Marauder SASS #13056 Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 What a bummer! After 54 years, my neck started failing due to a car accident. Slight compression of three discs and bone spurs bothering shoulder and neck. So I have a sore neck and can no longer lift my rifle with my left hand for the time it takes to shoot. The regular spine surgeon didn’t offer much help. Probably just have to live with it. Some recommended Laser Spine Institute which practices several places around the country. They sounded very optimistic about what they could do with their newer procedures. But when they checked with Medicare & Blue Cross, they said it would only cost about $15,000! They make certain to do it as an outpatient – that way they can charge whatever they like without restrictions. I had my hopes raised by Laser Spine Institute all to have them pretty well dashed.. L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prairie Dawg, SASS #50329 Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 Sorry to hear about your bad neck. See if your local clubs will let you shoot Josey Wales! 5 pistols! A heap of fun to boot! --Dawg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo Dacious Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 Have been having the same problem myself, hand numbness, pain across shoulders and unable to move neck. I had an Cortisone Epidural 3 weeks ago and most of the pain and stiffness is gone. Some of the numbness is still there. Not a cure but did bring some relief, just have to see how long. Bo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 I had an Cortisone Epidural 3 weeks ago Easy on the Cortisone treatments - the stuff softens bones. Shooting buddy had to have 2 hip replacements when he was receiving Cortisone for his Hodgkin lymphoma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Dave Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 I had 2 herniated disks in the base of my neck, pain in the elbow, loss of strength in my left hand to where I couldn't really hold anything, and I'm left handed. Surgery and a plate and 6 screws and some cadaver bone later, I'm mostly back to normal and have been for maybe 15 years now. Some residual nerve damage, but that's annoying at the worst. I am sorry for your troubles, I hope that you find a solution that will work at a price you can deal with. Afford is a relative thing if it provides you with a higher quality of life in the process. Good luck. Grizz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yusta B. Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 Have been having the same problem myself, hand numbness, pain across shoulders and unable to move neck. I had an Cortisone Epidural 3 weeks ago and most of the pain and stiffness is gone. Some of the numbness is still there. Not a cure but did bring some relief, just have to see how long. Bo This + a pain management specialist can do a nerve block injection. Just something else to consider. Good luck ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Ron Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 Howdy, Listen to your surgeon and its time to be careful. Don't be all upset about missing a match or a season. You need to talk to folks with YOUR problem. And a lot of folks have problems, but are they really like yours? Don't make your whole life worse by shooting or doing anything that your doc advises against. One friend of mine has injured and re injured his wrist to the point where he can only shoot .22 pistols. He used to like shooting heavy recoil guns. He still rides a bike and isn't going to stop until that fall that makes his right hand useless. He likes to dangle ideas out in front of me and dare me to do things that could make my situation worse. I stopped talking to him for a few months but now we talk and right off he wants me to do things that are too much for my back. I just don't know what to do about the guy. He is nearly ready for a handicapped car and doesn't realize it. Don't endanger your health for a few minutes of fun. Best CR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleepy Floyd Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 I have an appointment with the Ostio guy next week. Pinched nerve in C3-4 or 4-5 cannot remember. It was diagnosed 20 years ago. So far just pain and a little tingling left arm.. One muscle group affected but not bad. Have almost full strength in arm and hands. S. Floyd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold Canyon Kid #43974 Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 What a bummer! After 54 years, my neck started failing due to a car accident. Slight compression of three discs and bone spurs bothering shoulder and neck. So I have a sore neck and can no longer lift my rifle with my left hand for the time it takes to shoot. The regular spine surgeon didn’t offer much help. Probably just have to live with it. Some recommended Laser Spine Institute which practices several places around the country. They sounded very optimistic about what they could do with their newer procedures. But when they checked with Medicare & Blue Cross, they said it would only cost about $15,000! They make certain to do it as an outpatient – that way they can charge whatever they like without restrictions. I had my hopes raised by Laser Spine Institute all to have them pretty well dashed.. L I have a similar issue with my neck and found traction helped a lot. I have had the issue for 40 years and they wanted to operate 40 years ago. I started physical thearpy then instead and it helped a lot especiall with proper traction of my neck. Traction felt so good I would fall asleep in about a minute when the traction started. A few weeks ago was discussing this with a surgeon and he recommended a fairly new way to do harmless neck traction at home. I ordered a device from Amazon.com he recommended and it helps a bunch, and I use it 20 minutes a day watching TV. This device is made from fabric with three pressure rings held in front with two velcro straps. The three champers are pumped up with a squeeze bulb like a blood pressure cuff has. Hope the link works, if not just do a search on Amazon for neck traction devices. The one I have is called ChiSoft. Here it is, and it works: http://www.amazon.com/Best-Traction-ChiSoft%C2%AE-Doctors-Recommended/dp/B0042BYG3U/ref=sr_1_5?