Hi, Tim ... I don't know what cervical stenosis is ... I went to the Mayo
Clinic site and there is Spinal Stenosis. Nothing for cervical stenosis,
though. Is it the same thing?
I have cervical spondylosis ... the neck vertebrae are crushed together from
old age and a very old whip lash injury. The crushed vertebrae press on the
nerve exiting from the spine, causing my pain.
I have tried several things to combat the pain ... recommended by my MD ...
physical therapy, chiropractors, and pain meds. He wants me to have the
shots and says if they don't work, I should have the surgery. Well, you are
not the first person who has said they had the shots and the surgery and
they may work for a while and then stop. As a matter of fact, I asked on
this list when I first joined if there was anyone at all who was cured by
any doctor of this painful disease. NOT ONE PERSON SAID THEY WERE! And
everyone I have spoken with that has had the shots told me that they only
work for a little bit, then the pain is back again.
Well, I am 70 years old and have decided that old age brings pain and
disease with it and some of it can be helped and some of it cannot be
helped. I have decided to live with my pain. I take etodolac, an
anti-inflammatory, for the pain. And, wonder of wonders, after messing with
the physical therapists and the chiropractors for over a year, my MD FINALLY
admitted that even if I tried the shots and the surgery, THAT THERE IS NO
REAL FOR SURE CURE that the medical profession knows of. They are, after
all, just "practicing" medicine!
You seem to have done all you could for yourself. Perhaps it's time for a
change of mind-set for yourself. I have learned to live with the pain and
am much more content now. Driving is very difficult ... that checking over
your shoulder thing is hardest, but I still do it. Sitting in a group of
people and having to turn my head to see/hear/speak to others is also very
difficult. I always try to get a seat at the head of a table so I don't
have to twist my neck often.
And, just in case there is someone else new on this list (very quiet list,
by the way) who has found a cure, please let us know!

If God really, really loved us, he would have made our saliva taste like
chocolate!
Kathy/Mom/Bedstemor in Kenosha, Wisconsin USA
NEEDLEWORK FOREVER!!! HOUSEWORK WHENEVER. bedstemor@...





>From: "Tim" <monroeia@...>
>Reply-To: Cervical_Spondylosis@yahoogroups.com
>To: Cervical_Spondylosis@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [Cervical_Spondylosis] New here with Cervical Stenosis
>Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2006 14:15:03 -0000
>
>Hi Everyone,
>
>My name is Tim. I am new to this group. I was diagnosed with cervical
>stenosis in July 2004 after 4 or 5 years of pain and countless
>doctors.I have been trying to find a place to meet other people with
>this that I can talk to. I had a lamanectomy with fusion of c2-c6 a
>week after I was diagnosed. After the recovery evrery thing was great
>for almost a year then the pain started again. From what I have been
>told my symptoms are different from alot of people with cervical
>stenosis, I have pain in my neck and head.Severe pain.It gets so bad
>that I cant even touch my head or neck without making it worse, and
>laying down is not possible.Since the surgery I get an "episode" of
>this severe pain about every month or so and it lasts for up to a
>week. I have had about 10 epidural injections and they dont work
>anymore. Now when I get pain I go to the Dr. and he gives me a
>steroid shot,a pain killer shot and a prescription of lortab.If I am
>lucky, the steroid will start working before I run out of lortab.I am
>hoping to hear what other people are doing for pain.My Dr. seems to
>be out of ideas.The surgeon says "oh we will just have to do surgery
>again" which I am not wanting to do. the pain managment Dr.
>says "lets just keep trying the epidural and hopefully it will work
>this time or we can give you a patch to wear for pain releif" mwhich
>I have tried and it was absolutly worthless. My Dr. has tried probly
>a dozen different anti-deppresants but nothing helps. I don't know if
>I need to look for a new Dr. or what. Sorry to come here and sound
>like I am whining but I spent the evening of Christmas day on the ER
>and the gave me the shot of pain meds and sent me on my way and of
>course that is wearing off. Hope to hear from some people with
>stenosis or anyone else living with pain. I hope everyone had a great
>Christmas.
>
>Tim
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

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