lori3234
06-10-2007, 05:59 PM
I really need to talk to someone who has cervical spinal stenosis. is anyone out there? i am desperate...
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poopoopadoop
06-10-2007, 09:18 PM
I 'had' severe cervical spinal stenosis with spinal cord compression. I also had one-level ACDF surgery 2 months ago and am feeling good now.
Lisa
Lisa
moonchaser
06-10-2007, 09:22 PM
Hi Lori. I have moderate to severe cervical spinal stenosis. I have tried a lot of the conservative approaches for treatment thus far and am currently undergoing consultations with neurosurgeons for next steps. What topics exactly did you want to talk about?
Laenini
06-11-2007, 12:02 AM
I can help too. I had a C4-5 ACDF for cervical spinal stenosis 7 months ago. For that matter, there are dozens of us here who regularly check these boards who have or have had cervical spinal stenosis. Feel free to post your concerns and I am sure you will get lots of replies and support. You have come to the right place!
MargaretM123
06-11-2007, 03:08 PM
I, too, have cervical spinal stenosis and will undergo ACDF surgery this Thursday. I'm kind of like you, afraid of the diagnosis, afraid of the surgery, and afraid to do nothing. Hang in there. The people on this board have been very supportive and helpful.
Marge
Marge
sunshine221
06-12-2007, 08:09 AM
I had severe spinal stenosis C4-C7 - no pain just lost of weird neuro symptoms. I got three surgical opinions and opted for laminectomy instead of ACDF -- laminectomy is surgery from the rear where the vertebra is opened up to make room for the cord to decompress. Frankly I stilll have some ongoing issues, but I would make the same decision again.
I still have no pain, but I do have a limp and they say some permanent damage in the cord. My other neuro symptoms pretty much resolved.
Good luck
ps - my problems started at age 46 with no known reason (just "wear and tear")
I still have no pain, but I do have a limp and they say some permanent damage in the cord. My other neuro symptoms pretty much resolved.
Good luck
ps - my problems started at age 46 with no known reason (just "wear and tear")
justmitype
06-13-2007, 08:29 PM
I also have cervical stenosis with cord compression. I've had 3 opinions- neurosurgeons and orthopedic spinal surgeon. My stenosis is from c4 - c7 and the Drs are conflicted if I need surgery or not and say it's really my choice. 1 Dr said definitely - 1 Dr said it's not black or white and 1 Dr said with my MRI he would not have surgery. So right now I'm doing nothing but checking on it every few months. I'm still a nervous wreck though. I never had symptoms except for imaginery ones that seem to come and go when I think too much. It's a tough way to live, that I can tell you. The Surgeon I would use decided I would have a cervical laminectomy if I decide to have surgery.
sunshine221
06-15-2007, 08:08 PM
Justmitype - The doc who did my laminectomy was Dr Z in central upstate NY and I highly recommend him (don't know if I'm allowed to give names) - the hospital was small however and the nursing staff not real familiar with the procedure. Good luck - if your symptoms get worse don't hesitate - the surgery wasn't so bad.
justmitype
06-16-2007, 10:51 AM
I really like the 2nd surgeon I saw and when/if I decide to have surgery will go with him. He was honest enough to send me for other opinions (actually gave me 2 other surgeons to go to) because he felt I was in such a "gray" area. He said I needed really honest surgeons, not drs who were really anxious to cut, which I appreciated. Supposidly he is the Dr who operated on Gloria Estefan, or at least part of the team who did her surgery, after her bus accident. He never mentioned that, but the Dr who recommended him to me told me this.
The strangest part of all this is I have no pain, thankfully, yet I never stop thinking about it and worry about it all the time.
The strangest part of all this is I have no pain, thankfully, yet I never stop thinking about it and worry about it all the time.
sunshine221
06-16-2007, 03:29 PM
justmitype -- I too have had no pain - you might want to research my earlier posts - my surgery was Sept 05. The explanation is that the spinal cord itself is constricted, not the peripheral nerves. Right before surgery I had all sorts of symptoms that got worse over a 4-5 month periods, but the first symptoms (which I ignored for a LONG time) was about a year before surgery. My problems just before surgery included -- no right arm swing (the first symptom noticed), right leg not swinging properly, major balance problems - I felt like I needed a cane (I was 47 at surgery), dropping things, tremors, numbness, cold in foot and a "sense of urgency" (not quite incontinence). Most of my symptoms are better except for a bit of a limp (my heel/ball/toe motion doesn't work) and the arm swing along with an ocassional cold foot and a trigger in the right ring finger. A july 06 MRI showed some permanent damage in the spine and a neuromuscular doc says that I might also have parkinson's/parkinsonism in addition to the spine problems (I'm not sure I buy that, but Requip is helping me at a very small dose). All that said, while my walking is "funny" - I have NO PAIN and do lots of exercise (will probably try tennis with hubby this afternoon). Hang in there!!!
lori3234
06-16-2007, 04:50 PM
thanks for everyones replies and help. i am desperate and confused. my pain management doctor seems to think cervical epidurals are what i need for now but they only last a month at most and then the symtoms return. i dont want to go thru my life having these monthly without really any real treatment, but the thought of surgery scares me to death. i do however see a top rated iowa nuerosurgeon July 23.
my dear friend is a dr, a plastic surgeon so he makes sure i get the best care if its not in his realm of work. he even did my hernia surgery and did an awesome job. i trust his recommendations and this nuerosurgeon was one. what does everyone think?
my dear friend is a dr, a plastic surgeon so he makes sure i get the best care if its not in his realm of work. he even did my hernia surgery and did an awesome job. i trust his recommendations and this nuerosurgeon was one. what does everyone think?
moonchaser
06-17-2007, 09:51 PM
I think you are very blessed to have a trusted friend who happens to be a doctor and can make educated referrals to you for good neurosurgeons. I am fortunate that a good friend of mine is a physical therapist. Even though at the end of the day everyone has their own opinions, it's comforting for me to know that my friend really does have my best interests at heart and is truly trying to help me. I'd say go talk to the neurosurgeon your dr. friend recommends. It can't hurt to talk to them and get more info. Good luck!