ok now thats interesting...i had the same problem. A herniated disk in my neck c6 c7 and i just woke up one morning with serve pain in my shoulder that how fast it hit me and things only got worse from there. I ended being in bad pain for about 5 weeks...could hardly eat or sleep and started getting numbness, tingling, and weakness. it spread to both shoulder then eventually even my hands lost function. At my worst i could not even grab a glass of water to drink with right or left hand. i was having muscle spasms as well...it wasnt fun. i took a medical leave from work while all this going on and of course saw a doc and had mri done. i had good insurance. Got referred to a neurosurgeon and he advised me of my options:
surgery fusion of c5,6,7 with plate
physical therpy
or spinal injections with steriods
i tried physical therapy first and found it too grueling to do that i stopped and went back and scheduled surgery. Had surgery back in june it went ok other than losing alot blood and having to have transfusion. After surgery i took 8 weeks physical therapy which didnt go very well. i have been still struggling with problems and havent returned to work either. I have been off work now 9 months and im doubting i will be able to return to my old job...which is a pretty physical factory job which was running production, repetitive kind of work.
im 42 and had this job for 6 yrs.
Social security disabilty is not easy to get and honestly if you can be a greeter at walmart yet you wont get it, if you choose to even try, it will average 1.5 yr wait or more.SSDI is alittle easier to get if your age 50 or over.
ok so now i know where you coming from see cuz its not a good situation to be in.

just wanted to share my experience...forgive my long post

personally i want to start my own business but in this economic enviroment...that not going to be easy

i guess we both have shit luck