Please Respond, Somebody. Not One But TWO BULGING DISCS, Now What Happens? More Scared Than Before!!!!

I left the doctor's office yesterday hearing that I had NOT one but TWO BULGING DISCS, now what happens??? C5, C6, C7 are the ones involved I think, heck now I don't remember if that's even right, it's the two discs that lie in between those vertebrae. I'm more scared than before I went to his office. I didn't quite understand what he was talking about when he was comaparing fusing the discs because he made a comment about the two bulging being more stable after fusion but the ones above and below, he kind of left me in the dark about this analogy when he was mentioning an ENTIRE neck fusion. I wasn't clear if that meant there would be other problems to the remaining discs or if they wouldn't be bothered. I was so busy trying to catch his every word on the report that I missed this very important part. Can anyone please shed some light on this for me so that I can understand better what's going on?
He is referring me to a chiropractor who uses the DRX 9000 to stretch the spine and release the bulging discs, so hopefully this will cure the problem. He did say something about the fusion being done anteriorly if this doesn't work, that's where my contentment with the conversation turned to fear again.

[MKappelmann]

Do you mean bulging discs or herniated/protruded discs??? There is a big difference & alot of times the terminology is tricky. Bulging discs are not really significant & pretty common even without pain, but herniations or protrusions or extrusions can be problematic.

[rainsummer]

here is an article I found that helps explain it...


A bulging disk is a condition related to the spine, usually the lumbar, or lower back, that occurs when a disk bulges through a crevice in the spine. Disks are the soft, gelatinous material that cushions the vertebrae of the spine. A bulging disk occurs when the disk shifts out of its normal radius and most often occurs simply as a result of age.

A bulging disk is different from a herniated disk in that a bulging disk typically occurs gradually over time rather than suddenly. A herniated disk is often the result of an injury or trauma to the spine. In the majority of patients who experience a bulging disk, there is no pain unless the disk becomes herniated or protrudes into a nerve.

In many cases, a bulging disk may be diagnosed as a condition secondary to another problem. Because a bulging disk does not always cause pain, it may only be found during a routine or diagnostic imaging test such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Typically, a bulging disk is not a problem unless it begins to cause pain, becomes herniated or ruptures.

Treatment for a bulging disk or even a herniated disk is relatively conservative in most cases. Rest and lifting restrictions are common, and a doctor may recommend a combination of heat and ice therapy and anti-inflammatory medications or cortisone injections. Medication may be prescribed to deal with any associated pain.

Though usually a condition affecting the lower back, occasionally, a bulging disk may occur in the neck area. Usually, pain that radiates to the shoulders and arms indicates that a nerve in the neck may be pinched or pushed upon. In the lower back, pain may sometimes radiate to the legs.

A physical examination by your doctor will help determine where your discomfort may be coming from and whether the problem arose gradually or suddenly. In most cases, conservative treatment relieves the problem. Back surgery, though not as common, can relieve severe pain caused by compression on the nerves from a bulging disk that becomes herniated.

[NaniKai]

I read my MRI results on the way to the Ortho office after I went personally over to the Neuro office because they did not follow through with sending them as I had requested. I was livid and when they hung up on the LVN on my phone, that was IT! As I was walking back I read that they're bulging, herniated and protruding causing nerve compression on two nerves. I saw all three words in this report. I also saw some mumbo jumbo that even I who has worked in the medical field for years could not understand. When I saw all three of those words there was no interpretation needed, it was in black and white and before my eyes.
I just need to know if fusing the middle vertebrae causes more problems for the ones that remain unfused and can cause a surgery to be needed later. What was the deal with fusing them all? I got really confused at this juncture of the conversation because he was making faces as he was talking about it and when I was having a somewhat accent/language barrier, the facial expressions were telling me that it wasn't all that good.

[rainsummer]

Yes you could need more sugery after ACDF...the levels above and below the fusion could fail. My NS said it 15% chance...this would happen.

will have 3 levels fused next week and in my review the doctor wrote ...that further surgery might be needed in the future...the levels above and below the fusion can fail ...he also wrote that a plate in the back of the neck might be needed in the future to stabilize the spine. He wrote out all the things that can go wrong and cause me to need more surgery...here is what he wrote....

needs for futher surgery....fracture/migration/pullout/fretting/corrosion of plate or screws/metal sensitivity/excessive bulk/foreign body reaction/metal sloghing/non healing of bone graft....

[NaniKai]

OMYFREAKING GOD!!!! Are you sure you want to go through with this surgery? I really wish you all the best and a speedy recovery, please let me know how it goes and how you are after you're feeling better. I will be hoping to hear from you again.

