Fiona_Jo_324
01-28-2008, 05:51 AM
Well, I had my six month visit Post fusion - C/5-C/7. I have still been experiencing pain and spasming, so I was anticipating not so good news - but was HOPING for the best (if that makes sense). I was hoping that maybe the pain was due to the fact that I haven't been released to PT yet and that I just needed to build strength.
Well, I'm not fusing yet and I'm so bummed. :( It likes why did I go through this surgery and post surgery challenges if I'm ending up still in pain and not fused? So, I'm still required to use the bone growth stimulator and now I need to wear the soft collar more again. So, I feel like I'm regressing a bit. However, I will do whatever I have to ensure fusion.
In one sense six months is still early, however I get fearful of my surgeons response to my x-rays. Like he's not expecting much improvement. (I could just be reading his body language wrong). He even brought up a potential other surgery that COULD be done (only this time going through the back of neck to repair it) which would mean an even worse recovery with so much to cut through. :( However, I said NO to that immediately, I just can't see putting myself through another surgery and he completely understood. Unless, I'm told my neck could potentially put my life in danger, I refuse to go through another surgery.
Currently, I am still taking about six Norcos per day and 3 Somas. I actually think my pain level is such I could actually take something stronger, but I feel like I need to be able to gauge my pain (if that makes sense).
My questions are:
- Has anyone had to go through the "repair" surgery where they go in from the BACK of the neck? How was your recovery? I can only imagine horrible.
- I feel like the conservative route is the best, how do others feel? Would you remain more conservative with this? I know we're all different, but I was just wondering how others would feel in my situation.
- Any suggestions about how to stay positive at this point? I'm trying to look at it like six months is still early, but I just have such a weird feeling that this is as good as it will get. It's like it's gotten to a point and theres been NO change since my last X-Ray. It seems like there would have been some change, but it looks like the same X-Ray.
Any comments are appreciated!! :angel:
~ Fiona :wave:
Well, I'm not fusing yet and I'm so bummed. :( It likes why did I go through this surgery and post surgery challenges if I'm ending up still in pain and not fused? So, I'm still required to use the bone growth stimulator and now I need to wear the soft collar more again. So, I feel like I'm regressing a bit. However, I will do whatever I have to ensure fusion.
In one sense six months is still early, however I get fearful of my surgeons response to my x-rays. Like he's not expecting much improvement. (I could just be reading his body language wrong). He even brought up a potential other surgery that COULD be done (only this time going through the back of neck to repair it) which would mean an even worse recovery with so much to cut through. :( However, I said NO to that immediately, I just can't see putting myself through another surgery and he completely understood. Unless, I'm told my neck could potentially put my life in danger, I refuse to go through another surgery.
Currently, I am still taking about six Norcos per day and 3 Somas. I actually think my pain level is such I could actually take something stronger, but I feel like I need to be able to gauge my pain (if that makes sense).
My questions are:
- Has anyone had to go through the "repair" surgery where they go in from the BACK of the neck? How was your recovery? I can only imagine horrible.
- I feel like the conservative route is the best, how do others feel? Would you remain more conservative with this? I know we're all different, but I was just wondering how others would feel in my situation.
- Any suggestions about how to stay positive at this point? I'm trying to look at it like six months is still early, but I just have such a weird feeling that this is as good as it will get. It's like it's gotten to a point and theres been NO change since my last X-Ray. It seems like there would have been some change, but it looks like the same X-Ray.
Any comments are appreciated!! :angel:
~ Fiona :wave:
Sponsor
poopoopadoop
01-28-2008, 08:03 PM
Hi, Fiona,
Sorry about the non-fusing. What did the dr. say about the lack of fusion? I also would not rush into another surgery at this point (but maybe I would later on if it didn't get better). I feel bad for you that you still have a significant amount of pain. Let us know what happens...
Lisa :)
Well, I had my six month visit Post fusion - C/5-C/7. I have still been experiencing pain and spasming, so I was anticipating not so good news - but was HOPING for the best (if that makes sense). I was hoping that maybe the pain was due to the fact that I haven't been released to PT yet and that I just needed to build strength.
