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Posted 6/25/2009 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
I may be on the wrong boardbut I have had Chronic Pain for 18 years from 4 buldging disc in my upper back.  about a month ago, I started having severe pain in my right shoulder and arm. After going to several doctors and having tests such as MRI, I have a ruptured disc in my neck. I thought I had hurt my shoulder. Anyway, the Nuero wants me to have surgery. He said he would fuse the disc or whatever they do.

Has anyone had this   type surgery and how much pain is involved and how long is the recovery time?

TIA

Posted 6/26/2009 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I have had 4 cervical spinal surgeries and have had good results with each one. I've had disc fused and now I have a second plate in my neck. I know how scary it is to have this sort of surgery.......I put my foot on the door frame as they were wheeling me out of pre-op to the surgery suite and said "Guys, give me just another minute will you so I can take a long deep breath". They stopped and we all stayed there for about 2 minutes and then I said ,"O.K. lets do this". (This was with my first surgery.) Honestly, I didn't even have to take Tylenol post-op because there was such a relief of pain. I'm a nurse and I worked for 3 yrs.. holding my hand in my pocket while I worked with just one hand because the pain was so horrible. I used to have to run to the bathroom to vomit because of the pain. So....the next three surgeries were very welcomed. My recovery time was about 6 wks. with restrictions on things like lifting,etc. that have carried over since. I wish you good luck and prayers because I know what your are going through.
Nurse2
Posted 6/26/2009 3:34 AM (GMT 0)

painsince91,

I had a triple cervical fusion in 2000.  3 discs had ruptured, I went for several consultations to try alternative methods, in hopes of avoiding surgery but there was nothing that could be done.  When the discs ruptured the Spinal Cord was affected and I was left with permanent nerve damage.  It was 11 mos before I could return to work full time.  The surgery did relieve the severe pain and burning, and initially the numbness (that returned later).  The ruptures were caused from repetitive motion injury from my job.  After the surgery I returned and did the same work because I loved what I did and none of the Dr.'s said to stop working!  3 yrs later and more spinal damage I applied for SSD!

Each situation is different so its hard to say how long your recup time will be.  

Definitely go for a 2nd opinion before having any surgery!!

Good luck to you!

Patti

Posted 6/26/2009 9:36 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Tia,

Well I see a couple of the people that have had surgery has given you some good info as usual. Are you seeing a neurosurgeon for this surgery? Personally, if it were me I would consult with a good neurosurgeon for this particular type of surgery. The reason I say this is, a neurosurgeon is better versed in dealing with surgeries that involve the nerves, an orthopedic is more specialized in the bone structure.

Back when I was able to work, I saw many, many different kinds of surgeries. The people that required neck surgery always had better results and shorter recoveries when a neurosurgeon did the neck surgery.

Most of the time the drs tell the patients they can return to work in 6 weeks after neck surgery and I have seen many do just that. But, remember everyone is different and their surgery is also different, No two are alike. You may feel like working in 6 weeks and you may not.  The main thing is to follow your drs instructions to the letter, your recovery time is also a big factor on well you do after surgery. Don't try to rush things along, let your body heal at its pace and take care of it. You will have some certain restrictions after surgery.

Please let us know when your surgery is scheduled and keep us posted on how you are doing.

                                       

Posted 6/28/2009 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
I am seeing a Neurosurgeon and a very good one, I am told.  I have talked to 2 people that had back surgery and were very pleased with him. I have not talked to anyone who had neck surgery done by him.  I have now had PT for 3 weeks and I do the home traction thing.  I am better, but I also am on Percocet.  I was taking Hydrocodone for years.  At first, it took 2,  10 Mg to even touch the pain, now I am back to 1 every 4 hours. It hurts to move my shoulder at times and of course, my neck hurts.  I have not been on the puter much, because it hurts my neck.  At first, I was in excruciating pain and would have had surgery right then if they would have done it.  After  I got some relief, I said I would not have surgery.  Now, I have decided to go ahead and have it, I think.  I will have to have another Myleogram, he said.

