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Posted 3/19/2009 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone!! Once again I wanted to let everyone know how much I appreciate you input the other night. My doctor finally gave me Vicodin and a muscle relaxant to get me through. He is also rushing in a referral to an outside neurosurgeon. I also had another round of regular x-rays but they are of me flexing and extending my neck. But what the report states is the hardware is intact and there has been near complete obliteration of the disc space. No significant movement either flexing or extension at the site of fusion. SO... I don't know what to make of this or if the disc space was suppose to be obliterated or not. I guess I will have to wait until I see the neurosurgeon. They also have a consult in for an MRI. Thank-you everyone for listening to me.
Posted 3/19/2009 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
You're asking a lot of good questions. Make sure to ask them of your doc! I would think the disk space should be obliterated with fusion, but I'm not a doc and could definitely be wrong - plus it might depend on the technique and hardware used. At least the hardware is intact, which seems like a good sign to me.

Good luck with the NS - keep that list of questions with you!

We're here to listen anytime!

PaLady
Posted 3/20/2009 5:23 AM (GMT 0)
Day I think PA. is right a fusion should close the disc space between two vertebra.
Posted 3/20/2009 5:32 AM (GMT 0)
I thought so too, but it doesn't make sense when the first regular xrays state: Their is a thin lucency through the graft site, with sclerotic margins, concerning for incomplete fusion. Why would the second xray state the opposite? Boy do they have me confused. All I know is that I am in alot of pain. When they did the 1st xrays They had me just standing there, the second xrays they had me holding 10 pound bags in each arm which was killing me.
Posted 3/20/2009 6:38 AM (GMT 0)
OMG ... Ten pound bags would kill me!

Daylont: Believe it or not I've been to three neurosurgeons. I will make
a suggestion here. Have your notes neatly in front of you. Don't go
fishing in your purse. It seems that these doctors don't have the conventional
people skills. I think it's because their brains are so tuned into one chanel.
They can be abrupt. Rude. Annoying. Confusing. Oh, lots of things.

The main thing is you want to know what he thinks. You might even give
him a typed page of your questions.

Oh ... I could tell you stories about the neurosurgeons that I seen. EEEk!.

I wonder ... Could you hurt yourself by lifting those ten pounds bags?
Sheeeeoooot I can't even really pick up my cat. But you know cats,
I kind of gather her in my arms.

Why are you having a consult for an MRI? My doctor ordered four MRI's
for me. (I found out that can't be done.) I think my pain doctor isn't
used to ordering MRI's. Chills me.

I am having my left shoulder and my C spine MRI'd next Monday. I'll have
an IV sedation and pain relief. (Good ,huh) The MRI tech said,
"Don't worry, honey. Nothing will bother you. Nope nothing."
Hmmmmmmmmmmm?

I didn't mean to write for so long. It just happened.

Ok. Let us know. Inquireing minds need to know.

Pamela

Ten pounds? What state do you live in? and you answer "The state of
confusion"
Posted 3/20/2009 7:05 AM (GMT 0)
Pamela,

Ya the 10 pound bags set me off. My spine was burning from the neck all the way to the middle back. It probably could do more damage than good. I know the neurosurgeon who did my surgery told me not to lift anything!! But the radiology department said that holding the bags with my head tilted forward and backwards is what they needed.

I have been keeping notes and asking questions from everyone.

I need to have the MRI to take with me to the new neurosurgeon they are sending me to. I talked to the office today to get my appointment and she told me I could come in and see the physician assistant and she would order the tests, Or I could have the tests and see the doctor. But without the MRI I can not see the doctor. Stupid huh?? I have never heard anything like that before. But anyway, My primary care doctor told me he had put the consult in for the MRI. I have to see an outside doc because the Navy Hospital here doesn't have the MRI machine. So.. That has been a whole new run around story. I need to work on getting that done tomorrow.

It seems that the two different times in the past week that I have had the regular xrays they ahve been read differntly. One says that it is concerning that the fusion did not heal and the other said the disk space is near complete obliteration which is what they want with a fusion. So.. I don't know how they both could be read so differently.

Thanks for replying to my post. I will keep you updated in my progress. Oh yea and we are in Washington State at the Navy base. You sure hit the nail head right on with the state of confusion. That is exactly where I am at.

 

Posted 3/20/2009 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Daylont,

Well, at least you're getting it taken care of.

When we work with doctors it's always confusing. They are the ones who can get
us well. (I hope)

I'm starting my "getting well" process. It coincides with yet another house move.
Lovely.

Later,

Pam

Post Edited (Pamela Neckpain) : 3/20/2009 3:10:32 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/20/2009 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Pam,

Me too. I have started a notebook on my healing process. I too have alot of the same  issues that you do. I have everything you have except the attention deficit disorder, but  I do have obsessive compulsive disorder. LOL!! I am tired of all of the drugs and just want to heal myself and keep notes on what is going on with me. Thank-you for caring enough to write.

Posted 3/20/2009 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Write on, Daylont!

We're gonna make it.

Just remember:

"It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n roll."

We're on the way, girl!

