if anybody has had this done , please tell what were symptoms laeding up to it . I am in so much pain. thanks

Hey Razzle

Sorry to hear you are hurting... I feel you there! What are your symptoms?

My symptoms started a year ago. I had been vacationing in Florida when I got a call from my Dad, who lived an hour away in Orange Beach, AL that they found a brain tumor. Anytime I am under stress, I feel it in my chest and in my neck. From that day forward, I never left his side. What started as an annoying crick in my neck, that I could feel in my right shoulder was blamed on stress, the fact that I was sleeping in hospital chairs and benches and shifting him around to make him comfortable. I tried everything to make that pesty crick go away, muscle relaxers, lortab, TENS unit and bimonthly massage therapy and nothing made it go away. Four months after he passed, migraines, numb hands and clumsiness went with the strange crick and finally I decided to see a dr about it who sent me in for an MRI right away and the results resembled that of a bad car crash victim. I was blown away! I have never been in a wreck before! A month later, I had surgery - C5-7 are fused and while I am still having issues, the pain is not near as bad as before surgery. I do now have one disc that has started having issues, 3 months post op. My dr. Says my nerves are all on full alert, but my spine is healing as it should. I do not regret having the surgery. If you do end up needing ACDF, make sure you have a second and third opinion, and that you are comfortable with the surgeon. AND... Research research. Hope this helps you. I'm here a few times a day if you ever need to talk. Being new here to Neuro talk, I am finding everyone here to be very helpful and supportive.

Hi again,

I replied to your PM about my issues. Read my past posts for more details of recovery and pain coping trials....

Hope you find some answers and relief.

Cathie