Spinal Disorders & Back Pain For discussion of all spinal cord injuries, spinal issues, back-related pain or problems.


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Old 01-19-2011, 09:54 PM #11
frenchfri1003 frenchfri1003 is offline
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Wink

[Good luck with the surgery. I felt the same way and was in almost the same situation. I'm a little older 49, but the pre surgery was similar. I am now 6 weeks post surgery. I only wore a hard collar for a few days and then a soft collar. Good luck with the wait. I was glad that once I made the decision I only waited 2 weeks, but that was my choice. Look at the site for what you would have prior to surgery and what to expect with recovery. They are very helpful.
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Old 03-07-2011, 07:54 PM #12
6pack 6pack is offline
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Default Scheduled for ACDF surgery on the 16th

After trying and exhausting all of the non surgical options I have opted for surgery. My pain has primarily been controlled by Gabapentin and light dosages of Oxycodine as required.

The pain down my left arm has intensified over time and I'm now experiencing numbness in my right leg and foot at times. Although spinal traction and manipulations do help; I can't continue this way as I'm far too young to continue medication for the rest of my life
.
My neck is always in pain increasing as the day progresses. I live in Alberta Canada and the Surgeon is very well respected. He seems very optimistic as I am. He will be completing a multi level C5-6 / C6-7 procedure. They will be acquiring the Bone from iliac crest for the fusion. I have heard mixed comments on this procedure regarding recovery and pain. Comments? The count down is on and I'm very nervous
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Old 03-08-2011, 08:35 AM #13
bunz50 bunz50 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 6pack View Post
After trying and exhausting all of the non surgical options I have opted for surgery. My pain has primarily been controlled by Gabapentin and light dosages of Oxycodine as required.

The pain down my left arm has intensified over time and I'm now experiencing numbness in my right leg and foot at times. Although spinal traction and manipulations do help; I can't continue this way as I'm far too young to continue medication for the rest of my life
.
My neck is always in pain increasing as the day progresses. I live in Alberta Canada and the Surgeon is very well respected. He seems very optimistic as I am. He will be completing a multi level C5-6 / C6-7 procedure. They will be acquiring the Bone from iliac crest for the fusion. I have heard mixed comments on this procedure regarding recovery and pain. Comments? The count down is on and I'm very nervous
Hello 6pack, I am from Ontario and had a 3 level ACDF(C4-C7) in 2009, my neurosurgeon offered to use donor bone instead of my own(hip) bone, as he stated it is a longer recovery period and painful, with the donor bone being so safe to use why deal with more pain then necessary, one way or another it is all bone and will eventually fuse, just my opinion, good luck! Bunz
__________________
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Feb09 - had 3 level anterior cervical fusion
Now have 3-4 herniation and bone spurs
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Old 03-09-2011, 08:11 AM #14
6pack 6pack is offline
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Originally Posted by frenchfri1003 View Post
[Good luck with the surgery. I felt the same way and was in almost the same situation. I'm a little older 49, but the pre surgery was similar. I am now 6 weeks post surgery. I only wore a hard collar for a few days and then a soft collar. Good luck with the wait. I was glad that once I made the decision I only waited 2 weeks, but that was my choice. Look at the site for what you would have prior to surgery and what to expect with recovery. They are very helpful.
How are you feeling after 6 weeks post surgery? Did you have a bone graft? If so, how long did it take to feel better

7 days and counting

Dave
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Old 03-20-2011, 08:04 AM #15
diane54 diane54 is offline
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Default ACDF surgery - donor bone versus grafted bone

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Originally Posted by MJC1977 View Post
Alrighty...I''m here because I went to the doctors about two months ago for a stiff neck. Two days later I had severe weakness in my right arm. Back to the doctor, several tests later turns out I have a herniated disc C4-5 could be more so the doc says. What I want to know is if anyone has received a similar diagnosis and put off the surgery for any extended period for any reason. Any input would help greatly.
Hi
I'm so glad to find this discussion. I have cervical disc disease at 2 levels - not severe but moderate, but the pain is bothering me so bad I have decided to go ahead with surgery on April 21st. I've seen 4 docs, 2 suggested foraminotomy but when I went back to the last NS, he told me that the foraminotomy will most likely not help my neck pain. I was hoping for the easier foraminotomy procedure.

A doc friend of mine has told me absolutely go with my own bone if I go the route of the fusion. I hate the idea of hip surgery on top of neck surgery. Also 10 days before my neck surgery I am having wrist surgery (want to have this all done during the same work absence).

Can anyone tell me what the hip pain is like if you give your own bone?

Also, my doc friend is sending me to see one more NS next week just to get one more opinion if we go ahead with the foraminotomy or ACDF. My doc friend says I could always start with the foraminotomy and then move forward with the ACDF later. I hate the idea of another surgery down the road tho...

I have moderate weakness in my arm on the left side. Doc says no nerve damage yet and is not pushing me into surgery. I just can't stand the pain anymore and I've done all the conservative stuff including epidurals, one in particular really helped me for almost a month, so they feel the found the pain generator at C5-6.

Can't wait to be pain free, but I'm getting scared reading some of these posts... sounds like its a gamble with the surgery!

