They took my wheels away :(

[Silver Penguin]

Sad but true. I can neither ride nor drive for a while. The nagging neck pain exploded into something more significant. I'm now in the midst of a work up for a herniated disc. Isn't that what OLD people get? I guess I answer my own question here.

Anyone have experience with this? It's all new to me, since pediatric patients don't tend to be affected by things like this.

Over the last three days, I've tried Tylenol, Naprosyn a regular muscle relaxant, the Lexus of muscle relaxants (Skelaxin), lots of Vicodin, Corona and some red wine. Last night, I was taking a handful of something or other with a glass of something else, every couple of hours (that was desperation, but not a smart move).

This morning, I sought a second opinion, not believing the doc who diagnosed a muscle strain. I was able to see a neurologist and have just had an MRI. I've also got a prescription for some pretty heavy dosing of morphine. The pain is still there after a dose, but I can actually move my arm now.

Lots of wait and see. Doc has signed me off work for a month. Does that suck or what? I have all this time free, three fantastic bikes PLUS perfect weather, but I can't ride

Jill

 

[Silent]

Damn, that sucks! I hope you feel better soon!

 

[exskibum]

OWWWW, that's bad news. Sorry to hear it and hope you are feeling better sooner than they told you, and at the very least in time for FODS riding at Bowman Lake in September.

 

[drew231506]

Sorry to hear this. Yea that sux. I had a bulged disc in my neck a few years ago...and it was PAINFUL...I cant imagine the pain of a HERNIATED disc. Hopefully you can take it easy and then rehab...without surgery. Is it your lower back?? Good luck and do a lot of research online.

 

[FJRay]

I can feel your pain. I have been fighting a cervical injury since 1992. C4 thru C7 are pretty trashed. Lots of therapy has helped but I still have daily pain. I gave up on all the magic drugs because the side effects were not worht it. Now days it is traction and exercise every day and Ibuprophen. The surgery involves slitting your throat from the front and moving parts out of the way to get room to work and the success rate gets worse with age. Good luck. :angry2:

 

[FJR_pig]

I can feel your pain.

+1 Sorry to hear this news. I've been struggling with a disc issue for about 5 years that developed naturally w/o injury. Three weeks after I return from WFO, I'm having a total disc replacement (will probably be on the forum a bunch September and October!). Hopefully you can resolve your pain w/o surgery, and more importantly, get back to riding. I'm fortunate that the riding position of the FJR opens up my spine just enough not to aggrvate my bad disc. What you have doesn't sound too good...

 

[Scab]

I definately feel your pain. I have three of those things in my neck, too. Some of those meds (the anit-inflamitories) like naproxen, have to be taken for some time before you start to feel any benefits. I take 1000 mg. of naproxen daily. It works very well now, but when I first started, I think it was well past a week before I felt any relief.

But, as if that is not enough, I've been side-lined for a bit as well due to my last get-off. Major suckage. I think trying to keep a good attitude is the hardest. There are some days I don't do so well with that little battle. (according to the wife)

I wish I had some magic words of wisdom that would help ease your pains, but I don't. Just hang in there and don't give up. It's gonna get better from here.

Oh, yeah; Ice packs. Freeze it til you can't feel it. It's not comfortable at first, but bear with it and you will get some relief. It worked for me.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Silver,

I know the feeling...it is amazing how such a small herniation (reaching out an touching nerves) can cause so much pain and affect so many body functions. I had the same problem C5-6 herniation 10 years ago that has now been in check...here are some ideas for you:

The first MD wanted me to do the fusion/surgery method....most folks that came in after the surgery did not look like happy campers.

The 2nd MD, a referral from an insurance adjuster(by luck) was a NON-Surgical Orthopedic MD. Here's what he did:

1-First he tested my Nerve Pathways(from the affected areas) to verify there was no permanent Nerve Damage...there was non yet.

2-He then prescribed the following which did me wonders:

a-Aleve to Reduce swelling and allowing the affected areas a chance to heal.

b-I believe I had to lie on Ice Packs(on the affected areas) during this period while in bed.

c-Physical Therapy for the neck area for a month (of which I continued a few months afterwards).

d-Do Neck Traction(with 12lb water bag that hung from my bedroom door) for 30 mins each day. Did for about 3-4 months.

e-He told me to get a HIGH quality Memory Foam(Thermedic?) Contoured pillow to keep my head/neck stable so it won't twist at night. (It works wonders and still use it today.

