what to do for ddd

[manda516]

I had anterior fusion on 4/17/12 on my C5 thru C7 and I am still in the neckbrace from post op go back to dr july 6 and says hes still not sure its coming off they told me 6 to 8 weeks recovery and back to work by 10 weeks. Then i find out in June im never going to be able to go back to work and dr says im not progressing as i should. I'm always in pain cant lift anything over 5 pounds. Before surgery i had nerve damage and couldnt hardly use my left arm and now since surgery  the exact same thing is happening to my right arm. Not to mention the awful headaches that i been getting they get so bad thay keep me in bed for 2 to 3 days at a time please anyone going through this help me out my family just dont get it they dont understand

[manda516]

I finally met with the neurologists they actually seen the convulsions I'm having so they decided to do an erg hopefully I will know about why I'm shaking. They've added neurontin to my mere so now I'm on neurontin 300mg 3 times daily as well as valium 5mg in the morning 10mgpat bedtime and norco10s 4 to 6 times daily. Siince starting the neurontin the convulsions have went from 8 to 10 a day to looked 1 to 2 daily big difference but I want answers not more drugs. Its at the point to where one of my kids wont even speak to me says I'm not the mom I was before surgery I'm just a pill popper and until I'm the way I use to be she doesn't want to see me. Please help me I need advice

[manda516]

My surgeon was one of the top 10 in the u.s but ive been doing therapy and they really aren't helping much cause the stimulaters cause me to have convulsions I have spoken with my other specialist that will be working on my shoulder and has referred me to a neurologists thanks maybe they messed up my nerves in my first surgery finally talked to a lawyer who has taken on my disability case as I will never be able to work again which was the reason I agreed to surgery was so I could get back to work but my lawyer says my disability case looks good and should be enough for me to live off as if I was working thank God. I meet with the neurologists in Sept so I will keep you updated may have to go back in and repair some nerves but the pain gets worse day by day and convulsions are also becoming more painful but have to take it one day at a time and just keep praying God will help me through this

[mklarson]

Sorry for the delay getting back to you. Talked with a few neurosurgeons in the next building and they all said the same thing; Go get a second opinion from a different neurosurgeon! Do some homework and ask around for some recommendations (including your doctors thoughts). There are many neurosurgeons that spend a good chunk of their time doing "clean up" surgery for other surgeons less talented and/or knowledgeable.

We have a standing joke in the medical industry that goes; "What do you call the person that graduates at the bottom of their class in medical school?  The answer: "Doctor"...   The joke illustrates that there is a wide range of knowledge and competence among those practicing medicine. So don't give up, you may have ended up with someone that wasn't that hot, but there are plenty of others that can save a failed surgery!  

Chances are if you choose to do nothing, you current state will progressively get worse. Will going through another surgery be tough? absolutely... My wife was so glad she went back to a different, more competent, surgeon for her second ACF surgery. She now goes to the gym and rides bikes almost daily.

There is hope....

[manda516]

They used a mataplate with 4 screws and implants I believe they w are plastic I'm not sure but I know if I had it to do over again I would not have done fusion surgery 12 weeks in a neckbrace seems outrageous. I'm suppose to have shoulder surgery on my rt shoulder to remove bone spursand repair some torn cartlidge but now I'm even more scared to have surgery again. I did everything they said and still in constant pain just doesn't seem worth the risk

[mklarson]

Sounds like the ACF failed to take hold. Did you have a bone insert (usually from hip or cadaver) or the dual rod/plate application?  One is easier to repair that the other should the surgery fail. Have you consulted with a second neurosurgeon yet? If your current surgeon says he has done everything possible then start looking for a new one. My wife had to have a second one performed as the first one collapsed. I found a different neurosurgeon to do the second one using a newer technique. She has been great ever since.  I know it is horrible right now, but there is still hope that a different result can be achieved.