Guest guest Posted April 1, 2006 Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 -Hi Joe I had similar things I had a cervical fusion done at c5-C6 and myelopathy in there too. I had surgery on my neck almost 3 yrs ago now and it has been pretty much pain free since then. Sometimes it hurts but its usually when I overdo and lift something too heavy or do something that strains my neck. Since my surgery I am really careful to protect my neck and anything heavy or pulling ( like tugging on weeds for too long) will always make it hurt. But its a different pain not near as bad as what I had before my surgery. Then it got so painful I could barely hold up my head it felt too heavy for my neck. And my neck and shoulders felt like a solid board most of the time. I hope you have good luck with your surgery. Just remember when its over to take it VERY easy and give your neck time to heal and DO NOT overdo, thats one of the key things to healing up well. Is the dr going to use a cage or metal to hold the fusion together? I didn't have to have that done since mine was only one level but I had to be real careful while it healed especially since there was no metal to support it. Best wishes for a good surgery and a painfree outcome. Sharon Group Owner -- In neck pain , " joec502003 " <pianojoe50@...> wrote: > > I have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis including cervical > myelopathy. Scheduled for surgery on April 19. They are doing a fusion > between C6 and C7 and possibly C5 and C6. All the doctors I have seen > and physical therapists say I need the surgery to to release spinal > compression. Any one have this procedure done and can tell me how they > fared? Thanks > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2006 Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 -Hi Joe I had similar things I had a cervical fusion done at c5-C6 and myelopathy in there too. I had surgery on my neck almost 3 yrs ago now and it has been pretty much pain free since then. Sometimes it hurts but its usually when I overdo and lift something too heavy or do something that strains my neck. Since my surgery I am really careful to protect my neck and anything heavy or pulling ( like tugging on weeds for too long) will always make it hurt. But its a different pain not near as bad as what I had before my surgery. Then it got so painful I could barely hold up my head it felt too heavy for my neck. And my neck and shoulders felt like a solid board most of the time. I hope you have good luck with your surgery. Just remember when its over to take it VERY easy and give your neck time to heal and DO NOT overdo, thats one of the key things to healing up well. Is the dr going to use a cage or metal to hold the fusion together? I didn't have to have that done since mine was only one level but I had to be real careful while it healed especially since there was no metal to support it. Best wishes for a good surgery and a painfree outcome. Sharon Group Owner -- In neck pain , " joec502003 " <pianojoe50@...> wrote: > > I have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis including cervical > myelopathy. Scheduled for surgery on April 19. They are doing a fusion > between C6 and C7 and possibly C5 and C6. All the doctors I have seen > and physical therapists say I need the surgery to to release spinal > compression. Any one have this procedure done and can tell me how they > fared? Thanks > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2006 Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 -Hi Joe I had similar things I had a cervical fusion done at c5-C6 and myelopathy in there too. I had surgery on my neck almost 3 yrs ago now and it has been pretty much pain free since then. Sometimes it hurts but its usually when I overdo and lift something too heavy or do something that strains my neck. Since my surgery I am really careful to protect my neck and anything heavy or pulling ( like tugging on weeds for too long) will always make it hurt. But its a different pain not near as bad as what I had before my surgery. Then it got so painful I could barely hold up my head it felt too heavy for my neck. And my neck and shoulders felt like a solid board most of the time. I hope you have good luck with your surgery. Just remember when its over to take it VERY easy and give your neck time to heal and DO NOT overdo, thats one of the key things to healing up well. Is the dr going to use a cage or metal to hold the fusion together? I didn't have to have that done since mine was only one level but I had to be real careful while it healed especially since there was no metal to support it. Best wishes for a good surgery and a painfree outcome. Sharon Group Owner -- In neck pain , " joec502003 " <pianojoe50@...