[Maria]

I suppose tears can heal and bulges can be reasorbed (sp) though that I can't say if that has happened to me since I've not had a cervical MRI for a while and with my current complaints I don't think anyone would rush to order one for me.

My lumbar area had some fusing of the facets I was told at L5S1 which has given me much more relief yet that has been a long haul process since I had the L5S1 injury since I was 28 and in my mid 50's this area seems to have given some relief. L4 is still problematic for me and I have a tear at L3 so not sure what is attributed to that anymore or what pain I'd be attributing to that anymore. My pain is fairly adequately controlled with a low dose of opioid medication every a.m. and a shot of Toradol every so often for bigger flares.

I do have osteoarthritis thru out my body and degenerative disc disease thru out my spine so I am achy and more fragile it seems though again I'm nearly 60 years old.

My best advice again would be to consult with a specialist in this area (cervical spine) who could far better answer some of your questions especially based on the fact that you recently had an MRI. Now is a good time to see someone since your films are up to date.

Re pillows and such I believe that is a very individual thing as to which one works best. I have gone thru a number of various types. What will really aggravate my neck quickly is to hold a phone between my ear and my shoulder (scrunching it in that position to hold it) while I'm trying to multitask. I am asking for a pretty quick flareup or migraine that way!

Hopefully some others that have had cervical surgery and have cervical injuries and a bit more expertise will answer your most recent part of your post. As always wishing you the best with this endeavor as you are young and hopefully relatively healthy. Maria