Hi! First comment posted.. I'm thinking about your personal comments. These spinal conditions do change your life! I had to accept that it's time to adapt to the situation. I know what you mean about hard work, physical and emotional pain, the changes to your body,the idea of getting old and dying, and coping with pain meds-man, it goes on and on. Of course others are worse off but you are dealing and adapting to your situation and problems. Stop stressing about what others think- do what you have to do. The girls on this site are great at explaining and sympathizing with various conditions. Once this spinal stuff starts rolling, it's a game changer! Out of time, have to go; i'll be back. sfink

Welcome to Neuro Talk. You are right about what you said. when you get spinal problems it is a game changer. It seems in my own life, most folks that I know don't get it. It is only here, where there is some empathy for what you go through. I hope you are OK, and I am glad to see another post. ginnie

I was in significant pain last November and December. I had my esi on 12/9 and by Christmas I was able to start sleeping again. Not all night, but a good three to four hours.

Unfortunately, the esi did not alleviate the need for surgery. I had a three level acdf in April. I lost significant hand strength, lost most of my tricep muscle and my trap muscle. The surgeon said I had no choice. The surgery and recovery has been just fine, but I'm sure glad I got some relief for the four months between the injection and the surgery.

HI all
What bothers me is there are no good answers. The Last dr that gave me esi said I was in a win/lose situation. Surgery might make things better, might make things worse. I guess you just roll the dice and take your chances. I decided I was not going to have surgery unless I could not stand the pain or my neurological situation deteriorates further.
God bless
Artic

Hi! Yeah, I get it..There are no guarantees with these procedures; there is a lot that can go right or wrong. My neurosurgeon simply said- 1/3 get better, 1/3 stay the same,1/3 get worse. It comes down to how much faith you have in his skill as a doctor; how much do you trust him? To me, waiting till I lose all motor skills or surpass my pain threshold-Wow, that's a risky roll of the dice! I don't think that there is a "normal" after you reach those points. The spinal structure is now different and you have experienced nerve damage and destruction. It reminds me of trying to cement my favorite coffee mug back together after dropping it. Sure, I could put it back together but it just wasn't the same. Once your broken, hard to restore back to "normal". That's my thought about it. Take care, sfink

Hi all
I don't like major pain nor do I like major neurological symptoms. I don't plan on waiting until I have unmanageable pain or nerve damage to act. 1/3 better, same, worse are not encouraging either. Since it does seem to be a roll of the dice I'll take my chances and wait it out.
God bless you all
Artic

I did the same thing as you are doing. I watied. I went with pain management until that physician honesly couldn't help my pain or symptoms anymore. Then I had the last fusion. No fun either way. My surgery turned out OK. If you ever have to do it, have hope. ginnie