Hi Tenderfoot
 

I forgot how many levels you had done in your neck. You mentioned being careful with needle work. Since my own fusion C3-7, I cannot look down well at all for any length of time, nor up really. I always have to be careful. ginnie

Im the same Ginnie looking down or up to far-- like at the celing ---do you have problems with shoulder --from flare ups right now my shoulder is bad again and it also feels like something is catching or stuck--just wondered if it just me.?

RE: on looking up etc....
 

Yes, it is the same for me. Lots of creaking in the neck, some shoulder pain, pain below the level of fusion T1-2-3. Will never be able to look over my shoulder for driving. I have to undo seatbelt and "turn" around to look.
I am an artist, so looking down is a real issue. I use a high bench, and Easel to do anything at all. I have to adjust what I do all the time. I am 3 years out this coming August. Looking up at the night sky, I only do laying down on the ground. I guess this is all better than the horror my neck was before.
How long since your surgery now? ginnie:hug:

July 2010 --im happy with results but my one major problem is right shoulder --so bad i thought tore rotatr cuff they said no --went last yr for another mri of neck surgeon said c-5 neural foreman --its opened but very small where the nerve is being pinched ---the only fix is to redo the whole fusion c4 thru c7 take out hardware drill the hole bigger---he said the risk on a muti level fusion --re-fusing again really drops and doesnt feel it warrants the risk. I been on predisone alot since but now-- they dont want me talking it for 6 months---but it is the one thing that helps alot. Like i said yesterday I have good days and do projects --then this is what happens I never know how long the fare ups with last. I just wish there was another med that works as well as predisone without the risks.

Hi Mg Neck
 

That is what happened to me first time around. I was origionally fused C6-7. I got worse instead of better, and wound up having the C3-7. I don't recommend it. In my case I reversed the curve of my spine, not just cord problems. It was awful surgery, it hurt!!!!! Yes old hardware taken out, whole thing done.
You are getting more trouble at C5-6? correct?. Does your mri say "SEVERE"?
Did your doc give a reason why the rest of them would have to be done to correct just that one giving you trouble? I would hate for you to have to go through all that, if they could just re-do the one. None of this is fun is it.....
I have good days, and not so good days. I sure wish you could be spared more pain. Have you gotten more than one opinion on it? ginnie:hug:

Yes did get 2 consutls --the problem is they both said as we get older we all have stenosis ---they both said something about how the bone grew around the hardware and because its 2 plates used they would have to do the whole area-- take out harware-- and if i remember right something about a protein bmp or something drops sigificantly on resvions which means much harder to acheive a solid fusion 2nd time around. That c5 will give me issues with right shoulder because the hole on right in the nueral foreman is so very small but it opened enough the nerve is passing-- but barley---they both said 2nd surgery could make my symptoms worse and it much more risky since Im not at any neurlogical risks of being paralyzed. Thanks --honetstly I can live with it-- not happy about it --like u said up so much better then pain before surgey was mind numbing. Thanks so much Ginnie!!

Abt risk
 

Yes, I understand about risk. I was facing that being paralized thing, so that is why they did it. Why can't they just relieve that one narrowing is why I ask. Why do others above it? Mine toppled over on each other. I sure wish I had more medical knowledge. We are all such complicated cases. Not a one is easy to have to deal with. I hope your day goes OK. I am going to try to spay paint a small bookcase today. Keep in touch with me.
Also that prednisone is a lousy drug. Keep off it if you can. It messes with your immune system. No other drug they recommend?????????? What about an injection? I hate needles too, but maybe it would be better than the prednisone. ginnie:hug:

He said injections may be a viable option if the pain gets bad. Sorry never been the best at spelling . You been thru a real nightmare but im glad you had a good outcome. Good Luck with getting your hoouse ready for sale. Yes--I will be in touch --u do the same .Have a good day!!

im sorry i forgot to add why they cant do the one area over is because of the plates and c-5 is smack in the middle of the area fused so all hardware would need to be removed to get to the neural foreman

I struggle to put my chin on my chest due to my throat. I can raise my eyes to the ceiling but can only tilt my head up slightly. It's not so much painful as it just stops from the front, again, my throat & a bit achey at the back,

Tender x

Hi all!
Thought you'd like to know, my DH took me to a local town centre yesterday where we enjoyed a gentle stroll around a few shops. There were sunny spells, it was cold & breezy with just a spot of rain, but it was just sooo wonderful to be out properly, in the fresh air :D. I slept a little better for it too! :)

Tender x

Im glad you finally got paroled (LOL) its nice to get out of the house --glad u finally got to do something to pick up your spirits.

