rickyt
10-20-2003, 03:15 PM
Great Site! Good to find someone who can relate to my situation, although I wish none of us had to experience this!
I’m 49 years old and last year I was diagnosed with “moderate cervical stenosis”, 4-5/5-6 disks with a bone spur. I have had three MRI's, mylogram and catscan. I have been through therapy, used traction, cortisone packs, trigger point injections and had three epidurals none has helped much. Starting the epidurals again this Friday and was told that I can only have them once a year.
The dilemma is that my work (Computer Aided Drafting) keeps it in an aggravated state by pinching the nerve. I have lived the last year and half with a continuous cycle of pain and cannot continue like this much longer.
I love my job but sitting at a pc drawing take it toll on me. The therapist said as the day progresses my muscles relax and I don’t have much space, which keeps the nerve inflamed.
I saw one surgeon and he said he would not operate because it was not bad enough. Saw a second surgeon who said he would not make a decision that day and he brought my case in front of a board. He then said he would operate but informed me that there is not a good success ratio, about 60%. I understand once disk are fused the other disk above/below wear out much faster. That is why they wait till it is absolutely necessary.
With the negatives involved in surgery should I pursue that or take a few months off from work to see if I can live a productive life without pain.
I do understand that this is not going away and I will be limited to what I can do. If that helps relieve the pain then simply put I will not work and then have the surgery when or if necessary. I'm blessed in that I have disability insurance and with the "Family Leave" I could leave work for up to three months and go back if it does not help. Any thoughts greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Ricky
I’m 49 years old and last year I was diagnosed with “moderate cervical stenosis”, 4-5/5-6 disks with a bone spur. I have had three MRI's, mylogram and catscan. I have been through therapy, used traction, cortisone packs, trigger point injections and had three epidurals none has helped much. Starting the epidurals again this Friday and was told that I can only have them once a year.
The dilemma is that my work (Computer Aided Drafting) keeps it in an aggravated state by pinching the nerve. I have lived the last year and half with a continuous cycle of pain and cannot continue like this much longer.
I love my job but sitting at a pc drawing take it toll on me. The therapist said as the day progresses my muscles relax and I don’t have much space, which keeps the nerve inflamed.
I saw one surgeon and he said he would not operate because it was not bad enough. Saw a second surgeon who said he would not make a decision that day and he brought my case in front of a board. He then said he would operate but informed me that there is not a good success ratio, about 60%. I understand once disk are fused the other disk above/below wear out much faster. That is why they wait till it is absolutely necessary.
With the negatives involved in surgery should I pursue that or take a few months off from work to see if I can live a productive life without pain.
I do understand that this is not going away and I will be limited to what I can do. If that helps relieve the pain then simply put I will not work and then have the surgery when or if necessary. I'm blessed in that I have disability insurance and with the "Family Leave" I could leave work for up to three months and go back if it does not help. Any thoughts greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Ricky