Pamela

I'll keep a journal too.
Posted 3/20/2009 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
Daylont,
This is just my opinion, but having you flex and extend even without lifing weight is shakey, but ten pounds??? I would definitely tell your doctors that because that seems dangerous to me, IMHO. When I was asked to have X-rays a year after my lumbar fusion, my NS nurse said with flexion and extension when we were talking on the phone, and I said are you kidding me? Then she said, well, just go as far as you can without pain. And it turned out not to be too bad. But there was no weight even mentioned by my NS or by the X-ray tech, which was at a different facility.

As far as the fusion, it's possible that "near complete obliteration" could be interpreted by someone else to mean an incomplete fusion. Your NS is the one to really tell you what's what, and if it matters. You may be able to function fine with a slightly incomplete fusion, but that is pure personal opinion on my part. I'm glad you're getting the MRI, and will have more details and specialist visits soon.

PaLady
Posted 3/20/2009 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Wanted to wish you good luck or well wishes at your
neurosurgeon appointment and hope the vicodin helps,
Lots and Lots of soft hugz and keep us posted......
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{daylont}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Hope you get a top of the line doc and one that'll care....
Posted 3/20/2009 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
daylont
I was worried about those Xrays, they did the same to me with the weights, and it hurt like crazy! I question even why they did them, if you need to have the MRI, which I can understand why the neurosurgeon wants them, you can't see the spinal canal with Xrays unless you have a myelogram. The MRI gives the Doc so much more information and the their is no radiation involved with the MRI! Take care of yourself and try to get copies of all the stuff they do to you! Xray reports and Doctors reports! If you can get your medical records, go to the library or some where, do you have ascanner on your computer?, and make copies of everything! Believe me things can conveniently disappear from your medical record, at the most in-opportune times, if you get my drift! Protect yourself get copies of everything in your military medical records!
Is your new neurosurgeon a civilian? Please keep us posted!
Good Luck to You
White Beard
Posted 3/20/2009 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
I had to wait two hours for a neurosurgeon. (Be prepared for that, of course.)
When I got into the exam room he had me do all those nose touching things.
I believe I walked across the room. He wanted to do something with my shoulders
that absoulety hurt sooooo bad.

"Please be care with this one my back and shoulders HURT" I said.
He backed away from me and shouted, "I can't give you a report if you won't let me touch you."
Then he backed away from me. Turned. And slammed out the other office door. Wow!
My husband rushed in to "save" me from the monster. He would tell you that I'm really not
exagerating.
I got the report: "Patient would not cooperate with my precedures. I could not do an examination."
He was crazy or maybe, just maybe he was saving me from a surgery three years ago.
Posted 3/20/2009 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
Pamela
That is just like a neurosurgeon to say something like that! Neurosurgeons are definitely a different bread of human beings, smart and skilled, but I have met very few that have any people or social skills, they remind me of Fighter Jocks in the Air Force, but even they had social skills when they were around each other! Maybe neurosurgeons are nice with each other too! But I have met a few of them over the years and all the ones I have ever met, even in nursing, were Jerks around other people!

White Beard
Posted 3/20/2009 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thank-you everyone for all of your suggestions. I am concerned about the two different regular xrays and them being read differently by two different radiologists. Holding the weights was very painful and I am currently dealing with that, but I do have the vicodin. I thought it was strange too, since my neuroi in South Carolina told me NOT to lift anything , to go back to where I was right after surgery. The new nuerologist got my referral and said he would not see me with out the MRI. They told me I could go in and see the Physician assistant and she would asses me and order the tests. To me that a waste of MY time. So of course I got on the phone with tricare to get a referral for the MRI, got the referral but no approval. Does that make sense?? The place that does the MRI said they would call me once they have approval. The Nuerologist and place to have the MRI are both civilian. I will tell you I have had my share of crappy docs, and so I am at a point in my life that I take no more bull. I will definetely SET HIM STRAIGHT!!, Besides I have a pet peeve that my doctors need to look at my eyes when we are discussing my health! I hate it when they look at a computer or all over the room, everywhere but at me. Chartreux thank you for the hug!! I needed it! Thanks everyone, I will keep you all posted.
Posted 3/21/2009 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
daylont
Is there any reason that they didn't let you go the neurosurgeon that done your original surgery? Would that be something that you could fight for? I would think that would be the better choice, especially if you liked and trusted him. That neurosurgeon know you and your history, reading your post frustrates me because it brings back so many memories, I will keep you in my prayers! I always hated the way the military does things, and it sounds like they haven't changed much since I retired! Please be careful, get copies of everything and document everything, I know full welll how they operate, and how things are done! Sound like you do too! When you had the Xrays done were they done by military? or civilian? Are your arms still hurting from the Xrays? They shouldn't have had you hold that much weight! That is so scary to me! and the different results from the different radiologist, if they are military that could explain some things, but I agree with you that alone is cause for concern!
You take care!
White Beard
Posted 3/21/2009 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
Whitebeard, Yes the military is fustrating. They keep getting me all screwed up because  I also have medicare part A (hospitalization only) I havebeen on full disability for 4 years now. But because my husband is still active duty Tricare is my primary insurance. So they get that all screwed up and I have to fight them about it.

