Whether to have surgery....

[Guest guest]

I've got herniations at C5/C6 and have had symptoms since March 2003.

After two epidurals, the pain went down considerably and now I just

get aching pain a few times a day, but most of the time I'm not

conscious of it. However, an EMG is showing chronic nerve irritation

at C5/C6 and my left arm is weaker because of it. I would say,

though, that it's only about 10% weaker. Also, I am very active in

sports (hockey, weightlifting, etc.) so my strength is actually at the

top of the scale for someone my age (44) even with a slightly weaker

left arm.

Reading these posts, it seems like everyone who had surgery is either

in deep pain or still suffering. Is this a representative sampling of

patients? Do 90-95% of patients go through what you are going through?

I would imagine from the terrible pain you have that you would tell me

to avoid surgery at all costs. Is that right?

There is no win/win solution here, I guess, but I'd like as much input

as possible.

Thanks,

Elliot

[Guest guest]

with those symptoms, I wouldn't even think about surgery. I recently

missed work for a month and waited it out a total of 4 months hoping to

avoid surgery. I think I'm ok, for now although I'm probably going to

have to have something done eventually. From all the research I've done

I think spinal surgery is finally starting to come out of the dark ages,

so I'd wait for that reason only.

Elliot Royce wrote:

>I've got herniations at C5/C6 and have had symptoms since March 2003.

>After two epidurals, the pain went down considerably and now I just

>get aching pain a few times a day, but most of the time I'm not

>conscious of it. However, an EMG is showing chronic nerve irritation

>at C5/C6 and my left arm is weaker because of it. I would say,

>though, that it's only about 10% weaker. Also, I am very active in

>sports (hockey, weightlifting, etc.) so my strength is actually at the

>top of the scale for someone my age (44) even with a slightly weaker

>left arm.

>

>Reading these posts, it seems like everyone who had surgery is either

>in deep pain or still suffering. Is this a representative sampling of

>patients? Do 90-95% of patients go through what you are going through?

>

>I would imagine from the terrible pain you have that you would tell me

>to avoid surgery at all costs. Is that right?

>

>There is no win/win solution here, I guess, but I'd like as much input

>as possible.

>

>Thanks,

>

>Elliot

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

At 05:55 PM 3/24/2006:

>Reading these posts, it seems like everyone who had surgery is either

>in deep pain or still suffering. Is this a representative sampling of

>patients? Do 90-95% of patients go through what you are going through?

>

>I would imagine from the terrible pain you have that you would tell me

>to avoid surgery at all costs. Is that right?

>

>There is no win/win solution here, I guess, but I'd like as much input

>as possible.

Elliot, many people who have had surgery go on to have pain-free and

productive lives. The ones who don't have as much luck remain here,

looking for answers. The lucky ones don't need to be here anymore.

So, what I'm saying is, this group or any on-line support group is really

not a good representative sample of success with back surgeries.

http://thebacklog.blogspot.com/

[Guest guest]

hi there, I am not sorry i had the surgery!!!!!!!!! my discs were in the

spinal chord so i had no choice, but yes it has been beneficial. I would

have it done again in the same circumstances. love cheryl. tasmania ,

<karens@...> wrote: At 05:55 PM 3/24/2006:

>Reading these posts, it seems like everyone who had surgery is either

>in deep pain or still suffering. Is this a representative sampling of

>patients? Do 90-95% of patients go through what you are going through?

>

>I would imagine from the terrible pain you have that you would tell me

>to avoid surgery at all costs. Is that right?

>

>There is no win/win solution here, I guess, but I'd like as much input

>as possible.

Elliot, many people who have had surgery go on to have pain-free and

productive lives. The ones who don't have as much luck remain here,

looking for answers. The lucky ones don't need to be here anymore.

So, what I'm saying is, this group or any on-line support group is really

not a good representative sample of success with back surgeries.

http://thebacklog.blogspot.com/

[Guest guest]

I should also add that I'm not sorry I had my surgery, that it fixed what

was wrong with my back (then,) but now I have a brand new set of problems,

some new on their own and some because of the surgery (scar

tissue.) Still, I think I had no choice and am better off than I was.