I am caregiver for my DH who is 71, has Alzheimers, COPD and several other problems.  He fell last week right on his face and was bleeding so bad, it scared me to death.  He has a black eye, all the skin scraped off his nose and forehead and several other bruises.  He  is really like taking care of a baby.  So I have added work and lifting even tho I have this rupured disc.

I still don't know what I am going to do when I am in the hospital. He says he is going to stay with me. He is on oxygen and breathing treatments.  I told him he doesn't need to be  in the hospital with me after the surgery. So I don't know.

Does anyone know how long the hospital stay will be?

Also, I can't work. I have been on DSS since '07 so I will have time to heal, except for taking care of DH. I hope some of the grown kids will want to help.

I am scared to death, but if I could get relief from my pain, it would be worth it

My pain meds only work for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, if that. I also have pain in my Thorascic (sp) spine.

OK I am rambling. Thanks for any help.

Posted 6/28/2009 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
Wow you have your hands full. If I were you I would require that your adult children come home and help you through this. I hope they are helping you regularly now as it is.

There is so much to get prepared before you can go in for surgery. With you taking care of your DH I hope you are also looking out for your health also.

Please keep us updated and please come back. All of us are here to support you regardless of what is bothering you. Even off topic....

Laurie
Posted 6/29/2009 11:24 AM (GMT 0)

I had cervical fusion in 2006 C-5/7.  It was a very easy surgery with only an over night stay.  Went home with just 14 pain killers and used tylenol after that.  The worst part was wearing the big old neck brace, can't remember how long, then one of the soft rubber ones for a time after that.  I still have muscle spasm problems in my neck two years later but neurontin taken twice daily has taken care of that.  Probably be on it for ever but if it takes care of the pain then be it.

Jag

Posted 6/29/2009 11:53 AM (GMT 0)

When I had my surgery it was a 23 hour stay....barbaric in my opinion!  You need to understand, you will not be able to lift, bend or reach for a while after your surgery!  A friend of mine had surgery 12/08 and was there for 3 days, not sure if they've changed the length of stay or if her Dr and insurance allowed the longer stay.

XXOO
Patti

Posted 7/1/2009 12:47 AM (GMT 0)

I go next Monday for a Mylegram and CT scan.  Then after comparing these and MRI, the Dr. will decide if I can benefit from the surgery. He said since I have 4 very bad disc, if he fixes 2 of them, a lot of times the other 2 will get worse almost immediately. He does not want to try to fix all 4 of them.  I am feeling better today. I was exhausted after the long trip to Dr. yesterday. My 2 Grandaughters, 13 and 16 and myGrandson, 6 were here all day. The girls were going to dust and vacuum for me. After about 1/3 of the vacuuming, they quit. Now I have more work from what they messed up while they were here, plus they fight so much, I was glad to see them go.

Thanks for all ypor encouragement!

Posted 7/11/2009 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
I had the Mylegram Monday and it was excruciating!  I will never have another.  Then I had to go see the Dr. on Thursday. He told me what I already knew, that I had 4 very bad disc.  He said if he did the surgery, he would only fix C5/6 and C6/7 which he said was the lower 2. He talked to me a long time about the risks and told me if I expected to be "perfect" afterward, I would be dissappointed.  He said usually after fusing 2 of them , the other 2 bad ones will start giving me trouble.  The more ne talked, the more confused I became!.  I asked him this, 'If this was your neck, and these were your test results, would you have the surgery?'  He said " No I would not."  I said, so you would just live on pain meds the rest of your life?"  He said "No, I would not take pain meds".  I told him the only relief I get was about 45 minutes to an hour 5 times a day and the rest of the time the pain consumes my whole life.  I told him that I probably shoul not have it, since he said he would not have it. He said he didn'r know my pain and how bad it is. He said let's go ahead and set up the surgery and you'll have something to look to and think about and discuss with family and then if you want to change your mind, you can.

My best 2 friends asked me to please NOT have the surgery.  They think I will be worse. My 16 yr. old Granddaughter was here cleaning house while I was at the Dr. and when I told her, she said, "Grandma, don't let that Dr. wimp out on you! You need the surgery, so have it." Two of my Church friends told me, it sounds like I need to have it because they know how much pain I am in all the time.

My DH told me it was my decision and he would back me in whatever I decided.  Now today, he told me, I don't want you to have it. I am afraid you will be paralized and I don't know what I would do without you.

