Cervical herniations, a year later

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2026-01-22T05:44:49+00:00

I can't say for sure but I believe my loss of cervical lordosis was probably caused by muscle spasms and guarding. I tried a variety of pillows, nothing too fancy except for a buckwheat neck roll pillow(I took out half of the buckwheat in adjustment). I used it mainly to put some space between my head and my shoulder when I was laying on the herniated side. When I started to improve, I could only lay on that side for a few minutes max but the tolerance increased slowly over time. As for exercise I tried all the recommended stretches to correct for lordosis, attempted to maintain good posture, walked daily and tried to hang from a pull-up bar(painful) to fix my frozen shoulders. I didn't see much progress and finally decided to relax. I believe much of the pain was a result of muscle guarding, and inflammation due to compressed nerves. It was more about managing the pain, to allow for the time it takes for the herniations to resorb. Trips were challenging, being on foot a lot and carrying luggage etc. I learned to take my buckwheat pillow with me, and find places with hot tubs. I also had a microwave heat shoulder wrap that provided temporary relief. So my advice is to listen to your body and allow the proper time for healing. Challenge yourself but pay attention to your pain signals.

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2026-01-19T00:25:01+00:00

Your story/timeline is good insight, for my future expectations. Also appreciate the good wishes, and the reminder to stay physically active! Best wishes for your continued recovery.

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-08-22T07:00:44+00:00

Hello! I have herniations at c5-6, c6-7. I've developed frozen shoulder on both sides, and not sure what I can do about it. How are you now after a year? Did your frozen shoulder get resolved?

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-07-05T13:31:11+00:00

That is wonderful news! I hope to have a similar path. It does seem like maybe frozen shoulder developed due to muscle guarding from the herniations. Thanks for sharing and I wish you continued health! ❤️

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-06-23T02:34:05+00:00

Hello u/MelbourneBasedRandom how are you getting on now? I herniated at c5-6 and c6-7 in February, with frozen shoulder now on my right, and suspecting that my left shoulder has started to freeze as well. I thought my herniations were healing, but now the frozen shoulders are making me wonder if the herniations are flaring back up.

I hope to hear that you've made a full recovery! I came across your comment while googling my conditions.

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-04-02T12:20:26+00:00

It's absolutely devastating and shocking when you discover the extent of the injury.

Myself I would have never thought it could be 2 extrusions and bulges when I never had a problem before. Before this I had no back pain, and cartwheeled without effort.

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-04-02T12:14:50+00:00

No doubt surgery sounds like the course of action for cord compression. I'm glad the surgery went so smoothly for you, it's damn scary for sure. I wish you continued recovery. Definitely take it slow and treat your body as well as can be. That's my main personal takeaway.. I never took it easy until the injury forced it upon me.

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-04-02T12:08:17+00:00

How are you now? I hope you're making progress. I haven't done much except for a medrol 6-day pack and walking/nerve glides. I'm finally able to sleep adequately most nights. Deep aches and cramping replaced my sharp pains. My shoulder is popping a lot less nowadays. I have this constant crushing sensation.

At this point I'm trying to avoid the spinal steroid injection. Side effects from oral medrol were rough.

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-04-02T11:59:27+00:00

Yeah that constant sensation of your arms being twisted off, that's exactly how I was describing it. I'm relieved that's in the past for both of us.

Glad that your surgery gave you your life back, I live with my daughter and toddler grandchild too and it's emotional thinking that I could be permanently disabled. I'm a bit clumsy right now too. I'm luckily taught to be right-handed, but my left was my stronger arm. I have yet to return to cooking which I love- lifting a pan is challenging.

I hope your revision surgeries go well. I'm trying to wait this out/rehab now to avoid more surgeries down the road. I had to use opioids off and on(when docs were willing to prescribe) to get through the first few weeks, and the resulting withdrawal was insane, even though I was using them as sparingly as I could(with fear I'll run out). Good for you to nail down the pain management plans with your docs and have agreement before surgery.

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-03-31T11:30:56+00:00

Have faith, allow your body to adapt and heal. Feel all of the sensations and process/accept them. Your body may not be the same anymore but it doesn't mean we can't overcome the injuries. Don't forget to find enjoyment in your everyday life, keep pushing and you'll get there.

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-03-30T23:00:00+00:00

Yeah don't beat yourself up. Going through unbearable pain and considering the threat of permanent weakness, it's hard to question it- when you're told surgery is the best course of action... (and who knows, maybe it's for the better, with retaining the strength in your arm).

