Hi all,
I found out recently that I have a herniated disk at C6/7. My orthopedist says I have a "big honkin' disk" (I paid HOW MUCH to hear that specific technical term? LOL. ) and that I will likely need ACDF.

First, though, I'm trying the epidural shots. I had my first yesterday (no change so far, it's been 24 hours, so I'm not giving up yet). I have another one on October 18th. I can't have a third one because I did two rounds of Prednisone and apparently that precludes my chance of shot #3.

Anyhow - has anyone had anything similar happen? I'm scared of the ACDF but I can't deal with being in pain. I'm very active - work out, lift weights, etc -- but I haven't lifted weights in two months after this began. Any similar experiences or advice are much appreciated.

My first shot went fine - no problems, wasn't bad at all. I haven't seen any change yet and hope that maybe I'll still get some relief.

Thanks ,
Kelly

Hi there,
My name is Dave, and I had ACDF on c5/6 and 6/7 on Feb 14th of this year. I had epidural shots too, and they worked for about a month. You will hear horror stories about ACDF but mine isn't one of them. I still have pain at times, but usually very mild, and very short in duration. I am a printer and do odd heavy lifting all day. I went back to work after 3 weeks... and have been good since. They used "cages and plates" on my ACDF, instead of bone. Ask your neuro about this method! It healed very quickly. I didn't even have to wear a collar after, and was driving in 7 days. If you want to chat more, e-mail me and I will add you to my messenger.

Be Well!
Dave
hansmathias8@hotmail.com

Hi Dave,
Thanks for the good news! I emailed you. I had my first shot last week and was doing pretty well til a 3-hr car ride yesterday. I have my next shot next week. I suspect, though, that I'll end up with ACDF. My dr does it with a piece of cadaver bone, and then a titanium plate - wonder if that's the same procedure you had?
Thanks
Kelly

I had the cadaver bone and titanium plate on my ACDF C5-6-7 on 8/8/05. All I can say is the hasn't gotten worse but it didn't get much better either. Still have neck pain and nerve pains in my hands....Good luck. Oh, and the shots in the neck didn't help at all.

Hello Kelly:

Give the shots - some time....they will kick in but it is not an immediate feeling of relief...

Have you seen prints of your "big honkin' disk"? Some questions to ask before undergoing major surger involving anything around your spine. Especially a fusion.

My Neurosurgeon said with the proceedure he wants to do on my back that I would be trading one pain for another. (To that I answer....after he tells me about the risks of not doing one, Why would I want to trade this pain - which I have had for 12 years now for a new one? I have learned to walk, live, cope and deal with my current pain - what will the new pain be like?) That usually shuts him up for one more year.

Until there is another viable alternative out there to Lumbar Fusion I am going to hold off.

Surgery is a major decision. Cutting around and fusing the spine is a long surgery that can take months of acute pain to recover from.

But.....many people benefit from it. Many people resume normal relatively pain free lives afterwards...and others - well they do not. That is what my Neurosurgeon means by trading one pain for another. And a lot of times - you are not limited to one surgery.

Can you get a second opinion? How are you feeling now. How is this affecting your daily life - is it bearable?

Hope you find some answers

Take Care
Kim

People I would recommend the DRX 9000. My friend went to a chiroprator and he recommened this treatment. No shots no surgery. It helps regenatate the disc with your own white blood cells and nurtients from your body. The other people I asked in the waiting room said that they feel so much better and can do all the activities they once did with out the cripiling pain. One women in the said that she was doing her last treatment with the machine (after already having the surgery years before) and she is finally off her pain meds and no pain.