Thanks mg neck problem, I did too! I enjoyed another drop of sunshine again today, it felt oh sooooooo very good! :D

Tender x

Hi tenderfoot --still thinking about u and hoping your recovery is still going well (smile)

Hi mg, good days & bad days. Tried a short drive a couple of days ago, still a little bit awkward seeing the wing mirrors & I have moments of neck tenderness during the night. DH continues to take me on short shopping trips, other than that I'm doing relatively ok thanks, Tender x

Hi all,

I've been ticking along nice & gently, wearing my collar travelling short journeys & going outdoors. Decided, just to be on the safe side, to not drive after my attempt, until I see my neurosurgeon.

With having nice weather recently I've been doing a spot of easy gardening. Well it is the start of the growing season now :).

Over the last few days, my left arm, which was the main problem, has started to ache & my fingers ache a lot. Also got that deep ache sensation between high my shoulder blades again that I had post-op.

I also still have that lump in the throat sensation, which can be nauseating at times, especially when I'm doing the chin-on-chest & head back exercises. I'm 8 & half weeks post-op.

I presume all this is to be expected, gardening or not & not to be worried about?
Tender x

Hi Tender --Im so glad you posted!!!. I was wondering how thing's have been going. I still get that in shoulder esp if i do to much or sleep wrong--to this day I cant sleep on my right ot the flare up with takes months to calm down.Many of us have them still years out the surgery isnt perfect but still no regrets much better for it ---dont be worried. Have you had your first follow up xray done yet?

Nope. I've only seen spinal nurse re bladder issues. I see her again later this month, hopefully I'll get an appointment for NS the same day :)
Tender x

Hi all!

I saw a spinal nurse today who did an USS of my bladder, all ok there but she still wants me to see a urologist :icon_rolleyes:

I no longer need my collar (yay!), in fact my NS had stipulated in my notes that he only wanted me to wear it travelling home after my op - and that's it!

Still got my lump in throat feeling which inhibits my physio exercises.

If I can see my blind-spots I can drive :)

I go again in 3 months, meantime I await my post-op appointment with my NS at which I may have a follow-up x-ray, will let you know :wink:

Tender x

After many months of only being allowed to sweep and not vacuum or mop, I mopped today. Resting now :)
Tender x

A year post-op!
 

Hi everyone!
Anybody remember me? I had a my 1st MRI in Nov '13 since my op just over a year ago. the result goes like this:

Comparison is made with the previous MRI study done in July '12.
ACDF at C5-6 and C6-7 levels noted. The degree of vertebral canal stenoses at C5-C6 levels have improved. There are mild disc osteophyte bar is at C5-C6 and C6-C7 levels causing slight residual moulding of the spinal cord. At C5-C6 level there is severe narrowing of the left nerve root foramen. There is severe narrowing of the nerve root foramina bilaterally at C6-C7 level. There is mild disc osteophyte bar at C4-C5 level causing thecal indentation with mild to moderate narrowing of the right nerve root foramen at this level.
Normal cervicomedullary junction.

Tender x

Hi tenderfoot
 

Hi, and I hope I can help a bit. At C5-7 you do have some issues. I had the same. Anytime there is nerve root compression that says severe, that is when the doctors step in and try surgery. Please get a second and even third opinion before you consider a surgical approach. What therapies have you tried? Let me know what the doctor has suggested to you. I do wish you all the best. It is never easy to face these things. NT will be there for you, no matter what you decide to do. ginnie:hug::grouphug:

Hi Ginnie and thankyou for your reply :)

They've decided on conservative treatment for now and unless my issues deteriorate acutely, will review me in 6 months.

I'm having an MRI on my lumbar region next month as there's no improvement there for a few years now.

Tender x

Hi Tenderfoot
 

Go for all the conservative stuff first. These surgeries are no fun, and most of the time not really guaranteed to work for everyone. I did all conservative therapy, and all of it helped for a time. ginnie

Will do Ginnie, thankyou!
Tender x