Hi everyone! I visited a spine neurosurgeon today and he said I definately need fusion non my C5-C6 area. He also wants to do an emg on my hands and arms. He thinks I could possibly have carpal tunnel on the right hand especially. I am bvery scared, but I know it needs to be done before any permament damage occurs. I am scared that my body burning will get worse with the surgery. Of course I hope it takes it away! Thanks for listening everyone! Any more suggestions are welcome!

Hope you go for second opinion on C5-6. One question to ask is how the verterbre are above this site and below it. This is very important, any hardware you have put in, will put strain on those above and below. Your other verterbre need to be in good shape. Also Not every doctor insists on EMG. I got away with not having one. The second opinion said it was not necessary for dianostics in every case. Try to seperate carpel tunnel, address neck first if at all possible. I was fused C6-7. that failed, wound up with C3-7 and that did ok. Still not in good shape however, above and below.
I do wish you all the best as you go forward. I know you are afraid. It is scarry, but you can get through this. Neuro Talk will be here for you every step of the way. ginnie

I agree with getting (at least) a second opinion on any cutting - maybe more. Surgeons live to cut, and cut to live -- we don't.

I wouldn't be so scared/concerned about the EMG. There are two types -- surface and intramuscular; the latter involves tiny needles. It might be uncomfortable, but not as much, as long, or as invasive as any surgery. It might help to read up on these procedures so you can discuss them (and your concerns/fears) with your doctor/s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromyography

Your concrns about the surgery are, IMO, valid, hence the multiple opinions; there may be less invasive alternatives, and/or better surgeons for you.

If it were me, I would definitely put the brakes on, research this all very thoroughly, and try every other alternative there is before even considering surgery. Actually, I HAVE been through something similar, followed my own advice, found surgeons who did not agree with the cutters, and I have never regretted opting out for other avenues.

If you do agree that surgery is the best choice/option for you, please consider/remember that, while it may correct the mechanical issues of bone vs. nerve, it may not alleviate the pain or other symptoms, and that you may still have to deal with those thereafter.

I know it may sound like some of us are trying to sway you one way or the other, but that's not it. No-one can decide this for you, and many of us, having been down this road, just want you to be aware of everything the doctors may not be being candid about. We want you to be fully informed and aware of options & possibilities in order to make the best decision for you, and avoid mistakes of the past.

Whatever your decision, we'll support it and you, and hope for a full and speedy recovery.

Doc

I have spinal stenosis. I was Diagnosed with it last year. I hurt my neck and went to the ER. They did a cat scan and it showed i was fine. About a week later i was getting tingling and burning sensations down my left arm and such. So i went to urgent care and the doc there order an emergency MRI.

I had a 2 day follow with my doc. He then diagnosed me with Cervical Spinal stenosis. He then referred me to a physical medicine specialist. He went over the MRI with me and explained that both my nerve roots and spinal cord is being compressed.

He tried all the conservative treatments. Some worked for a bit but now my symptoms is more constant. So I am in contact with him again and see what else I can do.

So they may try pain meds, physical therapy etc... on ya.

This doesn't sound unusual. CT scans are better for imaging bone, while MRIs are better for imaging soft tissues. There's also a series of hoops that insurance companies require doctors (as well as patients) to jump through in specific orders due to cost. MRIs are many times the cost of a CT scan.

Doc

MRI costs on the front end are a lot....but there are deals around. I am told by another "Doc" that there is an MRI facility advertising $200 MRI's in North County San Diego. Personally, I have seen them as low as $350 by me. Everything is negotiable

Price ranges vary for most things, and while there are exceptions, IME you generally get what you pay for. Do those $200-$300 MRIs include interpretation by a radiologist, or do they just hand you a discfull of images? (With some discount places I checked, that's what they do.) Cut prices can sometimes mean cut corners.

Other factors that influence price can include whether it's done in-hospital or at an outpatient imaging center, contrasting, body part being imaged, and local competition/going rates (it's kinda hard to email your spine to Lower Slobbovia for discount imaging... )

It may make sense for someone without insurance to do that kind of shopping, but I was talking specifically about when insurance companies are getting billed and doing the paying.

Google: MRI cost

Doc

Hi! I have had Spinal cord was compressed in the T-1 to T-4 by 90% by what turned out to be a beguine mengeoma tumor. My Neuro Surgeon dr said this was the cause of my neuropathy symptoms all over my body. He also removed the tumor 1 and 1/2 year ago. I still have the neuropathy in both legs and feet and in my right arm. After my surgery I had to learn to walk again and now can do pretty good. I still use my walker out side of the house, mostly for my own security as I stumble and fall a lot. Due to the large percentage of the compression I could have been paralyzed from the neck down. I feel very blessed to just have to deal with the neuropathy. My only advice would be to have a good Neuro Surgeon. Where are you located? I would recommend my surgeon if you are in the Houston, Texas area or if you would be able to travel here. Good Luck and may God bless you.