My issues

  • Thread starter Thread starter noshow
  • Start date Start date
still here

Hi friends,

I am still rockin this headache. It seems yo have went away a bit, but then comes roaring back. If I have not said. I feel like it comes from a spinal issue. I have some serious issues in my neck, or c-spine. Yet they are not as severe as the L-spine. I have this spot in the back of my neck that bulges out, and it causes headaches that I consider pure evil. Usually the go away with rest etc, but this is the second worst I've had in terms of duration. So I will not fight it no more, and tonight will go to the hospital. It is only the third time I have given up, and will seek medical treatment for a headache. As bad as they are. I can usually deal with them. I hope your all well, and thank you for listening...Ns
 
fortunatly

Today I rested well. I had thought I would need to go to the hospital, but the headache has subsided enough that I don't feel the need to anymore. I am still left with some lingering issues, but nothing too serious I feel. My wife's friends are RN's, and such. They all think something is more seriously wrong with me as well. Now these people only see me when I take my son to kids group etc. So how is it they feel there is wrong?, and my Dr doesn't? Anyways i had already decided to get a second opinion.

I know the internet can be dangerous sometimes. I did some home tests to see if they jive with what my wife's friend thinks I am facing. I hope not, but will ask this other Dr when I go. Be well all...Ns
 
Things could be worse!

Hey buddy,
Sorry to hear about the headaches. Bad news all around. All you can do is 'try' to survive the pain and get through it.
I suppose I'm the 'eternal optimist'. I try to find SOMETHING good about all difficult situations. Like the 'bitter cold' in the mid-west right now. Cold temps cause a lot of my health problems to worsen, BUT, I have found ONE 'good thing' to think about. We have 2- 6# Yorkies which give us a lot of joy. For whatever reason, no matter the size 'dog poop' the smell is just as strong. Our Yorkies 'poop' smells VERY BAD, BUT, in the frigid temps, it freezes before the 'stink' can get to my nose. YEA!
I've suffered from migraines for most of my adult life. They last 2 to 3 days. I get the upset stomach, sensitivity to light and noise but I'm one of the 'lucky few' in the world. I get ALL the symtems WITHOUT THE HEADACHE! Weird, but true.
Hang in there, listen to your body, have the tests done to rule out all of the nasty possibilities that run through your head while in pain. Doctors are suppose to make you feel better. If your doctors are not, find other doctors. I'm always completely honest with all doctors. If I don't like what they try to have me do, I tell them. Communication is 90% of life, in my opinion. Remember one fact of life.........after birth, we all have a 'terminal illness'. We all die. We all have just so much time on this earth. Try to make the best of every minute of life you can. Putting off until tomorrow is not 'living', it's existing, my friend.
Be well,
upperhydro
 
Strange enough

Hey upperhydro,

Strange enough I usually get the same light issues, and noise. This time I did not. It was just the pain issues. It happens the same way everytime. I have some c-spine issues. I get a bulging in the back of my neck. I know as soon as it hits me I'm in trouble. It has been awhile since I had one this bad though. I can usually deal with them well. This time though I suffered. I should have just been smart enough to go to the hospital the first night.

I am starting to implement some advice you've given me. A journal as well as Thursday I am seeing a second Dr, or different than my main neurosurgeon. So we will see how it goes. I appreciate the help, and hope your doing well. This cold is making it hard for me. Be well...Ns
 
a relief

Hi All,

Had a Dr appointment today. Not my normal Dr, but went back to the original one that referred me. So anyways I went, and actually to my suprise. This Dr listened to me. I now have an Mri schedualed for my lumbar, and cervical. At least they have to clear it with insurance first, but I'll know tomorrow. There was some type of growth on my c-spine area. Very small, but they are wanting to look into it more. This could be my headache issue. Also they made it seem like this is typical of the other Dr. That he is the dismissive type. I was able to air my ills, and grievances about the Dr, and my issues. This Dr made me feel good. Like he cared about what was going on, and is actually looking into what is causing these issues I am facing. Maybe they don't find shit, but I am relieved that they are actually doing something. They are looking into it for me. They even have a referral for me to see an eye Dr about the blurry vision I have that is an after effect of these headaches. So that is it. On my end some good news. So hopefully we will get to the root of the problem, or problems. Be well all...Ns
 
