Pain in the neck- Neuro says I need sugery

[johnniebear]

I had my first cervical Spine MRI a few weeks ago- so here's my status ..  guess I'm feeling a little sorry for myself & don't want surgery.

I did see on my MRI report that I have a bulge & herniated   disk,   at the C5-C6  the regular neuro  suggested that I follow up with a Neurosugeon, which I did,,   I was in car accident almost three years ago & I know I had whip lash then, and I wake up sore or a hand might go numb sometimes & just thought getting older & that's the pains from the why I'm sleeping.

The surgeon says that I have a VERY significant herniation,   and  she wants to do  a Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion,  and let's throw in a bone from a cadaver. Oh & a  nice metal plate with screws..
She stated the longer I wait , the longer   it will take to recover.
She also stated that it might be making my balance issues & dropping items  a little worse with the MS.
However the nerve damage that might occur if I don't do anything is a  big concern.

I'm bad,  so I looked this surgery up & watch it on Youtube,  OMG -YUK

I don't see the MS Specialist until the end of April,   I'll will do what he recommends, If he would even advise me on this.

So I guess I'm asking everyone what you  would do,  wait & get it done ?
I rather clear up this neck problem before & if they put me on any DMD'S-  Is that the correct path?

Thanks


So now when I tell someone they are a pain in my neck the really are.. LOL

John-  

[meg321]

hi John,

I don't know if this is what you may want, but i have a bad neck and spine problems, some herniation, and stenosis and bulging disks, i can't even write it all down or remember.

A few years back I had so much pain, thats how I got addicted to the methodone.  Anyway, I finally got a epidural steroid injection and facet injection.  There were a series of 3 inj. but I only had to have one and almost then one more last July, although the pain was not that bad but I wanted to head it off.

I have not had severe pain since the first time actually.

It worked for me and had it not then i was off to a surgeon, which I didnt want. to do. They don't always work for everyone, but if it does its wonderful.

Just my 2 cents....

good luck..

meg

[michelleric]

I was in the hospital for 2 days. My neck was EXTREMELY stiff afterwards, and as much as I hated the neckbrace, it made it so much better. I wasnt supposed to lift more than 10 pounds. I am still really careful with that.

It took about 2-3 months for the stiffness to go away. I have no pain, and really almost full movement of my neck now.

I didn't have any PT afterwards.

Different docs recommended different things. One doc would only have me wear the next brace 2 weeks, etc.

The doc I went with, had me wear the brace Full-time for 4 weeks, then part-time for 2 weeks.  All different.

Yes, Lots of OH members here. I "heard" OH has the highest incidence of MS in the country. Not sure if that is correct of not, but I believe it.

Michelle

[johnniebear]

Thanks,

When she showed me the MRI  it's pressing on the nerve.

Did you have any problems with moving your neck? or does it feel stiff?

How long did you stay in the hospital?  I heard one-to three days.

I'm watching how much I lift and how move until surgery.

It sure seem like we have alot members from Ohio...

Did you have alot of PT afterwards???  

John..      

[michelleric]

Well I must comment here.

I had cervical discectomy with fusion Jan 09. I had 2 discs done, used cadaver bone and have a plate with 6 screws in. (Now I really can say, I think I have a screw loose!)
(They all said I had a choice of using my hip bone, or cadaver bone, but ALL said use the cadaver bone. Too many complications from using your hip.)

I went for 4 different opinions, bringing my MRI and letting them examine me. I would not tell any of them what the other doctors said. I wanted them to form their own opinion. They all told me the EXACT same thing.

The discs were compressing my spinal cord, causing myelapathy. Basically they all said I needed surgery ASAP, because the damage it was causing can be irreversible and it would only get worse.

So, I chose the best doc for me and did it. I wore a neck brace for 6 weeks, and yes it was difficult.  The pain wasn't too bad. I now have a scar about 2 inches long on the left front of my neck. It is fading, and really, I don't care. Just one of my "battle" scars.

I now, unfortunately have another herniated disc above the 2 others, but it is not touching my spinal cord, so I am not doing anything about it.

Please ask me any questions you might have. I would definitely get at least one more opinion to "ease" your mind. about doing the right thing.

