Re: Cervical Spine Fusion - stories?

[Guest guest]

My cousin, who is 36 just had cervical spine fusion C2, c3, c4. and was out of

the hospital 18 hours after surgery.. The surgery was approximately 3 weeks ago,

and he has absolutely NO pain , and is moving his neck and head freely with no

restricyions.. He says that it was the best thing he ever did! But keep in mind

that everyone heals and responds to things diferently. Good Luck! Tony in Ohio

amcedu34 <amcedu33@...> wrote: Hi all --

Has anyone here had a fusion in their cervical spine? Can you share

your experience, please? How was the surgery, recovery, pain, success,

etc? I need to make a decision whether or not to go ahead with a

fusion at C3-C4. My neurosurgeon thinks I should do it, but is willing

to wait a few months. I'm worried about the long-term effects of

surgery on my other discs, plus scar tissue. Any advice would be

appreciated!

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I had C1-C2 fusion Jan 05. Solved the daily headache problem that I was having

.. lost 50% movement .but well worth it to not have the daily migraines anymore

..

Tony <madylinsdaddy@...> wrote:

My cousin, who is 36 just had cervical spine fusion C2, c3, c4. and was out of

the hospital 18 hours after surgery.. The surgery was approximately 3 weeks

ago, and he has absolutely NO pain , and is moving his neck and head freely

with no restricyions.. He says that it was the best thing he ever did! But keep

in mind that everyone heals and responds to things diferently. Good Luck! Tony

in Ohio

amcedu34 <amcedu33@...> wrote: Hi all --

Has anyone here had a fusion in their cervical spine? Can you share

your experience, please? How was the surgery, recovery, pain, success,

etc? I need to make a decision whether or not to go ahead with a

fusion at C3-C4. My neurosurgeon thinks I should do it, but is willing

to wait a few months. I'm worried about the long-term effects of

surgery on my other discs, plus scar tissue. Any advice would be

appreciated!

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I had a multi level cervical fusion in February.I am not a typical case! I was

in the hospital for 7 days I had a swollen tongue and couldn't swallow very

well. I went back to work part time after 3 months and most of my symptoms

that required the surgery are gone. Not all of them but since the spinal cord

was being majorly impinged, neither the surgeon nor I are surprised that I still

have some symptoms. I can't tell you about long term effects of the surgery or

impact on other cervical levels because I honestly don't know. I am genetically

fused at the levels that the Dr didn't fuse so I am completely fused except for

C1-2 but I strangely still have mobility in my neck and feel somewhat

comfortable driving though, don't feel comfortable in rush hour traffic yet.

Just do all the research you can and ask for 2,3,4 opinions if you need to but

once you decide which way you want to go, don't second guess the choice you made

whether the outcome is good OR bad. That will

just drive you crazy!

Wish you the best of luck,

Debra

Smokie1952 <smokie1952@...> wrote:

I had C1-C2 fusion Jan 05. Solved the daily headache problem that I

was having . lost 50% movement .but well worth it to not have the daily

migraines anymore .

Tony <madylinsdaddy@...> wrote: My cousin, who is 36 just had

cervical spine fusion C2, c3, c4. and was out of the hospital 18 hours after

surgery.. The surgery was approximately 3 weeks ago, and he has absolutely NO

pain , and is moving his neck and head freely with no restricyions.. He says

that it was the best thing he ever did! But keep in mind that everyone heals and

responds to things diferently. Good Luck! Tony in Ohio

amcedu34 <amcedu33@...> wrote: Hi all --

Has anyone here had a fusion in their cervical spine? Can you share

your experience, please? How was the surgery, recovery, pain, success,

etc? I need to make a decision whether or not to go ahead with a

fusion at C3-C4. My neurosurgeon thinks I should do it, but is willing

to wait a few months. I'm worried about the long-term effects of

surgery on my other discs, plus scar tissue. Any advice would be

appreciated!

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi there, I had C3,4,5,6 laminectomy with screws and fusion 5 months ago today,

and I have good range of motion in my neck. I had a spinal cord contusion so I

have some nerve damage, and that is the pain for me, but the fusion itself, was

successful in the fact that after the surgery, I really did not have any pain in

the surgical site area, the collar I had to wear was the worst, and they had me

medicated too much and when I finally was able to realize this and ask for

milder pain meds, everything was better. I went back to work 2 months after the

surgery, and that first week was tough, but I am doing ok with the work so far.

I guess I am glad I had the surgery, due to the fact that the contusion on my

spinal cord I could have fallen, moved wrong, whatever and been paralyzed. I

guess I don't know the long term affects yet, and can't help you with that,

however please if you go ahead with the surgery, find out from the surgeon WHO

is going to follow up with your care

AFTER he realeases you. I found myself without a dr. to guide me through the

after realease, and have really been frustrated, my regular dr. did not want to

care for me, so I am currently looking for a new dr. I think my recovery from

the surgery was really not bad. Don't hesitate if the surgery will help with

your pain, ASK whether you will have nerve damage and if so what they plan to do

about that. Good luck with whatever you decide, let us know.

Shirley

amcedu34 <amcedu33@...> wrote:

Hi all --

Has anyone here had a fusion in their cervical spine? Can you share

your experience, please? How was the surgery, recovery, pain, success,

etc? I need to make a decision whether or not to go ahead with a

fusion at C3-C4. My neurosurgeon thinks I should do it, but is willing

to wait a few months. I'm worried about the long-term effects of

surgery on my other discs, plus scar tissue. Any advice would be

appreciated!

