Hello, I'm planning to have an Anterior Disk Surgery soon for C-5 and C-6. Do you think I will regret it?
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Hello again! In response to the above poster, I'd say that it's an individual thing. I think had I read all this before I made my decision, I still would have done it. Had I known how much pain I'd still be in, I would not have done it. I thought it was going to be the end of pain! I was unable to drive for 6 weeks, and it was really hard on my family and children, all to still be in pain. My doc doesn't know why I'm still hurting, I think I'm bringing my new MRI films to a new doctor %-)
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Went to emergency room with neck pain/muscle spasms
Now, four months later, my neck goes "crack" inside when I turn my head left to right, lift or rise it. It occurs irregularly, resulting in pain on the right back of the neck just below the bone of the skull. Limited range of motion of neck, and generally constant dull pain down onto area between neck and shoulder.
Given clinical "impression" based on CT scan of "moderate spodyloarthropaty" and "degenerative disk disease" with "severe narrowing sclerosis and osteophytosis at C6-7"
Can anyone tell me what this means? How bad is this?
I'm a working biologist. Prognosis?
Now, four months later, my neck goes "crack" inside when I turn my head left to right, lift or rise it. It occurs irregularly, resulting in pain on the right back of the neck just below the bone of the skull. Limited range of motion of neck, and generally constant dull pain down onto area between neck and shoulder.
Given clinical "impression" based on CT scan of "moderate spodyloarthropaty" and "degenerative disk disease" with "severe narrowing sclerosis and osteophytosis at C6-7"
Can anyone tell me what this means? How bad is this?
I'm a working biologist. Prognosis?
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Hi elliegr, (I know this is an old topic)
I had surgery in August 06 and have pain between my shoulder blades that will sometimes branch out to my shoulders. Have you have any relief from this? if so, what did you do?
I am also having pressure up through my head and get a funny smell at times and no doctor can tell me what is wrong. In fact my doctor told me I shouldn't have pain in the shoulder area, but I know this is related as I've never had these symptoms before.
Very depressed and any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill
I had surgery in August 06 and have pain between my shoulder blades that will sometimes branch out to my shoulders. Have you have any relief from this? if so, what did you do?
I am also having pressure up through my head and get a funny smell at times and no doctor can tell me what is wrong. In fact my doctor told me I shouldn't have pain in the shoulder area, but I know this is related as I've never had these symptoms before.
Very depressed and any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill
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My mother had an Anterior Cervical Discectomy in mid January. It has been about 5 months and she is still in severe pain. Her voice is very hoarse, has seen a voice specialist but still nothing. swallowing pain, nerve spasms and severe headaches. I feel all out of options, other than possibly getting an attorney for medical malpractice because none of this was explained to her by the Dr, pre-surgery. Any suggestions?
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Sorry to hear about your mother's surgery and outcome. I had this surgery almost 2 yrs ago and have lived in agony ever since.
I constantly have headaches, limited use of neck, shoulder pain,etc,etc.
My surgeon did not tell me alot of things I should have known either! Let me tell you I was furious when I found out about it! The surgeon did not even explain to me that cadaver (spelling) tissue was put in my body.
I live in Indiana...I've spoken to several attorneys. Though I feel I have a strong case unfortunately in Indiana we have strong malpractice suits and no attorney wanted to take on the case.
I guess that means, at least in Indiana, surgeons can get by without telling the patients all of the side effects even if it destroys a part of their life.
I would tell you to locate an attorney(s) that does not charge an initial cosultation fee. Speak with them and see what info they can give you for regulations in your state.
I think it's unethical for doctors to be doing this. You may also want to ask for your mother's medical records to see what they say. My surgeon had put in my records that I had recovered 100% even though I had complained to him the pain had worsened. ( I guess he must have 100% sucess rate as a surgeon).
Good luck and let me know what you find out.
I constantly have headaches, limited use of neck, shoulder pain,etc,etc.
My surgeon did not tell me alot of things I should have known either! Let me tell you I was furious when I found out about it! The surgeon did not even explain to me that cadaver (spelling) tissue was put in my body.
I live in Indiana...I've spoken to several attorneys. Though I feel I have a strong case unfortunately in Indiana we have strong malpractice suits and no attorney wanted to take on the case.
I guess that means, at least in Indiana, surgeons can get by without telling the patients all of the side effects even if it destroys a part of their life.