> wrote: > > I have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis including cervical > myelopathy. Scheduled for surgery on April 19. They are doing a fusion > between C6 and C7 and possibly C5 and C6. All the doctors I have seen > and physical therapists say I need the surgery to to release spinal > compression. Any one have this procedure done and can tell me how they > fared? Thanks > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2006 Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 > > > > I have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis including cervical > > myelopathy. Scheduled for surgery on April 19. They are doing a > fusion > > between C6 and C7 and possibly C5 and C6. All the doctors I have > seen > > and physical therapists say I need the surgery to to release > spinal > > compression. Any one have this procedure done and can tell me how > they > > fared? Thanks > > >They said not to lift more than 10 pounds for 3 months. Can I golf, mow the lawn? What about walking my dog. is it bad if she pulls I guess. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2006 Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 Hi, My surgeries have been lumbar and not cervical so personally I am not much help. My baby brother has recently went through a fusion in his neck and also a disctomey on a couple of his other cervical discs and had bone spurs, that were pushing into his spinal cord, removed. He is doing so much better now. I am sure it is very early for him and it will take a year to know what to expect for certain, but he is doing so much better now than he was before. HTH Welcome to the group I look forward to getting to know you. Take care and post as often as you would like. Katrina Group Moderator > > I have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis including cervical > myelopathy. Scheduled for surgery on April 19. They are doing a fusion > between C6 and C7 and possibly C5 and C6. All the doctors I have seen > and physical therapists say I need the surgery to to release spinal > compression. Any one have this procedure done and can tell me how they > fared? Thanks > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2006 Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 Dear Sharon and others, I have herniation at C6-7 and had my first " episode " of terrible pain such as you describe (following that dermatome path) almost 2 years ago. It occurred when I woke up after sleeping (normally, I thought) in a cool room with a light open neck t-shirt on and began with a creeping " charlie horse " type contraction in the neck to shoulder area, intensifying over that first day, holding steady at a high pain level for about a week and then gradually receding. I just had my second " episode " of this in Feb and it came on under the same circumstances of sleeping. Does anyone think these flare ups can be caused by some type of muscle spasming or by sleeping in the wrong position in some way? Maybe I've just had 2 herniation episodes but this time it' receding too which leads me to believe I did something to bring it on. Would a Dr or OT know the best way to stabilize the neck during sleep to prevent this if positions in sleeping are affecting it? Might a neck brace be helpful? Even just the foam wraps commonly used years ago after whiplash injury? I use a very flat pillow (the curved Novoform thermofoam type) and try to sleep on my back but do sometimes end up on my right side. I tell you, sometimes I am afraid of waking up for what might be starting that day in my neck after these awful episodes. I did see a Dr of Phys Medicine after the first episode (after going to ER because I thought I was having a heart attack as the pain radiated down from the shoulder, around the rib cage to the front under the breast) and had xrays and MRI which showed a " moderate " herniation of C6-7 on the left side. Thankfully with a lot of babying it, permanently restricting my weight lifting/heavy work/repetitive motions and doing PT and anti-inflammatories, the pain receded for all those months until this Feb flare up. I could tell if I overdid physically (working with a broom or rake for example) because I would begin feel a heaviness like someone was pushing down on my collar bone on the left - not pain, but a clear reminder of one of the symptoms of these episodes. What I did discover this time, is that flexion - putting my chin down on my chest - gave me quite a bit of relief, so I am doing more of that as needed to keep it stretched. And it makes me wonder if I would be better off sleeping with bigger pillows to keep it stretched more. Oh the sleeping thing is just making me crazy, desperate to find a way to stop more progression or worsening... I know you all understand. Joe, I wish you well with surgery if that will be required. Just do your best to be educated about all of it beforehand - we certainly cannot rely on the Drs to know it all. I am still praying I can avoid that or that the replacement disc will be available for cervical by the time I might require it. Does anyone know how the initial replacement lumbar disc surgeries are going? Or when cervical is on the horizon? Hope you are all having nice spring days this weekend and some time of less pain... Leena On 4/1/06, darkstarzz1019 <darkstarzz1019@...