Well, I'm not fusing yet and I'm so bummed. :( It likes why did I go through this surgery and post surgery challenges if I'm ending up still in pain and not fused? So, I'm still required to use the bone growth stimulator and now I need to wear the soft collar more again. So, I feel like I'm regressing a bit. However, I will do whatever I have to ensure fusion.
In one sense six months is still early, however I get fearful of my surgeons response to my x-rays. Like he's not expecting much improvement. (I could just be reading his body language wrong). He even brought up a potential other surgery that COULD be done (only this time going through the back of neck to repair it) which would mean an even worse recovery with so much to cut through. :( However, I said NO to that immediately, I just can't see putting myself through another surgery and he completely understood. Unless, I'm told my neck could potentially put my life in danger, I refuse to go through another surgery.
Currently, I am still taking about six Norcos per day and 3 Somas. I actually think my pain level is such I could actually take something stronger, but I feel like I need to be able to gauge my pain (if that makes sense).
My questions are:
- Has anyone had to go through the "repair" surgery where they go in from the BACK of the neck? How was your recovery? I can only imagine horrible.
- I feel like the conservative route is the best, how do others feel? Would you remain more conservative with this? I know we're all different, but I was just wondering how others would feel in my situation.
- Any suggestions about how to stay positive at this point? I'm trying to look at it like six months is still early, but I just have such a weird feeling that this is as good as it will get. It's like it's gotten to a point and theres been NO change since my last X-Ray. It seems like there would have been some change, but it looks like the same X-Ray.
Any comments are appreciated!! :angel:
~ Fiona :wave:
Sorry about the non-fusing. What did the dr. say about the lack of fusion? I also would not rush into another surgery at this point (but maybe I would later on if it didn't get better). I feel bad for you that you still have a significant amount of pain. Let us know what happens...
Lisa :)
Well, I had my six month visit Post fusion - C/5-C/7. I have still been experiencing pain and spasming, so I was anticipating not so good news - but was HOPING for the best (if that makes sense). I was hoping that maybe the pain was due to the fact that I haven't been released to PT yet and that I just needed to build strength.
Well, I'm not fusing yet and I'm so bummed. :( It likes why did I go through this surgery and post surgery challenges if I'm ending up still in pain and not fused? So, I'm still required to use the bone growth stimulator and now I need to wear the soft collar more again. So, I feel like I'm regressing a bit. However, I will do whatever I have to ensure fusion.
In one sense six months is still early, however I get fearful of my surgeons response to my x-rays. Like he's not expecting much improvement. (I could just be reading his body language wrong). He even brought up a potential other surgery that COULD be done (only this time going through the back of neck to repair it) which would mean an even worse recovery with so much to cut through. :( However, I said NO to that immediately, I just can't see putting myself through another surgery and he completely understood. Unless, I'm told my neck could potentially put my life in danger, I refuse to go through another surgery.
Currently, I am still taking about six Norcos per day and 3 Somas. I actually think my pain level is such I could actually take something stronger, but I feel like I need to be able to gauge my pain (if that makes sense).
My questions are:
- Has anyone had to go through the "repair" surgery where they go in from the BACK of the neck? How was your recovery? I can only imagine horrible.
- I feel like the conservative route is the best, how do others feel? Would you remain more conservative with this? I know we're all different, but I was just wondering how others would feel in my situation.
- Any suggestions about how to stay positive at this point? I'm trying to look at it like six months is still early, but I just have such a weird feeling that this is as good as it will get. It's like it's gotten to a point and theres been NO change since my last X-Ray. It seems like there would have been some change, but it looks like the same X-Ray.
Any comments are appreciated!! :angel:
~ Fiona :wave:
Fiona_Jo_324
01-28-2008, 08:32 PM
Lisa,
Thanks for your reply. I definitely agree with you and will not rush back into surgery (especially given what the surgery would involve - it really scares me). It seems like there's never any guarantee of significant improvement. Now, I wish I had given my other surgery more thought. It seemed like I had reached the point where it was the only option, but since I haven't had significant improvement and many of the same issues, I'm now skepitical.
I do still believe my surgeon is incredible. Heck I over-heard a woman in his office who had surgey in late-September and completely fused and she couldn't praise him enough, she was completely pain-free. So, I know my surgeon is great at what he does and I don't blame him. He seems so concerned about my lack of fusing (or the fact that I just got to a certain point and didn't completely stablize/fuse from there). I do fee like he was giving me the last option to consider when bringing up the surgery - I guess he has to put all the options out there.
