Re: I had fussion surgery but was it worth it?

[Guest guest]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I had the exact same surgery. It has

been over 2 years now and I am still seeing an Orthopedics and a pain management

specialist. I am also on my 3rd round of PT. I also just completed 4 rounds of

shots and had the nerves in my neck burned (ablation). Everyone is different. I

feel your pain. It will get better! It will take a long time! Especially if you

are older.. I am only 30 and this all started at 26. I currently have Two

bulging discs above my plate as well... Be careful... This can happen to u..

Good luck! Be strong and get into PT asap!

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

I had fussion surgery but was it worth it?

Hi everyone! A little over 4 years ago i was in a car accident with

injuries to both my neck and lower back. About 2 months ago I had an

Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion on two levels. I was in so

much pain the first two wks. Now, My neck is less mobile than it was

than before. It feels so weird, it is so hard to describe. I know

this may sound weird but it feels as though I can feel the metal in my

neck. My neck is in more pain now than it was before and it is a

different type of pain. The Dr. said it could take up to 2 years to

see full recovery bc of the meds that I am on and the process of

tapering them off. I have tried lowering my meds but the pain just

comes back. Has anyone ever had this surgery before and had any

problems. I am scared that I shouldn't of had the surgery. Thanks in

advance!

[Guest guest]

At 12:03 AM 1/10/2009, you wrote:

> Has anyone ever had this surgery before and had any

>problems. I am scared that I shouldn't of had the surgery. Thanks in

>advance!

First off welcome to the group. Also Everyone has a different

recovery. Most of us are here, OK all of us are here because we are

in pain, so the successful operations didn't joint this group My

story is also a failure. I had the same surgery to relieve pain in

my neck and shoulder. From the moment I woke up I knew something was

wrong. I was in more pain than before the surgery. It's now 8 years

later for me. I've had every type of treatment, been to 3-4 pain

management specialist, 4 different PT clinics, acupuncture, multiple

healing services, 2 second opinions. All they can offer is

exploratory surgery and pain management via narcotics. My operation

was in December 2000. I've been on disability since May of 2007. I

was self employed and tried to work through the pain for 5 years. I

finally couldn't go on in January of 2005. I've also had 3 previous

back operations, the last two with fusions. I have 4 levels of my

lumbar spine fused. I hope for better results for you, but you are

not imagining things. Though it does take awhile. But the meds

should help, not harm your recovery. Dave in Reading, PA age 48.