Chronic Pain: My Personal Story

Coping with Neck Pain

My pain story begins in my late twenties, around the year 2002. Back then, I worked long hours as a software engineer. I started to suffer from arm pain.

At that time, I thought it was normal to feel pain. I would come home and rest at night and during the weekends, and then feel OK again. Eventually, it got to the point I thought I had Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. I went to several doctors and was misdiagnosed many times. Finally, I got second and "third" opinions and received other diagnostics. I had two doctors agreeing that I had Cervical Radiculopathy. I am currently being treated for this condition.

Cervical Radiculopathy is the swelling of a root nerve around the neck area. In my case, the doctors ordered a Nerve Conduction Velocity test (NCV), and then determined I had Radiculopathy. In an NVC, doctors use needles to test for nerve damage using electrical stimulation. However, both the needles and the electricity used are very uncomfortable for patients.

My neck pain travels down my arm and my back, mainly on the left side. The prescription medicine that are now working for me are: Neurontin (for nerve pain) and Baclofen (a muscle relaxant). I also wear Lidoderm patches on the back.

Another thing that works for me is wearing a soft cervical collar. I also use a pillow or cushion to support my lower back when I'm driving.

Using the muscle relaxant helps me to fall asleep faster and to sleep better. Tossing and turning on the bed are frequent, and sometimes I can't find a position to use for sleeping. But after a while, I fall asleep, with the aid of medicine, and wake up more relaxed.

Other things that help is not using the computer at home excessively and taking breaks at work. At work, I try to take a break every 20-30 minutes, when possible.

To summarize, these are the things I use to cope with my neck pain:

œ Taking prescription medicine as directed by my doctor.

œ Using a cushion for lower back support while driving

œ Taking breaks at work, and minimizing computer use

œ Standing up or stretching after sitting down for a long period of time

œ Using a soft cervical collar