Bulging Discs: in Lower C-spine

[XnavyHMCS]

The Grim Reaper is hot on my heels...

About 6 months ago, I injured my left upper back (underneath the scapula, it felt like) while I was shooting stumps with my recurve bow. It felt like I pulled/tore some connective tissue from the medial aspect, traveling underneath my left scapula.

I began to experience some numbness and loss of dexterity in my left hand (primarily thumb, index and middle finger).

I thought I had some nerve damage.

On the MRI of my shoulder area came back negative, they did notice that I have some bulging discs in my C-spine.

I picked up my results from a MRI of my c-spine yesterday.

Basically, bulging discs in C4-C5, C5-C6, C6-C7. Some narrowing/ stenosis of the nerve pathways and degeneration (these two most likely age related).

OK, so you guys, I know that some of you must be experiencing the same thing (I think Obs mentioned something along these lines). What are you gents doing with this problem? For me, surgery, fusion of the C-spine; this is the fucking last resort...!!! I am not letting anyone cut on my neck, fuse vertebrae, until I can't move my legs. My doctor, fortunately, is not pushing for surgery (at least that is what he said, but he has yet to see the MRI results and get back to me). I have heard both pro and con on the surgery; more bad than good...

I don't have any major pain in my neck. The numbness in my left hand/fingers, is actually slowly getting better (I can effectively button my shirt, put cuff-links on and ties my shoes now). Sometimes, I think I can feel some dull aching in the area of that c-spine, but nothing more.

I am NOT giving up the gym (whenever it reopens...)!!! Something which both my wife and my ortho doc told me to do. "The fuck do they know!" A body in motion stays in motion; this is my philosophy.

So, what am I looking for here?

Anybody have the same / similar problem? What can I expect mobility and quality of life, wise, physical fitness wise? Anybody had (or know anyone who has had) surgery, like the kind I am talking about; what can you tell me?

Thanks in advance for the contribution gents. For the most part, it is always a pleasure...!!!

*** With Samson and Delilah battling rectal cancer and going under the knife; my issue pales in comparison... Let's KEEP HIM IN OUR THOUGHTS.

[SampsonandDelilah]

I’ve fought that same battle, seems to come with the territory. Numbness, tingling, Loss of finger dexterity along with pain and discomfort. Comes and goes but when it comes, it’s a mofo.
No way am I getting a fusion either.
I’ve had luck with steroid injections, epidurals, massage, dry needling, acupuncture, cupping and rest.

That’s generally my bag of tricks along with prednisone (which I can’t stand) and some NSAIDS.

Appreciate the kind words as well brother.

[C27H40O3]

My only question is “who still wears cuff links?”




That being said, I have similar issue but in the lower back , lumbar instead of cervical. L4, L5, S1. CanalStenosis. Bulging discs, herniated discs, pinched nerve. I had a microendoscopic discectomy to remove extruded disc material that was squeezing sciatic nerve. I had random foot drop while walking. That’s why I went for the procedure. He said if I waited too long I would start pissing myself. F that shit.

I have been handling it with epidurals every three months and daily oxycodone. Hence my TRT need. Long term opioid use wipes out natural Test production.


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[SampsonandDelilah]

My only question is “who still wears cuff links?”


Cuff links are OG

[XnavyHMCS]

My only question is “who still wears cuff links?”


Cuff links are OG

OG... That's me.

Gents, thanks for the replies....

Samson and Delilah, hope you are doing well.

[SampsonandDelilah]

That’s gentleman’s attire...keep it classy X.
I still have a few sets, just the rare occasion I get to wear them

Best to you too brother

[C27H40O3]

i dont like tying up money in shirts that can only be worn with cufflinks.

[SampsonandDelilah]

Special occasions

[The road]

Proximal is a great guy to talk to you on the subject. I have C5 C6 issues it can be unbearable when the disc gets on the nerve. It causes paralysis a parts of my arms and contraction of parts of my arms at times and my delts. It can also cause extreme pain in my shoulders and elbows

[charger69]

Proximal is a great guy to talk to you on the subject. I have C5 C6 issues it can be unbearable when the disc gets on the nerve. It causes paralysis a parts of my arms and contraction of parts of my arms at times and my delts. It can also cause extreme pain in my shoulders and elbows

Road- that’s just old age!!! LOL
Just want to mention, although I know that you won’t listen, be careful with the nerves. I had emergency surgery on my back because the area was so small, the doctor was afraid it would cause nerve damage. One of the nerves controls you going to the bathroom. Fuck that up and you are wearing diapers the rest of your life.
Actually, you would look cute in diapers. LOL


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[C27H40O3]

Road- that’s just old age!!! LOL
Just want to mention, although I know that you won’t listen, be careful with the nerves. I had emergency surgery on my back because the area was so small, the doctor was afraid it would cause nerve damage. One of the nerves controls you going to the bathroom. Fuck that up and you are wearing diapers the rest of your life.
Actually, you would look cute in diapers. LOL


