Hello,
My name is Jen. I am a 30 yr old female with chronic neck pain from a car accident in Aug 2010. I have tried physical therapy, acupunture, massage therapy and I'm taking a lot of pain meds. Finally, after a long 4 mths my HMO primary care doctor sent me to an orthopedic doctor who did xrays and ordered MRIs. The results showed C5, C6 are herniated 4mm and narrowing my spinal canal and pinching on my 5th cranial nerve. I was very active before this car accident and haven't been able to do much but concentrate on the pain I'm having. My doctor recommended cervical disc replacement, fusion of the discs or to try cortisone shots. I will try the cortisone shots but I am not looking for a temporary fix for the pain. I am too young to be having chronic pain.
Does anyone know, or has anyone had any of these surgeries and had a success? please share your story with me.
Thanks! :'(
My name is Jen. I am a 30 yr old female with chronic neck pain from a car accident in Aug 2010. I have tried physical therapy, acupunture, massage therapy and I'm taking a lot of pain meds. Finally, after a long 4 mths my HMO primary care doctor sent me to an orthopedic doctor who did xrays and ordered MRIs. The results showed C5, C6 are herniated 4mm and narrowing my spinal canal and pinching on my 5th cranial nerve. I was very active before this car accident and haven't been able to do much but concentrate on the pain I'm having. My doctor recommended cervical disc replacement, fusion of the discs or to try cortisone shots. I will try the cortisone shots but I am not looking for a temporary fix for the pain. I am too young to be having chronic pain.
Does anyone know, or has anyone had any of these surgeries and had a success? please share your story with me.
Thanks! :'(
Hello, Jen.
I have had two fusions already. I would definitely recommend sticking with the cortisone for as long as possible. I had the best 6 months of my life after the second surgery, but now I am due for a third. I am going back to the Neurosurgeon in a few weeks. I have previously had a prescription for almost every nsaid known to man, as well as every pain killer. I currently have a tens unit and some Oxycontin. I am going in for another Cortisone shot soon.
Jerry
I have had two fusions already. I would definitely recommend sticking with the cortisone for as long as possible. I had the best 6 months of my life after the second surgery, but now I am due for a third. I am going back to the Neurosurgeon in a few weeks. I have previously had a prescription for almost every nsaid known to man, as well as every pain killer. I currently have a tens unit and some Oxycontin. I am going in for another Cortisone shot soon.
Jerry
I had C5 C6 fusion in 1983. I have lost a lot of motion in my neck and still suffer some pain occasionaly. Generally I am happy with the surgery. I have felt much better since the surgery. I remember the debilitating pain that I suffered before the surgery and coinsider it well worth it.