Neck Saga Continues ...

In the tradition of an Icelandic saga, so goes my neck pain ordeal - it is interminable and hard to understand.

I just got back from the doctors, with my MRI results and my what-to-do-next list in hand. Sadly, my neck pain isn't being caused by having a Wolverine-style adamantine neck (probably for the best, should I ever have to face Magneto again). Neither is it caused by an evil twin sprouting from my spine. Rather, the radiologist identified the cause as a "very large herniated disc, in the C5-6 region, posterior lateral." YA! The hernia itself hurts, plus it is pinching nerves. A double-blast of fun - with no known cause.

This is how I was sleeping about a week ago: propped up on 5 pillows, slightly to the side, and with my neck brace on. Happily, I have improved to the point where I can sleep comfortably with only one pillow - though gone are the days when I could sleep on my stomach.

What does all of this mean? I will stay on the steroids until this cycle runs out, and I will continue with the ibuprofen for another month. In the mean time, I have been referred to the neuro-surgical and physical therapy departments. The neuro-surgeon will consult with me on my lack of options, and the therapist is going to hook me up with a 'cervical traction' machine. I am afraid it will be very much like Buppa H's medieval torture device. But hey, anything to avoid surgery - which will most likely be at the top of the list for the neuro-surgeon.

The good news is that I do seem to be improving. When the doctor did some testing on me, he noted that I still have the grip strength of a silverback gorilla and the reflexes of a mongoose (his diagnosis, not mine).

Annie came with me to my appointment. She is very supportive. She noticed that when I get nervous, I get 'real nerdy' (her words) - as evidenced by the many jokes I was cracking to my doctors (such as referring to my condition as 'neck-o-riffic.'). Oh well. I was just glad she was there.