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.?

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

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.

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

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!!

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

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