Take care,

Michelle

[SailorGal]

John, check out this thread: http://www.thisisms.com/ftopict-10949.html

[johnniebear]

thanks everyone,

Well when I have it done,  it would be great during the healing process if the NFL was on.

I'm near Chicago- of course a Bears fan,  I think Mike Mike Ditka was the best coach in my life time of watching football.

I have to tell you guys a funny football story,  my wife loves to watch the NFL with me  & yells more than I do,   So there we are watching the game, I called a play they should run & making all sorts of comments of why, so the  next play goes off & it's a very  Successful, Not the one I called,   I  was just ranting about it,  they should ran my  play,  my wife  turns to me a says,  and that's why your sitting in your  Lazy Boy & that's why they are on the field.             How True  .... we had a good laugh!!!  


I'll give you an update at the end of April on the MS DX if any & the  neck ..

Take Care every one,  

John..

[Lulu54]

John, so your pain in the neck is very real and has its own separate cause - I think its good news that they found this problem.  With your neuro's blessing I would certainly go ahead and have it done.  I know a couple people who have had this done, with greeat success and relief from pain.

As for watching these procedures on youtube - you're right that the yuck factor is there, big time.  That's as bad as when I stumbled upon a site that had the complete units with photos for a gross anatomy class.  It was like stumbling across a train wreck - I didn't want to look but I had to for the sake of my curiosity. I always wondered what I really look like under my skin and now I know!


Get that second opinion and check with your neuro - this is not a decision to be made based on a youtube video. :-)

be well, Lulu

[Quixotic1]

Hi, I'm so sorry you are having to face this, too.  I would definitely advise a second opinion - not because I think there is any thing that the neurosurgeon said is "iffy", but because it is always a good idea when facing something this major.  A third opinion is not a bad idea either.  But, if the herniation is actually causing pressure against the spinal cord, then it is going to be necessary, I think.  Merely herniating is not an awful thing if no nerves are being impinged or pressed on.

The additional opinion(s) are good so that if you have it done, you won't wonder later how necessary it was.  And, you're right, it is a great idea to have your neuro weigh in on it.  Care is so much better when our specialists coordinate care.

Whining is fine, just don't hide the cheese knife.

Quix

[johnniebear]

thanks,

I'm not on any DMD'S yet,  I sure  want the MS Specialist to give his opinion because I have a lesion at that same level.   ( three on the brain)

I take a muscle relaxer each night & Advil, I never sleep over 3 hours at a time & can go back to sleep & some times I just have to pay a visit to the frig-

I guess I've gotten use to some types of pain.   When I told the DR"S my neck wasn't any better after months, they never offered an MRI.  NO surprise there- I think they thought i was faking pain,  the young man the rear ended me didn't have insurance.

I've looked up this procedure on this site on other forums- most people  seem to be helped.

I want to be able to travel to Georgia by October to see our new Grandbaby that's due at the end of October.  That will be Our second grandchild ..

          You think I might be a little taller after surgery  :-))

thanks...
John...

[sllowe]

Oh, and you'd probably not notice changes w/adding a DMD at this point. The pain you must be experiencing totally overides those side affects (my opinion) from one pain-in-the-neck to another (have my fair share as well).

-shell

[sllowe]

Your apprehension is certainly justified. I'd feel the same way. If I think I can control my body even just a hair, I'll plan around it.

You can always ask if there is a non invasive course for this extent of an HNP.

If she says no, then tell her exactly how you are feeling about the symptoms you are having right now and your fears of what they will add to post-surgery pains.

Least w/her responses you'll be a bit more armed to make the decision.

I feel for you - your neck must be affecting everything. You getting any rest?
-shell

[twopack]

I'm thinking only you can decide when to have the surgery and only once you have talked to the doctors and evaluated your pain and limitations and lifestyle desires.  You might want to ask if you put it off, what the chances would be of it turning into a emergency type situation in the future.  These things are better when planned in my opinion.

At any rate, if they suggest a DMD for you that's wonderful and I would think you would be starting on that immediately.  I'm not sure why you would have to wait until after surgery (but I'm still new to this game).

Mary

[essdipity]

I'm sorry you're facing all of this. What a mess. If I were you I'd get another opinion from a neurosurgeon. That's always a good idea when a serious surgery is being suggested.

Best of luck to you, and keep us posted.

ess