RaymondC1987

Hello again. I would like to update you on my progress. Since my last post I had been seeing a chiropractor for therapy, adjustments, and neck traction. In the past few weeks I have made progress mechanically but no symptomatic progress. I have extremely bad knots in my neck, right shoulder, and upper back between my shoulder blade and spine. I was recommended to have lidocaine trigger point injections and saw an orthopedic surgeon about them yesterday. Luckily for me, The doctor I saw had gone through exactly what I am dealing with. He is the first person I’ve talked to that could truly understand my pain and has given me another option and some great answers. He himself had the lidocaine injections which only worked for 3 days before the spasms returned so I did not have the injections done. I have been put on a 6 day regiment of steroids to help with inflammation which will be followed up with a direct injection of a steroid into the effected area of my herniated disc (c6-7). I have been told that this will either knock the problem out completely, or it wont work at all. If it doesn’t, it sounds like surgery is my only option. The doctor is highly confident that the herniated disc is the cause of my torticollis as it was the same cause for him. His experience with the surgery was great being in and out of the hospital the same day, no need for pain medication, and it took him about 4 weeks to get his voice back. He said it was an instant relief and cure for his torticollis symptoms and is confident it will be for me as well. I’m hoping the steroids will work, however if it does not I think I am finally comfortable having the ACDF surgery done. Monday of next week I go to see a doctor to talk and prep for the spinal injection, I’m on day 2 of my oral steroid dose and I’ll know monday when I can have the injection done. I will keep you posted on my progress. Thank you for your help and information, I greatly appreciate it. Any insight on my current status would be appreciated as well.