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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Pain From Damaged Cervical Discs Be Best Managed Until Surgery?

I have been diagnosed with damaged disk s C4,5- C5,6 and C6,7. I m currently under a Pain Management doctor here in Colorado and need to move to Mobile in the next couple of weeks. I need surgery to fix the problem and can t afford the surgery. No insurance as of right now. My last doctor would not order scans or proper procedures to diagnose the problem therefore causing the the problem to get worse. Continuing to prescribe opioid medication without proper diagnosis caused him to lose his license. He did this with several patience leaving many of us in the cold and with no treatment. In my case. I became so sick that I lost my job, insurance and means of support due to his negligence. My father lives in Mobile so for my well being and sustainable life I have chosen to move in with him so that I may find the proper help. In the meantime...I need to continue my pain management so that I can continue living my life (for what it is) until I can come up with an alternative plan for my treatment and an insurance that will take me there in Mobile. Given the current state of affairs with pain medicine and the prescribing of such medicine; I m sure you can see my concern with leaving my current situation. The pain in my back is unbearable and must be dealt with as soon as I relocate. On a personal note; I ve dealt with many doctors that were very cold and uncaring to mine and many other patient s conditions. I would prefer to avoid this type of treatment immediately and find a doctor that is well educated in the science of spinal injury and the pain associated with this injury. I can obviously have records sent ASAP for a doctors use and will be happy to undergo any exam needed to prove my condition. Thank you for your time.
Wed, 15 Apr 2015
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Neurologist 's  Response
Hello !
I read your question carefully and understand your concern.
I would recommend a cervical column MRI to examine better the anatomical problem and if there is any compression to your spinal medulla from the displaced disk. The MRI would also examine the grade of the possible displacement of the disks, and would also help the neurosurgeon to decide if surgery is necessary.
As far as I understand from your case you have been using for a long period opioid. They lead to tolerance development and dependence over the time.
So I would recommend for the pain an antidepressant like amytriptiline , which is very effective in chronic nerve pain, and helps with your emotional state.
Another good option would be gabapentine, an anticonculsivant , very effective too.
These two medications should be given under medical prescription and do not cause dependence or tolerance.
Hope to have been of help!
Best wishes, Dr. Abaz Quka
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How Can Pain From Damaged Cervical Discs Be Best Managed Until Surgery?

Hello ! I read your question carefully and understand your concern. I would recommend a cervical column MRI to examine better the anatomical problem and if there is any compression to your spinal medulla from the displaced disk. The MRI would also examine the grade of the possible displacement of the disks, and would also help the neurosurgeon to decide if surgery is necessary. As far as I understand from your case you have been using for a long period opioid. They lead to tolerance development and dependence over the time. So I would recommend for the pain an antidepressant like amytriptiline , which is very effective in chronic nerve pain, and helps with your emotional state. Another good option would be gabapentine, an anticonculsivant , very effective too. These two medications should be given under medical prescription and do not cause dependence or tolerance. Hope to have been of help! Best wishes, Dr. Abaz Quka