> wrote: -Hi Joe I had similar things I had a cervical fusion done at c5-C6 and myelopathy in there too. I had surgery on my neck almost 3 yrs ago now and it has been pretty much pain free since then. Sometimes it hurts but its usually when I overdo and lift something too heavy or do something that strains my neck. Since my surgery I am really careful to protect my neck and anything heavy or pulling ( like tugging on weeds for too long) will always make it hurt. But its a different pain not near as bad as what I had before my surgery. Then it got so painful I could barely hold up my head it felt too heavy for my neck. And my neck and shoulders felt like a solid board most of the time. I hope you have good luck with your surgery. Just remember when its over to take it VERY easy and give your neck time to heal and DO NOT overdo, thats one of the key things to healing up well. Is the dr going to use a cage or metal to hold the fusion together? I didn't have to have that done since mine was only one level but I had to be real careful while it healed especially since there was no metal to support it. Best wishes for a good surgery and a painfree outcome. Sharon Group Owner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2006 Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 Dear Sharon and others, I have herniation at C6-7 and had my first " episode " of terrible pain such as you describe (following that dermatome path) almost 2 years ago. It occurred when I woke up after sleeping (normally, I thought) in a cool room with a light open neck t-shirt on and began with a creeping " charlie horse " type contraction in the neck to shoulder area, intensifying over that first day, holding steady at a high pain level for about a week and then gradually receding. I just had my second " episode " of this in Feb and it came on under the same circumstances of sleeping. Does anyone think these flare ups can be caused by some type of muscle spasming or by sleeping in the wrong position in some way? Maybe I've just had 2 herniation episodes but this time it' receding too which leads me to believe I did something to bring it on. Would a Dr or OT know the best way to stabilize the neck during sleep to prevent this if positions in sleeping are affecting it? Might a neck brace be helpful? Even just the foam wraps commonly used years ago after whiplash injury? I use a very flat pillow (the curved Novoform thermofoam type) and try to sleep on my back but do sometimes end up on my right side. I tell you, sometimes I am afraid of waking up for what might be starting that day in my neck after these awful episodes. I did see a Dr of Phys Medicine after the first episode (after going to ER because I thought I was having a heart attack as the pain radiated down from the shoulder, around the rib cage to the front under the breast) and had xrays and MRI which showed a " moderate " herniation of C6-7 on the left side. Thankfully with a lot of babying it, permanently restricting my weight lifting/heavy work/repetitive motions and doing PT and anti-inflammatories, the pain receded for all those months until this Feb flare up. I could tell if I overdid physically (working with a broom or rake for example) because I would begin feel a heaviness like someone was pushing down on my collar bone on the left - not pain, but a clear reminder of one of the symptoms of these episodes. What I did discover this time, is that flexion - putting my chin down on my chest - gave me quite a bit of relief, so I am doing more of that as needed to keep it stretched. And it makes me wonder if I would be better off sleeping with bigger pillows to keep it stretched more. Oh the sleeping thing is just making me crazy, desperate to find a way to stop more progression or worsening... I know you all understand. Joe, I wish you well with surgery if that will be required. Just do your best to be educated about all of it beforehand - we certainly cannot rely on the Drs to know it all. I am still praying I can avoid that or that the replacement disc will be available for cervical by the time I might require it. Does anyone know how the initial replacement lumbar disc surgeries are going? Or when cervical is on the horizon? Hope you are all having nice spring days this weekend and some time of less pain... Leena On 4/1/06, darkstarzz1019 <darkstarzz1019@...> wrote: -Hi Joe I had similar things I had a cervical fusion done at c5-C6 and myelopathy in there too. I had surgery on my neck almost 3 yrs ago now and it has been pretty much pain free since then. Sometimes it hurts but its usually when I overdo and lift something too heavy or do something that strains my neck. Since my surgery I am really careful to protect my neck and anything heavy or pulling ( like tugging on weeds for too long) will always make it hurt. But its a different pain not near as bad as what I had before my surgery. Then it got so painful I could barely hold up my head it felt too heavy for my neck. And my neck and shoulders felt like a solid board most of the time. I hope you have good luck with your surgery. Just remember when its over to take it VERY easy and give