cervical disc replacement

[Guest guest]

Good evening,

I have been on hold for 3 months waiting for my surgery.....here is

my situation in a nut shell. I had the horrific pain in the neck,

shoulder blade and arm. The first MRI reflected a ruptured disc

however the detail was skewed because of the spasms I was having. The

moving muscles would not allow a good and clean MRI. So the doc orded

yet another MRI, a sit down MRI. He also gave me a BIG TIME MUSCLE

RELAXER, ZANAFLEX to relieve the spasms....this did not work. The

second MRI however did refelect 2 ruptured discs. But again the MRI

was a bad quality because of the spasms. So the doctor ordered a

discogram. I do not know how many of you guys have had the honor of

having this test. But please take my advice, if you are scheduled to

have one...MAKE SURE THE DOCTOR PUTS YOU UNDER WHILE HE IS inserting

the tubes and wires to perform the test. The test is used

to " recreate " the pain of the injury. You are wide awake while they

inject a dye solution into the disc to create the pain and make the

tear visible. It is uncomfortable, but they do give you meds once the

exam is complete. Sorry, I got off topic...anyhow the discogram was

very CLEAR...I HAVE 3 BLOWN DISCS IN MY NECK! I am 33...and to

correct the issue in a traditional way would be to fuse. However, my

doctor happens to be a lead investagator for a cervical disc

replacement study...please see

http://www.spinalmotion.com/for_patients.htm if you are intrested in

more information. MY QUESTION IS...has anyone had this procedure

done? If so, I am curious as to the pain, recovery time,

etc....Please give me any information....I have done the research,

but the curiosity is " killing the cat " . Surgery is set for August

1...so I am hoping the surgery will actually happen next week.

However it has been put off 3 times already....so we will see??

GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND HANG IN THERE!!!!

Thank you in advance,

Glenna

[Guest guest]

Wow, this one looks much different than mine!

Hi Glenna, I have an Artificial Disc at my L5-S1. I got the Charite.

At my last appoitment with my surgeon(whom I will be seeing every 6

months for the rest of my life) he said that he would no longer be

doing the Charite replacement surgery. And that he would no longer be

doing ANY replacement surgerys on people with shattered discs. I

don't think that was the intention with mine, we just didn't know

that mine was so far gone. I am my Docs only patient with these

complications but other docs have seen the same problem. My placement

is as it should be , but his other patients are not.

My thought would be to research completely and know all parts as much

as possible.

I don't think anything would have stopped me from having the nerve

damage I now do. I think that may have still happened had I had a

fusion. And when the replacement fails they can always go in and

fuse, but that is alot of tiem and money wasted for that to happen.

HTH Take care,

Katrina

>

> Good evening,

> I have been on hold for 3 months waiting for my surgery.....here is

> my situation in a nut shell. I had the horrific pain in the neck,

> shoulder blade and arm. The first MRI reflected a ruptured disc

> however the detail was skewed because of the spasms I was having.

The

> moving muscles would not allow a good and clean MRI. So the doc

orded

> yet another MRI, a sit down MRI. He also gave me a BIG TIME MUSCLE

> RELAXER, ZANAFLEX to relieve the spasms....this did not work. The

> second MRI however did refelect 2 ruptured discs. But again the MRI

> was a bad quality because of the spasms. So the doctor ordered a

> discogram. I do not know how many of you guys have had the honor of

> having this test. But please take my advice, if you are scheduled

to

> have one...MAKE SURE THE DOCTOR PUTS YOU UNDER WHILE HE IS

inserting

> the tubes and wires to perform the test. The test is used

> to " recreate " the pain of the injury. You are wide awake while they

> inject a dye solution into the disc to create the pain and make the

> tear visible. It is uncomfortable, but they do give you meds once

the

> exam is complete. Sorry, I got off topic...anyhow the discogram was

> very CLEAR...I HAVE 3 BLOWN DISCS IN MY NECK! I am 33...and to

> correct the issue in a traditional way would be to fuse. However,

my

> doctor happens to be a lead investagator for a cervical disc

> replacement study...please see

> http://www.spinalmotion.com/for_patients.htm if you are intrested

in

> more information. MY QUESTION IS...has anyone had this procedure

> done? If so, I am curious as to the pain, recovery time,

> etc....Please give me any information....I have done the research,

> but the curiosity is " killing the cat " . Surgery is set for August

> 1...so I am hoping the surgery will actually happen next week.