I will continue to go the conservative route - wear my brace more and the Growth Bone stimulator and hope in the next two months there is some goods. My surgeon did say he once had a man that took 17 months to Fuse!! WOW!! So, I can be patient. :)
Thanks again for your response, it means so much!
~ Fiona :wave:
Thanks for your reply. I definitely agree with you and will not rush back into surgery (especially given what the surgery would involve - it really scares me). It seems like there's never any guarantee of significant improvement. Now, I wish I had given my other surgery more thought. It seemed like I had reached the point where it was the only option, but since I haven't had significant improvement and many of the same issues, I'm now skepitical.
I do still believe my surgeon is incredible. Heck I over-heard a woman in his office who had surgey in late-September and completely fused and she couldn't praise him enough, she was completely pain-free. So, I know my surgeon is great at what he does and I don't blame him. He seems so concerned about my lack of fusing (or the fact that I just got to a certain point and didn't completely stablize/fuse from there). I do fee like he was giving me the last option to consider when bringing up the surgery - I guess he has to put all the options out there.
I will continue to go the conservative route - wear my brace more and the Growth Bone stimulator and hope in the next two months there is some goods. My surgeon did say he once had a man that took 17 months to Fuse!! WOW!! So, I can be patient. :)
Thanks again for your response, it means so much!
~ Fiona :wave:
neckpatient
01-29-2008, 02:04 PM
Sorry you are still having trouble and pain.
I was told the soft collars don't do that much for you, did you discuss maybe moving into a hard collar for 6-10 weeks constant wear along with the bone growth stimulator to see if that can help? I know pain in the neck (pun intended), but maybe worthwhile. If it were me, I wouldn't be rushing into any "fix" surgery. I would keep on the conservative path, I kept fusing for a very long time on my 2nd surgery, it toolk almost 15 months. Along with these measures you could bump up your nutrition, maybe consult a nutritionist.
I was told the soft collars don't do that much for you, did you discuss maybe moving into a hard collar for 6-10 weeks constant wear along with the bone growth stimulator to see if that can help? I know pain in the neck (pun intended), but maybe worthwhile. If it were me, I wouldn't be rushing into any "fix" surgery. I would keep on the conservative path, I kept fusing for a very long time on my 2nd surgery, it toolk almost 15 months. Along with these measures you could bump up your nutrition, maybe consult a nutritionist.
Fiona_Jo_324
01-29-2008, 08:18 PM
neckpatient:
Thanks so much for the suggestions. Now, I'm wondering if he meant the hard collar. Thanks for bringing that up. I still have my hard collar from Post-surgery and when he said collar, I just assumed soft. I will call him and find out if I should be wearing the hard collar. You're right makes sense. That's also a great idea about consulting a nutritionist. I will try and do that. I am taking Calcium my Surgeon prescribed post surgery and do try to eat pretty well, but you are right there is probably more I could be doing with my diet.
Thanks for the suggestions. :angel:
~ Fiona :wave:
Thanks so much for the suggestions. Now, I'm wondering if he meant the hard collar. Thanks for bringing that up. I still have my hard collar from Post-surgery and when he said collar, I just assumed soft. I will call him and find out if I should be wearing the hard collar. You're right makes sense. That's also a great idea about consulting a nutritionist. I will try and do that. I am taking Calcium my Surgeon prescribed post surgery and do try to eat pretty well, but you are right there is probably more I could be doing with my diet.
Thanks for the suggestions. :angel:
~ Fiona :wave:
neckpatient
02-01-2008, 02:19 AM
Fiona_Jo_324 did you call and what collar did they say? On nutrition try to get diet rich in calcium, iron, and foods that help circulation. Hydrate with lots of water every day!
skych
02-02-2008, 10:27 AM
Fiona,
So nice to hear from you but sorry about the non fusing.
I dont blame you about not wanting to go through another neck surgery.
I am sure you have been reading some on the boards. I have been posting a lot inthe pain management are. Back and forth.
