I was in a car accident april 08, now i have severe pain from neck down to my wrist. Went for all the above mention tests and the drs are suggesting cervical fusion. This blog is making me think 1000 time before I can decide if I will have this surgery. Not one person is saying anything good about this surgery. Thanks for all the postings I enjoy reading them and they sure are making me wise.
At this point I am really confused!! should I have it or not ? :-(
At this point I am really confused!! should I have it or not ? :-(
Hi ya,
i'm facing into similar op in 2 weeks... one bit of advice about reading these boards... those who had a successful op don't need the sites anymore... they are busy with their own lives and not hibernating with their laptop!
Best of luck with your situation... and see you around the sites...
Diamonde
**edited by moderator**
i'm facing into similar op in 2 weeks... one bit of advice about reading these boards... those who had a successful op don't need the sites anymore... they are busy with their own lives and not hibernating with their laptop!
Best of luck with your situation... and see you around the sites...
Diamonde
**edited by moderator**
diamonde,
That is very true and it needs said again so ppl looking at having similar surgeries don't think that all of them are rough to recover from.
So saying that,
The reason you don't see very many posts in here that are good is because those people are moving on with getting back to normal. The others like us have plenty of time to sit here and dwell on how bad we feel.
It is like the evening news, You think the world is nothing but bad news, but that is only because you are only getting reports of the bad events all night every night.
Keep your chin up to everyone who has to have a neck or back surgery. There are plenty of good results out there or they would not be continuing to cut into us.
Rob
That is very true and it needs said again so ppl looking at having similar surgeries don't think that all of them are rough to recover from.
So saying that,
The reason you don't see very many posts in here that are good is because those people are moving on with getting back to normal. The others like us have plenty of time to sit here and dwell on how bad we feel.
It is like the evening news, You think the world is nothing but bad news, but that is only because you are only getting reports of the bad events all night every night.
Keep your chin up to everyone who has to have a neck or back surgery. There are plenty of good results out there or they would not be continuing to cut into us.
Rob
Hi there, I feel for you. I too have had and am still having a lot of pain. Maybe read my log of events and see if there is anything to help you understand.
It is titled something like this: "Complete ACDF recovery?"
Good luck!
Rob
It is titled something like this: "Complete ACDF recovery?"
Good luck!
Rob
I am also a Nurse who spends many hours with head down and at a med cart. I feel like i am your twin. I had my surgery 2yrs ago and now am in more pain now than prior to my surgery. I was on Lyrica which did nothing except made me gain weight. I am now scheduled to see a Neurologist. I just had xrays on my thoracic and lumbar spine d/t pain. Showing spondylosis and ?transitional fifth lumbosacral process. I have been doing research but not sure what issue i really have. I am very discouraged. I feel everyone thinks your are just complaining! THIS IS REAL PAIN...it interrupts your daily life. I am having pain also above my fusion at c 2-3 and i feel that at the level of c7 and t1 are overlapping and causing great pain and tingling in my hands with terrible shoulder pain. I feel for anyone who has had this debilitating surgery. I honestly feel i am an invalid at 43yr of age.... :'(
I had a fusion to my C4, C5, C6. However the surgeon did not repair my C7. I am in just as much pain as before the surgery. I am trying to find a surgeon who can help me.
I have tried physio, laser, and acupuncture, nothing works.
I will never go back to the surgeon that performed the surgery, and the reason why is, the surgeon new that my C7 need to be repaired, but he felt it wasn't that bad. Therefore, he did not fix my c7.
I am totally frustrated, this un repaired C7 has stalled my returning to work, and has caused nothing but turmoil in my personal life. I could go on, and on about all the inconviences that this has caused, but I just want to be relieved of the pain.
I welcome any help, or suggestions.
I have tried physio, laser, and acupuncture, nothing works.
I will never go back to the surgeon that performed the surgery, and the reason why is, the surgeon new that my C7 need to be repaired, but he felt it wasn't that bad. Therefore, he did not fix my c7.
I am totally frustrated, this un repaired C7 has stalled my returning to work, and has caused nothing but turmoil in my personal life. I could go on, and on about all the inconviences that this has caused, but I just want to be relieved of the pain.
