I have 2 herniated disk, c 5-6 and c 6-7. The c 6-7 herniation is pinching the fire out of my nerves and causing chronic neck and right arm pain.
History: I have been in chronic pain for 2 years, and severe nerve pain for 2 months. I have been to chiropractors and had stem, ultrasound, heat , and massage therapy. I have had one epidural 2 cortizone shots, and am taking Loratib 10 500mg, Gabepentin, and tizanidine. Plus temazapan to sleep.
I have had 10 spinal decompression treatments a maximum of 18 lbs.
I have met with 3 nuerosurgens, all who want to operate with different types of surgery...but overall they want to perform anterior cervical disecomy with fusion. One says recovery is 4 weeks in a hard collar is imperative, the other 2 talk about soft collars and 7 to 10 days??? How can that be so extreemly different. I have had many people tell me it is imperative to follow the recovery instructions!
So, I would really like to avoid surgery, and my dr. performing the spinal decompressions, would really like me to do 10 more treatments, but insurance will not cover the very expensive treatments!
Surgery scares me because most likely it will not last for more than 10 yrs and I will be 48 at that point and they will most likely not want to perform more sugery??? But, at 38 now will I be more likely to recover well and have a better quality of life? I have nerve damage on both arms, and I feel like I am losing muscle tone every day. Oh by the way, my livelyhood is mural and faux painting and I have 3 kids under 8.
I would love any advice, and to hear from anyone who has had this surgery and been in recovery and how it is going.
Thanks,
Neckpain4