I am so confused! I know it is my decision and I will make my own decision but

Has anyone ever had this surgery when their Dr. said he would not have it himself?

 He said he had done this surgery for 20 years, No one ever died on the table, no one was paralized from the surgery.

 He said he was afraid I would not get the relief I hoped for.

Someone please talk to me, please?

Posted 7/11/2009 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Pain,
First, and this is a big one - get a second opinion from a different, experienced surgeon at another specialty center before having any surgery. That will give you more information. You can take all your test results with you, and this will give you time to formulate questions. Do NOT rush into this surgery, especially with how the doctor answered your question about whether he would have it.

I would also suggest you meet with a pain psychologist to help you make this decision, because the likelihood is no surgery will completely cure the pain, but it may lessen it. Still, it may also do what your doctor describes - make some things worse. His answer to whether he would take pain meds I would, if it was me with what I know now, disregard. He obviously has not been in serious chronic pain and to say he wouldn't have the surgery but wouldn't take meds says he doesn't understand what this is like for you. Surgeons can be like that. They're not bad people, but they do a surgery, and after a few months you're released to another doctor - often a pain management specialist in many of our cases.

I had a double lumbar fusion in 2007. I had two surgical opinions; one older, probably more experienced surgeon from a local hospital told me he would suggest I not have the surgery. Then I went to a large teaching hospital and the younger, hot shot surgeon doing the latest techniques gave me an 80-90% chance of reducing or eliminating my symptoms with a minimally invasive fusion. Well, of course that sounded great to me, but now almost two years later none of the symptoms got better, and I have muscle pain in the area of the incision I didn't have before. I ask myself alot - would I have the surgery knowing what I know now? Probably not. But then I would always wonder - what if I had it? It's not an easy decision but one you need to make peace with. It will likely not solve all your problems. Whether it will help enough I don't know. Gather information, and take more time to calm your anxiety before making the decision. That's why I think a neutral psychologist or therapist with experience in pain management could be helpful here. I would recommend not asking every single relative and friend for an opinion because it's only going to get more confusing. YOU need to gather the information and maybe with your husband come to peace with whatever you decide. This may sound harsh, but it's not a decision for children to weigh in on. They can't possibly understand.

Hopefully some of this helps, but I would NOT have the surgery without a second opinion.

You can also search some threads of healing well for others who have had cervical fusions, but every neck is different. And those who have had successful fusions may not even be posting.

Take care,

PaLady
Posted 7/14/2009 4:04 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you for that reply.

I talked to the nurse and tomorrow I am picking up my test results and taking them to a Neurosurgeon in Nashville, Tn for a second opinion.  Then if he says no, I will try to get into a pain clinic.

Posted 7/14/2009 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
Pain,
That's great. Be sure to take this time to write down all the questions you have for the surgeon, and you may even want to take your husband or a close friend with you to help you "listen". I've even recommended some people take a small tape recorder because sometimes you forget all that's said. Try to get a contact number/person for if you have more follow up quetions because surgeons are well, in surgery, and when they're not they're usually overwhelmed. My NS's nurse has been a godsend and I have her extension, which has been my main contact ever since the fusion. But I also can occasionaly e-mail my NS. He doesn't always answer, but usually someone gets back to me.

Let us know how it goes.

PaLady
Posted 7/14/2009 9:13 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Pain,

I am so sorry to hear about everything you are going thru. I know its scarey and at the same time very frustrating to say the least. I see PaLady has been helping you out here and giving some great advice.

I have seen lots of different kinds of surgery because of  the line of work I was in. What your dr told you about the surgery is very true. I know that what he told you also was not what you really wanted to hear. You should appreciate his honesty. I know if a dr told me if it was him, he would not have the surgery, you can bet I would not either. Your situation is a little more complex because of the fact you have 4 bad disc instead of the usual one or two. That puts a whole new spin on things. What he said about fixing the bottom two then the ones above getting worse and causing alot of problems has a great potential of happening, I have ssen this happen not only in necks but in the lumbar spine too. Also, if you have alot of nerve problems going on surgery cannot correct that, they have to heal on their own. They may heal or they may not, no one can predict this one, Somtimes waiting too long to have surgery can cause irreversible nerve damage. Its really complicated.

