Kimberly
I have the same question--my herniated discs are the C5C6 neck area. Started approximately 8 weeks ago when I awoke with a 'creak' in my back--thought I just slept the wrong way. It worsened to incredible pain radiating from neck, down through right shoulder, traveled down arm, forearm and into the top of my right hand. All this accompanied by tingling throughout the arm out to the end of my thumb. Could not lay down--actually slept sitting bolt upright for weeks! My sleep consisted of a max of 2 hours, up for 3-4, sleep for another 1-2, every night! In pain constantly, no sleep--I felt like the walking dead, especially after a full days work, and reduced to tears nightly. Docs tried me on anti-inflammatories, pain meds (at night), physical therapy, all before the MRI. I stopped the meds--weren't working anyway, cancelled the therapy--major pain at night following the day-time sessions, the only pain I'm experiencing now is tolerable and isolated in my upper right arm. Feels like someone punched me in the muscle as hard as they could, yet even this pain is lessening each day. And, I'm actually sleeping a solid 4-5 hours at night, can lay flat again, and have achieved this in the past 3 days. I am seeing a neosurgeon tomorrow to find out about this phenomenom I'm experiencing. So far the majority of what I've read or the people I've spoken with that experienced the same situation have ultimately undergone surgery. I've also changed some of my eating habits (for diabetes reasons,) and am extremely cautious about posture, lifting and movement, including my gait and stride. I have definitely improved--and I will investigate further with the doctor tomorrow--I'll forward my news of the possibility of a remarkable "disappearance"!