Suspected slipped disc (fairly high up)

[FaithInfinity]

Hi, I wondered if anyone had had similar and could help.
I’ve been struggling with bad headaches for a year. Daith piercing helped with migraines but not these. They started as what seemed like classic tension headaches but increased in frequency to twice a week and could last a couple of days, the pain was so bad I struggled at work, visual disturbances at times. Caffeine and sugar seemed to help. GP prescribed regular gabapentin to help.

For the last few weeks I’ve had intermittent numbness in my ring fingers and pinkies both sides. This has gradually got worse and felt numbness down my arms and into my forehead and sides of my face. I went to the GP this week when the last symptom started. He said the most likely cause is a slipped disc. I’ve started to have pain in my back (between my shoulder blades) and down my spine. I’m most comfortable lying pretty flat. I think it’s been lingering for a while but has got worse since I had a chest infection and was coughing a lot.

I’ve been referred and will receive a call from orthopaedics to triage me tomorrow. I’m hoping a course of physio will resolve things but wondered if people who had similar could share their experiences?

Bumping...

Trapped nerve in your neck? Arthritis? My neck is buggered (arthritis) along with my back (slipped disc then surgery) but we are all different, I have a lot of faith in physios so hope you get a good one! Slipped discs in the back usually resolve within 6 weeks or so but necks might be different? When my neck started to hurt the pain was unbearable - now I just always have a sore stiff neck. I take painkillers and use hot pillows (you heat them in the microwave) - they are great!

Thanks for your reply. Well they seem to be taking it fairly seriously...my GP contacted the spinal surgeons who said I need to be seen ASAP! They were going to do a phone triage and organise an appointment next Monday but the surgeon reviews the cases and said mine needs to be sooner and did it this morning. I’ve got an appointment for 8th March. They do think it’s my neck with referred pain. I’m still hoping physio will fix it!

I'm guessing that's not NHS? Good luck!

It’s an NHS musculoskeletal clinic.

And thank you 😊

Wow interested and quick ... it does happen lol

There’s no way anyone can tell without an MRI, but I’m guessing they will give you one. I have 3 slipped discs in my neck and some osteoarthritis. It’s a bit shit but not as bad as it sounds.

Thanks itsin. When they rang to triage me she made it clear they think it’s my neck and any back pain is probably referred. I’ve looked up the clinic and it describes itself as a ‘one stop shop’ service, they do MRIs there and have specialist physios so hopefully it’ll all be diagnosed quite quickly.

It’s been a long fortnight, I haven’t been able to do much because of alternating weird sensation or pain. Appointment tomorrow, hoping I get some answers!

Tests are done, results are in. Relatively normal with some bulging at C5/6 and C6/7 which they hope will improve with physio. I’m having other weird symptoms now but I think that’s another thread.