The verdict is in

[jchrisobrien]

After a slightly adversarial conversation with my doctor the verdict is in:  herniated disc in my neck (6th vertebra I think) is what was revealed on the MRI.  I was told that these sort of things "work themselves out" and was given some methyliprednisolone, and vicodin.  I have a follow up appointment next week, and more physical therapy scheduled to treat this particular issue.  I have to stop exercising, I don't know if that includes dancing and poi as well. 

Meh.

Comments

[phaidros.livejournal.com]

Dude! Welcome to the club! (I just said "dude," didn't I?)

I have a herniated disc in my lower back -- if you want to hear the details or talk about this stuff, let me know. These things do work themselves out: I never had any surgery, I don't take any drugs for it, and I'm mostly pain free now. I just have to take care of myself, exercise, etc. I'm probably in better shape now than I was before it happened. (how it happened, I have no idea.)

[silas7.livejournal.com]

If they work themselves out, that's great to hear. I've had the pain about two months or so. The PT was not really focused on the right area, it seems. Future visits, focused on that area, should help.

Working out is great for my moods, so going w/out it is a bit frightening.

[phaidros.livejournal.com]

Well, obviously I don't know the details, but I'd say you still should be able to do some kind of workout -- just not exactly what you had been doing. But if you get any satisfaction from the PT, there's that in your future. I have to do my exercises every day, and my herniation was pretty minor. I was never on harder medication than Advil. So I'd expect your PT should be a decent workout. But it won't be yoga (I blame yoga for my predicament, actually -- when I first had back pain, I figured it was just stiffness, so I tried all sorts of stretches, which are the primary suspects in my mind for how I herniated the disc in the first place...)

[silas7.livejournal.com]

I'm not in tune yet with how life-changing an incident this is. Those are details I hope to get explained more next week. Fingers are crossed!

[mrhavisham.livejournal.com]

Sorry about your herniated disc
But vicodins good right? Vicodin is really great if you mix it with Scotch

[silas7.livejournal.com]

You know, the vicodin is really good. And my roommate does have a great collection of Scotch at home...

[alonewiththemoon]

ouch :-( I'm glad that at least it is something that can eventually right itself. I would guess that laying off dancing and poi for a bit would be the best idea, though I know how much that sucks.

[silas7.livejournal.com]

I was very irritated at first because he said he wanted to do another MRI. I told him that there were partial results, and he checked, and sure enough they showed something. He said I don't need any further MRI's.

My next visit is Tuesday, and I will outline with him what I can and can't do while this heals. Maybe it's time to start painting again for a bit.

[synaesthesia.livejournal.com]

I have a great chiropractor I can recommend (he works out of the same office as Amanda, who you should talk to about massage!).

*hug* Now you know, and knowing is half the battle right?? :)

[silas7.livejournal.com]

I did see Amanda about some massage, but shortly after my pain started changing to the pins and needles feeling.

I will talk about seeing a chiropractor, and see if the doctor agrees with it.

I do know, now I get to move on to the "accepting" and "being patient" phases.

[synaesthesia.livejournal.com]

I do know, now I get to move on to the "accepting" and "being patient" phases.

How so not fun. :(

There must be an alternate fun missive!

[silas7.livejournal.com]

Well, there are things like painting and gaming, but those aren't "active" fun things! It certainly beats twittling my thumbs.

[brigid.livejournal.com]

ask your doctor before seeing a chiropractor. my dad went to see one for a herniated disk and the chiropractor ended up destroying his back with one manipulation. it was a fucking disaster. if anything, try to see an osteopathic doctor instead, since they have a lot more training.

[silas7.livejournal.com]

YIKES! My consultation is on Tuesday, and I'll definitely run that by him.
IT's odd that lifting weights isn't any more painful that stuff I normally do. I feel the pain more when I'm sitting and typing , rather than liftings. (Clearly i sit and type more than i lift.)

:(

[sanguineempathy.livejournal.com]

Hope you heal up soon. *gentle hugs*

I'd ask your PT more specifically which activities you can do - perhaps he/she can recommend guidelines you can work with w/ respect to poi & dancing.

Re: :(

[silas7.livejournal.com]

That's my plan! There's not much dancing going on this weekend, though there is a poi party I may have to miss. Fortunately there are other activities :)

[pyrric.livejournal.com]

Oh, man, that sucks. I hope you're feeling better now thanks to the meds (the prednisone will really bring down the swelling in the disc, which will make a huge difference re: pain, plus Vicodin is always helpful).

[silas7.livejournal.com]

After being initially skeptical, I can say that pain seems lessened. I've started taking the prednisone today, and a vicodin, because the pain was really bad today. I was a cranky patient!

Do you think a chiropractor would help, or hurt? If I've been in pain for two months, should I start getting worried?

[pyrric.livejournal.com]

Yay, lessened pain! That's awesome news.

I have no actual opinions about chiropractors, having never been to one and not really knowing anything about their education/licensing/practices. I do know people who've been to one and felt much better, and people who only found themselves in more pain afterwards. That's probably not very helpful. I'm sorry!

[silas7.livejournal.com]

It seems they are hit or miss, re: brigid's story about them. I'll proceed cautiously on that front. Is this a long term kind of injury or medium?

[silas7.livejournal.com]

It hasn't been to date, but now that I know what I'm dealing with, I hope we can speed that up.

If not, then sign me up for cybernetic implants!

[silas7.livejournal.com]

Goddamn cell phones! It will be the pulse-laster targeting system for sure!

[etrinao.livejournal.com]

don't believe the doctor. research more massage therapy and body work. maybe it will work itself out, but not as quickly as if you have help. why bother spending any more time than absolutely necessary ill?

[silas7.livejournal.com]

I hear you. I don't want to make it worse, either. I'll get to more forward more quickly next week.

[iterum.livejournal.com]

Ugh -- hope you recover quickly! Mis-aimed PT is no good; glad they'll be able to target it properly now.

[silas7.livejournal.com]

Hopefully by concentrating on the neck area, the PT will have more effect. It doesn't seem that fast recovery is an option, but I'll do what I can to make it so.

[theamazingjb.livejournal.com]

My mom asked "cervical?"

She also wants to know how you did it.

[silas7.livejournal.com]

I don't quite understand the cervical part, but it is affect the C6-7 region of the spine. The likely culprit is an injury during weight lifting, though I feel the pain more when I type than anything else.

[rojagato.livejournal.com]

Being in the patient role sucks when you're used to being active, and being a patient patient is really hard work. But you're strong AND handsome, so you'll get through this.

Now that your PT knows what the problem is, I hope they'll be able to fix you up with alternative exercises (or new ways of approaching your regular routine) to keep you near your accustomed level of activity.

[silas7.livejournal.com]

Why thank you Clyde Frog! :)

At least now I know why the past PT wasn't helping. Let's see how they do armed with more knowledge. If I can get in there sooner than two weeks ...

[mrfph.livejournal.com]

Boo! Certainly there are some ways you can still be active. When I hurt my foot years ago I was ordered to stay off it. Then my back started hurting from being sedentary. I hope you can find something in the middle.

Maybe see you in August?

[silas7.livejournal.com]

I'll do my best to find some kind of activity I can do. Plans are already in motion.

You'd better see me in August! We'll work something out.