Hello~
I'm sorry you are in such pain,I can relate. I had a whiplash when in
my 20s.I shortly after started having carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome
symptoms however it didn't progress as everyone that I knew of with this
condition. Mine was slower. I'm older then you,I'm 55. Two years ago I
was seeing an orthopedic for injections in my knees and mentioned how
much more my neck was hurting. At that time he said it was my arthritis
and he really couldn't do much about it. At another appt. I mentioned
that even though the year before I'd had carpal and cubital surgery and
received relief my symptoms were back and worse then ever,I'd been
living for months with my arms propped up on pillows. They hurt so
badly,felt like electrical charges going down them,went numb,burned,felt
they were pulsating plus would get a terrible stabbing pain in my palms
and breast. When I told him this he decided to do an MRI. Thank God he
did because I was well on my was to being paralyzed from the neck down.
I had 3 ruptured disc,spurs plus the spinal canal was so narrowed with
bone that there was no spinal fluid in areas and my spinal cord was
severely compressed,in areas it was flat with bone against it. I had to
have surgery. I had a 3 level cervical discectomy,spurs removed plus the
canal had to be drilled. My neurosurgeon had no hope of ending my
symptoms plus said the muscle spasms I had would be worse however he
could stop the progression of the disease. I've lost half my range of
motion have a titanium plate,screws and bone grafts. Some of my symptom
did improve but then I've gained others.I still have hellish muscle
spasms,cant use my arms much,turn my neck far and if I try I get a
spasm,I can't look up or put any pressure on my hands,I have burning in
my shoulder that feels like alcohol being poored down my arm and
shoulder blade.. I also have several different diseases in multiple
levels of the rest of my spine. I can't walk or stand much. I'm having a
very hard time redefining my roll in life so sometimes I wonder why I'm
here.My neck surgery was 2 years ago now I get epidurals in various
areas,I've had 5 this past year. I know more surgery is down the road
for me. I live with pain and I'm on a downward spiral. I've been very
depressed lately,was hospitalized a month ago because of it.
I'm sure this isn't a very comforting message but this is my story not
your's. You may not have anything going on with yourself as I have. It
is possible though and I know what it's like to have doctors not listen
and or you yourself brush off some symptoms or get use to them until
they become unbearable.
I suggest if your doctor wont listen to you that you find one that
will. My condition would not have gotten so bad if I'd been properly
diagnosed years ago. This condition I had surgery for took years to
progress to the point it did. I brushed off spasms for years and took
meds for them because I though they were just because of the whiplash. I
pray you do not have any thing like I've had however it is possible and
if so you need a proper diagnosis asap. Best Wishes!
Di