Need Help, cervical spine - Pain Management Message Board

MsAlligirl · 01-21-2005, 06:24 PM

Hi, Im new on here and was wondering if anyone had some info for me. I have had chronic neck, shoulder, head pain for almost 3 yrs, left side. I went to a Chiro 2 yrs ago who ssaid he thought I had a ruptured disk. He then sent me to a Dr. who agreed and wanted me to have an MRI. But since I had no ins I did not do it. Over time it has just gotten worse and I can hardly function. I have Ins now so I saw a Dr., had an MRI and found out I have 3 ruptured disk, 4, 5, & 6. I tried physical therapy with no luck. I go Tuesday for an injection. And see a surgeon next Friday. Im nervious about surgery since I have heard so many horor stories. The Dr has told me to not work until I talk to the surgeon. He said Im a time bomb ready to go off, whatever that means. Has anyone gone through this and do you have any advise? I would sure appreciate it.....Thanks

Marg001 · 01-21-2005, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsAlligirl

Hi, Im new on here and was wondering if anyone had some info for me. I have had chronic neck, shoulder, head pain for almost 3 yrs, left side. I went to a Chiro 2 yrs ago who ssaid he thought I had a ruptured disk. He then sent me to a Dr. who agreed and wanted me to have an MRI. But since I had no ins I did not do it. Over time it has just gotten worse and I can hardly function. I have Ins now so I saw a Dr., had an MRI and found out I have 3 ruptured disk, 4, 5, & 6. I tried physical therapy with no luck. I go Tuesday for an injection. And see a surgeon next Friday. Im nervious about surgery since I have heard so many horor stories. The Dr has told me to not work until I talk to the surgeon. He said Im a time bomb ready to go off, whatever that means. Has anyone gone through this and do you have any advise? I would sure appreciate it.....Thanks

Hi there,
I can only imagine what you are going through. Don't be afraid of horror stories, because everybody has a different outcome. I know first hand of operations. That is great that you had an MRI, and if the Doc is saying that you need surgery I, myself would get a second opinion for sure! I am just wondering what your symptoms are, maybe you could let me know. I know that one thing is that if is IS right you should not be working at all until you get a definite diagnosis. What is the injection for? It doesn't sound like they are having too much communication with you and that is one thing that you have to have, especially with your back is communication!! I know it's not one thing to mess around with. Take good care and good luck!!

Truly,
M.S.

humptydumpty · 01-22-2005, 02:46 AM

My doc told me about the "time bomb" thing too. He explained it to me that I could get a bump on the head and it could cause me to be totally paralyzed.

I had fusion of C6-7 do to it being herniated and a loose fragment was lying on the nerve root. I have DDD with moderate canal stenosis in C3-C7 so I still have some pain but I would do it again if it means getting the relief I got from the surgery.

I was at a 10 on the infamous pain scale and after the surgery it went to about a 4.

I also have problems in the thoracic and lumbar areas that cause pain also.

lindao1 · 01-22-2005, 01:58 PM

Hi there!

I've had two cervical fusions. The first one was in 1980 because of a ruptured disc from being broadsided into a concrete utility pole by a drunk driver. For three horrible years after the accident, I was in sheer agony. I was misdiagnosed the whole three years. Finally, an ortho doc did a myelogram and found the rupture disc at C5-6. (MRI's were not available back then. When I had the fusion surgery, they took a bone from my hip and placed it in my neck to replace the bad disc. After surgery, it was the first time in three years that I didn't have 24/7 excruciating headaches, neck pain and numbness. This first surgery was a complete success. I felt like a million bucks afterward.

Then in 2000 the same disc re-ruptured. This time when I had the surgery, they placed a titanium plate and screws in instead of a hip bone. Unlike the first surgery, I have never gotten the pain relief like I did then. Unfortunately, the disc above and below the second fusion herniated plus two more discs herniated. I also should let you know that I had brain surgery two months prior to the neck surgery so I wasn't in the greatest of health for this second surgery. After four years of continued pain, numbness and limited range of motion, they've now diagnosed it as "failed neck surgery". I've been in pain management ever since but not only for my neck, but also my damaged back and fibromyalgia. I had been looking so forward to this second neck surgery because I thought it would be as successful as the first but it didn't happen that way. I don't know if it has to do with the plate and screws or the brain surgery or what. I just know when they used my hip bone, things went much better and I had a complete recovery.

I hope for you things go as well as my first surgery did. Perhaps since it is your first surgery, it will be a success. My age probably factored in there too since I was in my twenties with the first surgery and was 49 with my second surgery. I remember thinking how awesome it was that my horrible headaches and neck pain just disappeared after the lst surgery. I felt like a new person. Hopefully that will be your outcome too. Oh yeah, my doc used the "time bomb" analogy with both my surgeries too due to the possibility of paralysis. Good luck and if I can help, please let me know. Take care and keep us posted on your progress. I have a feeling your surgery will go well like my first one did. I certainly hope so. Linda

MsAlligirl · 01-25-2005, 04:16 PM

Thank You for your replies. I had my epidural injection today. Not sure if I feel better yet or not. It just kind feels strange at this point. They had a hard time finding the epidural space, so that was not comfortable. Im not sure what he was mumbling about, but he said its shingled and tight and just could not get in there. Although he finally did. I hope this will take some of the pain away. I can't imagine life without pain, a horrible headache daily, and without being a so cranky! I would like to avoid surgery if at all possible. I just turned 36 today so I have a long life ahead of me so Im guessing my odds of avoiding it are not the greatest. But we shall see. Back to the Dr on Friday to see whats next. Thanks again for your replies!