Quote:
Originally Posted by Suz91941
 Hi everyone-
Could I pls get your take on spinal fusion for C3 - C5?
I have tried everything (acupuncture, PT, epidurals, neurotomy, medial branch blocks, and of course meds.) and nothing works. I am taking Vicodin for pain 1 every 4-6 hours and 2 before bedtime so I can sleep (which I'm not). I work fulltime and don't know how much longer I can stand the pain as I cannot concentrate on work. What a way to live! The only thing my Pain Mgmt Doc is offering is to do another neurotomy and I don't want to go through that one again. He thinks maybe it was incomplete. I am almost ready to have spinal fusion at this point but don't know if this would help my constant pain.
Thanks!
(Laminectony L4-L5, and Facet Joint Syndrome) |
Hi, I tried everything you did but acupuncture. I was 47 at the time and had the best job of my life. I talked to several people who had spinal fusion and they had great results, so i thought why not. I wanted to get back to work as soon as I could. I had c-5-6-7 plated, after the operation I had more pain than I ever had. After about three years of all kinds of pain meds my pain mang. Dr. suggested a spinal stimulator, well that only stayed in for about an hour. It was stimulating my legs, I had neck and arm pain! I went to see three different spine specialist and not a one would operate again. So now wear a fental patch and take oxycodone, they take the edge off the pain but I don't know the last day I did not have pain! I don't know what to tell you but spinal fusion is not allways the answer, I wish I didn't have it done! All the best to you and yours!