Diane
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Old 03-20-2011, 12:22 PM #16
swimwithmanta swimwithmanta is offline
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Default my experience

HI, while you are waiting to make up your mind on what to do, I would recommend a very good book. "treat your own neck" by robin mc kensies. I have neck pain with numbness down my arm and have improved it greatly with this book, doing all the prescribed exercises slowly. over the last months. the book is not a general exercises book, but specifically for neck pain. I am also doing isometrics neck exercises to strenghten my neck and back. it seems to me that all the people who get neck surgery don't get such good result, and then you loose a lot of motion. anyway everybody has different opinion, I guess If I was contemplating surgery I would go for the newer minimally invasive surgery, and no fusion anywhere.
cheers virginie
Quote:
Originally Posted by MJC1977 View Post
Alrighty...I''m here because I went to the doctors about two months ago for a stiff neck. Two days later I had severe weakness in my right arm. Back to the doctor, several tests later turns out I have a herniated disc C4-5 could be more so the doc says. What I want to know is if anyone has received a similar diagnosis and put off the surgery for any extended period for any reason. Any input would help greatly.
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Old 03-22-2011, 06:53 PM #17
Laur Bye Laur Bye is offline
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New to the site and had some questions as does everyone so it seems.
I had my C5 and 6 done on the 28th of December. Prior to surgery I had noooo pain. On the 14th of December my legs stopped working, I could not get around and about 4 days later my hands went. I was admitted to the hospital on Christmas Eve and misdiagnosed with several different problems from MS to Cancer.
Finally my husband took me to a different hospital and I was looked at by my Neurosurgeon. I had the surgery the next day.
I now can walk and my hands are working but I am in terrible pain all the time. My shoulder on the right side and both my lower arms and hands feel as if there are pins being stuck in them all the time.
I am taking Gabupenten, Extra Strength Tylenol and once in a while 5mg of Oxy if I just cant stand it any more.
How long will this pain last? Im getting very irritated (just ask my poor husband) and just hope this pain is going to go away. Any advice would be great
Laur
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Old 03-23-2011, 10:42 AM #18
ginnie ginnie is offline
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Default surgery

I don't blame you for being nervous. I was too and found this site and received alot of information. I am Post 7 months. C3-7 was done, my first at C-6-7 failed, so the whole if it was done to fix all of it six years later. It was a difficult proceedure as I reversed the whole of my cervical spine until they were almost lying folded over on each other. For me the pain wasn't good after the surgery. I was in bed for two weeks and only really started feeling human after the second week. I came back to this site briefly at two weeks to say hello and that I survived it. Now 7 months later all is much much better. My pain meds are almost down to nothing, I have been weening off ms contin for all of the 7 months. Good luck to you. I hope the outcome is successful and that your pain is reduced. I was scared too, litterally shaking when I first got on line here, frantic. There were alot of people who coached me through all the highs and lows. Be good to yourself too, while you go through it. Insist on good pain management for after the operationtoo. ginnie
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Old 03-23-2011, 12:17 PM #19
6pack 6pack is offline
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Default One Week Post Op - Feeling GREAT

I am 1 week post op from ACDF surgery where I had C5-6 / C6-7 completed. Initially, my neurosurgeon convinced me to go with Iliac Crest bone graft as this provides best success rate for fusion. I was so glad when I awoke from my 5.5 hour operation to find my hip bone fully intact! Until they open you up they have no way of knowing if a bone graft will be necessary.

Just back from my 1 week check up with my family Dr. and he's very happy. Incision is almost healed. I did get some sleeping pills from him to help me get a better sleep. I'm feeling very well and the arm pain and finger numbness is gone. Most of my pain is in my upper back which is caused from muscle spasms. My throat is really quite good; just a little hard to swallow liquids. Eating is no problem. I've read so many negative posts I wanted to ensure everyone knows there are successes!! Most people who have a positive outcome don't bother posting! If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to answer as best as I can.

Dave
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
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Old 03-24-2011, 07:09 AM #20
diane54 diane54 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 6pack View Post
I am 1 week post op from ACDF surgery where I had C5-6 / C6-7 completed. Initially, my neurosurgeon convinced me to go with Iliac Crest bone graft as this provides best success rate for fusion. I was so glad when I awoke from my 5.5 hour operation to find my hip bone fully intact! Until they open you up they have no way of knowing if a bone graft will be necessary.

Just back from my 1 week check up with my family Dr. and he's very happy. Incision is almost healed. I did get some sleeping pills from him to help me get a better sleep. I'm feeling very well and the arm pain and finger numbness is gone. Most of my pain is in my upper back which is caused from muscle spasms. My throat is really quite good; just a little hard to swallow liquids. Eating is no problem. I've read so many negative posts I wanted to ensure everyone knows there are successes!! Most people who have a positive outcome don't bother posting! If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to answer as best as I can.

Dave
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Hi Dave
I am so glad you are doing so well! The positive responses really, really help me right now as I wait another 30 days for my surgery. (My choice - I have to have thumb reconstruction surgery on April 11 - and then waiting 11 days until round 2 with the neck surgery - doing this to combine both operations into one absence from work). I am seeing a new NS on April 4th for a third and tie-breaking opinion on which procedure to do - an ACDF or a posterior foraminotomy. I am leaning toward the smaller procedure - the foraminotomy. Wow 5.5 hours is a long surgery time! They told me 1 hour.

I think the recovery time and outcome is based on some factors. The first and most important thing - a positive attitude, a great surgeon and a lot of support and a healthy body to start with! I'm taking a jump on things and walking 3 miles a day on the treadmill now (can't run anymore as the jarring hurts me worse), eating right and keeping busy.

Again, THANK YOU for your positive post. I needed to hear some positive things as I was ready to cancel my surgery based on some of the things I was reading on this and other forums.

Hugs to you too! I hope you have a painless day of recovery today!
Diane
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