your neck time to heal and DO NOT overdo, thats one of the key things to healing up well. Is the dr going to use a cage or metal to hold the fusion together? I didn't have to have that done since mine was only one level but I had to be real careful while it healed especially since there was no metal to support it. Best wishes for a good surgery and a painfree outcome. Sharon Group Owner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2006 Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 Dear Sharon and others, I have herniation at C6-7 and had my first " episode " of terrible pain such as you describe (following that dermatome path) almost 2 years ago. It occurred when I woke up after sleeping (normally, I thought) in a cool room with a light open neck t-shirt on and began with a creeping " charlie horse " type contraction in the neck to shoulder area, intensifying over that first day, holding steady at a high pain level for about a week and then gradually receding. I just had my second " episode " of this in Feb and it came on under the same circumstances of sleeping. Does anyone think these flare ups can be caused by some type of muscle spasming or by sleeping in the wrong position in some way? Maybe I've just had 2 herniation episodes but this time it' receding too which leads me to believe I did something to bring it on. Would a Dr or OT know the best way to stabilize the neck during sleep to prevent this if positions in sleeping are affecting it? Might a neck brace be helpful? Even just the foam wraps commonly used years ago after whiplash injury? I use a very flat pillow (the curved Novoform thermofoam type) and try to sleep on my back but do sometimes end up on my right side. I tell you, sometimes I am afraid of waking up for what might be starting that day in my neck after these awful episodes. I did see a Dr of Phys Medicine after the first episode (after going to ER because I thought I was having a heart attack as the pain radiated down from the shoulder, around the rib cage to the front under the breast) and had xrays and MRI which showed a " moderate " herniation of C6-7 on the left side. Thankfully with a lot of babying it, permanently restricting my weight lifting/heavy work/repetitive motions and doing PT and anti-inflammatories, the pain receded for all those months until this Feb flare up. I could tell if I overdid physically (working with a broom or rake for example) because I would begin feel a heaviness like someone was pushing down on my collar bone on the left - not pain, but a clear reminder of one of the symptoms of these episodes. What I did discover this time, is that flexion - putting my chin down on my chest - gave me quite a bit of relief, so I am doing more of that as needed to keep it stretched. And it makes me wonder if I would be better off sleeping with bigger pillows to keep it stretched more. Oh the sleeping thing is just making me crazy, desperate to find a way to stop more progression or worsening... I know you all understand. Joe, I wish you well with surgery if that will be required. Just do your best to be educated about all of it beforehand - we certainly cannot rely on the Drs to know it all. I am still praying I can avoid that or that the replacement disc will be available for cervical by the time I might require it. Does anyone know how the initial replacement lumbar disc surgeries are going? Or when cervical is on the horizon? Hope you are all having nice spring days this weekend and some time of less pain... Leena On 4/1/06, darkstarzz1019 <darkstarzz1019@...> wrote: -Hi Joe I had similar things I had a cervical fusion done at c5-C6 and myelopathy in there too. I had surgery on my neck almost 3 yrs ago now and it has been pretty much pain free since then. Sometimes it hurts but its usually when I overdo and lift something too heavy or do something that strains my neck. Since my surgery I am really careful to protect my neck and anything heavy or pulling ( like tugging on weeds for too long) will always make it hurt. But its a different pain not near as bad as what I had before my surgery. Then it got so painful I could barely hold up my head it felt too heavy for my neck. And my neck and shoulders felt like a solid board most of the time. I hope you have good luck with your surgery. Just remember when its over to take it VERY easy and give your neck time to heal and DO NOT overdo, thats one of the key things to healing up well. Is the dr going to use a cage or metal to hold the fusion together? I didn't have to have that done since mine was only one level but I had to be real careful while it healed especially since there was no metal to support it. Best wishes for a good surgery and a painfree outcome. Sharon Group Owner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2006 Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 Hi Leena I had that horrible pain for longer than I want to remember, it almost drove me crazy because it NEVER went away. I did start sleeping with a good neck pillow then and still do I can't sleep without it. Don;t bother with