GOOD LUCK!!!
NaniKai

[NaniKai]

Yeah that term "paralyzed" kind of brings the reality check home and narrows your field of options. Just think positive while you're in surgery, go to sleep on some island beach getaway as you drift off and enjoy the sun and seabreezes blowing in your face. I truly believe in imagery as you go into surgery, implementing it brings you a far better outcome than all the negative. Seriously, when I was going through my foot surgeries, I had an anesthesiologist who was a dream ...he was so willing to let me listen to my cd player during surgery and hear ocean waves and seagulls, as the cd would end, he'd reach into my small stack of cd's and replace them. Only once during a big foot surgery was he unwilling to do it because he said that he was more needed then to watch the vital signs and any change in my pain control. I relented and just started dreaming instead of my island getaway and recalling the cd's from before. I really have to do that because I can stir up asthma if I dwell on the fact that I'm about to go under. I hate the feeling of being out of control of my breathing during surgery and I fight it like nobody's business. I have a drug allergy though so now they can't put me to sleep for surgery. I am given a spinal and sedatives to make me relax. I feel a little bit and I hear them talking while performing the surgery but it's all foggy so I don't remember much. My knee revision surgery I was supposed to be this way but she just plum knocked me out and I was not a happy (puking) camper all that night after the surgery.
I pray that your surgery will go well and just as if you were a part of my family going in for a procedure, if you let me know ahead of time, I'll light a candle while you're in there and say a prayer for you. I do this whenever my family travels or we're going through some ordeal that we need some extra Devine Intervention.
Side Note: On my daughter's rear view mirror, I had placed a crystal guardian angel (Mom's silent protector of her child) for her travels. I pointed that little angel looking down the highway the day of the accident. Somewhere in the middle of spinning and hitting that little angel snapped off the mirror and when we came around and it was all over, the guardian angel was lying in her lap, my daughter discovered it. Tell me we don't have angels and God watching over us, I will disspell that thought every time I hear it!!!
I'm a Grandma too and I know all about being able to enjoy your grandchildren. When they outgrow playing on the floor, they come up with some of the cutest things verbally...my grandson floors me sometimes with the things he says, I die laughing! What I would do without my grandchildren (five) I can't even imagine, nor do I want to!!!

God and Angels Be With You Rainsummer!!!
NaniKai

[rainsummer]

I wish so much I didnt have to go through it...I hate it....I have 3 cervical herniation and my spinal cord is  compromised...My NS also told me a bone cage may be needed and bone cement...I guess he will know when he gets in....I'll be happy just to wake up from the surgery and all is well...I'll just take the furture as it comes. I trust my NS and think he will do all he can to make this successful. I need some of my life back....at this time it is limited...I do way more then I should do and get fussed at all the time...my husband lives in fear I will fall and be paralyzed...I think about it to, but I dont dwell on it. I have a 3 year old grandson and I want to be healthy for him and enjoy him. So I have so much to look forward to and motivate me. If it wasnt for these things I would prolly deal with the pain and take my chances

[kitlyn]

Hi all: i post on here for other things ..but i was reading your postinsg on the back surgery etc. My sister whos 39 has had back trouble for over 5 yrs.. she fell last year and hit her back on a bathroom sink and a cyst grew there, and she had to hav eback surgery . Its been a nighmare for her, The surgeon removed the cyst, and she is now dealingw  scar tissue around the area.. and may have nerve damage  she  can ahrdly walk and is in terrible pain.. I don't know if the surgery is the answer or a sucess, but we all live in horror that hse will decline and not improve ever. She has two little ones..She used to be an active girl who played tennis. I have had a friend die of a bleeding ulcer afte ryrs of chronic back trouble , and i worry about her pain meds causing that in her.. I think its L4 the disc. Anyone relate.. ty K

[caty201032]

ya'll are talking about how bulging disks have no pain.. BS

I am a 16 year old girl with FOUR bulging disks and i live with pain everyday.  i have a pinched nerves, hip problems, knee problems, and ankle problems. you people think that it has no pain you are sadly mistaken.  Bulging disks may seem like nothing but they can lead to other problems and this wasnt even my fault i inherited it from my dad's side of the family.  so ya'll dont need to say anything if you dont have the problem.....


thank you
Caty

[d1212]

I finally went to the doctor after the severe neck pain in my neck and shoulder blade, started going down my arm and to my right thumb, which as we type is now numb.  My neurologist sent me for an MRI where they diagnosed by with FOUR bulging discs, (C4-C7).  How the heck does this happen, (no accidents, heavy lifting,no prior bone issues, get lots of calcium, etc.).. In phys therapy now...will see what happens.  Can anyone tell me how the heck you get FOUR of these and what the prognosis is???

[longtobestrong]

I agree- bulging discs CAN cause lots of pain. I too llive with two bulging discs that have changed and limited my daily life in many ways. . I have been unable to sit (drive, eat at a table) for over a year and a half. Doctors say bulging discs are minor and not enough for surgery, yet I have a live wire (S1 nerve) that shoots down my leg into my foot with any wrong move. Spinal injections have not helped. I have tried every treatment I can think of (physical therapy, chiropractic, sacrocranial, acupuncture, medicines) but with very little change. Hang in there.