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

Be a chatter box. Enjoy free PC-to-PC calls with Messenger with Voice.

[Guest guest]

Hi There, ive had cervical fusion at levels c5-c6-c7 ... These discs had

imbedded into the spinal chord over a period of two years. In that time i

had lost much movement of my limbs. Ive had the operation now for going

on 6 years... I am pleased i had this done. If you need any other information

please just ask me. ......... love Cheryl,, Tasmania .. Im 56 years of age

now, so i had it done when i was 50 years old....

Tony <madylinsdaddy@...> wrote: My cousin, who is 36

just had cervical spine fusion C2, c3, c4. and was out of the hospital 18 hours

after surgery.. The surgery was approximately 3 weeks ago, and he has absolutely

NO pain , and is moving his neck and head freely with no restricyions.. He says

that it was the best thing he ever did! But keep in mind that everyone heals and

responds to things diferently. Good Luck! Tony in Ohio

amcedu34 <amcedu33@...> wrote: Hi all --

Has anyone here had a fusion in their cervical spine? Can you share

your experience, please? How was the surgery, recovery, pain, success,

etc? I need to make a decision whether or not to go ahead with a

fusion at C3-C4. My neurosurgeon thinks I should do it, but is willing

to wait a few months. I'm worried about the long-term effects of

surgery on my other discs, plus scar tissue. Any advice would be

appreciated!

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi there, I had C3,4,5,6 laminectomy with screws and fusion 5

months ago today, and I have good range of motion in my neck.

Shirley,

I had surgery February 14th. The exact same surgery. I have terrible

stiffness and poor range of motion. My insurance will not pay for anymore

physical therapy, and the stretching exercises don't seem to help that much

anymore

even though I try to do them at least twice per day. Can you tell me what

helped you the most? Are you still doing any kind of exercises? I have a lot

of discomfort trying to sleep -- rolling over wakes me up in pain. So I

sleep sporadically, sometimes best in a recliner. I think I miss sleeping like

I

used to the most. Thanks for any suggestions or advice,

~ Kaylan

[Guest guest]

> Hi all --

>

> Has anyone here had a fusion in their cervical spine? Can you

share

> your experience, please? How was the surgery, recovery, pain,

success,

> etc? I need to make a decision whether or not to go ahead with a

> fusion at C3-C4. My neurosurgeon thinks I should do it, but is

willing

> to wait a few months. I'm worried about the long-term effects of

> surgery on my other discs, plus scar tissue. Any advice would be

> appreciated!

>

>

> HI

MY name is Cheryl, I had cervical spine fusion in 2003 the worst

part was a really bad sore throat, for about a week & 1/2 it took

about 3 months to recover it was one of my easier recoverys i also

had 2 low back surgerys that were a lot more painfull & long

recovery times. I am not saying its not painfull every surgery is i

havent had any problems since i had it,i was told with any disc

surgery there is a chance that more disc will go out but i have

dengeitive disc so i have that chance anyway I dont know if this

helps or not but good luck with whatever you do Cheryl in PA

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

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

> Be a chatter box. Enjoy free PC-to-PC calls with Messenger

with Voice.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Kaylan,

I never had any stiffness, and have always had range of motion, I did not get

any PT, as the only thing they offered me was Water therapy, and unfortunatly,

the nerve damage I have makes my skin feel like it is on fire when I get in

water, so when they offered that kind of therapy I said a quick NO. I do not

know what makes the difference with each individual, but I would ask your dr why

you are so limited. I do not think I am finished with all this, as I am having

some new numbness and am going for a EMG today and an MRI tomorrow. I learned

right away to use a really flat pillow, and I put a rail on my bed to pull up

on, the turning over is difficult, have to sit completely up to make a roll over

move. Bet you don't realize we use our heads (and Necks) to make the roll over

move when we are sleeping. Try to use a rail, look for a lending closet in your

area, and get the one that is small like a loop. It is perfect. Also get a

wrap around pad (not electric) that

you heat in the microwave, and use this every time your neck feels stressed,

but don't get it too hot. I also stand in the shower with the massage setting

on and let it pound on my neck, contridictory as water does set me on fire, but

one out weighs the other, and I take a pain med about an hour before I get in

the shower, otherwise I never would, and my family would move out. I hope this

is helpful, and I am sorry we are all having to adjust our lives to accomodate

this pain and discomfort. Makes you wonder. Let me know how you do.

Shirley

justkay1@... wrote:

>

> Hi there, I had C3,4,5,6 laminectomy with screws and fusion 5

months ago today, and I have good range of motion in my neck.

Shirley,

I had surgery February 14th. The exact same surgery. I have terrible

stiffness and poor range of motion. My insurance will not pay for anymore

physical therapy, and the stretching exercises don't seem to help that much

anymore

even though I try to do them at least twice per day. Can you tell me what

helped you the most? Are you still doing any kind of exercises? I have a lot

of discomfort trying to sleep -- rolling over wakes me up in pain. So I

sleep sporadically, sometimes best in a recliner. I think I miss sleeping like I

used to the most. Thanks for any suggestions or advice,

~ Kaylan