Hi rh123,

I can sympathize with you completely. I was in an accident in March 2008 where I was thrown about 25 feet and pinned again a pointed metal box with my right shoulder and center back after having slammed my head on a metal frame (no points). As a result, I was in agony and could hardly move the next day and was placed on disability from my job. My primary sent me to physical therapy and a chiro while I was still in agony and before MRIs were done. Each time I would go to PT, I would leave with severe pains shooting down my right arm to my hand and my hand would lock up. At PT I would have a heat treatment with the tens unit and thought it felt pretty good but then I had the after affects. The Chiro ordered an MRI of my wrist because he said that is where the problem was..made no sense to me. Nothing showed up as a problem of the wrist and my primary said to stop going until all the MRIs were done..my back, shoulder, neck, head. Finding the problems, I was sent to a Neuro who was to do EMGs of my spine, neck, shoulder. He only tested for carpel tunnel and said that was my problem. I said I wasn't there for that test and he totally missed the problem areas. After 5 months of seeing him and taking meds for migraines that made me sick, I refused to go back. As a result, the disability company took it that I was able to return to work but wanted an FCE to see if I could sit behind a desk all day. This FCE is scheduled for after the holidays but tomorrow I have a dexascan to see the progression of my DDD first.

I still have not been given anything for pain and can't sleep more than 2 hours at a time because of the pains mostly in my back but still in my shoulder and hand. None of this makes sense that it is not being treated. My primary totally ignores my complaints about migraines that cause me focus problems and nausea.

I'm just collecting names for my lawyer for medical neglect beginning with the hospital rescue took me to after the accident. They looked at my head, said 'no blood', go home and see your doctor in the morning. I had a lump the size of an lemon on the top of my head by the time I saw the doctor and even I didn't realize I kept passing out. I couldn't remember the whole scene but they were ok with my answers since they don't know me.

What is wrong with our medical society today? The doctors are running processing lines instead of giving fair treatment.

Thanks for the reply Happyinla... Yes, doctor's the whole system is a mess. I never had a problem with doctor's until this happened. I wish they could come up with a diagnosis so something could be done. The pain gets so bad at night. Gotta go for now. Look forward to hearing back from you and other's for more insight.
Hugs. Robin

I can't answer all your questions, however< I can tell you my experience. Due to an accident I pushed a disc through disc sack(it was protruding out of the disc sack. The pain was extreme and constant I couldn't sleep period and I was taking pain meds like tic tacs all along.They sent me to specialist. (I went to The Mayo Clinic) I could hold him off the ground with one arm my right. The other he pushed my arm towards the floor. I had a ENG it think then a mylogram.. they opened up the back of my neck and did a partial discotimy. Flash forwrd 5 years the pain was back 24/7 Went to neurologist then a neurou surgeon. This time they removed the disc completely and put in a fusion. I still have pain from time to time but nothing I had in the begging.. Now I've got bone spurs because of the fusion.So my arm acting a little goofy now and then. Hope this Helps (((hugs))) - Darktest

Time to go back to the neurologist.

Your problem probably has nothing to do with carpal tunnel, fibromyalgia, or a hysterectomy. I have had these same symptoms and heres what I think is going on

You are describing the CLASSIC symptoms of a pinched or irritated nerve in your cervical spine (your neck). Its called radiculopathy, or nerve root pain. You feel the pain in the part of your body controlled by the affected nerve. Most of the nerves in your neck control your hands and arms, so thats where you feel the pain.

Its actually possible to tell which nerves are affected based on which of your fingers hurts the most, but I dont know how to do that. Your pain probably originates in the nerves that exit from C5-6 and C6-7, since your MRI showed bulging discs there.

This is nerve related, so it can produce bizarre effects such as tingling, burning, and numbness. Sometimes the pain can be very intense and hard to control with pain meds. Oddly enough, your neck itself may not have any pain. You might be feeling pain only in such areas as your fingers, hands, arms, shoulders, and the middle of your upper back. It might be on one side of your body or both. It can be very easy to think this is a strange variation of carpal tunnel syndrome, if the pain is confined to your arms and hands.

The causes of compressed nerves can include degenerative disc disease, herniated or ruptured discs, spinal stenosis, and other things, many of which are related and often occur at the same time.

Depending on the condition of your cervical spine, you might be experiencing other symptoms. For instance, if you having leg symptoms in addition to the arm symptoms, it may indicate that your spinal cord is compressed, as well as nerves.

The reason the arm pain gets worse when sitting is because of the position of your head and neck when sitting. You may be leaning forward or looking downward, both of which put more pressure on the nerves and spinal cord. Sitting upright with the head held erect and chin slightly tucked can relieve this pressure and helps the pain sometimes. A physical therapist can teach you how to improve your pain by changing your posture.

