Hi Gatorhead and all with back pain
 

Yea, alot of docs. even pain management guys are not wanting to give strong meds to pain paitents. Try a physiatrist. They are pain docs. but with additional training to work with a person on a cellular level. I have never been denied real help for the pain. Instead, I have been asked what I would like to do. I can have percoset, even be put back on morhphine if I had wanted to. Instead I asked for hydrocodone to take the edge of and lidocain patches. I take some suppliments for nerve damage. I don't know, for me this experience with a physiatrist is a very good one, as I am listened to and treated with alot of respect. You might want to ask about this kind of physician. At least try, as I did. When I first went to her, I was worried that no help would be provided, instead I got real compassion. Ginnie:hug:

indiana;
I had a recent apt with my surgeon asked him this ? what do you do if someone has a falied fusion? ---He said 2nd surgery would be required for the nest long tern success rate--- depending on the mri sometimes they can re-do acdf sometimes posterior works best on 2nd surgery.It all depends on the mri. I was thinking of you so I thought I would ask. I trust my surgeron Harvard grad ...he has a great reputation where I live on Ohio. Hope this helps!!

I had a failed c5-6 anterior and they went right back in anterior and did it over and also did c6-7 then used a plate to lock it down and a bone stim for 6 months. It depends on what the surgeon is most comfortable with and as each of us is different, a case by case decision. I know that posterior has a lot more muscle to get to where you are going.....

Ginnie the big corp that I was treating with were physiatrist. The doctor I was seeing refuses to release me so another doctor there can treat me, and she refuses to see me again herself. STILL after all the new evidence stated it was in my head and there was nothing wrong with me at all! That note is following me everywhere I go and making treatment difficult.

Hi Gatorhead
 

Hi gatorhead, you mean your doctor will not see you nor release you to see someone else? Why the H..... would someone do that? That just doen't seem right to me. I am sorry you are having troulbe with someone that has physiatriast attached to their name. I guess I got very very lucky with my doctor. The best part is that she listens to me. Her assisociate I just met, yesterday, as good as she is. I so hope that the year will bring a good and compasiate healer into your life. I have had bad doctors before too, I just walk away and don't come back. Get all your records so that if you do see a new physician, you will have it all together. Wish you were down this way, I would recommend Dr. Simon in a heart beat. ginnie:hug:

I might just drive all the way down there lol, I am FED UP!

Hi Gatorhead
 

Come on down! weather is nice, and so is my doc. I traveled before too to see a good doctor, back when I was living in MO. I gave my home up in Quincy IL. to seek medical attention in Columbia. Moved here because I did better in the warm climate than in the cold.
If you ever decided you come down here. I would introduce you to my doc. personnally if you wanted. She has had me on some suppliments, which has reduced the intensity of PM. I can feel my foot again. If she can get you in a better place, it would indeed be worth the trip. Where are you located? Hope you find some good relief soon. Ginnie:hug:

Hi Gatorhead---just know I think of you often and I feel you been thru so much. If you have to travel where Ginnie is might be worth the shot to get better medical care---you deserve it!!:winky:

well even if they cant help you down there in "florida"at least you can use the trip to go to sunny florida:wink:

Im 4 months out 3 level acdf c/3 thru 6. Donor bone titanium plate. I am in constant pain now shoulder and bicep left arm numbness and tingling in both hands. Even hands painful @ times. Have occasional good day however not many. Feel like Im losing my mind. My dr says he has no idea what to do now.waiting on a ct scan, but Ive been waiting a month for that. Insurance reasons on that. I totally understand what you are feeling. Oh ua AND I still cant eat anything but soft foods. I choke constantly. If we do go back in I want them to go in posterior. I cant take another anterior. I hope you get the relief you so desperatly need!!!

Hi Mrsalkire
 

Sorry you are still going through so much pain. I was anterior C3-7. I really hope you don't have to go through any more surgery. Make sure you get several opinions. I was told posterior was harder, because of more severed muscle. I had two anterior incisions on different parts of the neck. I am OK two years later. Let me know what the CT scan says. I was hoping that the surgery would correct and help you. I do wish you all the best. ginnie