relief - I don't think that western medicine understands how to best treat chronic pain. The cost of care is yet another stress you didn't ask for.
There are probably some good resources for alternative care in your area. Personally I've been using Applied Kinesiology for what I call my hormonal distress, and feel better all around. AK is not a medically recognized form of treatment, but if it isn't hurting me, I'm all for it.ClearSkies
Posted by NikkiT2 on June 16, 2006, at 15:04:52
In reply to Re: Sorry - its not this causing arm pain » NikkiT2, posted by ClearSkies on June 16, 2006, at 12:30:41
I am *completely* open to non-western ideas..
I've been having accupuncture, but I was waiting for this acute phase to pass before going back to it, but I'm also slowly accepting it might not.. It often helped, but occasionally it left me in more pain, so I'm a little wary at the moment.
Also, it didn't tend to help for more than an few hours.I've been using Buddhist Mindfulness meditation too, and having good success with it at night, and its improved my sleep no end. A colleague who is a DBT therapist suggested it to me, and I bought "Full Catastrophe Living", which teaches those techniques, and a CD of led meditations using the same structure. I've also done "Body Scan", which is an hour long meditation, and reccomend that *really* highly - for any physical ailment really.
A friend practices reiki, so when I see her she gives me a session. Its very good at relaxing me, but doesn't do a huge amount for the pain.
I'm off to google Applied Kinesiology.. I agree, its worth tryinga nything that doesn't hurt me.. but unfortunately, this is all hurting my wallet very very badly.
And I don't know how much longer I will have a job to be paying for it..
Ach ach ach.
Ach!
Thankyou.. everyone. Seriously
Nikki xx
Posted by Tamar on June 18, 2006, at 18:23:47
In reply to Sorry - its not this causing arm pain, posted by NikkiT2 on June 16, 2006, at 9:40:59
> They don't think this is what is causing the arm pain. Its what is causing the neck pain and head aches I've been getting for some while )but it was managable pain, not like the arm pain), but its a whole seperate thing annoyingly.
I know nothing of your symptoms of course, but is there a chance the spine problems could be caused by ankylosing spondylitis? If so, it could perhaps be responsible for the arm pain too. Ankylosing spondylitis is fairly rare in women, and women often present with different symptoms than men. In men the spine is usually the first problem, but in women it can often start in other parts of the body. Given your age, AS might be more likely than spondylosis. But I’m not a doctor… Anyway, it’s something else to google…
Posted by Larry Hoover on June 19, 2006, at 7:37:54
In reply to MRI shows Cervical Spondylosis.., posted by NikkiT2 on June 15, 2006, at 10:17:14
> OK, so it does worry me a little.. I was expecting to get nothing from the MRI, so it was alittle bit of a suprise..
It may be meaningless, as far as any symptoms go. It seldom leads to symptoms that can be directly linked to the condition.
As your disks in your cervical vertebrae prematurely degenerate, the body tries to compensate by laying down bone. Unless that bone impinges on nerves, there is no reason to do anything about it.
The degenerating disk, though, gives off substances that are highly inflammatory to surrounding tissues. If you're not routinely using a general anti-inflammatory such as ketoprofen, I highly recommend that you find one that you can tolerate, and get used to taking it.
> Any info or advice??
>
> NikkiSorry, Nikki. Just sorry.
Here are two excellent articles about the condition:
http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic564.htm
http://www.emedicine.com/pmr/topic27.htmThe second of the two seems to emphasize some of the medical issues in a way the other does not. On balance, they cover the territory quite well.
Sorry this comes on top of the ulnar thing. Mine is getting way better, now that I saw that Chinese doctor. I'm seeing a guy with two doctorates, Chinese Traditional Medicine, and Acupuncture. I'll babblemail you his address. Seriously, it may be worth a trip to Canada, to see this guy. Two weeks with him might make all the difference in the world, Nikki.
Lar
Posted by NikkiT2 on June 20, 2006, at 16:25:50
In reply to Re: MRI shows Cervical Spondylosis.. » NikkiT2, posted by Larry Hoover on June 19, 2006, at 7:37:54
Its botox day tomorrow..
I'm feeling utterly lost at he moment.
Thankyou Larry.. for your babble mail and the info.. unfortunately, as of tomorrow, the cash stash has gone.
I'm keeping positive for tomorrow..
Keep positive for me everyone?
Nikki xx
Posted by Dinah on June 20, 2006, at 19:24:49
In reply to Botox tomorrow.. and Lar.., posted by NikkiT2 on June 20, 2006, at 16:25:50
As many positive thoughts as I can muster are winging your way.
Posted by ClearSkies on June 20, 2006, at 22:11:48
In reply to Botox tomorrow.. and Lar.., posted by NikkiT2 on June 20, 2006, at 16:25:50
I'll be thinking of you, Nikki. I hope it goes well and you get a break.
ClearSkies
Posted by NikkiT2 on June 21, 2006, at 14:55:36
In reply to Re: Botox tomorrow.. and Lar.. » NikkiT2, posted by ClearSkies on June 20, 2006, at 22:11:48
So I'm home..
Well that hurt *L* It actually hurt a suprising amount.. I had 12 jabs from the base of my skull behind me ear, down over my shoulder, in my bicep kind if area, elbow, forearm, wrist and (these were the painful ones), two in the palm of my hand..
Feeling a little sore.. and a bit wierd from way too much adrenalin.. Will be about 10 days before I feel the full effects, but I am definately hopeful. I see him again the first week of July..
nasty man wouldn't slip one little jab between my eyebrows though *lol* Said that this grade of botchulism toxin was much stronger than that used cosmetically (which was also the reason it hurt so much more), and one little jab would paralyse my whole face *lol* Though, I think he might have thought that a good idea by the end of my adrenalin induced babbling *L*
Now I just wait and see.. he said I will probably feel a little fluey for the next couple of days while my body processses the botchulism, but other than that, I just need to hope..
Thanks for the thoughts everyone.. was really much appreciated..
Will keep you updated..
Nikki xx
Posted by gardenergirl on June 22, 2006, at 1:24:13
In reply to Back from botox.., posted by NikkiT2 on June 21, 2006, at 14:55:36
I hope you feel better and better as the days go on.
gg
Posted by llrrrpp on June 22, 2006, at 20:08:42
In reply to Glad you're okay » NikkiT2, posted by gardenergirl on June 22, 2006, at 1:24:13
I hope this does the trick for you!
best wishes,
-llp.s. you don't need to botox your face, you're perfect the way you are- nothing ugly comes from smiling too much!
Posted by Dinah on June 22, 2006, at 21:48:33
In reply to Back from botox.., posted by NikkiT2 on June 21, 2006, at 14:55:36
I'm hoping too.
I hope you're not feeling too unwell while your body is working on processing.
This is the end of the thread.
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