> However it has been put off 3 times already....so we will see??

> GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND HANG IN THERE!!!!

>

> Thank you in advance,

> Glenna

>

[Guest guest]

Wow, this one looks much different than mine!

Hi Glenna, I have an Artificial Disc at my L5-S1. I got the Charite.

At my last appoitment with my surgeon(whom I will be seeing every 6

months for the rest of my life) he said that he would no longer be

doing the Charite replacement surgery. And that he would no longer be

doing ANY replacement surgerys on people with shattered discs. I

don't think that was the intention with mine, we just didn't know

that mine was so far gone. I am my Docs only patient with these

complications but other docs have seen the same problem. My placement

is as it should be , but his other patients are not.

My thought would be to research completely and know all parts as much

as possible.

I don't think anything would have stopped me from having the nerve

damage I now do. I think that may have still happened had I had a

fusion. And when the replacement fails they can always go in and

fuse, but that is alot of tiem and money wasted for that to happen.

HTH Take care,

Katrina

>

> Good evening,

> I have been on hold for 3 months waiting for my surgery.....here is

> my situation in a nut shell. I had the horrific pain in the neck,

> shoulder blade and arm. The first MRI reflected a ruptured disc

> however the detail was skewed because of the spasms I was having.

The

> moving muscles would not allow a good and clean MRI. So the doc

orded

> yet another MRI, a sit down MRI. He also gave me a BIG TIME MUSCLE

> RELAXER, ZANAFLEX to relieve the spasms....this did not work. The

> second MRI however did refelect 2 ruptured discs. But again the MRI

> was a bad quality because of the spasms. So the doctor ordered a

> discogram. I do not know how many of you guys have had the honor of

> having this test. But please take my advice, if you are scheduled

to

> have one...MAKE SURE THE DOCTOR PUTS YOU UNDER WHILE HE IS

inserting

> the tubes and wires to perform the test. The test is used

> to " recreate " the pain of the injury. You are wide awake while they

> inject a dye solution into the disc to create the pain and make the

> tear visible. It is uncomfortable, but they do give you meds once

the

> exam is complete. Sorry, I got off topic...anyhow the discogram was

> very CLEAR...I HAVE 3 BLOWN DISCS IN MY NECK! I am 33...and to

> correct the issue in a traditional way would be to fuse. However,

my

> doctor happens to be a lead investagator for a cervical disc

> replacement study...please see

> http://www.spinalmotion.com/for_patients.htm if you are intrested

in

> more information. MY QUESTION IS...has anyone had this procedure

> done? If so, I am curious as to the pain, recovery time,

> etc....Please give me any information....I have done the research,

> but the curiosity is " killing the cat " . Surgery is set for August

> 1...so I am hoping the surgery will actually happen next week.

> However it has been put off 3 times already....so we will see??

> GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND HANG IN THERE!!!!

>

> Thank you in advance,

> Glenna

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much for the info!! I appreciate your input. Since my post things have

changed for me. I went to my surgeon last week and he ran me around the block.

It appears I have a much serious issue than he expected. I need a 3 level fusion

and because of my age, 33, he does not want to do it. SO HE PUSHED ME AND MY

HUSBAND OUT THE DOOR WITH MY CHART and told me to go find another doctor. This

is fine, except for the fact he gave me the impression for the past two months I

would have this surgery. And then he re-read my discogram, and he did not read

it correctly the first time...can you believe this?!?!?! So my parents are have

called in favors and I am setting up appointments for other neurospinal

surgeons. My orginal doc was an orthopedic. My first doctor has had me out of

work for 2 months...just waiting to have surgery. And then to have him review my

final last week and FIGURE OUT I have a worse condition just floors me.

But again, I thank you for the input. AND TRUST ME I AM RESEARCH LADY! I hope

you are feeling well, and I am sorry to hear about your nerve damge. That is my

fear. My weakness and lack of feeling in my left arm gets worse day by day. I am

terrified this 2 month delay has harmed me in many ways.