a cheap one they are not worth it and if you can try one out at a store do so. I use a temper pedic foam one. And I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! There are several neck exercises you can do that help relieve the pressure in that area I will see if I can find them for you. Or get a copy of the ones the PT gave me to do. But I did find that anything that used my neck muscles like raking, sweeping, vac, gardening etc I still have to do very carefully or I will hurt. Never as bad as I did but I watch it cause I don't want to aggrivate my neck at all again. Also I found I have to sleep sometimes with another pillow under my neck pillow to keep me raised up. And I also sleep alot in my recliner with my neck pillow when I can't sleep in bed because of my leg bothering me. Try a good neck pillow first and see if that helps you some it should. Also if you can go to a PT for help with stretching exercises do so, they could guide you better than I can. Best wishes Sharon Group Owner > > Dear Sharon and others, > > I have herniation at C6-7 and had my first " episode " of terrible pain such > as you describe (following that dermatome path) almost 2 years ago. It > occurred when I woke up after sleeping (normally, I thought) in a cool room > with a light open neck t-shirt on and began with a creeping " charlie horse " > type contraction in the neck to shoulder area, intensifying over that first > day, holding steady at a high pain level for about a week and then gradually > receding. I just had my second " episode " of this in Feb and it came on under > the same circumstances of sleeping. > > Does anyone think these flare ups can be caused by some type of muscle > spasming or by sleeping in the wrong position in some way? Maybe I've just > had 2 herniation episodes but this time it' receding too which leads me to > believe I did something to bring it on. Would a Dr or OT know the best way > to stabilize the neck during sleep to prevent this if positions in sleeping > are affecting it? Might a neck brace be helpful? Even just the foam wraps > commonly used years ago after whiplash injury? I use a very flat pillow > (the curved Novoform thermofoam type) and try to sleep on my back but do > sometimes end up on my right side. I tell you, sometimes I am afraid of > waking up for what might be starting that day in my neck after these awful > episodes. > > I did see a Dr of Phys Medicine after the first episode (after going to ER > because I thought I was having a heart attack as the pain radiated down from > the shoulder, around the rib cage to the front under the breast) and had > xrays and MRI which showed a " moderate " herniation of C6-7 on the left side. > Thankfully with a lot of babying it, permanently restricting my weight > lifting/heavy work/repetitive motions and doing PT and anti- inflammatories, > the pain receded for all those months until this Feb flare up. I could tell > if I overdid physically (working with a broom or rake for example) because I > would begin feel a heaviness like someone was pushing down on my collar bone > on the left - not pain, but a clear reminder of one of the symptoms of these > episodes. > > What I did discover this time, is that flexion - putting my chin down on my > chest - gave me quite a bit of relief, so I am doing more of that as needed > to keep it stretched. And it makes me wonder if I would be better off > sleeping with bigger pillows to keep it stretched more. Oh the sleeping > thing is just making me crazy, desperate to find a way to stop more > progression or worsening... I know you all understand. > > Joe, I wish you well with surgery if that will be required. Just do your > best to be educated about all of it beforehand - we certainly cannot rely on > the Drs to know it all. I am still praying I can avoid that or that the > replacement disc will be available for cervical by the time I might require > it. Does anyone know how the initial replacement lumbar disc surgeries are > going? Or when cervical is on the horizon? > > Hope you are all having nice spring days this weekend and some time of less > pain... > > Leena Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 Leena, I bought a $49.99 office chair at Office Depot. It reclines it can be adjusted to recline a little or alot. With this type of chair and a keyless keyboard and mouse it would probably help you out alot. I also took a old small banket rolled it up put it in a pillow case took 2 big pens, penned it to my chair for my neck support. It sure helps me alot. Hugs and Prayers, Babs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 Thank you ,Babs, that is a great idea. I need a new chair anyway and I'm going to look for one that will recline without feeling like it is going to topple over. I just hate those " rocking " types where you can lean back but it feels like it's on a coil spring. Very unsettling! Good tip too on the improvised neck roll. That's what is great here, to share with others who really get it and who might be a step or two ahead of where we are.... thanks again! Leena On 4/7/06, Babs <barbnal@...