Originally Posted by ginnie

Please do go for that second opinion. You do need another opinion. My first surgery was at C6-7. I was told if I didn't do it, I risked being paralized. And I too had a risk that could happen "with" the surgery. All of my neck problems were NOT addressed that first surgery as I did NOT go for a second opinion. I was so much in pain I just wanted to get it over with. I didn't know I had any more problems in my neck, but I degenerated through the next 6 years. That is why I am telling you to seek out another opinion. I had to have it re-done, and the rest of them C3-7 fused 21 months ago. I had the domino effect, as the ones the new neruo surgeon addressed were damaged at the beginning of this whole ordeal. Having multipal disiplines involved is a good idea. Yes a pain specialist I had! During this whole process I had pain killers and still do to a lesser degree. You need to find a pain specialist willing to treat you while you go through all this. Is is not fair or moral to leave you in continuous pain while you seek solutions. A good pain specialist may even help direct you on who to go to!. My pain specialist did a Katamine infusion. at that time he was able to see through his screen just what was happening to my cervical spine. It was he that got me to the best neruo surgeon in these parts. He told me he could not control the pain without further surgery, so I got several opinions, and did go through with it. I got GOOD results. No perfect by any means but a whole lot better. Let me know if I can help you in any way. Living in that kind of pain is torture, keep trying to find the help that you need. where are you located? all my best, ginnie