I would tell you to locate an attorney(s) that does not charge an initial cosultation fee. Speak with them and see what info they can give you for regulations in your state.
I think it's unethical for doctors to be doing this. You may also want to ask for your mother's medical records to see what they say. My surgeon had put in my records that I had recovered 100% even though I had complained to him the pain had worsened. ( I guess he must have 100% sucess rate as a surgeon).
Good luck and let me know what you find out.
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I NEED SOME ANSWERS I HAVE SPINAL STENOSIS WHAT CAUSES THIS BECAUSE ITS PAINFUL AND HURTS PLUS I GET MIRGRANS ON TOP :-( SHOW ME PICS OF THIS AND HOW IT WORKS I ALREADY HAVE RODS IN MY BACK WHAT CAN HAPPEN TO ME IN THE FURTURE SCAED LINDA 5/30/07
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Hi - I just met with a neurosurgeon today who advised I was likely to need this surgery - but first he is trying the the epidural.
Two questions - how long would I be out of work for the injection - if at all - and for the surgery if needed? I am a professional who works in an office setting 30 miles from m y house. Luckily my kids are 16 and 21.
I really need to know though since the work doesn't go away when I do so I need to figure out if I can even consider the surgery.
Thanks!
Two questions - how long would I be out of work for the injection - if at all - and for the surgery if needed? I am a professional who works in an office setting 30 miles from m y house. Luckily my kids are 16 and 21.
I really need to know though since the work doesn't go away when I do so I need to figure out if I can even consider the surgery.
Thanks!
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Hi. When I had an epidural I did not miss any work. When I had ACDF surgery I was off work about 7week, then I returned part time for two additional weeks. So after 9 weeks I was back full time BUT my job required lots of neck, hand and arm movement.
I think some people go back to work sooner, some later depending on what type of job they do.
PLEASE be sure and do research before having surgery. There were alot of things (risk,etc) the surgeon never told me. Be sure you know all the facts.
Good luck!
I think some people go back to work sooner, some later depending on what type of job they do.
PLEASE be sure and do research before having surgery. There were alot of things (risk,etc) the surgeon never told me. Be sure you know all the facts.
Good luck!
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Hi Linda,
I had lumbar surgery back in '76, I'm now 72, and on 6-7-07 I had an anterior cervical discectomy fusion with synthes plate. I feel pretty good, still some tingly in my right hand and sore elbow
I had three cervical epidurals in February that helped immensely, but pain was still present. I have been told that once a person hits 60 and has any type back problem, they most likely have stenosis which is marked narrowing of the spinal canal. I have had stenosis since I was in my forties.
John
I had lumbar surgery back in '76, I'm now 72, and on 6-7-07 I had an anterior cervical discectomy fusion with synthes plate. I feel pretty good, still some tingly in my right hand and sore elbow
I had three cervical epidurals in February that helped immensely, but pain was still present. I have been told that once a person hits 60 and has any type back problem, they most likely have stenosis which is marked narrowing of the spinal canal. I have had stenosis since I was in my forties.
John
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I am a 65 y/o white male who underwent ACF with plating and screws 3 weeks ago. My doctor recommended wearing a cervical collar for one month although I was allowed to sleep without it after the first week. I have had some periodic pain and numbness in the right arm, particularly at the elbow, but not nearly to the degree as prior to surgery. I am overall pleased with surgery and am working at a desk job, driving for no more than 20 miles, but expect that to increase over the next week or so. I am using the Ortho-Fix spine stimulator 4 hours per day. If I had a do over, I would have the same surgery again.
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It is sad to hear of everyone's pain they are still experiencing after a cervical discectomy/fusion. I was one of the "lucky ones". I had a disc rupture c6/7 on July 4th (of all days) - the most awful pain I have ever experienced in my life from the pinched nerve. Because I had exceptional doctors, I was in the operating room on July 25th. I had immediate relief as soon as I woke up in the hospital and my recovery was very quick. I was not required to wear the collar, at all, and was back at work before my two week check up. Now my nerve pain is gone and the only real effect, besides a stiff neck every now and then and a "lump in my throat", is that my voice is still extremely hoarse (after three weeks). It was reassuring to read a post here where one doctor said up to three months for the voice to come back. For those considering the surgery, just remember how everyone heals differently ... you could be one of the ones who remain in pain or you could end up as lucky as I was, but you'll never know until you try. I just can't imagine being in that much pain for an extended period of time - and for those of you who are you have my best wishes for you finding a solution to your pain.
