i had previosly posted...asking you guys about arthritis pain...was just experincing some things in my neck and just trying to compare notes until i saw a doctor.......i had an mri yesterday and my primary care doctor called me back today with not so positive news. apprantly ive got degenerative issues causing stenosis............and now i have to see a nerosurgon.......guess that splains why i was having the blasted headaches for a while. not sure what the path forward is gonna consist of................but i aint gonna let it best me...............i cant ..........tryin by best not to get depressed over it

I feel for you. Keep a good attitude and postpone any surgery as long as you can.

Just cleared for my spinal neck fusion. I was depressed, freaked out, you got this. Dr's. are human but can do amazing things today. Stay positive!

Best thing you can do is not worry PLUS listen to the surgeon. Bright spot is you know what was the problem and that is a pretty common fix. In 6 or less months you will be a new person. Neck fusion is a piece of cake compared to the lower back. They go thru the front and some are using a robot now. If so you will go home same day. Just don't get re-ended before it heals LOL.

Hang in there! Your luck has to change soon!

The doc may decide to try drugs first before jumping right into surgery. Stay positive. It could be worse. Do NOT take counsel of your fears about this. I think most of us do that at times.Usually things are not nearly as bad as we fear they are going to be.

You deserve a large amount of credit… when I made my original post,, about the arthritis,, your opinion was that it was more than likely a nerve issue… it’s just being unsure of the path forward and not knowing what to expect.

Fox44, not knowing is scary . Until one really looks into the right avenues for treatment, understands and then finds the top doctors and or surgeons who have sure track records of just the type of treatment you need, is so encouraging when you find it.

Knowledge is power for the future.

You are on the trail to success.

You bet. Uncertainty is the worst thing there is in a situation like this. Sort of like having some test for possible cancer and having to wait two weeks for the report to come back. The waiting is worse than knowing !

My motto is......." It is what it is" meet it head on and deal with it. Wishing and hoping are not options. You'll be fine but it may take some time and maybe some discomfort but the result will be worth it.


These guys aren't too far from you.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-stenosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352961

I had MRI a couple months ago plus a neck ultra sound that found nothing my neck was stoved up and I had vertigo turned out a weekly visit to the chiropractor was all it took to fix it.

Take your mri to a chiropractor. Have them go over it and see if they can help you. Use acupuncture with your chiropractor. It should postpone or eliminate surgery.
I had a construction fall years ago. Broke a vertebrae and damaged my kidneys. I now have back problems. Cat scan showed, herniated discs, bulbous discs and signs of “advanced aging”. As well as calcium deposits around the break. Monthly visit to the chiropractor and acupuncturists keeps me moving nearly pain free.

in drug trials a lot of people who get the placebo get better. like 25%. so to be effective the drug must improve significantly more than 25%. my advice is to avoid witch drs

All of us suddenly got OLD! Im still trying to figure out why i can't walk miles up and down hills like i use to, something new hurts everyday, what doesn't hurt doesn't work, etc. Don't get depressed, you'll fit right in with what's left of trapper's these days.

Foxkid44. I went in a couple months back with neck pain and numbness, had MRIs done and the docs called it Degenerative Disk disease.MRI showed my where my spine is pushing into the spinal cord. I am scheduled for a spinal injection on Monday finally (if insurance quits fighting me). Talked with a spine surgeon and spine specialist and said that the injection should fix the problems for awhile. Not sure how long it will help but like the idea of it before surgery. One of the guys I work with had them done and and it has helped them a ton. Good luck and don't get to stressed out.

thanks everyone for the encouragement! I sincerely appreciate it!!

There are quite a few different treatments today, my grandfather went to Mayo and had excellent luck there when he broke three vertebrae in his neck back in the early 60s and I believe they’ve only gotten better solutions. But don’t discount physical therapy I’ve had very good luck with it and have been able to hold off surgery for a long time it can also help to build strength that can help if you do have to have surgery.

I hope it works out for you. Serious stuff.
There is always a path forward and hopefully for you it includes a second opinion by another highly qualified professional.
Two good brains are always better than one.
Best of luck.

Osky

Be cautiously optimistic until you learn otherwise from a full complete diagnosis, treatment plan, and prognosis.

Then, get a second opinion. I have a serious spinal injury. Many tests and procedures - trigger point injections, facet block injections, four surgeries, 7 transforaminal bilateral epidural injections, various medications, plus more.

Be cautious because some things cannot be undone.

Best wishes for success and good health!

Foxkidd- My brother is going through the exact same thing right now. He has Major Stenosis in his neck. Headaches so bad he wanted to eat a bullet a few times. He has an appointment in Philly Pa. in October with a specialist. Hope the best for you. Your not alone.

Oh, I’m sorry you’re going through this. I’ve had my share of it and it gets pretty debilitating. I was able to avoid surgery with a single injection. That was 14 years ago now. It try’s to flare from time to time. Learning how to protect my neck with a good physical therapist, knowledgeable about neck injuries has really helped me. I have numbness but can manage to stay pretty pain free. Be very careful with a chiropractor and a cervical injury! My wife got an injury and ended up needing a disc replacement after a chiropractic manipulative adjustment. Best of luck to you sir.