I welcome any help, or suggestions.
>;)
I just want you all to know that I can relate so well to all of these horror stories of pain, before, and since surgery.
I just want some one to fix my c7 that never got repaired to begin with, because the surgeon FELT it wasn't that bad! He obviously doesn't know how to read MRI reports, or read an MRI on the screen.
Yes, I am so frustrated, and I keep searching for some one to helo me. Please help me, I just want to be pain free, drug free, and don't have to deal with the depression that goes with haveing severe pain.
I just want you all to know that I can relate so well to all of these horror stories of pain, before, and since surgery.
I just want some one to fix my c7 that never got repaired to begin with, because the surgeon FELT it wasn't that bad! He obviously doesn't know how to read MRI reports, or read an MRI on the screen.
Yes, I am so frustrated, and I keep searching for some one to helo me. Please help me, I just want to be pain free, drug free, and don't have to deal with the depression that goes with haveing severe pain.
I had a cervical discectomy with fusion at C-5, 6 and 7. I have Degenerative Disk Disease, Degenerative Spinal Disease, Ankling Spondylosis and Arthritis. I am 28 and feel like my life has been taken out from under me. I had this surgery on 3/26/09 and it is now 2 weeks later and I wish I would have had a choice in the matter of having this surgery or not. Unfortunately my spinal cord was being compromised and my legs and arms were starting to become paralysed. Besides the fact that I am not sold on my doctor (not the best beside manner), but now I have to face the fact that this is one of many surgeries ahead of me. My whole back will eventually be fused with plates, rods and screws. I can only pray that no other complications come like with this one. The neck,
shoulder and left arm pain is the worst thing I have ever felt and the loss of strength and funtionability is a daily task to overcome. I had another MRI which showed nothing conclusive so my doctor said "Sorry, not sure what or why this is and sent me on my way. Any advise would be wonderful from anyone that has found a solution to this horrible nightmare.
shoulder and left arm pain is the worst thing I have ever felt and the loss of strength and funtionability is a daily task to overcome. I had another MRI which showed nothing conclusive so my doctor said "Sorry, not sure what or why this is and sent me on my way. Any advise would be wonderful from anyone that has found a solution to this horrible nightmare.
OMG!!!!
That is my story summed up to a tee! The only diff. is that I had C3-4-5 and he skipped C5-6... I am now on food stamps and been denied dissability and appealed that. I am trying for medicad which I was denied for the 1st time due to I had a wife at the time who worked... she left, so maybe I can get help. I have checked into BVR just for those who want or need help getting rehabilitation to try to return to work. They are going to get me my physical rehab if my surgeon will release me. I am close to 6 months post-op and been out of work since a month prior to that. I lost my job, house, wife, truck and now am in bancrupcy w/lawyer.
So, the turmoil you speek of is something a lot of us go thru. Take things one day at a time and remember... The reason my surgeon only operated on 2 levels was if they do more than that, then they have to go through the back of the neck and that involves the actual cutting of muscles instead of just moving them aside from the front. Thats assuming you had your op from the front.
Good luck and hang in there!
Rob
That is my story summed up to a tee! The only diff. is that I had C3-4-5 and he skipped C5-6... I am now on food stamps and been denied dissability and appealed that. I am trying for medicad which I was denied for the 1st time due to I had a wife at the time who worked... she left, so maybe I can get help. I have checked into BVR just for those who want or need help getting rehabilitation to try to return to work. They are going to get me my physical rehab if my surgeon will release me. I am close to 6 months post-op and been out of work since a month prior to that. I lost my job, house, wife, truck and now am in bancrupcy w/lawyer.
So, the turmoil you speek of is something a lot of us go thru. Take things one day at a time and remember... The reason my surgeon only operated on 2 levels was if they do more than that, then they have to go through the back of the neck and that involves the actual cutting of muscles instead of just moving them aside from the front. Thats assuming you had your op from the front.
Good luck and hang in there!
Rob
Rob,
:) Thanks so much for the advice and kind words from the gal who didn't get the c7 done. I feel for you, losing your life as you knew it. You hang in there.
