Spinal Cord Compression, Muscular Dystrophy and Fibromyalgia

[Deborah5]

I am a 52 yr old female. I had a severe back injury as a child (11 or 12 yrs of age). As a result, I lost all the feeling in my legs for several days. Now, at 52 yrs of age, I'm experiencing back pain, upper (cervical) and lower (sacrum and lumbar). I recently had two MRIs and was told by a neurologist that I was a 'good candidate' for back surgery. I have bone spurs on C4-5. They also indicated that I had a lumbar compression at L5. Many years ago, when I gave birth to my son, I was unable to have my son naturally because the GYN noted that 'my tailbone' had been broken. I've attributed this to the fall/back injury from childhood.
In 1992, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. In 1999, I underwent a DNA test and found that I also had Facioscapluohumerol (FSH) Muscular Dystrophy. Since about 2003, I've experienced chronic back pain, walking difficulties (ei, falling and stumbling), balance problems and measureable weakness in my whole body structure. I've also experienced numbness and tingling in my back, legs and arms. It has become impossible to maintain any excerise, therefore, worsening my muscle weakness.
My question is: Should I elect to have surgery, how long can I expect recovery to take and if this surgery will be able to restore my muscles to what they had been or at least to some degree? Because of the FSH, I'm under the impression that those muscles that have wasted, cannot be restored. I couldn't get a solid answer to this question from my neurologist. Is it because they don't know? I could even live with this answer, if indeed, that is the case.
Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

[JuliewithFibro]

Hi! I would not have the back sugery if I were you!  I know quite a few people who have back surgery for different reasons, and in every singe case the surgery only made the problem worse the before.  I would definatley try alternative medicine methods before doing something the drastic, and only resort to back surgery as a last resort.  
I was in the field of psychiatric nursing at Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, Virginia.  In 2003 one of my patients kicked my in the face fracturing my jaw in two places and snapping my neck causing a significant neck injury.  Over the years, instead of getting better, my problem continually got worse.  I was finally diagnosed with Fibromyalgia last year.  Unfortunatly, I cannot prove that my condition is related to my neck injury, and the State took away my medical insurance, so now I have been searching for a doctor somewhere to help me.  Everywhere I go and every doctor I see claims they do not treat Fibromyalgia they only diagnose it, and the doctors who do claim to treat it refuse to see me because I do not have insurance.  I have been having to pay for eveything out of pocket.  My savings is gone, and I'm still not recieving any treatment or relief.  I understand the kind of pain you are in, and I know what it is like to be in constant pain.  Good luck to you.  I sincerely hope you find some relief whatever you decide to do.

[Zak_Han]

Hi,thank you for your input.
Unfortunately,Acupuncture and acupressure couldn't work for every back pain case.it dependent on where the inflammation is .acupuncture works well when the inflammation is outside of the spinal column.  Acupuncture does not work when the inflammation is in the spinal column itself.
So,without physical examination,It's hard to say whether acu-treatment  works for you or not.So you should consult your neuro-doc.if surgery is neccessary,,,,,,
Good luck!

[Deborah5]

Zak, One more thing. I've also wondered if perhaps I would be better off to try accupressure and accpuncture. Many years ago, I had some accupressure done on myself and it worked out perfectly. I know that the medical community here doesn't accept either of those or a chiropractic means of improvement. I, however, do. I also wanted to thank you for the percentages you gave me. That is certainly something I would be considering. I've never heard ANY good things about back surgery. My own family physician had back surgery and she was sorry. Said if she could go back, she wouldn't have had it done. So this is an issue I'll definitely be considering. According to the neurologist I saw, they would have to go into my back through the front....not a very comforting option.
Thanks again!!!!

[Deborah5]

Thank you very much. I kinda had a feeling this would be the case. I'm feeling pretty certain that it's because they don't know for sure the effects of the surgery and have FSH Dystrophy.
Again, thank you for your reply.

[Zak_Han]

Hi,sorry to know it.
Only your doc can give you more accurate opinion,as back surgery is quite complicated.
Basically ,perhaps surgery is your basic option as you suffer from serious back trouble.
Something maybe you don't know,for example:60% of spinal fusion patients will continue to suffer from back pain,In cases of prolapsed discs and sciatica, 65% of patients will continue to experience post-operative back pain, 10% are distinctly worse for having a failed fusion.etc.
But there are also have a lot of successful stories.
So,Best wish to you!