NS those headaches sound severe..sorry you have to put up with those. But I see you found a Doc that listens..wonderful and rare buddy. I hope the MRI goes well and they discover something. Peeps sometimes ask why I would hope for discovery..well if you suffer for years and no body seems to find anything, there is no possibility of them treating what ever is causing the problem. Yup..they gotta find it first. Good luck, be well...DD
 
Hi DD

Hi DoobiDuck,

I get the headaches often, but usually not this severe. This one went the whole nine yards just about. In thier worst I end up getting some blurry vision. That ends up going away. I have excellent depth perception, but am robbed of it during, and after these headaches.

I am quite happy though with the Original Dr. I was with someone for an hour, or so. The surgeon I mentioned before. You are in, and out as fast as can be. I will admit to being worried about this growth on my c-spine, but hopefully it will turn into nothing.

Ok my younin is awake so I need to go. Be well all...Ns
 
Round 3

Hi All,

Round three today. I went for some blood test, and tomorrow I go for more Mri's. I will with hold the suspicions of myself, and the Doctor until tomorrow after I know more. Actually I will wait until I hear the results of all tests. yet I can say this. There is a fair chance of a life changing possibility in the results. I will admit I am a little scared, but I think anyone would be unnerved. Hopefully the news will be positive. Goodday all...Ns
 
Waiting Game

Hi All,

I went today for some more testing. Yesterday the did some bloodwork on me, and today was an Mri of both the c-spine, and lumbar. So I will know the results in about two days, or so. I appreciate everyone following along with this, and giving me encouragement. Be well...Ns
 
Hello Noshow im sory to here about your headaches .
I dont know if the info that im about to give you is alowed & it might evan disgust some readers who only smoke pot, but small doses of mushrooms are great for headaches evan in doses that are so small that you dont evan get high.I have read about it a# of times & I have evan seen a documentry on tv where a serious migrain sufferer was in an experiment where psysiloben mushrooms helped his headache .He said it was the only thing that realy helped.But he then went on to say that he promissed his daughter that he wouldent use ilisit drugs,& he hopes that one day it will be used as a legal medical treatment for headaches.
I hope you find relief.
 
thank you

Hi 1cat,

Thank you for the advice. I don't see nothing wrong with anything you have said. I know the chief precursor for lsd ergomine tartrate if I spelled right. Is used also in some medications.

OK NEWS!!!

I did get the results of my Mri. I am thinking damn that was fast. So after my first surgery. I told Dr something was wrong, and he didn't believe me. So eventually I was found to be right, and that earned me a second surgery. Well guess who's right again? The results were as said to me. There are significant, but not quite surgery type changes. I am being schedualed for an epidural injection. I am worried though as the last time. By the second one it was hurting worse than to begin with. Yet again it seems I was correct, and I would much rather be wrong. I don't know where this will lead, but I for some reason know it won't end up well. I know how the pain is, and how it is building. I just forsee some more surgery, or something in my future. I will post here again after I go into the next appointment, and find out more details of exactly what wa found. Be well...Ns
 
I dont want to worry you more but an epidural that my wife got hurt her real bad ,she didnt end up parilized but her pain was worse .It took her months to recover from it.She just told me that she might have moved a little because she was so woried about being parilized.On a diferent note she has steroids injected into her knee and it helps.
 
taking a break

Hi All,

I decided to take a quick shower, and focus myself a bit better. As I said they didn't find anything significant in the c-spine area, but that still doesn't explain the issues there.