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1449699440&sr=1-5&keywords=neck+traction Whatever you do, do not try one of those pulley over the door neck traction devices. It will not work and will cause significant jaw issues. I have a 21 inch neck and the traction device above works very well even with large necks. I do find the three pressure chambers or hoses leak and I have to squeeze the pump up ball every few minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 Marauder, I hate to hear of your medical situation, especially such a dim outlook of any feasible and affordable cure. I'm approaching a similar health problem with my left wrist. When I was 2, I broke my wrist. The lid of our cedar chest (very heavy) fell closed on it while I had my little arm in it. Then at the age of 11, I was in a swing set that toppled over as I was swinging forward. When I hit the ground, my left arm stretched outward and the top of the swing set bar landed right where it had broken 9 years earlier. My left wrist area looked like Popeyes arm, no kidding. Anyhow, about 15-20 years ago during some medical testing, the doc informed me that I had some obvious nerve damage in my left wrist and it would probably rear its ugly head as I got older. Well..... it looks like its starting to rear its ugly head because I can sense my left hand/thumb loosing my grip on certain things lately. I've been wearing a wrist brace/support at my shooting matches since September, and I find it helps a little. I wish you well and hope some good treatments (cure) can be found that doesn't cost a fortune. ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 Dear Marauder, I hope you get this fixed soon. Neck pain is so hard to take. Sincerely, Allie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyesa Horg Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 Hoping for the best for you Marauder. The epidurals helped with 2 disks in my lower back. Haven't had any more shots in 15 years. Only had 4 back then 6 months apart. ONLY $15,000, they all seem to think we're made of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Cent Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Hey Maruader. Get the epidurals. I had two sessions of those, a week apart for L4-L5. Bone spur pinching the nerve and pretty decent arthritis. They gave me a happy shot before each procedure and the only thing you gotta watch is talking in your sleep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder SASS #13056 Posted December 10, 2015 Author Share Posted December 10, 2015 Thanks for the encouragement and consolation, I need it. Problems are c3-c4,c4-c5 & c5-c6, so regular surgery (fusion) would be a big stretch and not likely to be successful. I was hoping they would address the bone spurs, but so far the regular surgeons are not interested yet.. So I will check with a few more doctors for more options, The first I saw is well respected and he was good and honest, but certainly not encouraging. I will definitely look into the traction as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ventura Slim, SASS #35690 Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Ouch! I have heard of people getting bone spurs cleaned up and younger people getting synthetic discs, but you have a row to hoe. Had an issue with a "pinched nerve" and physical therapy helped it a bunch. In Hotlanta you have some good choices of people and Emory. Did anyone suggest some sort of physical therapy where you learn exercises and stretches? Getting older is sure a drag. Your website has helped us all out with our shooting irons. I wish I could repay you with something better now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palmetto Traveller Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Have you checked out the Southeastern Spine Institute in Mt Pleasant? Saw them on TV Sunday . Might be worth a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BONEYARD BILL, SASS #39,030 Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Chiropractic might help - it sure doesn't cost $15,000 a pop. I pay about $40 per week for an adjustment. Check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder SASS #13056 Posted December 10, 2015 Author Share Posted December 10, 2015 In the past 6 months I've done Physical Therapy and visited a good chiropractor. Both helped especially at first. The PT was getting me back to as good or better than when the problem started in June. Then while doing PT, they had me do a few more neck exercises. That is what REALLY messed me up. Set my PT back to the beginning and worse. Once again could not raise my arm at all. Now is a little better, but no real strength. They think some exercise was "the straw that broke . . " Thanks for the suggestion of the spine Institute and others. I will be looking into them probably in January after Christmas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twelve mile REB Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Been there done that but not with the involvement you have. I will say one thing, don't wait do it now, nerve's die. Sometimes they come back sometimes they don't, I've got a pile of don'ts but I waited. Good luck 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Rich Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 The laser surgery can help with bulging or herniated discs. For bone spurs it has to be cut and remove. It cost me $17,000. kR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailboss (Santa) Dave Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 I injured my neck in my senior year of High School, now I have trouble with C6 & C7. Hard to believe that was 50 years ago Wake up each AM with both ring and little fingers numb and have to force them to move. But my Surgeon tells me that he can't guarantee to take away the pain, he could not even guarantee not to make it worse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Dane, SASS#5536 Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Mr. Marauder, sorry to hear about your problems. I suffer from chronic low back problems, not helped by a surgery in 2000 that did not go well. For the last couple of years I have been going to Dr. Chandler at Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze , Fl. { Check them out online.} I would love to say that I'm pain free, but---------that ain't likely. I can say that they have helped a lot-and every time I go there, I get another year or two down the road. { I refuse to live on narcotic pain pills.} From 40 years of experience, I can tell you to get another opinion-but be careful when anyone promises a miracle cure. Good luck and best wishes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlin Buckhorn,SASS 51727 Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Marauder I had fusion of C4 through C7. Two years later they fused C2-C3. In both of these surgeries I had bulging discs and bone spurs. Both of these surgeries helped the pain immensely. I have since fallen and tore my left rotator cuff for the second time. The pain from this has passed up the muscles and into the neck. PT helped but not a cure, rotator cuff in not operable this time. Every case is different but the right Ortho surgeon might be found. Now backs are a different story. Two surgeries on lower back first 1 helped 7 or 8 years second one not at all. Good luck, getting old ain't for sissies, Marlin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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