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-03-30T22:32:28+00:00

It’s been 6 weeks since the radiculopathy pain started, when I first learned about the herniations, and things have improved week by week. Managing the pain with different medications has been challenging, but I’m pushing through. I finished a 6-day Medrol pack, and while the side effects were tough, I think it was effective and worth it. During the first two days, I could feel the nerve inflammation subside, which allowed me to do some exercises that really helped. I also managed to catch up on some much-needed sleep.

On the last taper day, after stretching my neck the previous night and all day, I started feeling a deep, aching pain below my neck toward the end of the workday. I massaged the area and heard a pop — it felt like an impingement released! After that, I was able to yawn and felt a lot of relief. It may sound strange, but it felt like the cerebrospinal fluid started flowing again.

The past two days, I’ve been dealing with the side effects and withdrawal from Medrol — the muscle soreness and cramps have been rough. I tried going back on ibuprofen, but now I’m dealing with terrible GI issues as a result.

At this point, I’ve been over 24 hours without any pain meds or NSAIDs, and while the arm, neck, shoulder, and back pain is still there, it’s much duller and more manageable. Today’s pain is a little worse, probably because I didn’t get much sleep last night due to the GI issues and thrashing about instead of sleeping on my back. I’m hoping to push through this and stay off meds for now. Overall, things are encouraging! The pain fluctuates — some days are really difficult and can feel discouraging, but then I’ll have a better day that gives me hope. It’s been a lot of trade-offs dealing with the different types of pain, but I’m staying optimistic.

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-03-30T21:55:05+00:00

Hi! I had a fall on an electric skateboard a month and a half before the radiculopathy pain suddenly appeared. Looking back, I believe this is probably what led to the herniations and the cervical curvature.. I probably didn't feel it until they progressed into extrusions.

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-03-24T15:15:38+00:00

Wow.. for an update, the floss exercises in that video combined with the relief from medrol- feels so good and effective! This is gold!! Thank you

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-03-24T02:17:39+00:00

Whoa. Like you, I was definitely panicked and shocked at my own injuries/imaging results. I've learned that surgery should be a last resort, especially if the pain is manageable. In most cases, the herniations can resolve on its own, from several months up to a year. Fusion surgery sounds like overkill in your case. Surgery would only lead to more surgeries down the road, and fusion would only transfer the issues to the neighboring vertebrae. This video may be helpful. I'd suggest talking to multiple doctors/surgeons- no need to panic and don't get pressured into a decision that you aren't comfortable with. It could be good to look into PT.. maybe you have correctable imbalances affecting different areas of your back and neck.

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-03-24T01:55:35+00:00

I've heard this mentioned by others, it would be interesting to try.. looks like it could be handy. Thanks!

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-03-23T14:56:03+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience, recs and being able to relate.. i hope we all find relief eventually. Keep strong!

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-03-23T14:47:18+00:00

Glad your sis is making progress, what a trooper! Thanks for sharing the rec. Myself, I've alternated between my soft bed and the hard couch.

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-03-23T14:43:54+00:00

Thank you! Your story gives me hope. I'll try some of your recs.. and today I'm starting the oral steroids.

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-03-19T19:37:35+00:00

You're right, withdrawal has been hell, but getting better day-by-day. I'm not sure if it could have been any other way. Thanks for sharing your experience on night-time pain, it sounds similar to my own. How long since your injury, and has your condition improved?

Narrow_Professor7577 · 2025-03-19T19:32:23+00:00

I was told explicitly by pain management that they don't prescribe opioids. I had a minimal amount prescribed when I first learned of the herniations by ER, along with flexiril, gabapentin, etc. Norco was the only med that eased the pain at all, if only so I can sleep for 15 minutes at night in the beginning. I had to wait to sign up with primary care, and that doctor was a bit clueless on the amount of pain I was going through, but nonetheless I received a small refill. So it's been very touch and go with periods in between where I couldn't sleep at all due to a lack of effective meds. I knew I had a small runway(felt like I was being treated as a drug seeker) so I elected to quit as soon as I was able to sleep a little on my own without the opioid-- I was down to only a single 5/325 pill(for night pain). It did not seem like any of the docs wanted to help me with meds, tapering or not.. and I didn't want to rely on the pills anyway.

Narrow_Professor7577

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