Tomorrow is the day!

Finally going to see the neurosurgeon! I have waited so long for this appt! Hopefully will get some relief soon and hopefully will be able to get back to work soon! It's been a long month and a half...UGH! Will let you know what happens after my appt in the am

Good Luck cinfullangel I do hope he can help you, are you still having the severe arm pain still? I know when I had mine it was unrelenting and just would not let up and I had it for along time before I ever got to see a neurosurgeon. I sure hope he can help you and give you some relief!

White Beard

Good Luck !

Finally home from my appt! I have to have surgery because the herniation is so large. The neurosurgeon told me they could do injections but that it would just block the pain and down the road I'd be in the same boat as I am now. I'm now off work till Aug.4th....surgery is April 29th....I'm a nervous wreck about it all....and worrying about losing my position at my job. My FMLA that guarantees my position is up tomorrow :( and than it is up to the managers discretion as to whether or not they post my position....UGH!

I'm having a cervical fusion done. The herniated disc is pressing on my spinal cord and is also causing a pinched nerve...mine is on the right side but it very well could be the same as what you have.

It is very scary....I know the night before I'm going to be a nervous wreck! I'm glad to have found this forum with everyone's friendliness and support here!

Cinfullangel, sorry about your situation. I had 3 level ACDF back in January. It was C6,7 that was my biggest enemy with the arm, hand pain and numbness. I had injections into the nerve from both the back and front but did I not get relief. For me, surgery was a good option to avoid permanent damage.

Your fear and worry is understandable. Common surgery today, but big deal personally. Last thing I said to my wife before being put to sleep was " I hope I am doing the right thing". Strangely, It was also the first thing I said after waking.

Three months later, it was a good decision. Relief from severe pain and weakness is immediate. I can offer a couple of suggestions. Ask for the post op pain pump before going into surgery. Swallowing a pain pill afterwards will be difficult. This I learned the hard way. Secondly, listen to your surgeon. Healing process takes time, don't push it. If you do, a price will be paid. Have the soft foods ready afterwards. I didn't know I liked jello, and pudding so much. On the bright side, I dropped about 20lbs from a soft food diet.

Good luck to you. I wish I came to this site prior, lots of good real experiences. Please keep us posted, and reach out when necessary.

Texas122

Cinfull you have been given some excellent advice about the surgery. Everyone is scared when it comes to surgery, that is normal. It depends on the dr whether or not you will be in a brace. If you are given a brace they will not leave you in it very long because they don't want patients to become dependent on a brace.

As one of the members said, listen & follow the drs post op instructions to the letter. You recovery at home makes a huge impact on how you do after surgery. Your mobility will get better as more time goes by & you heal. Do not rush it trying to get back to work too soon, if you do you will pay a big price for that mistake. Setbacks are very difficult to make a comeback from. Be sure your dr is aware that you do heavy lifting where you work.

Do not be afraid to ask your dr questions, that is what he is there for. Take care.