In the lumbar as I mentioned there is a significant difference. Well if you all remember when I had my first surgery. It was basically the cause of why the second one herniated. So given that four years ago I had an Mri done, and I had four herniated disc's in the lumbar. Plus the surgeries from now, and how the first caused the second. It is not a far cry to think that the second has also caused a more rapid deterioration. I am not too sure about all the issues exactly of why this is going on. I have really tried to take it easier since my second surgery.

So now when I go back to the Dr who did the surgery, and he asks how I am feeling. How do you respond without making him look like an idiot? It is not a case of me saying Hahaha your wrong, and I'm right. I'd prefer to be wrong but I know my body. That is why I went for a second opinion. It should make it easier for my disability claim when they know my back is just deteriorating so rapidly. Then again maybe not. I am unsure of how I'll respond to the spidurals. It didn't go good the first, or second I had. If they help. Then they help, but this last tie there was not any help. That led to a first surgery. Then a second, and now. hat will this lead to a third? It is almost a moot point, but I am unsure of how much have they helped. Have they made it worse?. So I am struggling right now with these thoughts in my head. I definatly will consider alot more if I will have to have another surgery. I just may bypass this if suggested again. Yet I want to be in good enough health to do things with the family, but it seems to be getting worse, and worse. I am going for now, and thank you for the advice, and concern...ns
 
More news

Hi All,

I am pretty well lit right now so I hope this all comes out right. I went to the Dr today. I had an epidural steroid injection. I will be getting one considering they work two more in the next couple weeks.

So I asked them to elaborate on my Mri results. The C5/6 are in a degenerative process, but not in bad shape. The c7 is herniated, but slightly. It is pushing on the nerves, but there is still fluid all around it. So that isn't all that bad either.

Now the lumbar results. L1 is moderate degeneration. L2 Slight herniation and degeneration. L3 pretty much same issues, but slightly worse. L4/5 are were the fusion occured. S1 is not too great. Same as L3, but worse than it. SO basically what is happening is the surgeries are seemingly making the areas around it go quicker. I don't know how long I have, but I am going to fight against another surgery unless there is no other option. I was in bad, or worse shape before. Yet I will do everything I can to avoid it this time. Only as a last result. So that is basically it for now. Be well all...Ns
 
Let me know what you guys did to your backs to get them in that shape so that I can avoid it at all costs. My grandfather went through many of the same things with multiple spine surgeries followed by severe headaches and the works. It was really debilitating for him so I can really feel for you guys.
 
Scrog

Hi friend,

Sorry to hear about your Grandfather. It definatly is not fun. As for what did I do to get to this point? I would say there are only two events in my life that I can think of. The most major was a motorcycle wreck. I walked away from a triple digit speed crash. I believe that started all my issues. Yet the catalyst was several years afterwards when at a job. I feel out of the truck and landed square on my back. That started the real pain, and issues. As for other contributing factors. Whether this is true, or not. Alot of drugs. Especially lds, and shrooms. Heavy partying may have had a say in my issues. I had understood true, or not. That lsd does something to your spine. Maybe it does, or maybe it is not. Though those two major incidents. The crash, and worktruck incident. I believe to be the main two aggravating factors.

Scrog I seriously hope you never ever have to deal with any of these issues. It changes you. Imagine one day all of a sudden you can't do what you want. Some days your body will let you do something, but at a great expense to your own self the next day, or two. I am an adrenaline junkie. I can no longer jump out a plane, or bungee jump, or ride a cycle. That is not fun to feel like that. Be well...Ns
 
