Renee016 and Empi

SherryElaine · 02-07-2003, 08:02 PM

Hello Renee016... Have you got in to see a doctor yet for your neck problems?

Empi... How are you doing now? Are you still doing good post op? I hope so. I think you have cervical surgery?

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Sher

Renee016 · 02-08-2003, 01:22 AM

Hi, SherryElaine

Forgive me, I'm sorry but I don't remember when I heard from you so I will give a brief rundown - three herniated discs in the neck -
C5-6 is the one of most concern, totally ruptured and pressing on the spinal cord. MRI's showed no nerve root compression which explains why I'm not have trouble with my arms. Continuous weakness in legs with tingling in feet and burning in right thigh - orthopedist and nuerosurgeon both recommending one- level ACDF. I am going to see a second nuerosurgeon on Monday and then I will make a decision on who's going to do surgery.

I'm feeling a little better actually - I don't know if it has to do with not working (lost my job on 1/24). There were a couple of days last week that were really bad but now I'm starting to wonder about everything. This is so confusing http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/confused.gif - I had ten levels fused in my back 20 yrs ago for scoliosis, the last thing I need is another fusion. I don't want to do it if it's not absolutely necessary but then again the doctors are talking myelopathy and that's not something I want to mess around with either.

Sorry, just venting. Oh well, how are you feeling and what's new?
Renee

SherryElaine · 02-08-2003, 12:04 PM

Hi Renee
I know what you mean. I have never had spine surgery before altho I have had lumbar pain for 16 years. My probelm now is cervical C/5/6. I have pinched nerves from bone spurs and bulging disc not sure about cord compression. Just had a new MRI and have not been back to doctor yet, appointment is Tuesday the 11th. My pain comes and goes so I am confused too. When it hurts is really hurts and when it doesn't I wonder should I go thru with this or wait it out some more. When it hurts it makes me miserable and sick with the whole arm and fingers on one side and one day washing my hair my arm just fell down like it was not mine. But then next day hardly any pain. When I was active it was bad but now I am at home not working and secondary and so the pain has let up. Still can't stand to be hugged or pushed or anything like that if it makes me move my head back or forwards. I am just scared of surgery. I have been to 3 different doctors so far. One said surgery the sooner the better the other said let you pain be your guide and now this one I am seeing has not said yet but waiting on the new MRI to see on the 11th. But I got some bad news yesterday from my insurance, they are not paying for my MRI now saying I have a pre-existing condition so now I had to call my old insurnace and get all my info from them which I have not got yet and who knows how long that will take and then fax it to my new insurance and they will decide if they will pay for anything on me. So now I have that to worry about too. Life is fun ah? If you have the surgery it is going to be one level? and are they going to use donor bone and plating? Good luck with yours and keep posting...

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Sher

Renee016 · 02-09-2003, 12:18 AM

Hi, Sherry - sorry to hear about your insurance headache. It's got me thinking now that maybe I'd better have the surgery now so I don't have any problems being covered in the future.

I would have a one-level (C5-6) fusion with donor bone and a metal plate. At least, that's how the two doctors I've seen say they would do it but I'm still looking for a surgeon. I lost confidence in my orthopedist (long story) and I'm being told that a nuerosurgeon should do it anyway. The one I saw was recommended by a friend who knows like three people he has operated on but I found him to be "cold". Not that that makes him a bad surgeon but I want to talk to a couple more doctors.

My concern is that I have another disc (C4-5) that is torn and I'm worried about it getting worse and needing surgery again in the future. Also, I don't want to go now for surgery on C5-6 and still be in pain because of the other disc. The two doctors I've seen don't want to fuse more than one level unless it's absolutely necessary but it makes you wonder - are they being sincere or is it the money?

Anyway, are you not working by choice or because of pain? I haven't experienced any arm pain but it must be difficult to work with. Did your MRI show any nerve root compression? Also, did you ever have an EMG?

Take care
Renee

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1982 Fusion surgery for scoliosis with stainless steel Harrington Rod (T5 - L3) using pelvic bone for grafting
1999 Neck problems began
2001 Cervical Kyphosis
2003 3 Herniated Cervical Discs - C4 thru C7. One disc (C5-6) pressing on the spinal cord (no nerve root compression) causing leg weakness, tingling and burning - diagnosed with myelopathy and anterior cervical discectomy recommended.
Still looking for surgeon.

SherryElaine · 02-09-2003, 03:22 AM

Yes mine is nerve root compression and yes I had a EMG which shows no damage so far. I have had this for 18 months and started with one insurance and never went thru with the surgery and now that our insurance has changed I may not be covered due to pre-exisiting condition so you might want to think about that when puting things off like I did. My pain is not why I am not working right now. I was working for a temp service and that is over and now I just been busy doig for my sister but I need to go back to work. Husband says wait until after surgery to look for job but I may have to before that now...

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Sher