So far it has not flared up and I have kept trim around my mid-section and kept it strong so it will not put undue pressure on my spine and related muscles.

I hope this helps you and please do Check out the NON-Surgical Orthopedic MD before you do anything drastic...a wish to your complete healing soon.

 

[twowheelnut]

Yeeouch! Damn, that's too bad! Get well soon and take it easy, SP. Fairlaner, me and Barabus will be down to keep your bikes in rotation. No charge, outta the goodness of our hearts we'll do that for you. Leave your gas card on the seat, k?

 

[2WheelTiger]

Also get them to check for a spinal fluid leak. One of the more significant symptoms is a severe headache. BTW - the leak can be anywhere along the spine.

 

[Fencer]

Damn, that sucks! I hope you feel better soon!

+1

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Sorry about that. 2 compressed disks in my neck, 3 bulging disks in my lumbar spine, and surgery in February to remove a cyst siting on a nerve root at L3. Not to mention a toe infection that ran amok and half my foot started to rot and become necrotic from April through early July. Yup, I hear ya. Finally rode a decent amount last weekend. As for the pain, try what you can before surgery, then trust the pros -- best advice I can give. Personally, I chose to live with the pain and least invasive surgery possible, and wait until I can't stand the pain. I rest a lot and try to ignore it. Neck bothers me most trying to hold the helmet up while riding, but what the hell -- I just kept the stock seat and the pain in my *** distracts me!

Seriously. Hope you get better soon.

 

[Kevin Daly]

Sorry to hear that SP. I find a hand full of Advil and lots of fliuids can get me through an all day ride with only a lot of pain (*** opposed to debilitating extreme pain).

 

[joeR6]

That sucks! Might want to consider a chiropractor w/ massage therapy for a while before doing anything like surgery. This really helped with my bulging disk in my lower back; can't imaging holding my head up on the FJR with a herniated disk in the neck though.

 

[Fairlaner]

That sucks! Might want to consider a chiropractor w/ massage therapy for a while before doing anything like surgery. This really helped with my bulging disk in my lower back; can't imaging holding my head up on the FJR with a herniated disk in the neck though.

Bummer Jill that sucks, how you are better soon.

And as Tim says we will came and clear out the bikes anytime you like, Tim can handle the Kawi as he is used to a 650 right now.

R

 

[James Burleigh]

Sorry to hear you're old about your neck pain. I don't have experience with that, no, so I can't offer advice. I do, however, have experience with a pain in the a**, so let me know if you want to hear about her that.

 

[Silver Penguin]

Update:

I had an MRI Friday night, and am waiting for results. Morphine is the only thing that dulls the pain. Morphine makes me barf (and other, less palatable side effects). On the positive side, I must be losing weight!

Today, I'm sitting up for the first time, and able to use a keyboard. I shall need a nap soon though, since I've only been asleep for about 22 of the last 24hrs.

Did I mention that this sucks?

Jill

 

[Scab]

Ain't morphine grand? Now, really, morphine is not one of the more effective pain managers. I had always thought that morphine was the king of la-la land, but no. After about a gazillion kidney stones, I have had it all. Anyway, morphine is not much in the area of effectiveness. Talk to your doctor.

 

[Silver Penguin]

Ain't morphine grand? Now, really, morphine is not one of the more effective pain managers. I had always thought that morphine was the king of la-la land, but no. After about a gazillion kidney stones, I have had it all. Anyway, morphine is not much in the area of effectiveness. Talk to your doctor.

Tried the rest - and now the best. Morphine is the one that works for me (apart from the side effects). Vicodin did nothing, as did the muscle relaxers. I was told that Skeletal was the best there was, and well worth the $120 co-pay. Shoulda saved $119 and bought some M+Ms.

Tried as much Tylenol as my liver would stand. Tried Naprosyn, which is my usual drug of choice. Can't do sustained Ibrupofen, due to gastric issues.

Since you've really been through it, what are your recommendations?

Jill