Deb F
01-27-2004, 10:45 AM
Hi all -
My alarm went off this a.m., and I couldn't feel the button to turn it off! Both hands were gone (numb) today! (Usually, it's been one at a time.) My husband had to reach over and take care of it after I just couldn't shake them out!!
I guess it's the abundance of LITTLE things that are really wearing me out right now. The list of can'ts seems to be getting a bit longer. Or is it, yes I can, but it's going to hurt like ****!
I was willing to take the meds and try to get by at least until October. Keep up with my neighbor, who got and artificial disc in the trials in November, and see how she does. Hoping that the FDA will approve the ADR in the meantime.
Stories like the one re: domino effect are frightening. The first NS that I saw said I would likely have problems down the road if I had ACDF. The 2nd NS didn't mention the possibility. Trying to figure out which is the RIGHT thing to do is such a bear sometimes!
Just getting impatient, frustrated, and needing to vent to a lot who knows what it's like.
Thanks -
Deb
My alarm went off this a.m., and I couldn't feel the button to turn it off! Both hands were gone (numb) today! (Usually, it's been one at a time.) My husband had to reach over and take care of it after I just couldn't shake them out!!
I guess it's the abundance of LITTLE things that are really wearing me out right now. The list of can'ts seems to be getting a bit longer. Or is it, yes I can, but it's going to hurt like ****!
I was willing to take the meds and try to get by at least until October. Keep up with my neighbor, who got and artificial disc in the trials in November, and see how she does. Hoping that the FDA will approve the ADR in the meantime.
Stories like the one re: domino effect are frightening. The first NS that I saw said I would likely have problems down the road if I had ACDF. The 2nd NS didn't mention the possibility. Trying to figure out which is the RIGHT thing to do is such a bear sometimes!
Just getting impatient, frustrated, and needing to vent to a lot who knows what it's like.
Thanks -
Deb
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Rolex
01-27-2004, 02:05 PM
Deb,
My Neurosurgeon is also involved in the artificial disk study and
this is what he told me. They are installing 450 AD. They should have
that number by spring. After those are all installed, they are going to study them
for two years to see how they do compared to fusion. After 2 years from
this spring the info will then be evaulated. It will then be sent to FDA for approval
That could take another 2 years. Maybe longer. My Doctor said I couldn't wait that
long. I should know by this Friday if I am getting the disk. If I don't, I will have to
start saving my money to go to Canada or Australia. Have you considered doing that?
My Neurosurgeon is also involved in the artificial disk study and
this is what he told me. They are installing 450 AD. They should have
that number by spring. After those are all installed, they are going to study them
for two years to see how they do compared to fusion. After 2 years from
this spring the info will then be evaulated. It will then be sent to FDA for approval
That could take another 2 years. Maybe longer. My Doctor said I couldn't wait that
long. I should know by this Friday if I am getting the disk. If I don't, I will have to
start saving my money to go to Canada or Australia. Have you considered doing that?
Deb F
01-27-2004, 03:23 PM
Rolex -
Thanks for responding.
Didn't realize that it would take that long - pretty disheartening!
Hadn't considered the "out of the country option."
I will keep it in mind as another alternative.
Deb
Thanks for responding.
Didn't realize that it would take that long - pretty disheartening!
Hadn't considered the "out of the country option."
I will keep it in mind as another alternative.
Deb
irish34
01-27-2004, 11:18 PM
Well Deb--
Hopefully I'll be able to give you some more solid advice after my surgery. It could prove helpful since he is local for you as well. Funny thing here too--my right thunb and pointer finger went numb yesterday...all the numbness has been on the left so far.
I have been MIA....HORRIBLE tooth pain--they had to cut my jaw bone. What a life!
Take Care--
Irish
Hopefully I'll be able to give you some more solid advice after my surgery. It could prove helpful since he is local for you as well. Funny thing here too--my right thunb and pointer finger went numb yesterday...all the numbness has been on the left so far.
I have been MIA....HORRIBLE tooth pain--they had to cut my jaw bone. What a life!
Take Care--
Irish
Deb F
01-28-2004, 12:39 PM
Cj -
Glad to hear from you.
As much as I hate to say it, I'm looking forward to your surgery and the outcome (sorry you have to go thru it though!)
Read up on your MD - sounds impressive. We have a friend who will be having a lumbar disc surgery at St. Lukes the end of Feb., so I will have even more info on the hospital, etc.. first hand from people who have actually been there. My day yesterday was such a bummer. I had tried not taking pain meds or muscle relaxers for 4 days - oops! Still hoping I just slept wrong, but am back on meds for the time being. Oh well -
Really sorry about the additional misery you are suffering now. Do take care, I'm thinking about you.
