General Question

gimmedat's avatar

I've got a question about how to proceed, medically speaking.

Asked by gimmedat (3951points) December 25th, 2008

I was involved in a car accident on December 30, 2007. I suffered trauma to my neck, which I have been dealing with for the past year. I have been on so many different cocktails of medications, have gone to physical therapy two to three times a week, and have started getting nerve blocking shots regularly. These are my questions:
1. How long would you give physical therapy, nerve blocks, and medications to work? By work, I mean no more headaches and neck pain is a 1 or 2 on a scale of 1 to 10.
2. At what point would you consider surgery? This is the last option as far as I’m concerned. The neurosurgeon would put a plate at C3 and C4 and permanently disable the occipital nerve.

I know that this is a complex issue, and I am surely not asking for medical advice, only personal opinions about where one might go from here. It’s been just about a year now. I woke up on Christmas morning greeting with a terrible pain in my neck and a blaring headache. Something has got to give.

Merry Christmas.

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

15 Answers

augustlan's avatar

Sorry you’re experiencing so much pain, and on Christmas, too! I hope someone has some insight for you, instead of just sympathy.

jholler's avatar

I tend to look at medications as treating symptoms, while surgery has the chance to actually correct the problem. Why is surgery a last option for you? The occipital nerve (from what I’ve read) innervates the scalp, so you wouldn’t lose any physiological function, would you?

CAQUE's avatar

Before you take such drastic measures, if I were you I would explore alternative medicine and acupuncture first. You’ve got nothing to loose. I am not an expert but acupuncture has improved if not cured my sciatica problems. Good Luck.

gimmedat's avatar

@holler, surgery just freaks me out. Messing with my spinal cord and all that just unnerves me (literally). I have tried going off meds, succeed for awhile, then simply cannot manage.
@Augustlan, thanks for the kind words.
@CAQUE, accupressure is part of my PT, but not accupuncture. I have looked into it, but my insurance doesn’t cover it. Unfortunately cost has to be considered.

CAQUE's avatar

My acupuncturist was able to bill my treatments under an allowed condition. I live in LA. maybe it’s easier to find acupuncturist that are experienced in dealing with insurances. Most insurances will allow a % of your treatment to be covered by acupuncture, ask your doctor for a referral. I’m just trying to give you ideas. Seek and yee shall find.

SuperMouse's avatar

I do not mean to be minimize your pain in any way because I know the last year has been awful for you but may I just jump in here with three little words? Karmic Ass Bite.

shilolo's avatar

First, I think he meant to say that the surgeon would disable the occiput, not the nerve. Second, I agree that surgery should be a last option. Spinal fixation/fusion surgery is not trivial, and there are both short term and long term consequences/side effects to consider. Third, if you are planning on surgery, I would seek out the best surgeon possible at the most reputable hospital. This can go a long way towards getting a good outcome.

cdwccrn's avatar

Don’t know the answer to your problem. Make sure you get second opinions. Hang in there. See if thee is a chronic pain clinic in your area- they
can be very helpful.
Surgery is usually a last resort though I certainly understand you feeling like you have arrived there.

gimmedat's avatar

What’s the difference between the occiput and the occipital nerve, Shilolo? I currently get nerve blocks directly into the nerve, and I’m wondering what the difference would be. From what I understand, a surgery would permanently disable the nerve from sending any messages.

gimmedat's avatar

@cdw, the pain clinic is where I’m getting treatment as well.

Seriously, thanks to everyone. I get in a pain cycle, I get bummed, I trudge through.

Siren's avatar

I think you may have needed a more agressive physical therapist…perhaps you should consider switching to another one if you can. One year is a heck of a long time to suffer and no results! Good luck with it.

osakarob's avatar

Gimmedat, I want to make an earnest and personal appeal to you. Before you even consider surgery, would you be open to trying one, just one, less evasive procedure? I had chronic headaches everyday for 10 years due to an old sports injury. I eventually was directed to an amazing chiropractic physician who specializes in the Gondstead Method of chiropractic medicine. I can’t do the field justice by trying to explain it, but I like to think of those doctors as physicians who view the body the way a mechanical engineer views a machine. My doctor was able to isolate the disc problems that I was having and within 4 weeks of going for adjustments two times per week, I noticed a change in my constant pain! I continued through a 12 week consultation plan and went to my last appointment on 12/23. I’m not 100% “fixed” and will probably need to see him once a month or as pain re-appears, but for all intents and purposes, I am now PAIN FREE with no surgery! It feels like a miracle.
Before you go that drastic route, would you consider consulting with a Gonstead Method chiropractor? There should be a practitioner in your area. Take a look at :
http://www.gonstead.com/ or google your location and Gonstead Chiropractic.
I have no connection to these doctors. I’m just a grateful patient! I never imagined that my chronic pain would go away, but it has. Check them out!

chicadelplaya's avatar

@gimmedat- Yikes! Sorry to hear that. Just be sure you are doing ALL of the exercises your P.T. has taught you EVERYDAY. Also, you could find a great massage therapist. I, personally, would avoid going under the knife at all costs! Take care! I hope you can find some relief soon!

shilolo's avatar

Personally, I wouldn’t let a chiropracter look at my neck from 6 feet away, much less realign it. I’ve seen and heard of way too many chiropractic horror stories for that.

empower's avatar

Have you considered prolotherapy http://www.whiplash101.com/2009/08/prolotherapy-for-ligament-instability/ to stabilize the ligaments and nerve glides to release the nerve pain? I also like a little machine I took a course in how to work and it does electronic accupuncture
http://www.acumedmedical.ca/etps.html Make sure you get people that specialize in neck injury and have a good track record of recovered patients plus find out the short and long term results of any decision and how it could affect future treatment , also what chance is there that your neck will get better by itself. Some people are candidates for artificial disks http://www.adrsupport.org/forums/index.php ask around and see what works for others. There is also a machine that specially strengthens the neck called MCU http://btetech.com/mcu.htm. You can also rent or buy cold light lasers which can provide good pain relief, I would try all these options before surgery

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.

This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.

Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther