WTH is going on now?

[boysmom2]

So, I posted here several months back when my right hand was suddenly numb. After all kinds of testing it was determined to be caused by a slightly bulging disk in my neck. This was a result of poor posture combine with the fact that I hold all kinds of tension in my neck muscles, so much so that they have pulled my cervical spine out of alignment causing this disk problem. So I went to PT for a while and it was greatly improved, though not completely fixed. I was supposed to see the neuro for a follow up, but haven't yet. I was feeling pretty good and had been pretty busy, so I hadn't been doing the stretches/exercises that PT gave me very often.

Then, yesterday morning I woke up in extreme pain. My neck felt very tight and I had pain in both shoulders, my right elbow, my left thumb, and both of my knees. I can't make a fist or grip anything with either hand. My DH had to help me get dressed. As the day went on it got good enough that I was able to take my 3 boys to a HS park day, though it was a struggle and my 8yo had to help lift his 1yo brother into his car seat. Last night I went to a moms' hsing meeting and sat pretty still for about 3 hours. Afterwards it was worse again. DH had to help me get dressed for bed, helped me into bed and had to get up during the night to help position me and DS3 so he could nurse. I took a bunch of Motrin about 30 min before I got up this morning and spent another 30 min in a scalding hot shower. Now I'm sitting with a hot rice sock on my neck. It's definitely better than when I first got up, but I think it's still worse than yesterday.

I'm going to call the neuro when the office opens, but he's like 90 years old and so only works a couple of days/week, so who knows when I'll get into see him.

So, any thoughts? I'm not sure what to think: is this just an exacerbation of my previous neck issues, or does it sound like something new? Any ideas of how I can improve things?

[neveryoumindthere]

nak

Did anything happen the night/day before? I mean some emotional upset? That was my first thought

Otherwise, on the physical side of it, I know vitamin B deficiency can cause numbness...can you see a naturopath?

[boysmom2]

No, actually. I had a pretty great day the day before. I met up with a friend who I really like but hadn't seen in quite a while. We went together to a hs group meeting and I was pretty excited/energized by the whole thing.

I know they checked some vitamin levels when I was getting everything checked out a few months ago, but I don't know for sure if they checked Bs. I think they did. I don't know if I can see a naturopath. I'll have to look into it.

Thanks!

Oh, and I called the neuro office and they can get me in next wed. I practically cried to the receptionist, so now I'm waiting for a call back from the nurse.

[joy2grow]

In May an MRI diagnosed me with a bulging disc in my lumbar spine. It was extreme tightness of my right glute on down the right leg w/ intermittent numbness that sent me to the doctor to begin with. At my worst I could not dress alone and it was very anxiety producing, I understand how that feels. Generally I wake up tight/sore and feel better as the day goes on. I take ibuprofen (800mg X2 - but was X4 at the worst) and try to keep moving as much as possible when I first wake up. As our issues are in different locations and I am very new to this injury, I can mostly offer empathy

I'd like to say more but I need to make DD's lunch and head out for the day...

[sbgrace]

Weakness along with that pain and your findings previously would make me think nerve compression pretty severe and I'd worry about nerve damage from the disc. I'm glad you're seeing the neuro.

[Marnica]

http://www.healingbackpain.com/

I urge you to seriously look into an alternative explanation for your pain.
This doctor changed my life.

[boysmom2]

Thanks for the supportive words. I really appreciate it. I think I will try upping my motrin for now. I am much more mobile now than I was earlier, but I still can't lift my 1yo.

I just called the dr's office back, since they never called me, and they can't see me until next wed. They said I should try a heating pad until then and they can't call in any rx without seeing me. Thanks for nothing, guys.

[boysmom2]

Originally Posted by sbgrace

Weakness along with that pain and your findings previously would make me think nerve compression pretty severe and I'd worry about nerve damage from the disc. I'm glad you're seeing the neuro.

This is why I'm not too crazy about waiting a whole week to see him. I think I'm going to call my primary next to see if there's a different neuro I can see.

