Fusion at c-5-6

[P.J.]

I had a disc removed between c5-6 in Sept. 2001. I am still in alot of pain and having trouble moving my head from side to side looking up or down. My x-rays and MRI both show everything is healing, my Dr. is now sending me to a pain management center for some kind of shots in my neck. I am very concerned about this and worried. I thought once i had the surgery done I'd be on my way to getting my life back to normal. I don't get a full nights rest everytime i roll over i wake up. Will i ever be pain free what about my ROM? this has been a very upsetting time for me. Now to top it all off my job is at risk they have told me that if i can't come back 100% then i no longer have a job with them. My job requires me to look up for long periods of time I am a smoke and fire tech. removing smoke and odor from burned homes. It also requires alot of heavey lifting. I am in a panic. any words of wisdom?
Thanks,
P.J.

[Dallen]

Hello all.  I am afraid that my rollercoaster ride has dipped to its lowest point yet.  I am feeling very hopeless.  I saw the neurosurgeon on Monday.  Even after pleading, he has abandoned me.  His only comment is that he can't give me a new neck.  When I asked if this is the way I will always be, he stated he didn't know.  It could get better, or not.  He has placed permanent work restrictions on me that pretty much rules out just about any job. Basically, the only thing I can do without restrictions is breathe. I can't give up hope.  I am currently researching a spine clinic in California that takes patients who have been told there is nothing more to be done.  I know I am probably grasping at straws, but I don't know what else to do.  In the meantime, I am going to see a Pain Management Clinic.  I've seen this doctor before and seemed to be a compassionate doctor.  However, I am doubtful that relearning how to breathe and meditate will help.  It just seems horrible that so many of us have to learn to deal with the pain for the rest of our lives.  I know people in that situation and their lives are very limited. I do NOT want to be that way.  Please excuse the whining.  I am still trying to deal with the shock.  Best of luck to all of you.

[MaBelle]

Hi there!

Last May, I had cervical disc fusion of levels C5-6 & C6-7 using a bone graft from my hip.  The surgeon also used a titanium plate and screws.  For 2 1/2 months after healing I was painfree and returned to work full time.  Then in September, I started having the same symptoms again with neck, arms and upper back pain.  This is still ongoing and I am considering surgery again but seeing another neurosurgeon this week for a second opinion first.  I have read your posts and see conflicting stories of what you were told to do or not to do while recovering.  As far as lifting, doing light housework and this was never discussed with me at all after the surgery.  Of course, with all the pain I didnt do much for at least 3-4 weeks but then did as I felt.  The pain mgmt doc is telling me that because I started doing some exercises which was approved by my doc that I messed up the fusion.  My latest MRI shows that level c6-7 didnt fuse and now C3-4 needs to be fused.  My question is why are there so many doctors telling their patients didnt information?  You would think it would be the same across the board.  I would like to say I find this forum very informative.

Thanks,
Judi

[katiebug]

I recently had a MRI done on brain and cervical spine d/t muscle twitching and aching arms with cold hands and some spasticity of muscles. The tests on the brain came out normal ruling out MS but the cervical test show degenerative osteoarthritis of the C5,6,7 with cervical spondylosis myelopathy causing 50% spinal cord compression. my neurosurgeon wanted to do surgery in 3 weeks but i'm putting it off until I get a second opinion. I'm now having more coldness of my hands, same amount of muscle twitching, increased pain in my joints of the neck with a little lightheadedness at times. Also the bottom of my left foot contiually is sore.  Anyone else heard of all of this or had anything similar? I fell off my porch on ice 8 years ago (4feet high directly on my thoracic spine) and I believe this is how all this started but my doctor won't really confirm this. Is surgery the only way out of this?

[Dallen]

I am having physical therapy now (4 months after the surgery on C5, C6).  They PT primarily focuses on the shoulder areas, because any pressure on the neck itself causes severe pain. I did find it useful for the "periphery" pain in the shoulders and back, but it does nothing for the neck pain. Some doctors are hesitant to recommend pt since, if done incorrectly can damage the area more.  I had one PT who wanted to put me into traction.  My advice - Just say NO.  That was extremely painful and had been totally incapacitated for 2 whole weeks. My next time to see the neurosurgeon is in 2 weeks.  Because he is not the most approachable person I've met, I decided to write a letter to prepare him for the next appointment. I listed all of my concerns.  I am hopeful that seeing it in writing will prompt more interest in getting me back to normal (whatever that is!).  I would really like to thank all of you for your comments. This may sound weird, but because of your comments, I don't feel so alone. I pray that all will find relief soon.  Thanks for talking.

[Sannarae]

I had stiff neck for 3 weeks. Following the flu and a boute with Brochitis I woke up with severe pain in my neck and down the back of my left arm.  Went to dr.s he put me on Naproxen and Flexeril. After 3 days pain was much worse went to ER. Meds were changed to Vallum and Darvocet. Still no pain relief.  Finally had MRI which showed....: "Large left lateral disc herniation at C5/C6 causing mass effect on spinal cord and compromising the left neuroforamina.  Also Degenerative Disc disease is suspected at C4/C5 and T2/T3 levels."
After reading this the radiologist called me and said I needed to see a neuro surgeon right away. My PCP doctor called and said DO NOT go to Physical Therapy which she had ordered earlier that day before the MRI was done. I am still in severe pain. I now have pain below the elbow and sometimes into my forearm. Some tingling but just a little in my elbow and wrist. Pain sometimes into index finger and thumb.  getting very little sleep, not eating much, . I am still trying to work at my desk job as a secretary. I am taking Vicodin every 4-6 hours but it only eases the pain a little bit for about 1-2 hours. I take the flexeril with the vicodin at night. I do not use the other meds anymore as they do not help.  I use a heating pad constantly on low setting. My question is why would I no longer be a canidate for PT? Is this a serious type of disc herniation? Whay do you think my options are? I can't get into see the neurosurgen until next week. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Good luck to you all.

[Stoic]

Have read these comments with great interest. I had a discectomy of C4-5 and C5-6. A neurosurgeon did the surgery. After many yeears of neck pain, countless sessions of physical therapy, meds and injections, I am happy that I had this done. I had to fight for it to be done. I had to keep pushing for referrals until I found someone willing to do it. The surgeon did a fusion with donor bone and also used titanium plates. As I stated, I do not regret having this done.

However, I have had wide variance in heart rate and blood pressure ever since, a few episodes o presyncope..and within the past week have been found to have neuralgia. This is very painful. I was wondering if any of you experianced this or know of anyone who experianced this post surgically.