Bulging Discs in the Neck~

My mom had this, I think it was the same discs. Steroids did not help at all. She did the full rounds and then some. Physical therapy made it worse, which happens often. Traction provided very little relief. She became totally disabled for months, could no longer work, make meals... even brush her own hair.

The last option was surgery. They were going to remove a portion of her hip bone and fuse it in her neck. They go through the front of the neck, so there can be complications. well, I found a neurosurgeon around here that specializes in invasive surgery for this. It was a miracle for her. She honestly thought she was going to be disabled for life, and within hours of her surgery she felt no more pain. She obviously had recovery pain, but she could at least function. Within about 2-3 months she was totally normal.

If the steroids don't work, definitely think about surgery. You want/need a nuerosurgeon who specializes in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, and Complex Cervical Spine (neck) Surgery.

The original Dr my mom went to who suggested the hip bone transplant, had very little experience with this procedure and had a grim outlook. Look for an expert in cervical, not just spinal surgeries.

You can read get some information about the procedure one she did from her Dr. John Park here:

http://www.methodisthealth.com/mslh.cfm?id=39920

I've glanced at what other people have had, but will give you my two cents too.

I was involved in a severe car accident 11 years ago. (They thought I was dead as the semi hit my drivers door. It was black ice and I slid into him.) I ended up with a bulged disc in L4/5 area and had the constant pins and needles sensation all the way down my left leg. The only part of that leg that felt "normal" was my big toe. I couldn't raise my leg without using my hands and I didn't walk normal. I had a very rude high school senior say that I looked like I was walking drunk!

My doctor suggested physical theraphy and the steriod injections too. My dad cautioned me on getting the injections as the steriod can eventually deteriorate your tissues, so I only did it once. (My dad ended up having back surgery for a herniated disc in his lower back when I was young, due to being the typical farmer and working himself so hard, so I trusted him in his opinions on things related to the back.)

I ended up finding a really good chiropractor as I didn't think physical therapy was doing much to alleviate the muscles that were still in "danger mode." My chiropractor didn't do much initially and it took at least five months for my lower back to heal. Granted, by four months, the tingling sensation had gone away, but I still needed to get adjusted etc.

I also found a really good massage therapist and she did a three hour session on me! She said that she enjoyed working with people with injuries. After that session I was able to pick up my leg on my own!

I'd suggest seeing both.

My profession is physical therapy and I have treated many individuals with bulging discs in my 11 years of treating.

First of all - I am so sorry for what you are going through! You have a full like and having something like this, with the constant paint that is causes, is downright tiresome! I can imagine that it leaves you feeling pretty discouraged.

Depending on the severity of the bulge will translate into what kind of treatment might work for you. Unfortunately, there is not a cut and dry treatment for something like this. Unlike something like appendicitis.

Steroid injections can help to reduce the inflammation and alleviate the pain temporarily, which could be a really great thing.

If it was me (and this is just me) I would explore the realm of non-surgical options first.

The spine is designed in such a way that once two vertebrae are fused together, undue pressure is put on the surrounding vertebrae and eventually there will be issues there as well. However, that being said, sometimes surgery is the only option and people absolutely swear by it! My own mom is looking into surgery at this point because hers has progressed that far. I am not against it, just saying see what else there is first.

PT is an excellent choice (yes, I am biased). Traction can be utilized, along with other modalities (to alleviate the pain) and exercises (to strengthen surrounding musculature, which can lead to long term, positive results.

Last - most importantly - use a doctor that you TRUST, any medical advice you get, be comfortable with it. If you aren't, get a second opinion. It is YOUR body, no one else knows you as well as you do.

And of course, this is all my opinion based on my own thoughts and experience and not professional medical advice because I don't know you, haven't seen your neck, you are not my patient, etc, etc, etc :o)

Good luck to you!!!

I herniated C5 and C6 and experienced pretty severe radiculopathy in which my arm was numb and hurt worse than my neck/upper back. I chose to do the Medrol dose pack and physical therapy. It took two dose packs before I was mostly pain free. I have occasional flare ups, but I can usually do another round of steroids and it kicks it pretty quickly. Good luck!

bulging disks, should not be fooled around with.
The steroidal injection, will help with inflammation. Reducing it.
If not, the bulging disk(s) can sometimes start to affect the nerves... because it is rubbing on it and abrading it. Then you will have, other problems, in addition to the bulging disk.

And, you should also be asking the Doctor, about how to care for it and w what activities you should/should not be doing.

This needs to be a priority.
Bulging disks, do not just go away.
It can recur as well.

My Hubby had one on his back.
He then started to get numbness in his leg and pain etc. His sciatic nerve was being affected as well. He, per his case, he ended up having to have surgery. His nerves, were getting abraded. He saw a Specialist Surgeon.

I did lidocaine and marcaine injections combined with chiropractic, massage therapy, ice, advil to sleep, craniosacral therapy with a physical therapist, and acupuncture. Took time but worked! Just a bulge isn't enough for surgery. I know how bad it hurts!

Definitely be aggressive and persistent in getting this taken care of and talk to your doctor about pushing through the pain -- there may be a point where that does more harm than good. My daughter had this pain off and on for 2 years and finally we're in our 8th week of physical therapy -- which by going slow and working on the disc and surrounding muscles which have posture and support issues she's in less pain now than she's had for years!
Make sure and listen to your body and don't over do it -- it can backfire and take months to fix!!

There is also the Medrol pack. It is a steroid pack that starts out with about 6 pills taken all at once, then day 2 it is one less pill, and so forth until the last day there is only 1 pill. By the 3rd day I was pain free, it was the most wonderful feeling ever!

The physical therapist you go to should be able to give you ideas of how to deal with the pain and always check with them before starting any different exercises to make sure it is safe for your neck.

I use ice for my pain. I freeze water in styrofoam cups. Water domes up on the top as it freezes and if you peel the top of the cup down a bit it allows the dome to be exposed for massages. The cup keeps the cold off the massagers hands and still allows the cold to penetrate the tissues that are inflammed.

I also do neck stretches. I put a pillow under my chin and push down, like holding it to put a pillowcase on. It stretches the muscles and joints all the way down to the bra strap area. In a gentle way and it feels so good.

Keeping the curve of the neck supported is a good idea too. I will do relaxation and I always use a rolled up towel under my neck to help the curve stay the right angles.

I have found that I cannot do any exercises that cause the neck to hurt. It is damamging your bones and will increase the damage. You may have to stop working out for a while totally to keep the neck and upper back protected, especially if it is so bad you may need surgery.

the alternative is to go to Physical Therapy. They can look at your posture while do certain activities such as using weight machines, lifting and carrying children. You may have a forward head posture or weakness in your neck or shoulder muscles which contribute to getting the numbness and tingling. You may also need to change the pillow you are sleeping with so you do not sleep funny and wake up with numbness, tingling, or burning ( all a sign of a nerve being pinched). I think it would be best not to get a nerve block or steriod (cortisone) injection because it is only temporary and will only mask the symptoms you are getting. You may benefit from cervical traction or stretching tight muscles and strengthening the weak, being educated on proper posture and body mechanics.
A. F, PTA(Physical Therapist Assistant)

Please baby your discs. I had three bulging discs in my lower back and one of them ruptured. The pain of a bulging disc is NOTHING compared to a ruptured disc!!!

The "jelly" like material inside the disc leaks out and coats the nerves and then calcifies into hard pieces. You have a 50/50 chance of your body reabsorbing the pieces or needing surgery. Most people can't get enough pain management and end up having surgery to remove the pieces.

I went through almost 9 months of just hell waiting for my disc to heal and the pain to go away. I had two spinal injections and then they tried many different medications to try and help the nerve pain (most just made me sick). They will not give you opiates or "real" painkillers, because they don't want you to become dependent.

My massage therapist helped me most of all once I found her.

Please stop going to the gym...don't make it worse!!!

I had a bulging disc in my back after shoveling a couple winters ago (from the repetetive movement of trying to dig the shovel under the ice to remove it from the driveway). My chiropracter was able to correct it. It took several sessions before I began to feel a great deal better but it definitely helped. He did a little massage on my neck as well when he was doing the adjustments. He also made sure to let me know what habits to change in order to help with healing, and ice/heat, etc. Good luck!

Troy has them in his lower back. He has a mess of exercises he does but they are specific to the region he injured. They have always wanted to do surgery but so long as it doesn't get worse and he deals with the pain he won't do it.

I would not mess around with it because it can get worse and you could end up with nerve damage.

Sorry I couldn't be more help but each area of the back is different.