Suggest Treatment For Depression And Bipolar Disorder

Posted on Tue, 4 Apr 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 4 Apr 2017 Answered on

Thu, 27 Apr 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi! My husband and I have a young woman (young to us. She is 43) living with us right now. She is well educated, has her masters degree. She is on disability. She is plagued with the bi polar, depression cycle. Now, she also has severe neck nerve pain. She says that several years ago, her medical provider took her off a med that was working for her, and the disengagement from that med caused spasms in her shoulders for three months. She would shrug her shoulders over and over. It damaged her nerves in her neck she says. And she does suffer with this problem. My husband has given her some stretching exercises (sports med. guy) and it helps but I would love to see her get relief so that she can live a productive life. She is a precious woman. She has had xrays, etc. and nothing in the musculature...but she of course doesn't have insurance at this point. We are working on it. What do you think is going on in her neck?? Just your opinion would help. Judi

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Expert advise & specific treatment would help.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Uxxxxxxxxxxx
Thanks for asking. I appreciate your kind attitude & tendency to help other's sufferings.I have read your query & understood your concern.
First of all let me clarify that the shoulder muscle spasms years ago are not likely to remain symptom less for all these days & show the symptoms of damaged nerve now. It must be something else & recent that has caused it.
* - A wrong body posture / long time working schedule- sitting at desk/habit of sleeping with unsuitable pillows/ uncomfortable position can cause it,
- Strong neck jerks while doing exercises
* Neck pain can be due to some problem with the back bones ( cervical vertebrae)which can be arthritis of vertebral joints in neck/ Inflammation or strain or sprain of adjoining muscles or tendons./ muscle pulls due to nerve irritation.
* Nerve pain- Problem of vertebral changes leading to weakness of bones (osteoporosis )/ disc problems (disc prolapse)/ cervical rib ( a congenital condition of having extra rib in neck ).. All of these cause pressure or pinching of nerve leading to neck pain.
* Her basic disorder of Bipolarity can add to the symptoms .
* All of the conditions are treatable . Though physical exercises do help to some extent , in my view she needs an expert spinal surgeon"s advise along with imaging investigations like CT scan/ MRI followed by specific management.
* Life long Neuro physician's consultation & care with regular follow ups would be of prime importance for her.
* Thus with methodical examination/ investigations & treatment under expert care would definitely help her & she would lead a productive life as you wish !
I hope that answers your query . Any follow up query is welcome.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar