bulging disc from c7 and up; nerve root pinched at c4/c5

	Asked by Unregistered (Female; 37 ) on Tue 22, Jul 2008 10:05pm
	I have had 4 mri's, an emg, 3 cortisone shots, and a myelogram...as well as 3 nerve root block injections...they have identified bulging discs from c7 and up...the the nerve root block isolated the potential pinched nerve at c4/c5....i have been dealing with pain since december which consists of back pain between the shoulder blades, radiating pain through the right shoulder and down the arm, numbness and tingling in the right hand, as well as loss of strength in the right arm from pain...my question is what is the next best course of action...
	Actions: | Forward |
	Answer by Dr Paul S, MD (doctor) on Tue 22, Jul 2008 11:25pm: Hi there. From what you have described, it seems that you and your doctors are near the maximum in terms of non-operative or non-surgical interventions, and still pain and neurologic symptoms remain. For severe conditions and symptoms such as yours, a surgical intervention may be considered, though it is strongly recommended that this should be discussed well with the spine surgeon to know and understand the risks and benefits involved. Other forms of non-operative intervention would include physical therapy and use of more potent pain medications such as opioids. Regards and God bless.
	Please rate my answer (select the stars, no need to log in.)
	This questions is open for comments. Please share your opinion. Comments Enter your comments here Name Email Enter the text as shown above E-Mail me when someone replies to this post
	Other medical questions you might be interested in. Please rate doctor’s answers.
	Orthopedics: Injured base of calf, back of leg (kicked during soccer) 6 months after ORIF of same leg, can I work through pain or should I stay off of it?  (Answered) - Viewed 2539 times   I am a 33yo fem, 112 lbs, very athletic. I broke my fibula playing soccer in Oct. of 07 and had a successful Open Reduction Inte... Gound glass lung nodule and possibility of it being cancer  (Answered) - Viewed 1733 times   I have a 7mm ground glass nodule in lung..I am being told now that I have to go for another ct of lung in 3 months. I am female... Kidney Cancer - Treatment options and prognosis for kidney cancer  (pending) - Viewed 546 times   I have just been diagnosed with Kidney Cancer. What questions should I be sure to ask my Urological Oncologist at my first appoi... PROSTATE CANCER - PSA and Gleason score doesnt reveal spread of cancer to bones  (Answered) - Viewed 3401 times   I WENT TO MY DOCTOR APPROX 5-6 MONTHS AGO BECAUSE MY LEFT SIDE NECK AND ARM WAS STIFF. MY DOCTOR SAID I HAD A PINCHED NERVE AND ... I am unsure how serous this is? - Weight fluctuated after taking steriods  (Answered) - Viewed 735 times   I was dx with Multiple sclerosis in 2002. Since them my weigt has fluctuated after taking steroids. This year my weight has dro... possibility of MM?  (Answered) - Viewed 343 times   I had a cbc done on 02/11/08 because of a tooth infection and a bad cold. ( I had a root canal done the following week). On 3/16... does this sound like cancer - Dimpling and puckering in both breasts  (Answered) - Viewed 1063 times   i have severe dimpling and puckering in both breasts. i also have discharge in both breasts and calcifications in right breast... YEAST INFECTIONS  (Answered) - Viewed 669 times   I RECENTLY HAVE A YEAST INFECTION EVERYTHING THAT I TRY SEEMS TO IRRITATE ME MORE. MY DOCTOR HAS NO APPOINTMENTS. WHAT CAN I DO ... blood in stool - What may be the problem?  (Answered) - Viewed 3039 times   person had blood in stool,one month ago,used preparation h/and stoolsoftner/no,occurance,for one month.Discontinued use.had a bo... Experiencing heart flutters, dizziness, and vision impairment  (Answered) - Viewed 4054 times   This morning I experienced a moderate headache with some nausea. Then I began experiencing impaired vision where it started wit... bulging disc c4-5, pinched nerve c6-7...cortisteroid shot but still hurting  (Answered) - Viewed 4673 times   I have two bulging disc c4-5, and two pinched nerves disc c6-7 (stenosis?) Two days ago I had shots in my neck to relieve nerve ... Womens Health problem! - White / yellow smelly discharge.  (Answered) - Viewed 7725 times   I have missed a period, taken three pregnancy tests, all were negative. I have always been regular with my periods, im very worr... unable to sleep - evere soreness in my back and neck accompanied by night-time headaches  (Answered) - Viewed 1237 times   for the past 2 weeks i have had severe soreness in my back and neck accompanied by night-time headaches.for 3-4 days my stomach ... im in severe help with no insurance and need answers - Cramp in stomach, nausea and white discharge  (Answered) - Viewed 1110 times   i have had cramping in my stomach and been feeling severe nausea plus i just noticed i have white discharge wat could that be? m... what can cause yellow colored finger nails for extensive period of time  (Answered) - Viewed 1577 times   i have had extremely yellow colored finger nails on both hands for the past two weeks. I discontinued coloring them with nail po... Racing Heart, Difficult Breathing, Lungs feel slightly congested  (Answered) - Viewed 1406 times   Last night my heart started racing when I laid down to go to bed. I was having a hard time breathing. This lasted about 2 hour... Don't understand what this test results mean, mentions focal epilepsy  (Answered) - Viewed 355 times   Can anyone tell me what this means; "This is an abnormal awake and drowsy electroencephalogram due to the presence of epileptifo... Hair loss, vision changes, elevated blood pressure, kidney problems. Gastrointestinal? Thyroid? What is wrong with me???  (Answered) - Viewed 2735 times   The first time I noticed anything was wrong was when my hair started falling out, suddenly and quickly until eventually I lost i... dont have my vicodin script wanted to know how many tramadol to take  (Answered) - Viewed 205 times   what is the eqivilant of tramadol as to vicodin.i dont have my vicodin script and i wanted to know if tramadol can be substitute... Urinary problems that have been ongoing but recently got worse  (Answered) - Viewed 741 times   I'm a 36 yr old male that has mild discomfort in the rectum and mild pain in the penis after ejaculation. I've had problems in t...