Anyway I was not having my surgery for fusion just decompression it is call a laminotomy and foraminotomy. The make the inscision in on the posterior side of the neck.
I think that the surgery did help the issues that is was supposed to help but I am still having trouble with the C 5-6 disk that they are now going to investigate more to see why I have so much pain coming from there.
Anyway going through the posterior side I would say is pretty painful. Now I am not sure what kind of re vision or whatever that your surgeon would do but they do have a lot of muscle to go through back there.
I really hope that you that things start to get better for you. I know that it has been such a long time.
You were one of the first people to reach out to me in this section of the health board and I think of you often.
All the best....
Chrissy
So nice to hear from you but sorry about the non fusing.
I dont blame you about not wanting to go through another neck surgery.
I am sure you have been reading some on the boards. I have been posting a lot inthe pain management are. Back and forth.
Anyway I was not having my surgery for fusion just decompression it is call a laminotomy and foraminotomy. The make the inscision in on the posterior side of the neck.
I think that the surgery did help the issues that is was supposed to help but I am still having trouble with the C 5-6 disk that they are now going to investigate more to see why I have so much pain coming from there.
Anyway going through the posterior side I would say is pretty painful. Now I am not sure what kind of re vision or whatever that your surgeon would do but they do have a lot of muscle to go through back there.
I really hope that you that things start to get better for you. I know that it has been such a long time.
You were one of the first people to reach out to me in this section of the health board and I think of you often.
All the best....
Chrissy
Fiona_Jo_324
02-02-2008, 07:26 PM
Chrissy:^
So, good to hear from you. With as awful as I've been feeling and the good days in the minority, I just got to the point where I didn't feel I had much to say on the forum. I know that's a bad attitude to take and I should post no matter what, but it's like we put ourselves through these surgeries, with positive anticipation for improvement and we don't get the improvement we expect and it's very disappointing. :( So, it seems on my good days I just do what I can around the house to try to stay on top of stuff and then on my bad days, I rest and try to deal with the pain.
I know you can relate you've been through such a rough time and I'm so sorry you're still in pain. You always sound so positive and I'm sure everyone here appreciates your kind and caring upbeat attitude. I hope you find out something soon and what is the source of the pain you're still experiencing.
I go back to my surgeon in 6 weeks and hopefully I will have good news at that point.
Thanks so much for your word of support and I pray you get answers very soon as well. :angel:
neckpatient: ^^
YES!! You were correct, it was the hard collar that I'm supposed to wear> Talk about feeling silly. I appreciate your bringing that up, I felt so silly, I just assumed the soft collar - not smart I know. So, I've been wearing the hard collar around the house and the bone growth stimulator four hours per day as well.
I actually got an appointment with a nutritionist that deals with spinal issues. I definitely will take your suggestions and have been trying to really eat the protein, calcium and vitamin D rich foods. I appreciate the input so much. You've help me so much!! :angel:
~ Fiona :wave:
So, good to hear from you. With as awful as I've been feeling and the good days in the minority, I just got to the point where I didn't feel I had much to say on the forum. I know that's a bad attitude to take and I should post no matter what, but it's like we put ourselves through these surgeries, with positive anticipation for improvement and we don't get the improvement we expect and it's very disappointing. :( So, it seems on my good days I just do what I can around the house to try to stay on top of stuff and then on my bad days, I rest and try to deal with the pain.
I know you can relate you've been through such a rough time and I'm so sorry you're still in pain. You always sound so positive and I'm sure everyone here appreciates your kind and caring upbeat attitude. I hope you find out something soon and what is the source of the pain you're still experiencing.
I go back to my surgeon in 6 weeks and hopefully I will have good news at that point.
Thanks so much for your word of support and I pray you get answers very soon as well. :angel:
neckpatient: ^^
YES!! You were correct, it was the hard collar that I'm supposed to wear> Talk about feeling silly. I appreciate your bringing that up, I felt so silly, I just assumed the soft collar - not smart I know. So, I've been wearing the hard collar around the house and the bone growth stimulator four hours per day as well.
I actually got an appointment with a nutritionist that deals with spinal issues. I definitely will take your suggestions and have been trying to really eat the protein, calcium and vitamin D rich foods. I appreciate the input so much. You've help me so much!! :angel:
~ Fiona :wave: