For almost a year my right shoulder has been giving problems. In the beginning there was this slight burning sensation but after taking Tylenol the pain would subside and I would go about my day. However, as the months progressed the pain kept increasing to where I would have to increase my Tylenol intake. I mentioned this to my doctor, but thinking that it would eventually go away I told him that at that time is wasn’t a major concern.
Six months ago the burning sensation began to really take a turn for the worse, specially at night where it would wake me from a sound sleep. In order to relieve the pain I found that if I would extend my arm up under my head it would ease the pain and allow me to sleep in relative comfort. Also, I found that sleeping on my left side did not help … it simply caused my shoulder a great deal of discomfort and I would have to roll over and try and fall back to sleep. Also, Tylenol was no longer providing the relief I sought so I requested my doctor to prescribe something a bit stronger which I could take before bedding down for the night in order to get a good nights sleep to which he agreed to do.
Three months ago my symptoms began to show no signs of easing … the pain was becoming more acute. It was no longer just a night time only occurrence … during the day I was experiencing the same sensation. And I began to notice my arm would become slightly numb and the tips of my fingers would tingle. When I meet with my doctor I mentioned this him and he instructed me to do range of motion exercises, continue the medication schedule and the next time I saw him we would take the issue to the next step if the symptoms persisted.
This past Tuesday I ended up in the ER. For the past three days the pain was significantly on the rise, my arm would go numb and my entire hand would tingle … definitely signs of a pinched nerve!?! And since it’s difficult to land an immediate appointment with my doctor I decided that I need to get this checked out and so to the ER I went.
After talking to the ER doctor and the Neurologist whom both consulted with my doctor, x-rays of my spin and shoulder were ordered. The diagnosis, cervical radiculopathy (a pinched nerve in the neck) and degenerative arthritis of the spine. In other words, this dude be getting old and with the aging process unfortunately it brings along with it structural and internal problems … sweet! I mean I already have heart (CVD) and lower back problems (four years ago I was diagnosed with degenerative disk disease in my lower back which was attributed to a fall I had approximately ten years ago where I landed on my butt).
As for degenerative arthritis, this condition is common in people past middle age … yeah, me! LOL. It’s caused by life long stress on the joints. The large weight bearing joints of the lover extremities are most often affected. The knees, hips, back, neck, and hands can become painful, swollen, and stiff. This is the most common type of arthritis and is associated with age, obesity, and previous injuries.
The next step, I have to undergo an electromyogram (this study is one where the working of nerves and muscles are studied) and have a consult with an orthopedic specialist to decide what will provide the best relief such as physical therapy, injections or even surgery … Oh joy! Now I’ve gotta figure out how I’m going to accomplish and manage what I have to do in order to slow the progress of this degenerative condition. Not having a car, getting to and from appointments limits my ability to take care of myself. So, meanwhile I just have to deal with it.
Until Tomorrow ...
Six months ago the burning sensation began to really take a turn for the worse, specially at night where it would wake me from a sound sleep. In order to relieve the pain I found that if I would extend my arm up under my head it would ease the pain and allow me to sleep in relative comfort. Also, I found that sleeping on my left side did not help … it simply caused my shoulder a great deal of discomfort and I would have to roll over and try and fall back to sleep. Also, Tylenol was no longer providing the relief I sought so I requested my doctor to prescribe something a bit stronger which I could take before bedding down for the night in order to get a good nights sleep to which he agreed to do.
Three months ago my symptoms began to show no signs of easing … the pain was becoming more acute. It was no longer just a night time only occurrence … during the day I was experiencing the same sensation. And I began to notice my arm would become slightly numb and the tips of my fingers would tingle. When I meet with my doctor I mentioned this him and he instructed me to do range of motion exercises, continue the medication schedule and the next time I saw him we would take the issue to the next step if the symptoms persisted.
This past Tuesday I ended up in the ER. For the past three days the pain was significantly on the rise, my arm would go numb and my entire hand would tingle … definitely signs of a pinched nerve!?! And since it’s difficult to land an immediate appointment with my doctor I decided that I need to get this checked out and so to the ER I went.
After talking to the ER doctor and the Neurologist whom both consulted with my doctor, x-rays of my spin and shoulder were ordered. The diagnosis, cervical radiculopathy (a pinched nerve in the neck) and degenerative arthritis of the spine. In other words, this dude be getting old and with the aging process unfortunately it brings along with it structural and internal problems … sweet! I mean I already have heart (CVD) and lower back problems (four years ago I was diagnosed with degenerative disk disease in my lower back which was attributed to a fall I had approximately ten years ago where I landed on my butt).
As for degenerative arthritis, this condition is common in people past middle age … yeah, me! LOL. It’s caused by life long stress on the joints. The large weight bearing joints of the lover extremities are most often affected. The knees, hips, back, neck, and hands can become painful, swollen, and stiff. This is the most common type of arthritis and is associated with age, obesity, and previous injuries.
The next step, I have to undergo an electromyogram (this study is one where the working of nerves and muscles are studied) and have a consult with an orthopedic specialist to decide what will provide the best relief such as physical therapy, injections or even surgery … Oh joy! Now I’ve gotta figure out how I’m going to accomplish and manage what I have to do in order to slow the progress of this degenerative condition. Not having a car, getting to and from appointments limits my ability to take care of myself. So, meanwhile I just have to deal with it.
Until Tomorrow ...
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