I need feed back on c3-c7 disectomy and laminectomy with har

I am a 42 yr old some what active female I broke my neck (3 fractures in C1) almost 3 yrs ago. After 4 months in a menerva brace I healed on my own. Unfortunatly this seems to have put too much pressure on the herniated discs I had between C5 C6 C7. Within a year after my fall I started having increased pain, tingling, numbness through neck, left arm and hand. This past year the pain, tingling and numbness began running through the other arm but did not get as bad as the left. I woke up almost every night crying in horrible pain. My depression was so bad, my blood pressure was high and I hated life but kept living for my girls.

To back up about 4 years prior to my surgery, I have had this happening but not as severe and didn't wake me up at night until this past year. I saw a Neurosurgeon look at my MRI 4 yrs ago and pretty much said that I had herniated discs but "IF" I had left arm shooting pains, it could not be from the discs because those nerves go through my right arm. I knew he didn't believe me and just wanted me out of his office. I felt lost!

In June 2012, after many tests I was told I needed C5-C7 discectomy and fusion SOON b4 I had permanant damaged nerves! But to my surprise what I though was all pinched nerves, I had carpal tunnel syndrom also in my left hand that was severe and mild in my right. So I am 8 days post op from multi level ACDF and LEFT carpal tunnel release done in same surgery. I do not have the nerve pain, tingling or numbness as before. I do have bad muscle spasms and dealing with pain in my left hand at the same time. I had thrown up on day 3 due to the antibiotics..WOW...that hurt like YOU KNOW WHAT!!!

I am greatful to see the positive as well as the negative feedback. I take both experiences as information to process and what TBrien brings to the table is a different outlook and someone who has done indepth research on the medical procedures and studies. I may be one of the few that needed his outlook cause I am doing well but scared to move until I read his post. He gave me the confidence to start walking and just a fews days I am feeling better and better!

Everyone should be able to bring to the table their experience and their opinion no matter if they are a week off the table or a year. My best friend has been going through years of pain from lower back pain after fusion of crushed discs, TENS units, pain clinic, changing surgeons and muscle stimulators under her skin and she does not seem to get relief. Also, people have different levels of pain tolerance, hers is not good. She is trying to get disability but when she wants to go dancing somehow she does it?! She was so impressed with my surgeon she wanted to see him but he refused. He said nothing he can do for her, he is one of the best surgeons in the midwest and works mostly with the Chicago Bears. I am not saying this about anyone but the person I know but she likes the attention and I considered a Hypochondriac. But she is real good at getting sympathy. It is these type of people that make people who have REAL pain look questionable. Again just an observation, it has happened to myself with that first doctor and it sucks to be in REAL pain and doctor tells you that he doesn't see anything wrong. Then 4 years later to find a much better doctor say, get into surgery because this has been going on for YEARS!

So please check out your doctor's reputation and just to throw it out there, check to see if the pain is being cause by something other than the surgery. I had no idea I had carpal tunnel syndrome which pain crossed over with the pain of 2 pinched nerves.

i guess i should count myself as being lucky. I have never had any pain even after the surgury and the only meds i had to take was one oxycotton the first night at home to get me to sleep. I also had fusion of c3-c7. The problems i have are numbness in one hand and some balance issues other than that everything is back to normal.

Hi I've had fusions and spacers put in C3-C7 and a bunch of PT. I work minimally. I can lift but I have alot of nerve damage and am cold all the time toes, and lower arms. I have also gone back to a new neuroligist tried meds didn't work. One thing he did advise is to sleep with a soft collar 21/2" it helps. Now I'm seeing a pain doctor I tried an epidural was in extreme pain for a week didn't really help, next he gave me a script for a Lanocaine patch ? and flexerol. Want to try dry needling through a phisical therapist Drs' not keen on idea. Want me to keep trying new meds, creams etc. He says acupuncture and massage therapy but how do you find someone you can trust.