It does not surprise me what he said about taking pain medication either. He is not into pain mgt so he has no clue about that area. A pain good pain mgt can do many things for us to relieve pain that the specialist can't.  Most drs unless they are pain mgt drs do not want patients on pain medication, but then thats not their specialty either. I would not pay any attention to him in that department at all. But, I sure would get myself a referral to a good pain mgt dr. There are two types of pain mgt drs, one does injections and procedures and does not give medication. The other kind does this plus give medication. Be sure you get into the one that does offer pain medication. Before any appt is made be sure to ask if this dr does offer pain meds if he feels they are  needed.

I think its good to get a secondd opinion here also, But keep in mind what Palady went thru in doing this too. Sometmes surgery cannot fix things.

I think the least you talk to people about this like friends and relatives the better off you will be. They do not have the proper information to really give you sound advice. Instead, you will end up being more confused than ever. Sure its easy for someone to say oh, get another dr to do your surgery, but its not that easy by a long shot.

I would not schedule surgery with the dr you saw first, There is no way I would let someone cut on me when they tell me they would not have the surgery if it was them. I would run as fast as I could from that guy. Please take care and keep us posted on how you are doing. We are here to help you in any way we can.

Posted 7/15/2009 7:04 AM (GMT 0)

Painsince91

Please let us know what you find out at your appt. in Nashville, you have my curiosity up.  I too had the shoulder problems and then lost the use of my left arm altogether from nerves being pinched.  PT did help me get the use of my arm back but the shoulder would ache constantly and if I put my arm in certain positions it would tingle all the way to my hand and my thumb and half of my index finger would go numb.  I couldn't work like this so I opted on fusion surgery in '06 at C-5/7.  Here it is 3 yrs. later and I have had problems since with muscle spasms in my neck & shoulder areas.  Like I posted earlier I finally had a rheumy prescribe neurontin about 6 mos. ago and it was like a miracle with the nerve pain.  The spasms are gone.  Good luck!  It is a scary surgery to go through and a hard decision to make.  Guess it all depends on how well you are able to do the things you need or like to do.

Jag

Posted 7/16/2009 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
I am interested to find out what your decision is.... and all about your surgery if you choose to get it....

I may be going through the same thing.... just saw my PM Dr... I have two more cervical epidurals to go.... but that's all my PM Dr could do for me...... now it's off to have a consult with a surgeon at the beginning of August...
Posted 7/16/2009 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
I went to Nashville yesterday to take my test cd's and things to the Dr. The nurse just took them from me and said he would get back to me after he looked at them.  So I won't know anything for a few days.  I will let you know when I hear from him.  Thanks for everything!

Posted 7/16/2009 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Pain,
Did you get some of your questions answered?

PaLady
Posted 7/16/2009 6:23 PM (GMT 0)

No, I didn't get to see the Dr. They just took my test results and said he would call me after he looked at them.  I drove 2 hours to get there and I had my DH with me and that took longer because twice his Oxygen tank ran out and we had to exchange the tanks. Plus he has to walk slow and it was so hot.  He did not want me to go by myself and I did not want him home alone so I would have to worry about him.  He never understood the whole day what we were doing.  So it was a long hard day for us.  When we got home at 7p.m. after leaving at 9 am, we were beat.  I timed it where he could get an eye exam and glasses in Murfreesboro because he had fell on his face on concrete and scratched his glasses and his face pretty bad.

I probably should have scheduled his appointment closer to home but I thought Lenscrafters would be right on the way I would be going.  Sorry, too much info.

Posted 7/16/2009 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Wow. You could have mailed them your information, especially if any MRI's and such are on CD's. I don't know if something got confused with how the appointment was scheduled, but I'd be a little ticked if I drove that far and didn't get to see the doctor. This is a serious decision you're trying to make, and having a discussion over the phone may not give you all the answers you want. Still, I would make sure you have your questions written down so when he calls you can ask everything. And he may not call - it may be one of his nurses.

I hope you at least get some clarity on all this!