Deb
Glad to hear from you.
As much as I hate to say it, I'm looking forward to your surgery and the outcome (sorry you have to go thru it though!)
Read up on your MD - sounds impressive. We have a friend who will be having a lumbar disc surgery at St. Lukes the end of Feb., so I will have even more info on the hospital, etc.. first hand from people who have actually been there. My day yesterday was such a bummer. I had tried not taking pain meds or muscle relaxers for 4 days - oops! Still hoping I just slept wrong, but am back on meds for the time being. Oh well -
Really sorry about the additional misery you are suffering now. Do take care, I'm thinking about you.
Deb
irish34
01-28-2004, 08:05 PM
Deb,
I have to go back to the dentist tomorrow, may have a dry pocket formed. If this puts off the surgery again, I will go nuts. I can't wait any longer.
Do you know the surgeons name who is doing your friends surgery?!? My friends dad also had one done at St. Luke's by another surgeon--was pleased with all.
Do you know now if you definitely need the ACDF? Is your insurance going to cover it?
As far as pain meds...I have percocet right now, but when I take it I get nauseated if I'm up and about, but ok when lying down. This is likely the 8th meds they've tried...the first 6 didn't work, the 7th was oxycodone and when I took that I felt comatosed. Sick, the sweats and chills. Just yucky! So, I've pretty much tolerated all this pain for the past 6 months with nothing. I decided that I rather be in pain with my neck and back than being sick to my stomach and just having the edge of the pain gone. I can't wait to be pain free, hopefully. I've just learned to be realistic about the surgery. My surgeons asst. had the surgery on a Friday and was back at work on Tuesday. Sounds a bit rushed to me. I hope the Dr. is not rushed in his recovery. I DON'T want to end up there again.
If/When you have the surgery--will you use a donor bone?
Hopefully the pain has subsided a bit for you. I am just tired of pain, plain and simple.
Take care of yourself!
Irish
I have to go back to the dentist tomorrow, may have a dry pocket formed. If this puts off the surgery again, I will go nuts. I can't wait any longer.
Do you know the surgeons name who is doing your friends surgery?!? My friends dad also had one done at St. Luke's by another surgeon--was pleased with all.
Do you know now if you definitely need the ACDF? Is your insurance going to cover it?
As far as pain meds...I have percocet right now, but when I take it I get nauseated if I'm up and about, but ok when lying down. This is likely the 8th meds they've tried...the first 6 didn't work, the 7th was oxycodone and when I took that I felt comatosed. Sick, the sweats and chills. Just yucky! So, I've pretty much tolerated all this pain for the past 6 months with nothing. I decided that I rather be in pain with my neck and back than being sick to my stomach and just having the edge of the pain gone. I can't wait to be pain free, hopefully. I've just learned to be realistic about the surgery. My surgeons asst. had the surgery on a Friday and was back at work on Tuesday. Sounds a bit rushed to me. I hope the Dr. is not rushed in his recovery. I DON'T want to end up there again.
If/When you have the surgery--will you use a donor bone?
Hopefully the pain has subsided a bit for you. I am just tired of pain, plain and simple.
Take care of yourself!
Irish
Deb F
01-28-2004, 08:33 PM
Hey Irish -
Yes, according to NS #1 and #2 surgery is recommended. It's up to me to decide when I've had enough pain, and numbness (start dropping things) to accept the necessary surgery,which would be an ACDF. The PT that I saw said I have to be careful, as sometimes you can wait too long and do permanent nerve damage. My family MD said he would wait at least a year, if possible, because some of the symptoms that I am experiencing could be related to whiplash and that, in his opinion, can take 6 mo. to 2 yrs. to settle down. So, it's become a waiting game that is no fun! Although, there's no denying the herniated disc at c6-7 and the radiculopathy(spelling?)
In re: to donor or self (if it is an option) I would opt for myself. Wouldn't even want to think about rejection.
I think the name of the surgeon that our friend is seeing is Dr. White.(I'd have to double ck. w/him to be sure.)
Really sorry for you if you have a dry socket. Get it taken care of ASAP! If you wait it could become infected. The packing material they use tastes pretty bad, but really provides relief. Again, more luck!!!
Take care,
Deb
Yes, according to NS #1 and #2 surgery is recommended. It's up to me to decide when I've had enough pain, and numbness (start dropping things) to accept the necessary surgery,which would be an ACDF. The PT that I saw said I have to be careful, as sometimes you can wait too long and do permanent nerve damage. My family MD said he would wait at least a year, if possible, because some of the symptoms that I am experiencing could be related to whiplash and that, in his opinion, can take 6 mo. to 2 yrs. to settle down. So, it's become a waiting game that is no fun! Although, there's no denying the herniated disc at c6-7 and the radiculopathy(spelling?)
