These doctors are killing me - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

bouncedaround · 10-05-2005, 06:27 PM

Someone help!! I still have not had surgery yet? Go figure.

Recently had another MRI in September and the results read as shown:

C4/5 - mildly indenting the ventral spinal cord

C5/6 There is moderate broad spondylitic ridging mildly compressing the spinal cord and there is a mild foraminal narrowing bilaterally

QUESTION: Isn't the compression on my spinal column bad? Where can I find information on this? They finally put me on Fetanyl patch and I have some relief so I am able to be ambulatory however the last neuro said that since I didn't have radiculopathic pain the surgery would have to wait.

I hope these doctors are not putting surgery off because of my insurance company dragging this out to see if it will just go away.

Fancylady · 10-05-2005, 07:04 PM

Did you notice most of the writing said MILD. Trust the Dr's. The Radiculopathic pain, I think, is down the leg. I do have this and they aren't planning on surgery. Well they are, but its a Spinal Cord Stimulator. It will change the pain, but not fix the problem.

They don't do surgery until you really need it because once you start having it, in time the pain comes back, meaning more surgery. It doesn't seem to stop. I've had 4 back surgeries and the pain is back. They don't want to correct anymore. This happes to must patients. I hope I haven't discouraged you to much. That's why they are telling you to wait.
Blessings,
Fancylady

nero · 10-05-2005, 10:10 PM

Fancy lady is right. If surgery was soooo successful it would be had by all...unfortunately it is sometimes a short or temporary or longlived relief but the pain or other herniations can reappear. I wanted them to do both levels on my neck...one was enough...the other still acts up but when it comes to surgery less is better it seems because of less chance of risk to you. It is hard to understand when you are in pain but having had neck with plate surgery due compression and paralysis and lumbar minor surgery.... I have to say I have had enough for now and hope the next is in the distant future.... if it was a deadset fix I would have them do a brow lift and breast augmentation too but as it goes we all age whether we like it or not.. sooner or later surgery is in the cards depending upon how severe the compression progresses... for now try your other interventions... believe me when you are completely consumed with pain you will scream loud enough and advocate for it and they will get the picture . After all a picture paints a 1000 words and any dr./surgeon will see your desperation and know the extent of your pain.... I learned to advocate pretty well at the end when I could no longer feel any other sort of life in my body but pain... and a well schooled dr saw and heard me and read the MRI and concurred.... I know it is really hard my dear....but everyone said when you need the surgery you will know how to make noise about it... it is true. meanwhile call on all of us for support...Nero

feelbad · 10-06-2005, 06:49 AM

i totally agree with what the others are trying to say to you.in other words"be very careful on what you wish for"honestly,however bad you think your pain is right now, trust me when I say it CAN GET WORSE with and as a result of just having the surgery.i really really wish that I had waited and actually tried other therepys before I consented like right away to having my fusion done.one problem just kept leading to another and my pain levels were much higher post op than pre op,by as much as three points higher.I should have done other things first and used the surgery as the last resort,but I wanted that 'quick fix" so I could just get on with my life but instead,it stopped my life as I knew it,dead in its tracks.From what you have stated regarding your current status,i do feel that your docs are honestly doing the right thing here really.like fancylady stated the key word here is indeed "mild".if it said severe, then well, surgery might be the thing but for right now, honestly wait until you absolutely have no other choice.My husbands herniated c 5-6 was fused and he had absolutely no problems at all.he also was suffering horribly from a severe compression of two nerve roots.His fingers were always screaming in pain as well as upon any movement of his neck.He would actually be sound asleep and would move his head just a little and I would be awakened by this blood curdling yelp.it hurt just to watch him.but he actually waited too long,but being the big tough guy he just toughed it out and somehow figured it would just go away?if he ignored it long enough.The real key is timing.as far as the slight compression on your cord, compression is not always a good reason for surgery,really.Now if it said impingement of or severe compression,that would be a whole other story.chances are very good that with only the little bit of compression you are having it is probably not even actually part of your symptoms.i would be much more concerned about any sort of compression onto an actual nerve root than the spinal cord as it would really be causing some major pain and other neuro issues.i really do have to agree with the others here.please do not have any sort of surgery unless you really do not have any choice.You honestly could end up much much worse than you are now.Trust me completely on that.good luck.marcia

dootag · 10-06-2005, 10:21 AM

Hi bouncearound,

The others are giving you great advice. Perhaps I can clarify the spinal compression issues for you. Don't obsess on them. The doc's and you will know immediately when if becomes a "problem." Examples of a "problem" that I've personally experienced (excluding pain) are body convulsions, violent release of bowels (usually at work in a suit in front of lots of people), uncontrollable jerking of the arm, etc. Nuff said. You get the idea.

I hope it works out for you soon.

dootag