> wrote: Leena, I bought a $49.99 office chair at Office Depot. It reclines it can be adjusted to recline a little or alot. With this type of chair and a keyless keyboard and mouse it would probably help you out alot. I also took a old small banket rolled it up put it in a pillow case took 2 big pens, penned it to my chair for my neck support. It sure helps me alot. Hugs and Prayers, Babs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 yeah, i need one too, but thought i would have to pay hundreds to get one that would be of any use. thank you rob No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one cares or understands. >From: " Leena Grace " <leenagrace@...> >Reply-neck pain >neck pain >Subject: Re: Re: Cervical surgery >Date: Fri, 7 Apr 2006 12:53:31 -0700 > >Thank you ,Babs, that is a great idea. I need a new chair anyway and I'm >going to look for one that will recline without feeling like it is going to >topple over. I just hate those " rocking " types where you can lean back but >it feels like it's on a coil spring. Very unsettling! Good tip too on the >improvised neck roll. > >That's what is great here, to share with others who really get it and who >might be a step or two ahead of where we are.... thanks again! > >Leena > > > > >On 4/7/06, Babs <barbnal@...> wrote: > > > > Leena, I bought a $49.99 office chair at Office Depot. It reclines it >can > > be adjusted to recline a little or alot. With this type of chair and a > > keyless keyboard and mouse it would probably help you out alot. I also >took > > a old small banket rolled it up put it in a pillow case took 2 big pens, > > penned it to my chair for my neck support. It sure helps me alot. > > * > > > > Hugs and Prayers, Babs > > * > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 Vern, Try Dr. Dara Parvin of the Oregon Coast Spine Institute in Coos Bay....I believe he is the only truly minimally invasive trained surgeon in Oregon....we are talking laser endoscopic.... There is another MISS guy in Bothell Washington....I can give you contact info if you like... Let me know if I can be of any further help...feel free to call Best regards, Jeff K. Tunick D.C. Lordex Spine Institute at Lincoln Health Center 10500 SW Greenburg Rd., Suite 200 Portland, OR 97223 503-684-9698 Office 503-213-9698 Fax www.lordexpdx.com > Colleagues, > > > > Does anyone know a surgeon in Portland or Eugene that performs minimum > evasive percutaneous (micro-instrumentation whatever) foraminotomies and > discectomies?? > > > > Vern Saboe > > > > -- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 Coos bay??? Ok...if you say so...Vern Re: " Cervical Surgery " Vern, Try Dr. Dara Parvin of the Oregon Coast Spine Institute in Coos Bay....I believe he is the only truly minimally invasive trained surgeon in Oregon....we are talking laser endoscopic.... There is another MISS guy in Bothell Washington....I can give you contact info if you like... Let me know if I can be of any further help...feel free to call Best regards, Jeff K. Tunick D.C. Lordex Spine Institute at Lincoln Health Center 10500 SW Greenburg Rd., Suite 200 Portland, OR 97223 503-684-9698 Office 503-213-9698 Fax www.lordexpdx.com > Colleagues, > > > > Does anyone know a surgeon in Portland or Eugene that performs minimum > evasive percutaneous (micro-instrumentation whatever) foraminotomies and > discectomies?? > > > > Vern Saboe > > > > -- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 I was having severe pain in my arm and shoulder and the latest MRI showed I have three herniated discs in my neck. I noticed my speech had rapidly changed and I catch myself stuttering a lot now. The doctor now wants to perform a double fusion. I have already heard promises as I have had my L5,S1 fused in my lower back. What can I expect on this type of surgery? How long can I expect to be gone from work? I am not looking forward since it seems that I end up taking all my vacation due to injuries or surgeries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 At 01:32 AM 6/8/2009, you wrote: >I was having severe pain in my arm and shoulder and the latest MRI >showed I have three herniated discs in my neck. I noticed my speech >had rapidly changed and I catch myself stuttering a lot now. The >doctor now wants to perform a double fusion. I have already heard >promises as I have had my L5,S1 fused in my lower back. What can I >expect on this type of surgery? How long can I expect to be gone >from work? I am not looking forward since it seems that I end up >taking all my vacation due to injuries or surgeries. Everyone's experience is different. I have 4 levels fused in my lower back. I had 2 levels fused in 1987 with very good results. I was almost painfree for 13 years. I then had a relapse of extreme pain in Jan 2000. I had the 2 old levels removed in May of 2000 then those 2 levels plus an additional 2 levels fused. I had a fair amount of relief though far from pain free. Then later that year in December My Doctor showed me herniated disk and also bone spurs impeding on my spinal cord. He promised that cleaning up the disk and removing the spur would remove pain I had in my neck, arm, and right scapula area. I had the surgery. The fused 2 levels. It was a total failure. I awoke in more pain than when I went in. I've had chronic pain in my neck and scapula ever since. To the point I ended up on disability at age 47 in May of 2007. Hope fully yours will be a different experience. but any surgery on your neck or back can go either way, that's why we are here. