100

Okay so I m doing Physical therapy for neck and back pain which isn't really helping and I'm doing all my exercises. I have arthritis in my neck and a bent spine. I've also done chiropractic which if it helped was very temporary . I've seen at least 6 chiropractors in total. I've gone to neck specialist and the only thing I have not done is an mri. I'm in constant pain. I have muscle relaxer but hate how they make me feel and I'm afraid to take them because I get side effects from every med I take. I'm afraid it will make my heart race.
David

ScottFromWI

Sorry things aren't working out as you had hoped David. I had to do physical therapy for a shoulder injury a few years back and for me it literaly took months to show improvement. How long have you been doing the work? I would also agree that the relief provided by chiropractors is many times temporary as it's not really addressing the core issues - so while it can be helpful in the short term the long term work usually needs to be done by us. If you have concerns about the muscle relaxer perhaps consult with the prescribing doc.

Patcha

I feel for you,100. Chronic pain is no picnic. What's holding you back on the MRI?

100

Have to try Physical therapy then if it doesn't work insurance will pay for mri. Plus the only reason to get an mri is to have surgery and I'm not doing that. David

fini

if the therapy doesn’t work, there might be a medical reason why surgery could be the best option.
i had a problem in my neck/spine that was unknown until the mri showed it clearly.
sorry for your pain.

100

I'm terrified of surgery. For example I had a endoscopy recently and almost had a panic attack after they gave me benadryl. I was fine after they actually did the sedation but I was conscious throughout. I can't examine having back surgery. I'm was to scared to get my tonsils out recently and said no. My pain isn't severe it just won't go away. It's moderate pain. It's frustrating non the less. It's compounded by severe fatigue and brain fog that won't go away. I felt so much better after getting sober and now I feel as if I'm getting worse again. I hurt and am exhausted and want to sleep all the time. The doctor doesn't listen when I say I don't feel good I just feel unwell.
David

VikingGF

I found that when I went through something I was terrified of it was not nearly as bad as my imagination had made it out to be. Surgery can be scary, but so is the thought of chronic pain without end. I have a loved one who had a full recovery from spinal surgery and is now doing more than she's ever done before, pain free. Just some food for thought, and I certainly am not discounting your fears. Wishing you the best of outcomes.

jimmyJlover

Your not getting worse after getting sober. Getting sober is the best thing we can do for ourselves. Your pain is real. The pain is much more pronounced when we don't numb things away with alcohol and drugs. I feel your frustration and want you to know others likely share your concerns. If your pain is not responding to conservative treatment, you should get the MRI. Specifically this could help you eliminate any need for surgery if the MRI shows nothing significant. Therefore, the MRI could alleviate anxieties around potential surgical scenarios you have likely played out in your mind. If the MRI is clear of surgical concerns, the information could likely help tailor a more accurate PT therapy to treatment. If the MRI shows something that would potentially have a benefit over risk for surgery, you still have options that are nonsurgical. Healthcare specialists such as neurosurgeons do not like to operate unless they know for certain what is the pain generator and the benefits clearly outweigh the risks over alternative/conservative treatments, which you still have available to you. Good luck. Stay strong.