C3 Herniated Disc Impingeing on Spine - anyone with experience?

[3boymthr]

Two weeks ago DH started complaining that his shoulder hurt so he went to the dr. who stated that he thought it was a pinched nerve prescribed muscle relaxers and ordered an MRI with a follow up of two weeks.

DH goes on life as normal, as pain is getting better tho he had a reaction to the muscle relaxers so he stopped taking them. Has the MRI on monday which was the earliest they could get him in.

Fast forward to today - yes, a Sunday - alarm bells start ringing - the DR called to talk to DH. I'm scared a little - why is he calling today - if it's just a pinched nerve???

Well, turns out DH has a herniated disc that's impingeing (sp?) on his spine. Dr. wants DH to go to neuro-surgeon ASAP. DH says dr doesn't necessarily think he needs surgery - but still wants him seen this week - DH is to insist on being seen right away and to have them call his Dr if there are any questions.

DH decides he's going to go to work tomorrow but I think he should call in sick until he's seen as he has a very physical job (HVAC service tech - does installations and repairs). He say's no way it's not that bad - if it was the DR would have said so.

IMO he should be home but does anyone have any experience with this type of injury and what the potential long implications and treatments are?

ETA - I haven't looked this up on Web MD or anything else as I don't want to panic myself. I do have an aunt who is a Nurse Practitioner - who has experience with spinal cord and back injuries - but she's on vacation - I will be calling her for advice as soon as she gets home.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I had a herniated disk about 2 years ago. It is nothing to play around with. I would suggest your husband see a neuro before he does any normal work. Best wishes.

 

[Mermaid02]

My dh had 2 herniated discs (L4 and L5 I believe) and had surgery a month ago. He is so much better! Tell your dh he needs to see that neurosurgeon!

 

[kellyg403]

Yes, and yes, he should see the dr. as soon as possible. I have been able to delay the surgery but I don't have a physical job and am very very careful. I am probably going to concede and have the surgery this year. I have been more scared of the surgery than I was of the disc. I was diagnosed with a pinch nerve in 1995 when I was 3 months pregnant with my yds. I couldn't take any pain meds, just tylenol. It has progressed from there!

I have done several jaunts with physical therapy when the pain is really bad. It consists of lying on a bed with my head in device that has weights on the end that stretches the spinal column. It hurts like he double hockey sticks but within a few short days the pain is less and less. The hardest part for me is when I have the pain, it is usually because I have not been careful. You never know when it will start etc. I have had the worst luck with the pain meds. so I try not to to use them and go with the ice/heat/ice as much as possible. For some reason, I can take the pain meds for a few days and wham, no matter what I get a rash all over from them. I have tried several different varieties and it always happens. So that rules that out for me. I have been known to down a couple midol..I know crazy but it works way better for me than any of the tylenol, advil, ibprofens. I can not turn my head in one direction, as in a stiff neck way..so driving is out. I lose feeling in my fingers and the pain is not actually in my neck but down my shoulder thru my arm. I have muscle weakness also that arm now too.

If I wasn't such a chicken I would have had the surgery a LONG time ago. But, my drs have painted a picture of surgery not actually an immediate thing in my case and I could relieve it with physical therapy. So I went that route instead. I am glad that I had that option. But, I am thinking with the continued weakening in my arm, which I may never get back and the numbness in my fingers that I may not get back its probably time before there is any more damage done.

Kelly

 

[abdmom]

If the Dr. said he wanted your dh to see a neurosurgeon this week, then, it IS that bad. BTW, a herniated disc causes a pinched nerve. Long term implications are nerve damage. If it's C3, the nerve damage can be anywhere from the shoulder on down. He shouldn't be going in to work, IMO.

 

[golfgal]

A good friend of ours had this happen last summer, about a week after her DH had a bike accident and broke his leg. Started out the same way with shoulder pain. She went to the local clinic but they just had her doing PT, no MRI, etc. It just got worse and worse so she went to another clinic in a larger town and they did surgery that day. She ended up getting some metal plates put in. It was pretty serious. The recovery period was not fun either. It took her about 4 months before she really felt good again. The dr's that did the surgery told her that if she had fallen the right way or had gotten bumped hard she would have died. I would get your DH into a neurosurgeon, TODAY.

 

[johnsontrio]

Yes, your DH needs to see the neurosurgeon. His symptoms don't sound all that severe and the Dr will be able to recommend, based on the MRI and physical assessment, whether he will need conservative management (PT and medications) or if he will need surgery. If the neurosurgeon recommends surgery, for your peace of mind, I would consider getting a second opinion. If your husband has any numbness or weakness the Dr is probably going to ask for an EMG to be done.

I had a C5-6 discectomy and laminectomy done last year in January after having suffered with my second occurrence of extreme pain in my right arm and shoulder blade within a 15 month period. I had hoped that I could get by with PT and meds, but after 3 opinions that surgery was the only option for relief of my symptoms and the fact that I could no longer tolerate any of the medications that were giving me relief, I consented to the surgery.

It was a rough go, wouldn't want to ever have to have it again (but would if I had to), but I have been 100% pain free with recovery from all the weakness that I had on my right arm. It was the best decision I could have made.

And for all you DISers out there, I tell everyone the herniation at C5 looked like a speed bump, but the herniation at C6 looked like a Mouse ear.

 

[LindaR]

I had the same kind of "panic" news years ago (mine was in my lumbar spine). My spinal cord was nearly completely compressed on my right side. My doctor made me keep my MRI films with me and a handwritten note from him on my person at all times in case I had to go to the emergency room! (I was waiting for my appt with the specialist)

I was warned that if some things (complete loss of bowel/bladder, for example) occured then I was to get to the emergency room!

Well, I had surgery (had to have a second one in the same spot a year later) but I DO have permanent nerve damage. I have no feeling on the outside of my leg all the way to my last two toes.

This is NOT something you want to push your luck on.