Let me bore you with my story.. I've been suffering from headaches probably over 15 years now.. Started with MRI and found that I had a herniation between c5-c6, I tried physical therepy, trigger points, and pain blocks, all with no good results... Finally I saw a prestegious neuro-doctor in NY that told me I needed a two-sided laminectomy, where they clean out the sides of the vertebrae with a drill... Nevertheless, after the surgery, I still noticed headaches, and when I asked the Doctor, he told me there is nothing in an MRI I took, and to go to physical therepy.. I thought the surgery was going to end my dilemma... no.. So, I started eating aspirin day and night.. somehow I had a bowel twist (don't know how?) in which I need a bowel resectiion - and almost bled to death because my blood couldn't clot... Make a short story long.. I then started with Botox injections every 3 months.. This didn't help.. I finally went back to see another ortho Doctor who took a regular xray, and showed me that my C5-C6 are pratically touching each other and that I need disc fusion surgery.. which I should have had 7 years ago instead or along with the laminectomy, or did the laminectomy cause the disc to collapse more over time.... I am going to try a pain management doctor one more time, since surgery is not an option at this point in my life again (4 year old twins...), if the pain managment doctor doesn't help.. I may have to perform the surgery myself.. Has anyone had disc fusion and how long were you laid up? My wife is ready to hang me to go through another surgery. Thanks.
Loading...
Wow! sounds like you've had a lot to deal with!
I saw your post and wanted to let you know that I was one of them that tried everything prior to C-5,C-6 disc fusion with no luck.
I finally decided that the surgery would be a fast permanent fix.
Whoa! did I get a surprise! I am in worse shape now than before surgery!
Over the last 2 1/2 yrs (post surgery) I've been through it all again-injections, therapy, MRI's, etc- with no luck! I continually battle pain on a daily basis.
My suggestion for you is to RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!
There were numerous things my highly rated ortho surgeon did not tell me about this surgery. ( I may be worse, have to have the surgery again in 7-15 yrs. The list goes on and on).
So instead of relying on just what your surgeon is saying do your own research. Be prepared to ask questions. Then what ever you decide at least you'll know what you're getting into.
It's not an easy choice...but you have to do what you feel is right.
Best of luck.
I saw your post and wanted to let you know that I was one of them that tried everything prior to C-5,C-6 disc fusion with no luck.
I finally decided that the surgery would be a fast permanent fix.
Whoa! did I get a surprise! I am in worse shape now than before surgery!
Over the last 2 1/2 yrs (post surgery) I've been through it all again-injections, therapy, MRI's, etc- with no luck! I continually battle pain on a daily basis.
My suggestion for you is to RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!
There were numerous things my highly rated ortho surgeon did not tell me about this surgery. ( I may be worse, have to have the surgery again in 7-15 yrs. The list goes on and on).
So instead of relying on just what your surgeon is saying do your own research. Be prepared to ask questions. Then what ever you decide at least you'll know what you're getting into.
It's not an easy choice...but you have to do what you feel is right.
Best of luck.
Loading...
Thanks for the heads-up on the fusion... Last week I tried a cervical epidural again, figuring that it's been a long while since I had one, maybe it would help at this point in my life, well the pain went away for maybe one day.. that's it... my pain management doctor told me to get neuro-surgical advice... there's nothing else he can do... so he gave me some trigger point injections and sent me on my way.. now I am on a waiting list, may 5 is the first available appointment to a top doc in nj.. and they don't even know if he will see me since I had previous surgery, so I also await his decision, until then I live in pain, which nobody understands, since there is no physical evidence... stinks... also, I'm on cymbalta and lyrica, which don't seem to be helping for nerve pain.... did cave men have these problems.... thanks again...
Loading...