Does anyone have herniated discs in their neck?

I cannot take the pain anymore. What is your treatment plan? Do you take muscle relaxers? Physical therapy? What kind of doctor do you see?

I see a neurologist and I am supposed to go for a follow up MRI but I literally have not been able to make an appt. And find time to go. I told DH this morning I don't care if he has to take the day off, I have to go. The neurologist won't prescribe more physical therapy until I get an updated MRI.

I wake up every morning with a stiff neck which leads to a headache. The worst is occasionally I wake up and I literally cannot pick my head up straight because the pain is so bad...it feels like my head is a 100lb boulder sitting on my neck and like my neck bones and discs are being crushed The pain will radiate into my ears and jaw, up the back of my head around to my forehead. It happened this morning and I stood under the hot shower for 20 minutes trying to stretch my neck and loosen it up so I could old my head up without the pain. Does anyone else get this type of pain?

DH said it could be my pillows and the way I sleep that makes it worse. I try to sleep on my side or back but I usually end up on my stomach with my head turned which is terrible for my neck. Do you have any kind of special pillow?

Re: Does anyone have herniated discs in their neck?

I just found out after having an MRI that I have a herniated disc in my lower back. I have to start physical therapy which will help the disc hopefully slide back into place. Feel better

Re: Does anyone have herniated discs in their neck?

Dh had a herniated disc in his neck that resulted in surgery. His symptoms included pain down his arm to his hand. THis eventually led to numbness and his neck was literally bent to almost a 90 degree angle. He couldn't straighten his neck!
He was on all sorts of pain killers (percoset, valium, codein and diluidal). The MRI showed that the disc was compressing his spinal column. He did go for PT but it only hurt him more.

The pain he had to go through was painful for me to see. It was terrible! I hope you're painfree ASAP!

Re: Does anyone have herniated discs in their neck?

Message edited 6/2/2014 9:50:43 PM.

Re: Does anyone have herniated discs in their neck?

Message edited 6/2/2014 9:50:57 PM.

Re: Does anyone have herniated discs in their neck?

I have 2 in my neck and 3 in my lower back.

I see a physiatrist, and I like him a lot if you want some info.

I've done it all - physical therapy, accupuncture, trigger shots, all have worked and not worked at different times. DEFINITELY how you're sleeping has an impact.

Also, think about getting a headset for your phone if you're on the phone a lot and/or an ergonomic mouse.

Re: Does anyone have herniated discs in their neck?

Re: Does anyone have herniated discs in their neck?

I've got 2 cervical and 1 lumbar herniated disc. the lumbar has herniated 3 times in the last 18 months. And i've had 2 surgeries to correct it already.

i've been through PT for both lumbar and cervical, i've been given tons of medications. I've taken anti-inflammatories, steroids, meds to treat the neurological symptoms, pain killers... I had 2 microdisectomies on my lower back. I've had epidural injections for both areas.

At this point, i've given up the PT, my insurance won't cover it anymore. I do exercise though, as much as it causes pain. i take pain killers as i need them, as much as i hate to take them. but my next option is surgery for both areas, and i'm not thrilled with the idea of a fusion in either location. not after my last 2 back surgeries.

it really sucks, and i've had to totally change my way of life because of it. I can't do alot of what i used to consider a normal day. but i can say over the last 6 months since surgery, the pain has gotten better. its not gone, but i have better days and worse days.

Re: Does anyone have herniated discs in their neck?

I have three in lower back and 2 in my neck, I had a cervical fusion 4 years ago, it did give me alot of relief but I still get some discomfort. One thing I notice that helps is my pillow, not sure what it is called, but it supports your neck. It has a bump at top and bottom and flat in the middle. BBB carires them.
I was stomache sleeper also now I cant due to the fusion, you adjust to side sleeping.