At 08:03 PM 3/24/2006, you wrote:

>hi there, I am not sorry i had the surgery!!!!!!!!! my discs were in the

>spinal chord so i had no choice, but yes it has been beneficial. I

>would have it done again in the same circumstances. love cheryl. tasmania ,

>

> <karens@...> wrote: At 05:55 PM 3/24/2006:

>

> >Reading these posts, it seems like everyone who had surgery is either

> >in deep pain or still suffering. Is this a representative sampling of

> >patients? Do 90-95% of patients go through what you are going through?

> >

> >I would imagine from the terrible pain you have that you would tell me

> >to avoid surgery at all costs. Is that right?

> >

> >There is no win/win solution here, I guess, but I'd like as much input

> >as possible.

>

>Elliot, many people who have had surgery go on to have pain-free and

>productive lives. The ones who don't have as much luck remain here,

>looking for answers. The lucky ones don't need to be here anymore.

>

>So, what I'm saying is, this group or any on-line support group is really

>not a good representative sample of success with back surgeries.

>

>

>

><http://thebacklog.blogspot.com/>http://thebacklog.blogspot.com/

[Guest guest]

good point . i am sure people who are having problems are the ones that

seek these groups--that is why i came. i think there must be success stories

out there too but i am not willing to bet 3/4 of my back on that when i think

there are better ways.

Re: Whether to have surgery....

At 05:55 PM 3/24/2006:

>Reading these posts, it seems like everyone who had surgery is either

>in deep pain or still suffering. Is this a representative sampling of

>patients? Do 90-95% of patients go through what you are going through?

>

>I would imagine from the terrible pain you have that you would tell me

>to avoid surgery at all costs. Is that right?

>

>There is no win/win solution here, I guess, but I'd like as much input

>as possible.

Elliot, many people who have had surgery go on to have pain-free and

productive lives. The ones who don't have as much luck remain here,

looking for answers. The lucky ones don't need to be here anymore.

So, what I'm saying is, this group or any on-line support group is really

not a good representative sample of success with back surgeries.

http://thebacklog.blogspot.com/

[Guest guest]

At 09:50 PM 3/24/2006, you wrote:

>... put me on the Medrol, Vicodin and Flexeril diet, then scheduled

>surgery (cervical decompression and fusion) this upcoming Thursday.

>

>I'm welcoming this with open arms. I've been struggling since September

>'05 with pain and numbness. Top that with a very active 9 month old son

>and the sense of urgency to recover is paramount. Could I do without the

>surgery? Consider it putting off the inevitable. One real good lash of

>the neck could probably land me in deeper water. Could the surgery create

>more problems down the line? Sure. All I have is the here and now and

>tomorrow's not promised.

You've got a great attitude and a very positive outlook about your upcoming

surgery and just what it can or can't mean to you. I wish you well come

Thursday, and I do hope you get back to us as soon as you can to let us

know how it went.

Best,

http://thebacklog.blogspot.com/

[Guest guest]

That is true. When I first hurt my back in 2002, I found this group, One year

after surgery, I left as I was feeling much better. Still had pain but much more

manageable. It was nice to know the group was still here a few months ago when I

can back with 4 more bulging discs and increased pain.

<karens@...> wrote:

Elliot, many people who have had surgery go on to have pain-free and productive

lives. The ones who don't have as much luck remain here,looking for answers. The

lucky ones don't need to be here anymore.

Vivian Harkness

http://www.geocities.com/southeastsearchandrescue/index.html

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

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates

starting at 1 & cent;/min.

[Guest guest]

I hope it all goes well for you, . Be in touch when you can.

At 08:00 AM 3/30/2006, you wrote:

>Well folks.... today is the day. 1pm EST. Staying positive! Thanks to

>all who have shared! Talk to ya sometime in the next 3-5 days!

>

>-

> Re: Whether to have surgery....

>

[Guest guest]

good luck Jonathon, thinking of you...................... love cheryl

Australia

<karens@...> wrote:

I hope it all goes well for you, . Be in touch when you can.

At 08:00 AM 3/30/2006, you wrote:

>Well folks.... today is the day. 1pm EST. Staying positive! Thanks to

>all who have shared! Talk to ya sometime in the next 3-5 days!

>

>-

> Re: Whether to have surgery....

>