In re: to donor or self (if it is an option) I would opt for myself. Wouldn't even want to think about rejection.
I think the name of the surgeon that our friend is seeing is Dr. White.(I'd have to double ck. w/him to be sure.)
Really sorry for you if you have a dry socket. Get it taken care of ASAP! If you wait it could become infected. The packing material they use tastes pretty bad, but really provides relief. Again, more luck!!!
Take care,
Deb
irish34
01-29-2004, 12:54 AM
Deb,
I am just patiently waiting for some sort of normalcy in my life right now and it seems nowhere to be found.
Dr. Frank gave me the option of using donor or my own. I'm still trying to decide, but I feel the same as you--I don't want a rejection. I'd rather the pain in my hip for awhile rather than a rejection with a donor bone. But I am still so up in the air about it. And I am so scared. I never thought I would fear something so much. I've had 2 c-sections, but this is just over the edge.
When do you think you will decide on surgery? Has PT helped you?
Take care and lots of good thoughts coming your way.....
I am just patiently waiting for some sort of normalcy in my life right now and it seems nowhere to be found.
Dr. Frank gave me the option of using donor or my own. I'm still trying to decide, but I feel the same as you--I don't want a rejection. I'd rather the pain in my hip for awhile rather than a rejection with a donor bone. But I am still so up in the air about it. And I am so scared. I never thought I would fear something so much. I've had 2 c-sections, but this is just over the edge.
When do you think you will decide on surgery? Has PT helped you?
Take care and lots of good thoughts coming your way.....
Deb F
01-29-2004, 09:59 AM
Irish -
"There's nothing to fear, but fear itself!" Yeah, right - whos quote was that anyway ( probably some general leading his troups into battle...)
Anyway, if possible I'll put off surgery until October.
I have been good and careful, to this point - rest and walking per NS rec.. However, my husb. has a good case of cabin fever, and has booked a trip to Texas next week. Get this, I'm fearin the vacation. A ride in the car to Madison (25 miles) makes me uncomfy, so a planeride should be a thrill. Told him I was very hesitant about my ability to travel. He said he would take care of all the luggage, etc... and he thinks that I can use a change of scenery. All meds will be close at hand! He's getting antsy about me not doing things (running, biking, canoeing, hiking, ball games, life...) and questions if it is fear or pain, or what? I got a bit testy, and hurt. I'm doing the best I can, and somedays even he doesn't understand! So, if I continue to have increasing symptoms surgery will be moved closer, we'll see.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Deb
"There's nothing to fear, but fear itself!" Yeah, right - whos quote was that anyway ( probably some general leading his troups into battle...)
Anyway, if possible I'll put off surgery until October.
I have been good and careful, to this point - rest and walking per NS rec.. However, my husb. has a good case of cabin fever, and has booked a trip to Texas next week. Get this, I'm fearin the vacation. A ride in the car to Madison (25 miles) makes me uncomfy, so a planeride should be a thrill. Told him I was very hesitant about my ability to travel. He said he would take care of all the luggage, etc... and he thinks that I can use a change of scenery. All meds will be close at hand! He's getting antsy about me not doing things (running, biking, canoeing, hiking, ball games, life...) and questions if it is fear or pain, or what? I got a bit testy, and hurt. I'm doing the best I can, and somedays even he doesn't understand! So, if I continue to have increasing symptoms surgery will be moved closer, we'll see.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Deb
lexie3131
01-29-2004, 10:09 AM
Hey Deb-
I just want you to know I'm thinking about you. I understand the fear to go anywhere in a car. My fiance' also gets cabin fever and I try to get him to go places without me. I'm afraid to do anything for fear I'm going to be rear ended in a car. Plus the fact after walking around a store for 15 minutes I'm in a lot of pain and my ear starts to go numb. I just wanted to let you know you're not alone. Even though you have your fears..I hope you have a wonderful trip. If it helps..I always ride in the back seat. That way I don't have an airbag deployed in my face.
Lexie
I just want you to know I'm thinking about you. I understand the fear to go anywhere in a car. My fiance' also gets cabin fever and I try to get him to go places without me. I'm afraid to do anything for fear I'm going to be rear ended in a car. Plus the fact after walking around a store for 15 minutes I'm in a lot of pain and my ear starts to go numb. I just wanted to let you know you're not alone. Even though you have your fears..I hope you have a wonderful trip. If it helps..I always ride in the back seat. That way I don't have an airbag deployed in my face.
Lexie