Neck and thoracic pain

Maria · #1 (**permalink**) 08-07-2013, 02:05 PM

This is not my first experience w/cervical pain but it is the first prolonged aggravation I've experienced in maybe 3 years or so. Also my thoracic spine feels like mid spine something is broken right about T6-7 (where I have scoliosis).

My bedding has been bothering me. I switched from sleeping on a traditional mattress to sleeping on a tatami platform bed but it was far too firm so have a 3 inch firm futon on it and that was too firm so had 2 mattress toppers on it and that worked since about October or November 2012. Of late it's been really driving me mad so I went out and bought a new mattress which arrives Friday.

I have an appointment on the 13th with my PCP so I think I'll report this pain if still present to see about getting some updated xrays. My OSS told me long ago he thought I'd herniate in my T spine next but instead my cervical spine started hurting me which was about 12 years ago. I've had a few cervical MRIs in the past but nothing that was shouted surgery.

While I've not noticed any weakness in my hands I have been dropping things I think with my left hand a lot. I don't feel like I'm going to drop anything I just do!

I just hope the new bedding and maybe a new pillow will be good enough therapy! I'm still packing to make a move so don't need anything else to slow me down!

jsewell · #2 (**permalink**) 08-08-2013, 01:08 AM

Hi Maria i am sorry you are experiencing this pain . That sucks. I guess the new imaging might tell some of the story. I hope it is just a fleeting thing and will be gone soon.
Judy

Maria · #3 (**permalink**) 08-08-2013, 08:04 AM

Judy,
I can't believe it's still going on! I think I aggravated something and I better find something that supports my neck and upper back better to sleep with because this is driving me nutz! I have to wait a bit before I can get another Toradol shot or I'd go to Urgent Care. By the time I get imaging done I'll have wasted another couple of weeks not packing... groan!

Today I went to CVS for a few minutes and carrying my purse was hurting. I take my cat for fluids 3x/week too and it's getting hard for me to carry her weight in the carrier and she's only 4.8.lbs. Man this sucks!!!

Thankfully my lumbar spine isn't hurting right now (knock on wood!)!!!! Hope it stays that way at least till this pain goes away!

teg · #4 (**permalink**) 08-08-2013, 06:16 PM

Hi Maria,
I am sorry to hear about you back pain in the t6-7 area. I have been able to get some relief by performance a stretch exercise that my chiro showed me. I perform the stretch by laying on my bed with my shoulder blades resting on the edge. I gradually stretch over the side of the bed as I exhale. It should be a gentle stretch and it have not aggravated my irritated spine.

I hope it helps and that you get some resolve soon. Take care.

Thelma

Maria · #5 (**permalink**) 08-08-2013, 06:59 PM

Thanks Thelma I'll try that one. I've been doing stretching exercises, gently, to see if that helps. Momentarily it does. I find that hyperextension is aggravating and flexion can be too particularly staring down at something.

I have notices that my right hand seems to lose the grasp of things although again I don't feel any weakness it just happens.

I think besides having a disc bulge somewhere in the cervical area maybe C5 or so I have some osteophytes I think. I do have DDD in C4-C6 I think and I believe I have that in my T spine as well.

I'd rest but I don't find rest helpful to alleviate this discomfort/pain. I had to take a fioricet last night (migraine med) in order to relax enough to get back to sleep after I woke up from sleeping on futon sofa (with neck and Tspine feeling just as bad if not worse).

I hope this all goes away by the 13th. If not I'll tell my PCP when I see her on that day. Meanwhile I'll try all the conservative measures I know including the stretch you mentioned.

jsewell · #6 (**permalink**) 08-09-2013, 04:47 PM

Maria i am so sorry this pain is still with you. I imagine you have tried heat/ice to see if any of those help. I do remember that pain after the pain with me was the tingling and waking up with some of my fingers numb. At that point i was still trying physical therapy. then the therapist noticed my left arm was getting weaker and when i reported that to my surgeon he said it was time to fix it as you do not want any permanent weakness . I sure hope you do not go down that road as i know how you feel about surgery
judy