Severe spasms cervical neck - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

porkyappleyard · 05-08-2003, 09:45 AM

Hi Board...hope you guys can help me.
I have degenerative discs in C5 and C6 with some bone spurs per the MRI. Due to a thin spinal cord wall, this condition is making my life miserable. I have severe spasms as well as general neck "lock" which occurs every day. I am currently going to a chiro-neuro (he has extra 2 years training than normal chiro...a great guy) and have been doing PT for a couple months. So far, the PT has NOT helped my severe spasms. Perhaps since there has not been a material improvement, he is sending me to a NeuroSurgeon later this month for an evaluation. Yet, the chiro tells me I am NOT a good candidate for surgery! What should I expect from the NS?? Will he try meds first (which I hate and avoid...it just masks the problem)or consider surgery? I am 49 years old.
I really appreciate all comments!!!

funchick · 05-08-2003, 10:09 AM

I broke c5-c6 in 1986, and i also suffer from severe spasms. I also did the PT thing for months and saw very little improvement. I went to a new doc and he stopped PT and put me on a med called Zanaflex. My symptoms had improved within 24 hours. I am not saying that I am 100% better, but I am better. I would consider meds if the spasms are bothersome enough. Why can't they do surgery on you?

Good luck!

Debbie2 · 05-08-2003, 10:18 AM

I don't understand why your Chiro says you are not a good canidate for surgery... unless he is going to miss your business monitarily.
I was 49, had spurs and the same disc problem area you have... I did not want to live like you are trying to do...
I had surgery, and was a canidate the minute the neuro saw my MRI and my pain.
You need to wait (hard as it may be) and talk to the neuro, if you need, always get a second opinion.
Good luck,
Debbie

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Debbie2
ACDF fusion (c5c6) with titanium plate and screws using donor bone -
September 4, 2002.

winged phantom · 05-08-2003, 10:24 AM

Hey Porky!
It's about time somebody nearly as old as I am has come along!

First off, I do not know what the NS may recommend to you, but I would NOT take your chiro-neuro's word that you are not a candidate for surgery. I hope that is not why you have put off seeing one for 2 years. And be sure to get at least two professional opinions from either NS's or orthopedic surgeons about your condition.... I feel I should point out that there are some really great ortho guys out there, but that most of us here have ended up going to an NS for our cervie problems.

It's my feeling that you should exhaust more avenues before looking to surgery to help you.... i.e., give some meds a chance, depending, of course, on what your doc's recc. is... Like I read on another site, one doctor's comment was, "No matter how much pain you are in, we can always make it worse." And unfortunately, that is what happens to some patients. Or it may take several years for your body to heal properly and for your pain to go away post-op. So, you see that surgery may not be the best way to avoid the pain we all have felt at some time or other...

Note that I am not a qualified professional, and that this is my feeling of the moment...

Sometimes my feelings change, and it's my right as a woman to be able to change my mind.

Welcome to the boar,... er, board, porky. It's a great place to visit, and even to live, during this troublesome time in your life. Feel free to vent frustrations; we all have our pity parties, and that's ok. In fact, I'm just getting back from a tough time.
wr

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12/29/89 C5-6 Microdiskectomy (no fusion)
4/9/03 ACDF C4-7 with plating and donor bone

HERMIT · 05-08-2003, 03:32 PM

I have had severe neck spams since age 24 after spinal cord surgry and laminectomy. I find valium would loosen me up. Also take large doses of dilaudid for pain and eems to keep it under control. At night when my neck locks up, just concentrating on relaxing that area helps too--I can actually feel my head move up my pillow as muscles relax. Don't know if this helps you but th info may help.