Just wanted to say that there are success stories. I appear to be one of them. I fell in the bathroom a year ago and did some spinal cord damage, causing numbness in my hands which I have still today. The doctors convinced me I had no choice or risk further damage. So, I had an posterior c3-c7 laminectomy and fusion. Long, painful road and I still have pain, mostly muscular, common in posterior procedures. But the actual site gives me little problems. I will never be the same, but lead a pretty normal life. Although not the norm, I was back at my home office 3 days after leaving the hospital. Couldn't type for 2 months but worked anyway. Attitude and prayer is very important. Email me if I can give you more details.

just had the same op last week, seems to be ok so far....was out and home 22hrs after operation....starting to get some feeling back in arm, but fingers are still week

Sorry to hear you feel so bad. I had a C3 to C7 fusion in Feb 2012. I feel pretty good. My ROM is almost normal. The numbness is gone in my hands. However, I do suffer from very tight/tense muscles in my neck and shoulders. I can no longer sleep on my stomach with my head turned on a pillow because my arms go numb. I did go to physical therapy for several weeks. I stretch daily and do upper body exercises. Baclofen helps with the muscle pain for me. Hope you feel better soon. I am also in my 40's ( 46).

Hi. I am thinking of doing the same thing. Please let me know if you find a good surgeon in Europe. All the best. Joan

i had spinal fusion from C-3 thru C-7 and bruised my spinal cord. limited rom and numbness. the pain has not gone away for me. not sure what i am going to do now. i am working but it is a desk job but getting harder to do.

Well looks like for most of us, we have had this surgery around 40ish. Im 41 and had posterior laminectomy surgery two years ago. I have ten screws and 2rods in my neck. A few months after a car accident what I thought just needed a lilttle adjustment w a chiropractor turned out to be more serious than we thought, MRI revealed herniated disc pressing my spinal cord causing severe pain and muscle spasms and when I consulted with the neurosurgeon the onset of paralysis in my left hand. The neurosurgeon said the car accident was a good thing for me (my blessing). It also revealed I had a rara disease called OPLL where my posterior ligament on my spinal cord turned to bone and ther is really not much info about it. A few weeks later I was in surgery cause had i waited just 6 onths it would be too late to fix. Although the tremendous pain that was shooting down into my hands was gone immediately after surgery the healing process was painful especially after the hospital meds wore off and once released from hospital my prescriptions were changed a few weeks later. Physical therapy did help, but man did it hurt. I also continue to do my PT exercises now. I do experience pain on a daily basis meds do help and I have had to find other ways to find comfort as well because I dont want to over medicate. Im looking for a good neck pillow for support if any has a great product please share. There is some a good product I use when my muscles are tight called absorbine horse linament. I also use heat, ice and light strengthen exercise are helping me gain my muscle strength back. Yes I feel it afterwards but I also feel my strength coming back. I`m thankful to God I am able to work, exercise and dance on occassion, but i do (like today) have moments of extreme spasms and pain that puts me out. The winter months seem to be worse for me for now. I am better this year than I was last year and im sure better than I was 2yrs ago(had it been different id be paralyzed from neck down) so even in the pain I am in now I am thankful and try my best to focus on the positives and be thankful for the pain im able to feel...it could be the other way

I have had fusion at c4-c7 then 6 months later needed rods in the back from c3-c7. i take no meds and yes have pain but take herbs a "Formula 48" for pain and smoke Marajauna, not available yet in stores in Texas. I also use infrared heat to deal with pain and it heals. I pray alot and rebuke the pain and my God helps me alot. Christine if you need
I will get you the Formula 48 if you need or you can order. It's in Irving, Texas. Years to your health is the Herb store. I also do self hypnosis to deal with pain. That includes deep breathing which we need for more oxygen and to relax. The Infrared is crucial for pain!!!!!!!! Best rgds. Troy

I have had fusion at c4-c7 then 6 months later needed rods in the back from c3-c7. i take no meds and yes have pain but take herbs a "Formula 48" for pain and smoke Marajauna,(no harmful side effects) not available yet in stores in Texas. I also use infrared heat to deal with pain and it heals. I pray alot and rebuke the pain and my God helps/heals me alot. Mel if you need
I will get you the Formula 48 or you can order. It's in Irving, Texas. Years to your health is the Herb store. I also do self hypnosis to deal with pain. That includes deep breathing which we need for more oxygen and to relax. The Infrared is crucial for pain!!!!!!!! Best rgds. Troy