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the surgery was not that difficult. I was in the hospital for two nights. It's painful at first but each day gets better. I'm home almost 6 days now. I have to wear the Miami collar 24/7 for 6 weeks. I am very happy because I notice that as each day passes, the pain lessens. I had two herniated disks pressing on the spinal cord (severely). The pain was nonstop, and excruciating. It's not a picnic, but please know there is light at the end of the tunnel. I finally took a shower today, still have to wear neck brace in shower, and my husband washed my hair for me and it really made me feel so refreshed. Don't be afraid as the skills a good surgeon has these days is a miracle. I checked my docs credentials etc and felt very comfortable with him. Hope this helps. XD
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I had acdf c6-c7 on sept 28, 2007. I've had such bad headaches in the back of my head. It feels that a cord is so tight that I could snap it. Last week I have "weaned" myself t only one hydrocodone all week. Now I seem to be going backward and the pain and neck aches are severe. Had to come home early from work. I never had a collar at all and wonder if that could have been a factor in healing. My left hand is going numb again along with my little finger which I wonder if the c7-t1 is being stressed. I am or "was" very active till this all come about this year with degenerative disk desease and severe arthritis which I never knew I had. My question is that I have been a single mom for years and get no or very little support. What do all of you out there do for paying bills or taking time off work? I'm scared, angry and getting very depressed. Especially, when in summer I would ride bicycles for up to 30 miles a day and road on RAGBRAII in IOwa and got to touch Lance Armstrong. I have exercised by whole life and eaten healthy just to have this happen. I ask how do you get over the anger?? Thanks for any help.
PS Met a wonderful man a year ago and now I feel my health will change that. Does anyone have any advice?????
PS Met a wonderful man a year ago and now I feel my health will change that. Does anyone have any advice?????
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First off...I feel much empathy for you.
I raised my daughter with no support. Many days I went to work very ill because I just could not afford to miss work. (I suffered from hyperthyroidism and severe migraines).
After my daughter was raised and in college I met a wonderful man. My daughter married and I thought okay it's finally time for me to have a life!
A year and a half later I was engaged and two years later married.
Several months after marriage (2005) I had ACDF surgery.
I have never recovered. I had to give up my job of 30 yrs because, like you, everything in my body seems to be amiss since this surgery. I feel so bad for my husband...he did not marry me in this condition. Thank God he is a wonderful man and loves me in any condition.
As for the financial situation...without his help I would probably have to be on welfare. I applied for disability over a year ago. Since MRI's aren't showing anything they keep denying me and I absolutely can't do too much of anything without chronic muscle spasms, etc. So for now I have no income at all and haven't for almost a year!
The one thing you may be able to do is apply for SSI. This program is for people with little or no income (call social security administration for more info). Unfortunately you have to have a limited income and resources to qualify for this.
Married or not I would not have qualified because while raising my daughter alone I also struggled through and bought and paid for my house. So if by chance you own your home you are out of luck.
I'd call them anyway to see if there is anything else that can be done to help you.
Good luck to you...I know you are in a hard situation.
I raised my daughter with no support. Many days I went to work very ill because I just could not afford to miss work. (I suffered from hyperthyroidism and severe migraines).
After my daughter was raised and in college I met a wonderful man. My daughter married and I thought okay it's finally time for me to have a life!
A year and a half later I was engaged and two years later married.
Several months after marriage (2005) I had ACDF surgery.
I have never recovered. I had to give up my job of 30 yrs because, like you, everything in my body seems to be amiss since this surgery. I feel so bad for my husband...he did not marry me in this condition. Thank God he is a wonderful man and loves me in any condition.
As for the financial situation...without his help I would probably have to be on welfare. I applied for disability over a year ago. Since MRI's aren't showing anything they keep denying me and I absolutely can't do too much of anything without chronic muscle spasms, etc. So for now I have no income at all and haven't for almost a year!
The one thing you may be able to do is apply for SSI. This program is for people with little or no income (call social security administration for more info). Unfortunately you have to have a limited income and resources to qualify for this.
Married or not I would not have qualified because while raising my daughter alone I also struggled through and bought and paid for my house. So if by chance you own your home you are out of luck.
I'd call them anyway to see if there is anything else that can be done to help you.
Good luck to you...I know you are in a hard situation.
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