neck update

[jchrisobrien]

The last few days, the pain has been coming back.  The doctor said that the herniated disc would eventually get absorbed back into the body, until then he could proscrible an anti-inflammatory for ten days.  If the pain doesn't go away, I can try a (somewhat risky) cortazone shot.  PT for the neck starts next week.  Dancing and poi are allowed, along with running on the elliptical.  Liftig is allowed, as long as my back is supported (bench presses, flyes, curls, etc).  That part is good.

The bad part is I'm in the worst pain of the past few months.  All I could do this morning was close my eyes and try not to yell or punch anything.  I took some vicodin and the anti-inflammatory, and I think they are helping but that just means my pain is more of a 6 and not an 8.  What a stupid scale, by the way.  And for all the concern my doctor's have about "getting me off the vicodin", I can't say it's a particularly good pain reliever.  I don't know what all the fuss is aboot.

Comments

[alonewiththemoon]

Well, as you might remember I have had pretty bad experiences with cortisone shots. Some people tolerate them just fine, but from what I've gathered online, reactions to them are much more common than the doctors tell you. Supposedly the cortisone is still doing its job even if a flare happens, but I didn't find that to be the case for me.

I think getting a good pillow is an excellent idea.

Hopefully these are the worst days (the beginning of PT might be bad too) and you'll heal up soon!

[silas7.livejournal.com]

The doctors were clear that the cortisone could not work, or make things worse. The steroid treatment seemed to make the most difference, and the anti-inflammatories seem to be working fine as well. I'll definitely keep up on those.

I'm buying the pillow tonight! PT starts in a week or so, I just have to be patient and sweat things out for a week.