Thanks,

Glenna

Katrina <sweettoobeme@...> wrote:

Wow, this one looks much different than mine!

Hi Glenna, I have an Artificial Disc at my L5-S1. I got the Charite.

At my last appoitment with my surgeon(whom I will be seeing every 6

months for the rest of my life) he said that he would no longer be

doing the Charite replacement surgery. And that he would no longer be

doing ANY replacement surgerys on people with shattered discs. I

don't think that was the intention with mine, we just didn't know

that mine was so far gone. I am my Docs only patient with these

complications but other docs have seen the same problem. My placement

is as it should be , but his other patients are not.

My thought would be to research completely and know all parts as much

as possible.

I don't think anything would have stopped me from having the nerve

damage I now do. I think that may have still happened had I had a

fusion. And when the replacement fails they can always go in and

fuse, but that is alot of tiem and money wasted for that to happen.

HTH Take care,

Katrina

>

> Good evening,

> I have been on hold for 3 months waiting for my surgery.....here is

> my situation in a nut shell. I had the horrific pain in the neck,

> shoulder blade and arm. The first MRI reflected a ruptured disc

> however the detail was skewed because of the spasms I was having.

The

> moving muscles would not allow a good and clean MRI. So the doc

orded

> yet another MRI, a sit down MRI. He also gave me a BIG TIME MUSCLE

> RELAXER, ZANAFLEX to relieve the spasms....this did not work. The

> second MRI however did refelect 2 ruptured discs. But again the MRI

> was a bad quality because of the spasms. So the doctor ordered a

> discogram. I do not know how many of you guys have had the honor of

> having this test. But please take my advice, if you are scheduled

to

> have one...MAKE SURE THE DOCTOR PUTS YOU UNDER WHILE HE IS

inserting

> the tubes and wires to perform the test. The test is used

> to " recreate " the pain of the injury. You are wide awake while they

> inject a dye solution into the disc to create the pain and make the

> tear visible. It is uncomfortable, but they do give you meds once

the

> exam is complete. Sorry, I got off topic...anyhow the discogram was

> very CLEAR...I HAVE 3 BLOWN DISCS IN MY NECK! I am 33...and to

> correct the issue in a traditional way would be to fuse. However,

my

> doctor happens to be a lead investagator for a cervical disc

> replacement study...please see

> http://www.spinalmotion.com/for_patients.htm if you are intrested

in

> more information. MY QUESTION IS...has anyone had this procedure

> done? If so, I am curious as to the pain, recovery time,

> etc....Please give me any information....I have done the research,

> but the curiosity is " killing the cat " . Surgery is set for August

> 1...so I am hoping the surgery will actually happen next week.

> However it has been put off 3 times already....so we will see??

> GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND HANG IN THERE!!!!

>

> Thank you in advance,

> Glenna

>

---------------------------------

How low will we go? Check out Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

It makes no sense to me why they have the discogram around still. It

was the WORST thing that they put me through. And it was used the

least of all my tests. I still find myself very frustrated about even

thogh so much time has passed. I will never forget that TERRIBLE

experience.

I don't get some of these Doctors. I went through a few before I

found the right one. Thank heavens we have that option. I hope that

the docs you are getting hooked up with now do a far better job for

you. I am only 36 and they did my surgery. I was dieing a slow death

and thank heavens I was able to get the surgery. Even if it didn't

end up as I had hoped. I still have pain that i shouldn't but I can

function better.

I am driving again WOOHOOO! It took me a year to get that back.

Please keep me posted on how things go for you. A better Doctor has

to be there somewhere.

Take care,

Katrina :-)

>

> Thanks so much for the info!! I appreciate your input. Since my

post things have changed for me. I went to my surgeon last week and

he ran me around the block. It appears I have a much serious issue

than he expected. I need a 3 level fusion and because of my age, 33,

he does not want to do it. SO HE PUSHED ME AND MY HUSBAND OUT THE

DOOR WITH MY CHART and told me to go find another doctor. This is

fine, except for the fact he gave me the impression for the past two

months I would have this surgery. And then he re-read my discogram,

and he did not read it correctly the first time...can you believe

this?!?!?! So my parents are have called in favors and I am setting

up appointments for other neurospinal surgeons. My orginal doc was an

orthopedic. My first doctor has had me out of work for 2

months...just waiting to have surgery. And then to have him review my

final last week and FIGURE OUT I have a worse condition just floors

me.

