Saturday, June 19, 2010

Saturday's Scoop

That's right. I am forgoing "Six Word Saturday" to give you the latest scoop...
To bring you all up to speed...

So, when the whole numbing, tingling business started, I went to my chiropractor, thinking maybe it was a pinched nerve. Not a pinched nerve.

I then went to my family physician, thinking it may be Shingles, because I was told that many times people get "tingling" in odd places as a precursor to shingles. Not Shingles.

The Dr. said that pitter-patters and tingling on a woman's right side is often associated with the heart. But, it could also be an infection, or maybe even something like thyroid or cholesterol. I was sent to the lab and referred to a cardiologist.

Lab work came back great. Heart tests came back great. Next up... I had a friend tell me about her experience with aspartame poisoning and two others about MS. All three said that "tingling in the extremities" was an early symptom. Dr. said it was not aspartame. She ordered an MRI.

Had the MRI done on Monday. Friday morning the Dr. called me with the results. a "bulging neck disk" placing pressure on my spinal chord. Well, quite frankly, I hate calling it that. No one wants to hear that any part of them is "bulging". It is basically the same as a herniated disk, except it is called "bulging" because it extends beyond the normal boundaries. (picture a man's bulging belly "extending" beyond his normal waistline... yeah, like that.)

Anyway, the bulging or herniated disk can cause quite a bit of pain, and of course explains the parasthesia in my arm, chest, tongue and lips too.

So, the goal is to treat it with physical therapy, and of course surgery being the last option. I am optimistic that the physical therapy will work. So there you have it... the scoop.

Speaking of scoops, check out this "modern" ice cream scooper. I mean it's cool and all... but it just doesn't seem the same.






9 comments:

Rhonda said...

the scoops are too square. dont like it. lol

ok so I had PT on my neck and nothing helped till they tried TRACTION. BEST. THING. EVER. I seriously did therapy for like 3 months before they did traction and no luck. 5 weeks of traction-all better.

Anyway I bet it'll help you a lot! So glad you have someplace to start now and hope to get to feeling better soon.

Amie said...

So glad you got an explanation of what is going on. Glad to hear it is treatable....now get busy with the pt. Hope you see results and feel better soon!

Deborah said...

I agree with RhondaLue--the scoops just don't look right being so flat on top.

Very happy you know what's going on now and know the treatment options. I hope you're feeling lots better soon, now that you're able to treat the problem!

Alice in Wonderland said...

I'm pleased that you got to the root of your health problems.
I know that my mouth and fingers tingle when I hyperventilate, but I have no pains with them.
Hope that you feel better soon.
Big hugs!

andrew's mom said...

Emma-
I had the exact same thing only I had THREE of them in my neck. One big one and two small ones. I initally had an epideral (yes, that's right) shot in my neck for pain but then the specialist said there was too much pressure on my nerves and that if I didn't have surgery I would have permanent nerve samage in my right arm. This was after months of tingling, numbness and at times excrutiating pain. Anyway, I had the surgery and now have a lovely scar on my neck but no more tingles or pain. Ask me anything I am the bulging disk expert! Sorry you are going through the same thing! We have so much in common sometimes I think we are the same person! lol

okeydokeyifine said...

How about Chiropractic manipulation? No Go?

Puphigirl said...

You may not like the diagnosis, but having one is better than not. Glad to hear it is treatable.

I really liked that cookie said...

So glad you found a (not to frightening) diagnosis...
If you are in doubt what treatment to choose, I can recommend my grandma's advice - 'whenever in doubt, choose the best looking' - haha

Betty W said...

Ok, that scoop is just not right!
But I´m so glad to hear what was causing your symptoms. I really hope the physical therapy will help and you get better soon!
Good luck on your mid terms!