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 At 01:32 AM 6/8/2009, you wrote: >I was having severe pain in my arm and shoulder and the latest MRI >showed I have three herniated discs in my neck. I noticed my speech >had rapidly changed and I catch myself stuttering a lot now. The >doctor now wants to perform a double fusion. I have already heard >promises as I have had my L5,S1 fused in my lower back. What can I >expect on this type of surgery? How long can I expect to be gone >from work? I am not looking forward since it seems that I end up >taking all my vacation due to injuries or surgeries. Everyone's experience is different. I have 4 levels fused in my lower back. I had 2 levels fused in 1987 with very good results. I was almost painfree for 13 years. I then had a relapse of extreme pain in Jan 2000. I had the 2 old levels removed in May of 2000 then those 2 levels plus an additional 2 levels fused. I had a fair amount of relief though far from pain free. Then later that year in December My Doctor showed me herniated disk and also bone spurs impeding on my spinal cord. He promised that cleaning up the disk and removing the spur would remove pain I had in my neck, arm, and right scapula area. I had the surgery. The fused 2 levels. It was a total failure. I awoke in more pain than when I went in. I've had chronic pain in my neck and scapula ever since. To the point I ended up on disability at age 47 in May of 2007. Hope fully yours will be a different experience. but any surgery on your neck or back can go either way, that's why we are here. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 Rochelle, Well to tell you the truth my two back surgeries were unsuccessful. The reason being is on my first surgery I did not have insurance when I first found out I had a herniated disc. The doctors pretty much wrote me off because of this. It finally took me urinating on myself before the University Medical Center did an emergency discectomy. I was fine for a couple of years then the pain started up again and this time around I had insurance but found that the disc had deteriorated and there wasnt anything there. The surgeon tried his best to get a spacer in there but there was so much scar tissue he was unable. He lifted it up on the nerve as much as he could and now am still facing the nerve pain. I was told that a third surgery would be risky because of more scaring and would probably do more damage then good. I kept having severe pain in my shoulder and arm and another MRI was done to determine that I had three bulging discs in my neck, and now am facing fusion at levels C4,5 and 6. I will find out more tomorrow as the exact procedure and that sort. After this I was thinking of trying a nuerostimulator being I don't want to be on pain killers my whole life. Anyway, now you know my story, hope you that others will not have to go through the same. Thanks for listening. Steve W. Seattle, WA ________________________________ From: Rochelle Cocco <rccoc1977@...> neck pain Sent: Monday, June 8, 2009 8:37:12 AM Subject: Cervical Surgery Hi , So sorry that you are going through such severe pain. I hope that any treatment you decide on will largely fix this. Just a few questions. Did this surgeon do a good job on your back surgery? Is he a reconstructive spine surgeon ? (I truely believe that if 2 or more discs are involved a reconstructive spine surgeon is the way to go.) Will he put the lordotic curve back in your cervical spine when he fuses it? Why isn't he going to do a 3 level fusion? If you have 3 herniated discs, a 2 level fusion may put more pressure on the remaining herniated disc and make it worse and you will need another fusion down the road--sooner rather than later. You don't say which discs in your neck are herniated. (Since your arm hurts I'm assuming C4,5,6.) I don't think the middle or lower neck discs could directly cause your speech problem. Speech is a brain and/or cranial nerve thing that does not go through the spinal cord. Severe pain, however, could cause anxiety, which in turn, could cause the stuttering. If you have herniated discs in your upper neck, depending on whether they herniate towards the spinal cord or out towards the throat, they might directly press on cranial nerves coming out of the base of the brain, but this is probably very rare. A herniated disc usually wouldn't press against the larynx because the esophagus is between it and the cervical spine. You wouldn't be able to swallow first. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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