so you had the same thing?? similar how?? this is very stressful with all involved! please explain your condition... so i can feel a little better about this situation.

I have always had numbing in my finger toes and feet PROBABLY SINCE MY 20'S

Hi Mommy. I had a business where I looked down into a magnafier for thirty years. I destroyed my neck basically. I didn't quit when I should because it was my only income, I was a single mother, and I had no health insurance. so I worked with pain for many years. I didn't stop until I could not move my head up, down or any which way. At this time, or 6 years ago, they said I damaged C6-7, and it was bent to such a degree, I risked being paralized if I didn't do the surgery, and they told me, there was a risk of "doing" the surgery. What this surgeon did wrong, was he didn't tell me there were many other things wrong with my neck. He said he did all he could do. So I lived with the result until 22 months ago when my pain specialist did a Katemine infusion, with that screen he could see what was happening to my spine. He no longer could control my pain. I had reversed the curve of my spine altogether, and ruined all vertrebre above. they fell like dominos. So I had fusion C3-7, and had my neck given a new shape, to be what it should be. This took the very best neuro surgeon in my area to do this correction. Unfortunately with degenerative disk and joint disease, I am not stable in my neck today. C1-2 is hurting, and so are the ones below at T-1-3. The instabilty of the entire bracket does put pressure on the remaining verterbre. I am very careful in any activity. This first doctor, should have done the revisions needed all through my neck, he did not do this as I had no health insuance. He only corrected the immediate danger, and left the rest alone. I hadn't gone for the second opinion, which I am sure I would have been told there was more wrong with my neck to begin with. I was too in a hurry to get the pain over with. My moral of the story is to go for that second opinion, get your records, research the records, and understand all they want to do before you agree to the surgery. I feel very strong, that we need as patients to understand the whole situation and the proceedure before we do the surgery. I sure do wish you all the best, Nobody likes these kinds of situations. I will be here for you. ginnie

I have arachnoid cyst with a herniated spinal cord. Can anyone assist me with finding a surgeon who has experience with this surgery? I am in the albany ny area.
I would assist any help I could get.

I just googled: spine surgeon albany and there doesn't seem to be any shortage, and you're not that far from NYC, where I'm sure there are many more.

Is it specific referrals/recommendations you're looking for?
First, I'd google: how to find best spine surgeon and read up on it.
Then I'd email those that turn up in searches, ask all my doctors, their staffs, my insurance company, and try Angie's List:
http://www.angieslist.com/companylis...e-and-neck.htm

Doc

If you are just reasonabley close to a teaching hospital, gather up your records and head that direction and get an opinion from an ortho/neuro spinal tag team. Just my opinion but the greater the challenge, the more you need to have the two spinal specialists who will bring his/her specialized gift to the operating table. I have had tons of spinal surgery and the "big boys" weren't a dime more expensive than a local ortho or neuro surgeon. We have one spine. Treat it well. Best wishes.

Welcome to Neuro Talk. Glad you found this site. Doc smiths post is right about how to find help. Go for more than one opinion and don't give up. things can turn out OK. I will be thinking about you. ginnie

How are you now? Did you have your surgery?

Yes, I did have a second spinal fusion C3-7. I still have some pain, and take some medication for it. However the pain in my arms is gone. Mostly I have left over pain at above and below the site of fusion.
I sure hope your surgery goes OK. It isn't easy to face. Hope you got all the opinions you can before deciding in this direction. I was lucky that I got as much relief as I did. My first fusion I didn't get much relief at all. Let me know how you are doing. We will be here to support you as you go through this. That is why I joined NT too. ginnie

First, I hope you have had success if you went through with the surgery.I am interested in talking with someone who has actually had this surgery. Would you recommend, how are you doing now?

I am having trouble getting a doctor to do help me. Have seen 2 neurosurgeons in St. Louis area. One said, good luck I am not the doc for you, you need a REAL SPECIALST, good luck finding someone here in MO that will touch you!! The other said to come back in 6 months to see if my symptoms progress. *** Both are willing to say its spinal cord herniation, but neither will touch me. It shows clearly on MRI and myleogram so why not fix it before it gets worse!!!

Have contacted Mayo clinic today, for a third opinion. Waiting for call back.

I have been battling severe lower back pain for about a year now. I am 38 with 2 kids and was in great shape until this last year. There are some days I can hardly walk the pain is so bad. Been to the ER in tears begging to be admitted and they shoved me out the door with pain meds, they didnt even touch my pain. Did weeks of physical therapy, no help. Did steroid injections, no help. Tons of meds, no help. I just want to be fixed!!!!! I am too young not to be able to walk.

Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.