Your right, they cut the front of my neck on the right side, and it is still numb from the cutting etc.
What I don't get is why didn't the surgeon tell me that they would not be fixing the c7 before the surgery? Now I live with pain from hell, and I am sure like you, I have been on more drugs than I care to mention. I could open my own drug store!
I am so excited to hear from someone who has a similiar story, thank you so very much for writing in, it is so nice to not feel allone.
I am sure that my husband has wanted to leave me many tmes, but he is doing his best to hang in there. I know that he misses the woman that he married, who had so much energy, passion, and love of life.
I hate the pain, it never, ever, ever, ends.
HANG IN THERE!
:) Thanks so much for the advice and kind words from the gal who didn't get the c7 done. I feel for you, losing your life as you knew it. You hang in there.
Your right, they cut the front of my neck on the right side, and it is still numb from the cutting etc.
What I don't get is why didn't the surgeon tell me that they would not be fixing the c7 before the surgery? Now I live with pain from hell, and I am sure like you, I have been on more drugs than I care to mention. I could open my own drug store!
I am so excited to hear from someone who has a similiar story, thank you so very much for writing in, it is so nice to not feel allone.
I am sure that my husband has wanted to leave me many tmes, but he is doing his best to hang in there. I know that he misses the woman that he married, who had so much energy, passion, and love of life.
I hate the pain, it never, ever, ever, ends.
HANG IN THERE!
Thanks paynecj01,
Just ask if you need any more help or just want to share.
Rob
Just ask if you need any more help or just want to share.
Rob
Rob,
Thanks, for letting me know that I can reach out. I was wondering, if you don't mind, could you please tell me where you are from, you don't have to be specific, but it would be nice to know if you are from Canada, or other. Also, how long ago was your surgery?
I love your advice, and I am doing my best to get thru each day, as I am sure that you and so many others with this kind of pain are.
I to have applied, just recently for disability, and I am sure that it will be denied, I have been done this road before, but with an insurance company.
At any rate I won't bore you anymore, but send you best wishes, and please if you feel the need to reach me, please do so.
Once again, it is so nice to hear from someone who has been there etc. :-D
paynecj01
Thanks, for letting me know that I can reach out. I was wondering, if you don't mind, could you please tell me where you are from, you don't have to be specific, but it would be nice to know if you are from Canada, or other. Also, how long ago was your surgery?
I love your advice, and I am doing my best to get thru each day, as I am sure that you and so many others with this kind of pain are.
I to have applied, just recently for disability, and I am sure that it will be denied, I have been done this road before, but with an insurance company.
At any rate I won't bore you anymore, but send you best wishes, and please if you feel the need to reach me, please do so.
Once again, it is so nice to hear from someone who has been there etc. :-D
paynecj01
hi im debbie, i am 11months post op double level c5/6 c6/7 acdf with surgery went well, but as for all the pain the very deep pain in my left arm is gone, but all of the other symptoms i still have i now have chronic pain syndrome, i do try everyday to archive things i use to do before with no success ,still on my meds an will be for life, some people have recovered really well, but im one of the unlucky ones, i had to have mri on my shoulders cause i have 2nd injury there, so ill know whats going on by tuesday,keep your chin up ,,dont rush your recover you may be one of the lucky ones. :-(
Hello Debbie
I am sorry to hear that you are suffering like the so many others. I am curious, what was the entry to your surgery? In your back or thru your neck?
I to suffer from Chronic pain syndrome, and it sucks! I also will be on some kind of drug(s) for ever! I wish you well, and all I do is take one day at a time, and some days are better than others.
paynecj01
I am sorry to hear that you are suffering like the so many others. I am curious, what was the entry to your surgery? In your back or thru your neck?
I to suffer from Chronic pain syndrome, and it sucks! I also will be on some kind of drug(s) for ever! I wish you well, and all I do is take one day at a time, and some days are better than others.
paynecj01
hi paynecj01 anterior cervical disectomany an fusion in the front of my neck,i have shoulder injury aswell,today i found out i have a 6mm tear to 75% of my rotorcuff well i think thats what the mri says,when i know what it really called i let you all know ,hpoe we all improve in time ,Deb