Summary of Three Weeks
It’s been less than 24 hours, and I’m already starting to feel the benefits of the epidural shot for the pain my neck. The doctor said I should start to see the effects in 24 – 48 hours. So I’m off to a good beginning.
Why did I need the shot? Sherman set the way back machine to three weeks ago. I was playing golf and hit a drive into the rough. Because of all the rain we’ve had in August and September, the rough at Broadrun golf course is thick and deeper than average. According to the weather people, the mid-Atlantic, we’ve had more than a foot of rain, which more than expected.
Because of all the rain, the rough has not been cut as often and grown. Watching the US Open at Wingfoot, golfers appreciate the strength pro golfers show when the muscle shots out of the rough to the green.
Back to My Story
I tried to hit a shot out of the rough and hit too much dirt. I felt the tingling up my both arms. Golfers and baseball hitters know what I’m talking about – when you don’t hit the ball in the center of the club or bat, you shooting pain arms. I thought nothing of it, and because it was the last hole I was playing in the golf round, I did think about it.
The next morning the right arm was fine, the left arm, but I felt the tingling down the outside of my arm, and the last three fingers on my left hand had numbness. I started taking Ibuprofen. For the next week, I still had tingling down my left arm and numbness in my last three fingers of my left hand. Because of a rainout on Monday, I tried to play golf until the following Wednesday. Because of the rain, the practice range was closed, so I could not correctly warm up other than a few quick swings.
On the first tee, I hit a three wood, and my left hand came off the club due to sharp pain during the follow-through of the swing. A similar thing happens on the second tee with the driver, making the golfball go dead right into the trees. This pain continued to get worse. On the fifth hole, I tried to hit my tee shot. The problem was so bad, my left hand came off the golf club, and I almost missed the ball. I could not hold the golf club. At this point, I knew this was something serious. I thanked my fellow golfers and drove myself off the golf course.
Called the Doctor
On the way home, I called Dr. John Albego, my orthopedic surgeon, and he recommended I see Dr. Hubbard, another doctor who specializes in sports injuries within Anderson Clinic. I made an appointment to see Dr. Hubbard next Tuesday.
That Friday night, during our weekly Zoom meeting, I explained my situation to my family, which includes my sister, who is a retired nurse. Upon her recommendation, I went to Sentra hospital. I didn’t think I had a heart attack, but better safe than sorry, I went to the hospital to confirm I did not have a heart attack. After x-rays and an examination, the ER doctor agreed it was a pinched nerve in my neck.
Dr. Hubbard looked at my neck, shoulder, arm, and hand during the appointment. He had additional x-rays taken of my neck. Reviewing x-ray, he thought the root of the problem was in my neck. He then explained that the pressure of the nerve in my neck could be causing the tingling and numbness down my arm and hand. I went and had the MRI of my Neck on Tuesday afternoon.
It’s one of the best parts of being retired. I can make appointments any time during the day.
With the MRI cd on hand, I went back to Dr. Hubbard on Thursday. Looking at x-rays after reviewing the MRI confirmed his suspicions. He sent me to see Dr. Wallace, the spine and neck surgeon at Anderson Clinic. I saw his associate, Dr. Connolley. After looking at the x-rays and MRI, she confirmed Dr. Hubbard’s diagnosis. The problem was a bulging disk in my neck. To resolve the issue, she recommended I get an epidural shot in my neck and start Physical Therapy. She recommended the National Spine and Pain Center, located down the street in Arlington.
Getting the Shot
I made an appointment and saw Dr. Sunseetha Budampati at the National Spine and Pain Center. Unfortunately, because I’m on Xarelto, a blood thinner for past blood clots, they could not perform the injection that day. I had to stop taking the Xeralto for a few days and get a release form from Ann Miller, my primary care doctor.
Talking to Trudy, Ann Miller’s assistant. I got Ann to sign the Xarelto form (thank you, Ann, for signing the form). Dr. Budampati gave me the Epidural and Nerve Rood injections on Friday, October 18th. According to Dr, Budanpati injections should take effect within 24 to 48 hours. The full impact of the injection should take a week.
This morning, the left arm and hand feel better, at least when I’m typing. I’ll keep you all updated as to the progress.