> But again, I thank you for the input. AND TRUST ME I AM RESEARCH

LADY! I hope you are feeling well, and I am sorry to hear about your

nerve damge. That is my fear. My weakness and lack of feeling in my

left arm gets worse day by day. I am terrified this 2 month delay has

harmed me in many ways.

>

> Thanks,

> Glenna

>

> Katrina <sweettoobeme@...> wrote:

> Wow, this one looks much different than mine!

> Hi Glenna, I have an Artificial Disc at my L5-S1. I got the Charite.

> At my last appoitment with my surgeon(whom I will be seeing every 6

> months for the rest of my life) he said that he would no longer be

> doing the Charite replacement surgery. And that he would no longer

be

> doing ANY replacement surgerys on people with shattered discs. I

> don't think that was the intention with mine, we just didn't know

> that mine was so far gone. I am my Docs only patient with these

> complications but other docs have seen the same problem. My

placement

> is as it should be , but his other patients are not.

> My thought would be to research completely and know all parts as

much

> as possible.

> I don't think anything would have stopped me from having the nerve

> damage I now do. I think that may have still happened had I had a

> fusion. And when the replacement fails they can always go in and

> fuse, but that is alot of tiem and money wasted for that to happen.

> HTH Take care,

> Katrina

>

> >

> > Good evening,

> > I have been on hold for 3 months waiting for my surgery.....here

is

> > my situation in a nut shell. I had the horrific pain in the neck,

> > shoulder blade and arm. The first MRI reflected a ruptured disc

> > however the detail was skewed because of the spasms I was having.

> The

> > moving muscles would not allow a good and clean MRI. So the doc

> orded

> > yet another MRI, a sit down MRI. He also gave me a BIG TIME

MUSCLE

> > RELAXER, ZANAFLEX to relieve the spasms....this did not work. The

> > second MRI however did refelect 2 ruptured discs. But again the

MRI

> > was a bad quality because of the spasms. So the doctor ordered a

> > discogram. I do not know how many of you guys have had the honor

of

> > having this test. But please take my advice, if you are scheduled

> to

> > have one...MAKE SURE THE DOCTOR PUTS YOU UNDER WHILE HE IS

> inserting

> > the tubes and wires to perform the test. The test is used

> > to " recreate " the pain of the injury. You are wide awake while

they

> > inject a dye solution into the disc to create the pain and make

the

> > tear visible. It is uncomfortable, but they do give you meds once

> the

> > exam is complete. Sorry, I got off topic...anyhow the discogram

was

> > very CLEAR...I HAVE 3 BLOWN DISCS IN MY NECK! I am 33...and to

> > correct the issue in a traditional way would be to fuse. However,

> my

> > doctor happens to be a lead investagator for a cervical disc

> > replacement study...please see

> > http://www.spinalmotion.com/for_patients.htm if you are intrested

> in

> > more information. MY QUESTION IS...has anyone had this procedure

> > done? If so, I am curious as to the pain, recovery time,

> > etc....Please give me any information....I have done the

research,

> > but the curiosity is " killing the cat " . Surgery is set for August

> > 1...so I am hoping the surgery will actually happen next week.

> > However it has been put off 3 times already....so we will see??

> > GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND HANG IN THERE!!!!

> >

> > Thank you in advance,

> > Glenna

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> How low will we go? Check out Messenger's low PC-to-Phone

call rates.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I was lucky with my cervical fusions. they only used the mri and mylogram (it

was uncomfortable.) I have heard the discogram is just awful so I am glad I

didn't have to go through that awful experience.

Hugs and Prayers, Babs

Chronic illness Chronic Pain You are not alone

[Guest guest]

I was lucky with my cervical fusions. they only used the mri and mylogram (it

was uncomfortable.) I have heard the discogram is just awful so I am glad I

didn't have to go through that awful experience.