As for seeing my Neurosurgeon that did my surgery is impossible since I am now in Washington State, he is in Charleston South Carolina.  Of course they don't have any of his records in my medical records, so I have to order them for the new Neurosureon. I will keep a copy for myself also. I should have done that when I left there but I didn't. My neck to the middle of my back is burning, like a hot poker is inside my spine. My arms throb, especially in the front and if I lean my head back they go numb to my finger tips on both sides. So.. Your guess is as good as mine! The radiologists that did the regular xrays are both military, and at the same place. Naval Hospital Bremerton. I may get more results once I am able to have the MRI and see the civilian Neurosurgeon. I know that soemthing is not right, wether it be where the fusion is,or below in another area. 

Posted 3/21/2009 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
Daylont,
Did all this burning start (or increase) after you had to lift those 10 lbs.? I also know for me bending my neck back is one of the worse moves I can do. I'd try to keep your neck in a neutral position as much as possible until you see the NS.

PaLady
Posted 3/21/2009 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Daylont,

My back, neck, Cspine and rear end are on fire. It feels like a terrible sunburn. I'm miserable. I think
it probably has something to do with nerves. (wild guess)

I'd better be ok to go to that MRI on Monday. I'd better.

Arggggh.

Try sunburn stuff on your back. It kinda helps mine.

My back is beginning to scare me.

Pamela shocked

Post Edited (Pamela Neckpain) : 3/20/2009 8:46:02 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/21/2009 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
Pam, Thanks for the advice. I can't even have my back rubbed to put lotion on. I wonder if my diabetes has anything to do with the burning in my spine. They say that I have peripheral neuropathy in my feet,so maybe it effects my spine too. Its not the fibromyalgia that I suffer from because it is a different kind of pain. I hope your MRI goes allright on monday. I have an endoscope of my stomach and intestines on monday morning and I am concerned about them manipulating my neck during the procedure. I can't put it off though. I have had 90% of my stomach removed and a total colectomy so it needs to be checked out because I have been having some problems there too. I am a mess!! LOL!, But a survivor too! I am going to beat all of these things if it kills me.

PAlady, the burning increases if I lift anything, the laundry basket, my grandson , a 12 pack of coke. I burn real bad. I f I lean my head back I get this really weird sensation of  like an electrical shock and lose the feeling in my arms all the way to my finger tips. It also makes me really sick feeling. Its weird. I have never experienced any thing like it before.  

You all have been such a great help!!! And I don't feel all alone struggling with this mess of a body I have. I feel as if someone else out there understands what I am going through.

 

Posted 3/21/2009 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
daylont,

I like how you call yourself a survivor. That's a good way to think about it. It helps me. I too
am a survivor but I haven't had problems as complex as yours. I've had plenty of problems - oh yes.

I went googling for burning back. Oh, don't go there. There's so much. Too much. Ever heard of
TMI (too much information) My dam n back burns all the time. It's a constant.

If you have a cervical collar, wear it when you go to get your endoscope. Those scare people. I
would hope that you frighten the techs. I want them taking good care of you. (and me!)

My favorite quote of the year by Daylont:

"I'm a survivor too! I'm going to beat all these things if it kills me."

Pamela
Posted 3/21/2009 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
Pam, Thank-you!! tongue

I think I kinda of intimidate most of the techs, corpman, and who ever else that try

to take care of me because I always do my research and I have been through alot.I have personal experience in just about every test they can run.

I have had bilateral carpal tunnal surgery, Bilateral foot surgery to remove fibromas from both feet, I have had  ACDF on my neck , Subtotal colectomy for constipation, Total hysterectomy, gallbladder and appendix removed, 90% of my stomach removed. I am probably ready to be certified so I can run my own tests and put my own IV's in. LOL!! I usually tell them how to do some of the procedures, because I have had them done so many times. I probably have a complete medical library of my own x-rays, MRI's, CAT scans,and mammograms in my bedroom closet. I use to carry my medical records with me everywhere until the military decided we don't own them anymore they do. So now you can't even touch them and recently they have gone to computerized records so all military hospitals can pull your records up no matter where you are. I have had good people take care of me and a few that need to be taught a lesson on good bedside manner. I no longer just go with what ever they want to do, I research and put my own two cents in. This is my body and I know more about it than anyone else. Hang in there, and if you ever need to talk please let me know.  

Besides my neck problems I have 2 hearniated disks in my lower back at L4/5 and L5/S1. I have schmorl's nodes at L2 and L3 end plates. I have chose up to now to leave this area alone, just doing the steriod injections. I have been stabel for about 2 years. It flares up now and then. More so if I carry anything around like laundry, grandkids, groceries ect.. So I am always very cautious.   This is just a few of the things they have identified with my back. There is more, but I have already wrote a book. Ha! Ha! smhair  

 

Posted 3/21/2009 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
Geeesh! daylont I guess you are a survivor! Just be careful, I don't have a great of faith in military medicine, even if it is the Navy which I think (as I have previously mentioned has the best Doctors) So take care of yourself and that goes for you to Pamela!

Good Luck to You

White Beard
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