Neurologist/EMG/Prednisone

[Momcpa]

Was referred to a Neurologist by my primary doc. Met him today. Did strength testing and had an EMG. They are thinking a pinched nerve in my spine. I have REALLY bad pain in my shoulder blade going down into my upper arm. It's been going on for a couple months.

Going to have an MRI sometime next week, but in the meantime, he put me on a high dose of prednisone. I don't know if he thinks the steroid is going to provide temporary relief or if it might be the answer. Get the inflammation down and it will stay down??

Any thoughts, comments, or experience in this type of situation ? I'm really tired of the ongoing, constant 'mean' pain, but I also know that high dose steroids can be a crazy ride.

[aja8888]

High and continued doses of prednisone over the course of a year to help my 70 year old DW deal with COPD ruined her bones. She lost 4" in height that year, had four vertebrae fracture (from just leaning forward and reaching out) and ended up with severe osteoporosis.

Be careful with prednisone.

[MRG]

I've had extreme pain from a cervical(c6-c7)nerve root being compressed. Generally high doses of oral steroids help some people with the inflammation and thus the pain. It's a temporary measure at best(IMHO). Sounds like you're going down the correct path. I've had 4 adventures over the last 20 years, none have been particularly fun. A couple ended up with a pair of cervical epidurals, unpleasant but effective. The MRI is the next logical step, then hopefully pain management. Best wishes to you!

[Ian S]

A short course of prednisone should be fine and may help.

When I had cervical problems causing arm pain and weakness, they tried all the conservative treatment then finally I got an MRI and was referred to a neurosurgeon for consideration of surgery. That doctor was very popular and the first available appointment was a couple of months away. During that period, the symptoms which I'd had for over a year gradually subsided and by the time I saw the neurologist, there was little if any left. During the visit, he had a med student involved in an evaluation of my X-Rays and MRI and made it clear to the student that mine was a situation wherein the tests can make the situation looks much worse than it actually is so you have to very carefully discuss with the patient all the history and symptoms as well. Of course, he said surgery was out of the question at this point but to see him if the problem comes back. Nearly a decade later it hasn't! I don't know how common such spontaneous recovery is but I wouldn't rule anything out.

[Dash man]

I’ve been struggling with C3-C7 degeneration and L1-T12 bulging disc since 2006. The prednisone is temporary and should help reduce the inflammation. Physical Therapy will like be the next step after the MRI, and really helps if you have a good therapist. I also use muscle relaxers and hydrocodone when needed.
Cervical Epidurals are only good for a few weeks and insurance limits how often you can get them. Facet injections are much better for me, but insurance limits them even more. Burning my nerve endings in the affected area have been the best treatment for me, and last for about six months. Good luck!

[Silver]

I'm currently dealing with a compressed Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve causing numbness, burning, and fairly severe electrical shock types of pain in my left leg. It's commonly known as 'Meralgia Paresthesia".

So far I've seen an orthopedic spinal surgeon and had an MRI. He prescribed a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory called Meloxicam 15mg once a day. Like a steroid one can only stay on it for a brief cycle because of the side effects. I'm taking it for 30 days only, and it has helped significantly. Perhaps a non-steroidal (NSAID) could be an option for a short time once you can no longer take the prednisone, if you are still having pain.

Just something to perhaps ask about.

[Momcpa]

Thanks for all the replies. The MRI is scheduled for this next Wednesday. Follow-up doctor appointment the Thursday after Easter.
I've been considering getting a good back massage in the next few days. But first have put in a call to the Neurologist to see if he has any concern with a massage as this point in time. But it really sounds like it would feel good right now. Don't want to irritate anything so I will wait to see if he has an opinion one way or the other.

[dcoy]

Have an exit strategy with Prednisone. Yes it can help, but it is powerful stuff and it can reek havoc on you body for extended periods of time.

[Dash man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momcpa Thanks for all the replies. The MRI is scheduled for this next Wednesday. Follow-up doctor appointment the Thursday after Easter. I've been considering getting a good back massage in the next few days. But first have put in a call to the Neurologist to see if he has any concern with a massage as this point in time. But it really sounds like it would feel good right now. Don't want to irritate anything so I will wait to see if he has an opinion one way or the other.

I’ve had many massages with my back issues. If anything hurts they’ll just leave that area alone. My doctors recommended them. They did tell me to stay away from chiropractors.

[Texas Proud]

My mom had a pinched nerve many years ago... one shot of cortisone and it went away...

[Bamaman]

My wife suffers from serious arthritis and skeletal issues. She has had numerous surgeries including a knee replacement 6/2018.

Don't worry about taking one dose pack of prednisone. It's going to help the pain and help with healing the injury.

After the results of your MRI are available, your doctor will discuss a plan of action on how to attack your problem. Chances are step #1 may be physical therapy, as it's part of just about every protocol.

If a series of cervical injections are required (steroids), do not allow the doctor to do them if they're not done under a fluoroscope. Otherwise they're just guessing on where the needle is. Back injections are best done in series of three a month apart. Often it's the last injection that really gets you over the top. (Medicare doesn't like to pay for three.)

Orthopedic surgeons can often handle back injections, and there's a new specialty M.D. called a Physiatrist that's a shot specialist. They're kind of a middle man between ortho and neuro doctors and physical therapists. My wife prefers her injections to be done by her pain management doctor who's an anesthesiologist with a fellowship in pain management.

Sometimes doctors follow their protocol where treatments are step by step to see what works in your specific situation. And it often takes a few months.