Hugs and Prayers, Babs

Chronic illness Chronic Pain You are not alone

[Guest guest]

Hi all.

I read about how many of y " all that have had painfrul discograms, have a

friend who also had a painful one- mine was absolutely painless. However. my

friend said the reason that happens is that my discs weren't blown, in essence,

y'all that have blown discs have the painful discograms. Has anyone heard that

before-or is my friend wrong? She said I had no pain with the test because mine

were only bulging, not blown. I feel so badly for you that have had the painful

ones, having our back and neck pain is bad enough without having to add painful

tests to the list. I guess it's a necessary evil in our search to find an end to

our pain-

Babs <barbnal@...> wrote:

I was lucky with my cervical fusions. they only used the mri and

mylogram (it was uncomfortable.) I have heard the discogram is just awful so I

am glad I didn't have to go through that awful experience.

Hugs and Prayers, Babs

Chronic illness Chronic Pain You are not alone

[Guest guest]

It makes sense to me. I had a blown disc and when they injected the

dye it showed on the films that it leaked out every where.

But what gets me is that the doc that did my Myleogram told me that

he thought it was archaic. Not needed and should no longer be used.

My Surgeon glanced at it , but the current MRI was what he needed.

Same when I went to SLC. It was not needed. This test should not be

done if the Docs are not going to use it.

It was the first surgeon that I saw that ordered it. He got the

results and pretty much said that yah my disc was bad and that

surgery would help. But we already new that from the MRI. He was just

wanting to confirm it with that dreadful test. To me it seems

unjustified.

Anyways that is my rant about it all. I could probably go on about

this.

Katrina :-)

>

> Hi all.

> I read about how many of y " all that have had painfrul discograms,

have a friend who also had a painful one- mine was absolutely

painless. However. my friend said the reason that happens is that my

discs weren't blown, in essence, y'all that have blown discs have

the painful discograms. Has anyone heard that before-or is my friend

wrong? She said I had no pain with the test because mine were only

bulging, not blown. I feel so badly for you that have had the painful

ones, having our back and neck pain is bad enough without having to

add painful tests to the list. I guess it's a necessary evil in our

search to find an end to our pain-

>

>

> Babs <barbnal@...> wrote:

> I was lucky with my cervical fusions. they only used the

mri and mylogram (it was uncomfortable.) I have heard the discogram

is just awful so I am glad I didn't have to go through that awful

experience.

> Hugs and Prayers, Babs

>

> Chronic illness Chronic Pain You are not alone

>

>

[Guest guest]

It makes sense to me. I had a blown disc and when they injected the

dye it showed on the films that it leaked out every where.

But what gets me is that the doc that did my Myleogram told me that

he thought it was archaic. Not needed and should no longer be used.

My Surgeon glanced at it , but the current MRI was what he needed.

Same when I went to SLC. It was not needed. This test should not be

done if the Docs are not going to use it.

It was the first surgeon that I saw that ordered it. He got the

results and pretty much said that yah my disc was bad and that

surgery would help. But we already new that from the MRI. He was just

wanting to confirm it with that dreadful test. To me it seems

unjustified.

Anyways that is my rant about it all. I could probably go on about

this.

Katrina :-)

>

> Hi all.

> I read about how many of y " all that have had painfrul discograms,

have a friend who also had a painful one- mine was absolutely

painless. However. my friend said the reason that happens is that my

discs weren't blown, in essence, y'all that have blown discs have

the painful discograms. Has anyone heard that before-or is my friend

wrong? She said I had no pain with the test because mine were only

bulging, not blown. I feel so badly for you that have had the painful

ones, having our back and neck pain is bad enough without having to

add painful tests to the list. I guess it's a necessary evil in our

search to find an end to our pain-

>

>

> Babs <barbnal@...> wrote:

> I was lucky with my cervical fusions. they only used the

mri and mylogram (it was uncomfortable.) I have heard the discogram

is just awful so I am glad I didn't have to go through that awful

experience.

> Hugs and Prayers, Babs

>

> Chronic illness Chronic Pain You are not alone

>

>