Friday, August 29, 2008

What a Pain in the Neck

Literally...

It's now been nearly a year that I've been suffering from chronic neck pain w/ numbness, tingling, headaches & muscle spasms. I'm so sick of it!

I've been through the works:
  • 2 MRIs
  • countless X-rays
  • an EMG
  • blood testing...
Plus a handful of diagnostic surgical procedures under conscious sedation & live x-ray:
  • 2 sets of facet injections at 3/4/5 and 5/6/7
  • epidural at 5/6/7
  • bilateral medial branch block at 5/6/7
And of course I've tried just about every type of therapy under the sun:
  • Physical Therapy
  • Strength Training
  • IMS (Intra Muscular Stimulation)
  • Low Level Laser
  • Trigger Point Injections
  • Massage
  • 2 different types of Cervical Traction
  • Ultrasound
  • Sleeping on a Tempurpedic neck support pillow
  • Ergonomic adjustments to my desk/computer station and my driving position
  • TENS (Electrical Stimulation)
  • Chiropractic
  • Accupuncture
  • Vitamin & Mineral Supplements
  • Countless Medications & Pain Killers
At this point, I am able to do almost nothing. I can't ride my bike, work out at the gym, or do any exercise (even walking hurts). I can't lift anything even remotely heavy (even my parents' cat is too much to lift). Will it ever end?

I'm about ready to say "screw it" and get back on my bike. If I'm going to be in pain regardless, I might as well enjoy what I'm doing while I'm hurting, rather than just sitting around getting fat and feeling depressed.