UPDATE ON NECK ISSUE

[Trinity_Acres]

[SIZE=14pt]I just returned from my visit with the neurosurgeon this morning. The surgeon says that I definitely need to have surgery due to muscle weakness, nerve damage and encroachment of my spinal cord. With surgery, the way I understand it, I have a 90% chance of fixing the pain, 80% chance of fixing the numbness and tingling and a 70% of regaining the strength in my arm. I didn't know I had any weakness until he did a couple of tests. [/SIZE]

I have two options. The first is a disc fusion. This is an old tried and true, very common surgery but because of the nature of the surgery I'll probably have to have future surgeries because of the load shift on my spine. The second option is a new type of surgery (only 6 months in the US ..however its been done for several years overseas) and that is a complete disc replacement. The biggest downside to that is that some insurance companies will not cover it. I'm leaning toward the replacement IF my insurance will cover it. I want to get it done asap so that it won't interfere with the petting farm ministry. He said if I have it done by the end of March, beginning of April, I should be able to do our petting farms in May.

Anyone have experience with either cervical disc fusion or replacement? Would you do it again?

On another note...my MRI showed an abnormality at the base of my tongue and throat, possible mass? I didn't like to hear that. I'm trying not to stress about that. He did say it could be nothing, but wanted to be sure and have it checked. He's sending me to an ear, nose and throat specialist. I see him on the 7th. SO....your continued prayers are appreciated!

 

[Marty]

Those odds are pretty darn good in your favor of being nearly pain free.

I sure hope you get to go for it so you can get your life back Janine.

It's really great news to hear this can be done and as for the throat thing,

take one day at a time, one step at a time. You've been such a blessing to'

so many, it's time now for you to get all fixed up and good to go.

 

[Laura]

[SIZE=12pt]Janine,[/SIZE]

My mom had discs fused many years ago and after a rough recovery, did quite well.

Have you considered consulting a GOOD Chiropractor? I know it's not for everyone, but when I consulted a Chiro last summer I had significant degeneration in my neck and lower back and my hips and shoulders were very unlevel from the displacement of the vertebrae. It took a few months of 3 x week visits, but I was having incredible relief from constant headaches & pain after only a few weeks.

I am ALL in favor of modern medicine, but if the CAUSE of the problem can be resolved, not just the result of the problem, I'd rather fix the cause

 

[River Wood]

I was just speaking to someone the other day that knows of a person that had their disks fused and did very well after that.

 

[Trinity_Acres]

Thanks Marty....might I say the same about YOU!! You're a tough cookie and I'm still prayin' for ya!

Laura,...Yes, we exhausted the chiropractic avenue unfortunately. Believe me, I'd rather not have surgery. But after nearly 6 months of drugs, chiro, PT and exercises, it's only getting worse.

Good to hear Riverwood. I've heard some similar results as well.

 

[vvf]

I had a 3rd level cervical fusion 13 years ago.

I am a person that can tolerate alot of pain...but this pain was incredible. I tried a chiropractor, i had 2 spinal blocks (i think thats it was called)...The first one helped the pain for about 3 weeks, the second one did nothing.

I was to the point that i really had no other choice but the surgery. At the time, this surgery was fairly new.

I remember my doctor telling me that it was a "radical" surgery.

It was the best thing i had done. The recovery time took a little while. I wore a cervical collar for 3 months and was off work for 3 1/2 months.

(But that was 13 years ago, i think the technology is probably better by now,)

Anyway. If i had that kind of pain now....I would do it again in a heart beat!!

I hope this works out for you, and i wish you the best. It is no fun living in pain.

 

[Tam VanderWerf]

I've had 2 neck surgeries due to an auto accident in May of 2000. My first surgery was done in September 2000, where I had the disks removed at C5-6 & C6-7. A plate and 5 screws was installed to hold everything in place. (The surgery was done from the front of my neck). The neuro also did an allograph, which was putting in a cadaver bone graft. Well, the surgery was not a success and I was in more pain than before I had surgery. I suffered through ESI (Epidural Steroid Injections), physical therapy, steroid therapy, pain pills, muscles relaxers, you name it. At one point my pain management doctor even had me on Methadone! I lost my job because the pain was so bad I could not concentrate on my work (I was the Chief Fiscal Officer for a law firm)

Fast forward to early 2002, where I located a wonderful Orthopedic Surgeon in the Tampa Bay (Dr. Moreno) area. He loooked at my x-rays and MRI's and told me that the bone graft did not fuse, plus I had some other problems. But he guaranteed me almost 90% recovery and pain relief. I opted to have the surgery with him in April 2002. He went in through the back of my neck this time and also used a piece of my own hip bone for the graft. He installed rods and screws on the outside of my spine to hold everything in place. This time surgery was a success, although it was a long road to recovery and this surgeon's recovery instructions were much more stringent than the arrogant neurosurgeon. In fact, I wore a special C-Collar (Miami J Collar) and could not drive for 8 weeks. Although I underwent more physical therapy and pain management, I can say that my second surgery was the key. The things that helped me most were massage therapy and muscle relaxers. It took me probably close to a year to start feeling 100%. Once in a while I have neck pain when I over-do, but it was nothing like after my first surgery.

You sound like you have done your homework on this, which is great. I'm sorry I haven't heard of the new procedure, so I can't give you any information on it.

My advice to you would be to follow your surgeon's instructions and try not to push your recovery too fast.

Another thing - stay away from Celebrex and Advil after your surgery - the doctors won't admit, but my physical therapist told me both of those drugs inhibit bone growth for your graft.

Massage (not neuromuscular) therapy and heat therapy will help with muscle spasms should you have them after your surgery.

I wish you the best on whatever decision you make. Please keep us updated as to your progress.

Tam