Answers for Scrog

In my case, I started working in the printing industry with 1,000# Rolls of newsprint when I was 14 yo and weighed about 120# myself. I lifted 70# paper roll shafts about 30 times a day. I 'got strong' very fast. Physically, I was in great shape. After 5 years of mostly physical labor, I was promoted to management level jobs so the physical demands on my body went way down. I also 'played as hard as I worked'. A LOT of snow skiing in the PNW where I LOVED THOSE BUMPS and skiing in the trees. I also got into Snowmobiles, Quads, Hiking, etc. I had a lot of FUN.
At 41 yo, I started having major back pain and sciatic pain down the left leg. My pain came on gradually and got worse over time. I did not have one ‘incident’ that I can point to and say ‘that did it’.
I also developed a minor 'rash' on my scalp and armpits. I finally went to a Dermatologist who checked me out and asked about my feet. I explained that from age 17, I had 'callouses' on my heels that I would 'cut off' when they got too big. He took a look and told me to get into a rheumatologist as soon as possible. I had ‘Psoriasis’ and probably ‘Psoriatic Arthritis’ and probably Rheumatoid Arthritis as well. He was right on all accounts plus ‘Facet Arthritis’ of the spine. Most of my Arthritis conditions are ‘under control’ but what I’ve lost in hand strength will never return. I can’t do much anymore without a lot of pain.
Dermatologists see almost all diseases of the body show signs on the skin first. I wish one of my early doctors had sent me to a Dermatologist by age 20. I might have been in better condition had the Arthritis conditions been treated sooner.
Back pain now includes my entire spine from neck to L5/S1. Most of my recent problems involve the low back but I can feel the start of problems in the mid and upper back as well.
My prognosis is a wheelchair within the next 5 years. I was also told the same thing in 1997 but I’m still walking, with the help of a cane, today. Doctors don’t ‘know everything’ and each person is an individual. I KNOW that if I stop ‘being physical’ I may not be able to start again. I do as much as I can now to enjoy every minute of activity I can. I don’t ‘pity myself’ as I know many other people have many more problems than I have. My problems could be much worse than they are. I ‘fight’ my pain every day so I can continue to live as close to a normal life as possible for as long as possible.
Advise: take care of yourself; listen to your body and STOP when your body tells you to stop. Don’t try to ‘out work’, ‘out lift’, ‘out fight’, or ‘out last’ others. It’s not worth it. You only have one body so try to take care of it and it will take care of you.
Good luck to everyone here at MNS,
upperhydro
 
wisdom

Hi upperhydro2,

You speak some wisdom. I do admit to sitting around more than maybe I should, but I do my best to save my body for the days I go out with my family. Say for instance taking my son out to the park. Doing something like that is more important to me than doing what I alone want to do. Besides as I mentioned. I physically if had a lock in my back, or whatever you want to call it. While I was on a bike, or skydiving. I would be in some serious trouble. I wish I could, but I have accepted certain factors in my life. Even though I know I will suffer. I save myself for activities that involve my family. The first time in quite awhile I played cards. That was my one time in a few years that it was all about me. Occasionally we all need that, but I am made much more happier doing for my youngest than me.

You speak some good words. It is because of you, and one other. That I started my journal. Funny is within a month I was able to pinpoint how some issues started. So I thank you for that. As for however your issues, or mine started. They are here, and part of our lives. Sometimes I deal with it well and many times I just don't.

I am most scared about my c-spine issues. We will see how it works out. Be well all. I need to get to some pm's. Nighty nite...Ns
 
Hi All

After taking a break from this thread for a bit. I have some news. I had gone thru another series of lumbar injections. Again they failed to help significantly. Although I am going soon for a cervical injection. I do have hope that it will help as the issues thre. Are no where near as bad as the lumbar area.

Hope you all are well...Ns
 
new news

Hi All,

It has been a longtime since I have updated this thread. I did have a lumbar injection today. I do have some hope this will work. As many know. I had two fusions on the L4, and L5. The new news is this...

The area's above, and below the fusions. Are severely bulging. Where as the L1 is Also severely bulging, and has started to tear thru the lining. That is about it for now. I hope all are well. No surgery is in my future I've been told. Unless there is a herniation severe enough to cause nerve issues again. Be well all...Ns



add: So basically my lumbar is trashed. I can just about pinpoint the tear. It felt similar to the one that led to my second fusion. Just not as painful. Blessing to all here, and if anyone can help, or needs some info regarding the spine. I have a few good resources, and friends here with good knowledge. Just ask. Be well...Ns
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top