Hi, I am new here and curious. I will start by providing a little info about myself. I am 44 yrs old and
In Jan 1996 I was in a car accident. and ended up having a C5-6 fusion. My spinal cord was being compressed at the time. I took several years after to begin to feel 1/2 way normal again.
I have lived with pain ever since.

this past year I was got the Dx of FMA (fibromyalgia) from pcp and pain specialist.

I happen to work for My Neuro-(Who was my previous NS as well and trust hm with my life- have 2wice now) and I asked him some ?'s which lead to mulitple scans/test being done- Doc said pretty much my neck had done the Domino effect since prior surgery. showing I had:
DDS, Kyphosis, osteoarthritis, Foraminal narrowing,Radiculopathy,stenosis
Needless to say. I was a Mess.
with the outcome of in Dec of 2008 I underwent a 5 level ACDF (Anterior Cervical Disectomy,Laminectomy with fixation) I now have a neck that looks like a bicycle chain- with 6 plates and 12 screws- He also corrected the Kyphosis that was prestent and drilled / chisled out the osteophytes- bone spurs and widened the foramial that was narrowing (Very big surgery)

I now am 3 months Post op- with 2 months P.T. and on my way to a pain specialist @ the spine and physical rehab. I went back to work Pt after 2 months and it is proving to be a major challenge.
I have a lot of headaches, burning and pain through my shoulderblades- shoulders, right clavicle, I still am stumbling over my own feet and drop things left and right. I do not sleep well if at all. and have major pain in my lower back, as well as my hands and feet are going to sleep on me again.


HAS ANYONE else had anything close to this type of procedure and what was the outcome.
My NS says " You It will get better"- he is taking every step to assure this) and I trust him.. But I have to wonder if indeed the FMA is there and this is a contributing factor to the healing and pain- Nothing seems to work for.

and after never fully recovering from the 1level fusion- I have a bleak outlook as to recovery from one so complicated-
and I wonder what are my chances @ getting SSI if I don't
I am getting very frustrated and discouraged

ANy insight would be apprieciated
(sorry this is so long)