Originally Posted by Marnica

http://www.healingbackpain.com/

I urge you to seriously look into an alternative explanation for your pain.
This doctor changed my life.

Thanks for this. I will check it out.

ETA: My library has all 3 of his books. My dh will pick them up on his way home tonight. Thanks!

[Panserbjorne]

Originally Posted by Marnica

http://www.healingbackpain.com/

I urge you to seriously look into an alternative explanation for your pain.
This doctor changed my life.

okay, I've read The Divided Mind and there are some great points that I completely agree with, but some stuff gave me a twitchy feeling. That's the extent of my exposure to his work and since I'm not big on Freud I didn't explore further. I'd LOVE to hear more about your experiences, if you ever feel like writing them. Always interesting to hear from someone who legitimately used a method and had results.

[boysmom2]

I'm only about 15 pages into Healing Back Pain and I like it so far. I got all 3 from the library, but I haven't looked at the other ones yet. I'll let you know.

[Panserbjorne]

thank you!

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by Panserbjørne

okay, I've read The Divided Mind and there are some great points that I completely agree with, but some stuff gave me a twitchy feeling. That's the extent of my exposure to his work and since I'm not big on Freud I didn't explore further. I'd LOVE to hear more about your experiences, if you ever feel like writing them. Always interesting to hear from someone who legitimately used a method and had results.

You don't really have to be a Freud follower to buy into this MD's theory.
In a nutshell, he basically is saying that MOST if not ALL chronic pain (not acute, like I just fell off a ladder and hurt my back 1 week ago) is generated by one's unconcious mind as a result of UNconcious anger and rage. He has labeled this syndrom TMS (tension Myositis syndrome). He is not saying the pain you feel is not real (like it's all in your head). He's saying it is perpetuated (usually after an acute injury heals, but sometimes comes on for no reason out of the blue) by your mind. The mind and the body are inextricably linked.

Anyway My experience is that I had chronic horrible debilitaing lower back pain about 10 years ago. Prioe to this i had chronic knee pain that resulted in knee surgery to fix the "problem". I had the usual story for my back. Went to numerous docs, Had tests and MRI's, was told I had bulging discs, went to PT, took drugs, everything would help a little, but it would always return. I remeber I used to hobble around work with a package of frozen peans stuffed down the back of my pants .
Anyway my brother tells me about Sarno's book. I read it, I think it's stupid and keep seeking out different docs, differetn drugs and different "cures". A year later Im no better and totally miserable and only 28 years old. I read his book again, I'm open to his theories, I go see him in NYC. He takes a through history and looks at all my tests ect, examines me himself and tells me. There nothing wrong with you, You have TMS. I follow his program, I get better. I apply his principles to all my flare ups (because all us TMSer will have flare ups!) and am usually able to eliminate any pain in a few days to a few weeks.

So that's it in a nutshell

[Panserbjorne]

I clearly subscribe to the idea that the mind and body are inextricably linked. I just had twitchy moments where people were recalling sexual repression from childhood as the pivotal moment. However, I'm willing to not be sold on all points just yet...I really thought that beyond that the premise was solid.

I'm glad it worked for you. What was the program like? All I really know is what's in The Divided Mind.

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by Panserbjørne

I clearly subscribe to the idea that the mind and body are inextricably linked. I just had twitchy moments where people were recalling sexual repression from childhood as the pivotal moment. However, I'm willing to not be sold on all points just yet...I really thought that beyond that the premise was solid.

I'm glad it worked for you. What was the program like? All I really know is what's in The Divided Mind.

That's his latest book. It's geared more towards professionals and has alot of case stories in it. His 2nd book, "The Mind Body Prescription" details his program. You attend his lecture series and then do "the homework" whoch is basically alot of introspection, journaling and acknowledging that nothing is wrong with you. For some it seems quite easy, for others it takes longer and in some cases he advises you to go see a therapist who is farmiliar with his work. He also used to (not sure he still does) run small group meetings for those of his patients who have been through his program but are still having trouble. I went to many of these meetings on and off over the course of a couple of years.

[Panserbjorne]

excellent...thank you for that. I'm off to check it out.