c6-c7 anterior cervical fusion

[Bruce]

I am a 39 year old male, 170 pounds, who works at a computer.  I have experience pain since last december in my left arm, shoulder, and neck.  Back in April, 2000 I experienced numbness and tinkling in my left arm.  I lost strength also.   My doctor sent my to PT, and I got better.  Most of my strenght returned, but not like before.  This condition has continued to nag me, and I decided to go back to the doctor who recommended I have a MRI.  I did.  The results showed a herniated disk at C6-C7.  I he referred me to a neurosurgeon.  The neurosurgeon after introductions said that I needed to have surgery, and that my condition would not improve only become worse. He said that I had spinal compression that would begin to affect other areas.  I was shocked, but I went ahead and scheduled the procedure for early December.  But I have reservations due to the fact that I do not hurt as much as before.  I am afraid that the surgery will open up complications that will be worse than my present condition.   Should I wait, and have surgery when this is unbearable or should I get this corrected now early on in the game?  I only have about 10 days before going to the hospital.  
Would more PT be effective, and as long as I'm not suffering much do I really need to go under the knife?  My doctor said see me now or see me later.  

Bruce

[Steve Donaldson]

So glad to hear that a lot of you have been able to go on with life.  Wish I could say the same?  Since 1994 I have had five cervical fusions.  I am bone from C-2 to C-7 with the disc at C-7 to C-8 ruptured and causing extreme pain.  I have my good days once in a while.  Unable to work and even really do a lot of normal light stuff around the house.  I tried all of the normal things before going under the knife.  So please do avoid it if you can.  My problems go to just bad neck karma nothing was left after the years of hard work.  Being only 115 lbs. I still did all the things the big boys did if they lifted the end of a 300lbs beam I carried the other.  So everyone just remind yourself if it hurts don't do it pain is there for a reason.  Mostly to stop you from doing the same stupid thing again!  LOL

[TYPkitty]

Rebecca, I'm so sorry to read your story, and the problems that have occured resulting from your cervical surgery. My surgery was 2 weeks ago today, my throat is getting better, but food still chokes me up. I had my doc appt. the other day, and he said the collar would stay on another month or two, and then will be able to go with soft collar and start physical therapy. He said everyone's surgery's are different, and with mine, It will not be a fast recovery. ? I have no idea why. Although, I will say the pain is improving every day now, but I can't sit up or do much for very long. And the worst part is the sleeping. Only catch a couple of hours at a time, the collar is hell, and the neck feels broken. He said if they was no improvment with my throat in 4 weeks, he would have to send me to a specialist. That anything over 6 weeks requires looking into. As for the voice, it is still deeper than normal. Again, he said he gives those problems 6 weeks recovery, otherwise testing will be done. I wish you the best, please keep us informed. As for the fusion, I learned w/my previous lumbar fusions, that will take 12 to 18 months to basically take, until then, be very gentle with the neck and it's movements.

[rebe]

TYPKitty:

And the rest of the Cervical C4/5, C5/6 survivors. I had my surgery on Nov 9, 2000. (11 weeks) I just went back to work today.  I am still not talking without squeaking and I am having a difficult time not choking when I swallow. Very scary. I also suffered some damage to Carotid artery. My right eye is half open and the pupil stays very small, almost Pinpoint.   Also, ever since I came home from the hospital my sinuses have been stuffed up Soooo bad??!!  Anyone else have any of the above?
Now for the good news. The right arm pain and numbness has subsided. Only occasional spasms and neck jolts.
Mine started with a snowmobile accident 4 years ago. I broke my sacrum, pelvis, 2 ribs and my thumb. Lucky to be living today!! I also had a lumbar laminectomy last year at this time.  I hope to be an overhauled person now.  
Take care everyone and the best to all of you !!! Keep me posted.
Rebecca

[Simmi]

Bruce,
Hope your doing well. I just found this site and read about your "story" which is much like mine. 4 1/2 years ago I was in an auto accident. Although the insurance company doctors claimed nothing was wrong, 18 months later I finally found a neurosurgeon who found cervical instability at c6-7. After the agony I had been through and much thought, I proceeded with the fusion taking a bone graft from my hip.  Now, 3 years later, I remain in constant pain. I "finally" have an appointment with another neurosurgeon tomarrow. Hopefully he will be able to figure out what to do with my constant headaches, tingling and numbness in my hands with a heavy dead feeling, and constant pain and severe stiffness in my neck, shoulders, and down my spine. I cant work, sleep, sit, stand,....without pain and frankly, I am miserable. Hope all goes much better for you. Oh, I wore my neck brace 2 years and now about 1/2 to 1/3 of the time per doctors orders. After surgery I wore a philadelphia collar for 4 months. I read a medical research journal that said a full fusion does not occur for at least 6 months.
Take care....
Simmi

[TYPkitty]

Thank you Bruce, that made me feel better. I actually ate a piece of white bread w/butter this morning,and only gagged a few times! With my lumbar fusions, I was given material to inform me of what to expect the whole way thru, it just seems w/the cervical fusion everyone acted as if I'd be good as new in 2 weeks, and I still hurt all over, besides the throat problem. Your note helped. Thank you...and best wishes with your recovery!

[TYPkitty]

hi, I came across this site tonight, while doing some search on cervical fusion myself. I won't go into all the details, but I had my cervical area fused  a week ago (on the 8th) this was my 3rd back fusion in less than 3 years. So, I'm familar with the process and the time frame of recovery depending on the area (cervical, lumbar, etc), anyway, I'd read everything, had my doctor tell me this would be a breeze compare to my others, the works, but I ended up 4 days in the hospital (I had a 2 level fusion C-4-5-6-7), am still in a great deal of burning pain (shoulders, upperback, arms) and the big problem is my throat. I could not swollow for 3 days after surgery, and then started with injectable steriods every 3 hours for 24 hours. I could then start swallowing some,and was able to go home, but just eating a banana in small bites is horrible.I'm living off scrambled eggs, ice cream, banana's. I still can barely swollow my pain pills, and throw half back up (they stay caught in my throat),,and sipping a drink is still a painful chore. I spoke with my doctor's office today, (been 8 days since surgery) and they say this is not abnormal, and will see how I'm progresing when I see them this week (4 days)..nothing I read on the net will elaborate about the throat problems just that swallowing may be difficuilt from days to a couple of weeks. Amd I haven't come across any comments from anyone experiencing this paticular problem Anyone have this also?????