Jeff,

I can do "scared to death" and raise you to freaked out of my mind!

I was diagnosed with CSM in Feb 2013. I have two levels where the spinal cord is "flattened" and bruised, inverted curvature (which is not normal but "normal" for a messed up neck), congenital central canal stenosis (which is severe from C4-C7) and several herniations and osteophytes.

CSM can get worse as we age. It is better to have the surgery to decompress the spinal cord as early as possible to avoid progression of the problem. CSM can cause permanent damage if the spinal cord is severely compressed and is not surgically fixed.

The questions to ask yourself are 1) Can I learn to live like this? and 2) How much does this affect my daily life?

If you are currently at the point where the stenosis is not "bad enough" and does not compromise the spinal cord surgery can probably wait unless your symptoms are so bad that your quality of life is affected.

Surgery is usually a laminectomy sometimes followed by a fusion which allows more space for the spinal cord.

Since I was diagnosed in Feb of this year my symptoms have escalated dramatically and now I have to wear a hard neck collar until surgery (Sept 19) otherwise I cannot use my right arm.

Are you scheduled for surgery? What type of surgeon have you seen - you should see both neurosurgeons and orthopedic spinal specialists - that way you can get a better picture of what should be done and when. You would be surprised at how different surgeons look at the same MRI and see two totally different things....

Keep me posted. I am here for you - you are not alone.

I am trying to mediate through the fear and panic. Any other ideas?