Try putting ice packs or heat on your neck, for some at-home relief. NSAIDs may help a bit, or you can ask the doctor for prescription pain meds and muscle relaxants, if needed. Don't bother putting treatments on your arms or hands because that's not the source of the pain.

Sometimes "conservative treatment" such as physical therapy and steroid injections can relieve the pain. But if this doesnt work, the doctor may recommend surgery. If your neck problems are extremely severe, surgery could become a necessity, not an option. That was my case when I had C4-C5-C6 fused. But the surgery wasnt nearly as horrible as I had imagined it would be, and the worst of my symptoms were immediately relieved.

For more information on your symptoms, look up the word radiculopathy.

It also could be this, which I posted on the fibro board for people with that type of pain. I do the neck exercises my PT taught me and they help

The diagram wouldnt copy and paste but it shows several areas on the back of the neck and right below the base of the skull. I have these symptoms at times.

MUSCLE CONTRACTION-
NEAR DAILY HEADACHE
CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE
Edward Lichten, M.D.,PC
180 East Brown Street
Birmingham, MI 48009
248.593.9999

Reference Article:
A Dentist's View on Muscle Headaches
by Christopher R. Brown, D.D.S

Reproduced with permission: National Headache Foundation. Fall 1994, number 90, page 2. Author: Christopher R. Brown, D.D.S. Greensburg, Indiana.



The headache almost never stops. It seems even the hairs on your head ache. Sometimes your eyes become so sensitive to light during these painful episodes that you have to wear sunglasses just to get by. The areas of the headache vary but several areas that consistently hurt are the back of the skull or head, and the neck. Various mediations help a little for a while, but it seems the best way to reduce the pain is to have someone rub the back of your head and neck.
Does this sound familiar? If so, then perhaps you should ask your doctor about occipital neuralgia.

Occipital neuralgia is a term used to describe a cycle of pain-spasm-pain originating from the suboccipital area (base) of the skull that often radiates to the back front and side of the head, as behind the eyes.

SYMPTOMS

Headache that is localized or following a "ram's horn" pattern on the side of the head, often starting in the upper neck or base of the skull. It can be one-sided or on both sides.

Scalp that is tender to the touch, often hypersensitive. Even brushing your hair can be a painful experience.

Pain at the base of the skull. Pressure on that area can either bring headache relief or increase the pressure or pain.

Reduced ability to rotate or flex the neck.

Shoulder pain.

Pain or pressure behind the eyes. Eyes are very sensitive to light, especially when the headache is present.
The occipital nerves are two pairs of nerves (the lesser and greater occipital nerves) that originate in the area of the second and third vertebrae of the neck. While most people's nerve roots originate in similar places on the spine, cadaver studies show a wide variety of differences between individuals as to the course of the nerves once they leave the spinal column. Often the nerves follow a curving course that passes through various muscles in the upperback, neck and head. These nerves supply areas of the skin along the base of the skull and partially behind the ear. While the occipital nerves to do not directly connect with structures within the skull and form a continuous neural network that can affect any given area through which any of the main nerves or their branch fibers pass.

Occipital neuralgia occurs more often in women than men. I t can have many causes. These causes include:

Trauma (a direct blow or "whiplash" type of injury)
Spinal column compression
Nerve lesions
Localized infections or inflammation
Gout
Diabetes
Blood vessel inflammation
HEAD FORWARD POSITION (Added by Edward Lichten, MD)
Commonly, the nerves are inflamed and sensitive because they are trapped within the muscles through which they pass. Muscle spasm and pain are often associated with nerve entrapment, which causes localized pain, spasms and muscle cramping.

Treatment of occipital neuralgia may involve oral medications that are designed to reduce inflammation and spasms [Ketoprofen and flexeril: EML suggests], localized therapeutic injections [trigger point injections], physical therapy, ice massage head, exercise or, on rare occasions, surgery.

Many medical conditions can show symptoms similar to those found with occipital neuralgia. The most important aspect of any treatment is to first have an accurate diagnosis. It is also important to communicate your medical history to the health care professional who is treating you so that the correct diagnosis and care can be given for your special needs.
Posted on 01/20/09, 10:01 pm

I ended up in the ER b/c the left side of my jaw, my left arm were swollen and I was having burning and pain in my chest and left arm/hand, the drs said it was radiculopothy like Rockfish mentioned. M y discs are bulged in the same spot as yours too. Lyrica really helped me with the nerve pain, Neurontin did too but it caused me to gain weight, they are about the same...one usually works for someone and the other won't. My mother takes Neurontin b.c the Lyrica caused weight gain for her.

rh123 it totaly sounds like neck to me, I have the same symptoms in my arm and hand and sholders and it is from C4/5 compressed nerves.