I have had fusion at c4-c7 then 6 months later needed rods in the back from c3-c7. i take no meds and yes have pain but take herbs a "Formula 48" for pain and smoke Marajauna, not available yet in stores in Texas. I also use infrared heat to deal with pain and it heals. I pray alot and rebuke the pain and my God helps me alot. Niserey if you need
I will get you the Formula 48 or you can order. It's in Irving, Texas. Years to your health is the Herb store. I also do self hypnosis to deal with pain. That includes deep breathing which we need for more oxygen (that heals) and to relax. The Infrared is crucial for pain!!!!!!!! Best rgds. Troy

I am 51 and on disablitiy since i have not been able to stand or sit for more than an hour a day(total time) since i got hurt in 04, so what I take a knee and Thank God i can walk ( i have problems in low back,sitting/standing and deal with but needed neck fixed) He said it i Believe it that settles it. Quote His word with faith and confidence: for as it is written by his Stripes we were healed at the Cross. We have more power than we know. Thank/Praise Him Speak to the pain in Jesus name and tell it to get behind you and expect it for my God is faithful and ever present... I have had fusion at C4-C7 June 2013 then 6 months later needed rods in the back from C3-C7. I take no meds and yes have pain, that is manageable, but take herbs a "Formula 48" for pain and smoke Marajauna (no harmful side effects), not available yet in stores in Texas. I also use infrared heat to deal with pain and it heals too. I pray alot and rebuke the pain and my God gave us His Spirit to heal and help. I still hurt but am better and blessed and He holds me up with His right hand of Rightousness!!!. FOREVER :) Ravenhair I will get you the Formula 48 if you need or you can order. It's in Irving, Texas. "Years to your health" is the Herb store. I have been taking for over 5 years. I started as the instructions said 3 twice a day, then the man who gave me the 48 called to check on me. I told him no change then he said he took 21 a day for 3 days because the insructions are the FDA saying it will not hurt anyone but also will not help you either. I felt relief on the second day but continued for 3 days. Now take 3 to 4 pills 2 to 3 times a day as needed. Find what works for you not all need the same. I walk alot because it was all i could do and dance in moderation. We have got to get up and move if you can, but i am crazy I push myself very hard and am not stopping. I also do self hypnosis to deal with pain. That includes deep breathing which we need for more oxygen and to relax. THE INFRARED HEAT IS CRUCIAL FOR THE PAIN/HEALING!!!!!!!!!!!! I am thankful in the pain for it brings me closer to Him. Crazy that we need that huh. "years to your health" also has a smoking blend/tea YUBA BLUE that i use which helps and also lowers blood pressure and helps some sleep better. Use stuff God gave us for it is good. No doctor ever told me to use my shoulders less. After looking online at C6-C7 found out for myself. I learned to walk without swinging my arms and wow the pain was better. Had to tie my arms to my body to learn not to swing them and that helped me alot. Now slowly moving them again but somtimes get in to much of a hurry hahaha i pray for you all. Best rgds. Troy

Ravenhair, I'm 51 and have a plate in front at C4-C7 and 6 month later rods in back at C3-C7, Am on no meds but take herbs which is a Formula 48 from "Years to your health" in Irving, Texas. Use INFRARED HEAT also for pain /healing have found Marijuana to be helpful with no harmful side effects. They also have a smoking blend/tea called "Yuba Blue" that also lowers blood pressure and helps some sleep better this helps with pain too. Just have to find out what works for you. Please read some of my other posts that are much longer or will e-mail to you. The stuff natural stuff God gave I feel is much better. Self hypnosis which includes deep breathing for more oxygen that is good too.

Hello Niserey, I pray that you are feeling better and pain free!

I too was an accident, (work related) and was just diagnosed on March 13 with OPLL, I am 46, currently have tingling in my pinky, ring and middle finger, and sometimes my leg goes limb, After the devastating news with my NS, I met with my orthopedic spine surgeon, who said there are two choices either be paralyzed from the neck down or have spine surgery from C2 -T1, As a single mom I have to have this surgery and I am terrified! I am learning about this disease and no one in my family has heard of this. I will be getting a posterior laminectomy with fusion.

Could you let me know what to expect, I have not come across anyone whom has had this surgery, I do know that I will be on the operating table for up to 8 hrs. Any information from anyone would be greatly appreciated,