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my guy explained it thusly, think of the nerve bundle and covering like a garden hose. if the bulging disc material presses against the nerve bundle cover for awhile, it starts to wear it away. if it eventually penetrates the bundle, you could lose control over pissing and shitting. My wakeup sign was occasional random foot drop when i would be walking. i was just stepping up to the curb at the corner of Broadway and Chambers street in manhattan waiting for the WALK sign to come on, and my foot just folded under and I fell forward, stumbling into the street. if a truck or bus was passing i could have wound up under the wheels, just from standing on the curb. That week, i went for my pre-op clearance exam for the procedure. that shit was just too scary.

mine was the lower back, lumbar spine, but the issues are just as bad.

[almostgone]

Proximal is a great guy to talk to you on the subject. I have C5 C6 issues it can be unbearable when the disc gets on the nerve. It causes paralysis a parts of my arms and contraction of parts of my arms at times and my delts. It can also cause extreme pain in my shoulders and elbows

That's part of my problem, C5 cranking on the nerve. Still waiting for the MRI. There's some laxity in joint. Finally got through to the radiology clinic and they're taking patients now, but they need my clinical info from the physical medicine practice.....and now they're closed until June 1.

You're right the pain is a real no shitter and mine has been going on long enough that muscles in the left arm are atrophying.

[almostgone]

The Grim Reaper is hot on my heels...

About 6 months ago, I injured my left upper back (underneath the scapula, it felt like) while I was shooting stumps with my recurve bow. It felt like I pulled/tore some connective tissue from the medial aspect, traveling underneath my left scapula.

I began to experience some numbness and loss of dexterity in my left hand (primarily thumb, index and middle finger).

I thought I had some nerve damage.

On the MRI of my shoulder area came back negative, they did notice that I have some bulging discs in my C-spine.

I picked up my results from a MRI of my c-spine yesterday.

Basically, bulging discs in C4-C5, C5-C6, C6-C7. Some narrowing/ stenosis of the nerve pathways and degeneration (these two most likely age related).

OK, so you guys, I know that some of you must be experiencing the same thing (I think Obs mentioned something along these lines). What are you gents doing with this problem? For me, surgery, fusion of the C-spine; this is the fucking last resort...!!! I am not letting anyone cut on my neck, fuse vertebrae, until I can't move my legs. My doctor, fortunately, is not pushing for surgery (at least that is what he said, but he has yet to see the MRI results and get back to me). I have heard both pro and con on the surgery; more bad than good...

I don't have any major pain in my neck. The numbness in my left hand/fingers, is actually slowly getting better (I can effectively button my shirt, put cuff-links on and ties my shoes now). Sometimes, I think I can feel some dull aching in the area of that c-spine, but nothing more.

I am NOT giving up the gym (whenever it reopens...)!!! Something which both my wife and my ortho doc told me to do. "The fuck do they know!" A body in motion stays in motion; this is my philosophy.

So, what am I looking for here?

Anybody have the same / similar problem? What can I expect mobility and quality of life, wise, physical fitness wise? Anybody had (or know anyone who has had) surgery, like the kind I am talking about; what can you tell me?

Thanks in advance for the contribution gents. For the most part, it is always a pleasure...!!!

*** With Samson and Delilah battling rectal cancer and going under the knife; my issue pales in comparison... Let's KEEP HIM IN OUR THOUGHTS.

Mine isn't as involved as yours, Chief, but I had trigger point injections because my traps were knotted up and had developed almost like scar tissue, stretches and exercises that will provide some cervical decompression helped.

Also this damn thing they have me wear that holds small weights for 5 minutes/ day and increase a minute each day until I get to 20 minutes. Then I drop back to 5 minutes and increase the weight. Basically retraining to keep your chin up and back straight to reduce pressure on the nerves. If you've ever had to wear a lot of headgear, comms, and shit for extended periods of time you know how tend to slouch for a while after getting that stuff off. It gives you "tech neck".

Also, I've had deep tissue work, particularly on my traps, pecs, and lats. That loosened things up a tad as well on addition to physical therapy.

I've let mine go on for far too long so it has done some nerve damage and my NCV test was abysmal. Fortunately, as long as the nerve isn't severed, there's a chance you can regain some of what you've lost. It's just a really slow process...like 25mm/1" per month from what I'm hearing and have been told.

We are fortunate enough to have a couple of really knowledgeable guys on the forum that are a whiz regarding anatomy and physical therapy.

I'm still waiting for a MRI because there are some other issues it looks like, but surgery would be the last choice for me as well UNLESS it was the only effective alternative.

Don't know if any of that was helpful, but anyway that's where I'm at.

Edit: My physical medicine practitioners are open on Mondays now, so I get to get started back earlier than I thought and possibly get my clinical info to the radiology clinic.