Take care,

PaLady
Posted 7/17/2009 3:45 AM (GMT 0)

Dear Pain,

I'm so sorry that you have all of this on your hands plus having the disc problems. As I said, I had a wonderful neurosurgeon who was not at all knife happy which made me feel good. For my third and fourth surgeries I had to make multiple appts. and beg to have the surgery because I was vomiting constantly from pain. I couldn't leave the house, I couldn't drive....but he didn't think that the MRI looked that bad. Then after both surgeries he came to me and apologized because he said that the MRI did not show all of the problem and that it looked like a bomb had gone off in my neck. I do feel so much better but had to retire after the 4th surgery because of all of the physical restrictions I have now. My whole spine is a time bomb and I have scoliosis to boot so my problem might be different from yours. Get your second opinion and really think hard about the surgery. I'm right there with you about the mylegram's...I've had 2 and I'll never have another one. There has to be a better way to do that proceedure. I kept passing out and then had a headache that about killed me. I'll say a prayer for you that all goes well. I know what a big decision this is for you. Good luck!

Nurse2

Posted 7/17/2009 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Pain

I have been reading your posts, Please Please Please be very careful, if your disc are really bad now, I sure would not do any lifting our bending over or anything that could cause you more damage to your disc! This is serious stuff! And those discs can get worse! Mine actually ruptured and broke into pieces that were floating an lodged in the spinal canal!

I am curious as to why the surgeon will not fix all the disc? Especially if he knows that only fixing the bottom two of them will only make the other two bad ones even worse! Which if they get really bad could really cause you some problems. I am glad you went for a second oppinion. You might even consider a third if necessary! But while you are making your decision, please do careful!. I would think you definitely need help caring for your husband, with what you have said, well.........it scares me! One thing to consider, whether you have surgery or not, you can not continue to do the things that you used to do. And the discs can get worse over time. I don't envy your decision, for me I didn't have to make it, when they finally found out what was wrong with me, it was an emerengcy, and I was extremely lucky that I was not a quad. Anyway again I ask you to Please be careful!

Good Luck to You

White Beard
Posted 7/17/2009 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Pa lady. no they made me bring them down. The Dr. at nashville told me to get the other Dr. to mail them, but the 1st Dr. said I would have to come and get them.

nurse2 Why did yopu have to have 4 surgeries? Were they all on your neck?

White Beard, He said if he fixed all 4 I would not be able to turn my neck at all, I would be so stiff.

Posted 8/3/2009 12:50 AM (GMT 0)

Hello Everyone,

Here it is August 2nd and I still have not been seen by the Dr for the 2nd opinion before surgery.  They waited 2 weeks before they called me and was going to set up an appointment for me when they found out I had went to one of the other Drs. in their "Group".  They have made such a big deal out of it, They said we do not swap patients. I said I am not his patient. I saw him in 1991 and 1992 and he released me and told me I was not a candidate for surgery. I was on WC then and they made a big deal out of that. I told them the WC ended in 1994. They made me get permission from the 1st Dr. and now they say I have to get permission from the Dr. I want to see.  I told them that while all this rigamarole was going on I was here in pain and needed help.  I don't think they care at all.

By the way, this severe pain started in May and I have been shifted from Dr. to Dr. and I am sick of it all.

Posted 8/3/2009 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Pain,

What a mess! I've run into this problem before too. I once saw a neuro-ophthalmologist at this large practice, because I could not get in to see the one the my doctor wanted me to see for several months & the problem was urgent. I didn't care for the doctor I saw & there was nothing that she could do for me. Well, about a year & a half later, my ophthalmologist tried to send me back to the neuro-ophthalmologist that he had wanted me to see in the first place. The lady on the phone made this huge deal out of it (even though I explained that my doctor wanted me to see this guy specifically, and I wanted a second opinion, plus I had a new problem) & told me that the (new) doc would have to look over my chart & okay it first, and then he might see me. I had my ophthalmologist call the neuro-ophths' office & settle the matter for me. Within a few hours of him having calls, I got a call back from the office in order to schedule my appointment, AND they got me in within a couple weeks (usually takes months to see this guy).
Sometimes it's just getting past the red tape. I hope they give you an appointment with this new doctor.

Skeye
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