My neck has also ddd and ive had injections but never helped for very long. I do get migraines and my neck pain goes up back of head and really hurts in left shoulder and arm. Ive been to chiroptactor and they put in place an hour later its back hurting. Ive had massage too that always relaxes pain some. Dr said i have bone spurs that need scraped as well. I just dont ever see me letting that happen! Pain just never goes away!

Peca2_usk
I just saw your comment and am sorry about the appointment with the chiropractor. I’m actually a daughter of a chiropracter and have been to a couple others and can very relate to your experience! Sometimes it’s a great experience and sometimes things can go wrong unfortunately, or they can make something worse. I wanna speak to your experience with the two Rheumys; I’m so sorry and that’s tough. My records passed by two Rheumys: 1 saw me but was very impatient and the other didn’t see me and wished me continued good health lol. I don’t know where you currently are located but if the local ones wont look into your problems, I hope you will see out a bigger organization; out here, for example, in CA we have Standford and UCLA. If you have a university known for medical or a bigger organization, ask your primary to refer you there or Stanford! They are more likely used to people with more complex problems. Don’t give up and don’t settle for just local if they don’t hear you out. I saw a local neurologist lol and he looked at me, dismissed my problems , mentioned i was too young to be in there and asked if we could agree not see each other, lol! Of course i agreed and found a dr who listened. Please don’t give up, you may just need to expand your search.

I’m sorry for your pain. I would recommend seeing a Neurologist too, for your vertigo, and burning. We have nerves that go from our head down through our bodies (big and small). I have mild degenerative disc disease and hypermobility and can say that even tweaking my neck in the middle of the night can cause a migraine (atleast thats my conclusion). With Central Sensitization syndrome and Fibromyalgia, any pain signals being sent off will deffinitely be higher than someone who doesn’t have it. I haven’t read your story, so I don’t know if you’ve seen a Rheumatologist who specializes in Fibro; if not I strongly recommend seeing them in person. They would best be able to help you along with a Neurologist. I used to get crawling and burning on the sides of my head, and frequently feel pain in my neck and back, along with having to frequently adjust myself as nothing stays in place for long. Don’t let what they say discourage you. Your pain is real, whether they use the term mild or not. It might be from what they found or something different. Please take care of yourself and I hope you find some sort of relief soon.

There are many warriors who don't or can't take the pharma ( Lyrica, Cymbalta) offered by Western medicine. Most insurance companies will pay for acupuncture or physical therapy, but not both at the same time even if the diagnosis is neck strain/sprain. I would try the acupuncture first. Unless you get a really good physical therapist who knows Fibro well, you could get re-injured. Also if there is a good myofascial treatment center in your area, try that. Get an after visit summary ( written record ) of both Rheumatologists and see what they put in writing for a diagnosis on those office visits you went on. Hope this is helpful.🙄

Thank you for your responses and help. It is greatly appreciated.

I was sent to two different rheumatologists in the past. Unfortunately, the one I was sent to multiple times was pretty rude and was the one that said I "probably" have fibro. They wanted me to go on Cymbalta. I asked if she was fairly confident and the response I got was "it is either that or myofascial pain syndrome, either way it ends up with taking Cymbalta". I asked for a second opinion and was told by the second doctor that the first doctor had better qualifications and that there was nothing more they could add to their opinion.

It has been a bit frustrating.

My neck pain actually started after a chiropractic visit (years ago) and has not really gone away since. I was told I have a few minor disc bulges in my neck with no neural impingement and no stenosis. They said a have some very minor arthritis in my neck and that it may just be due to tension.