OPLL/cervical fusion and laminoplasties

Jayson67

New Member

Joined : Jul 2018

Posts : 1

Posted 7/21/2018 12:44 AM (GMT 0)

Hi all,

It's been quite a year. I'm 50 years old and I have had psoriatic arthritis for 20 years but was experiencing more symptoms than usual over the last 3 years, including brain fog and loss of balance, muscle spasms and vision problems, so I had a brain MRI in 12/2017. This MRI showed numerous MS lesions, but it also showed a "mass effect" at the top of my C-spine that further proved to be OPLL (ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament). I was formally diagnosed with MS due to a positive lumbar puncture, but I'll save that for another forum. At the same time I found out that the OPLL in my c-spine is severe enough at C2-C3 that I need a laminectomy and fusion at that level and then laminoplasties at C4-7. In the midst of this I had a breakup of my relationship of 12 years and had started my own business as a mental health therapist in 8/2017. Yikes. Stress isn't good for all of this.

I see some much older posts here about OPLL, but am wondering if anyone here has had this diagnosis recently and concurrently with other autoimmune diseases since I have 4 others (psoriatic arthritis, MS, Hashimoto's and autoimmune type 1 diabetes). I'm also curious about what I'm going to need for surgery recovery in terms of help around my home. If you've had this surgery and have autoimmune disorders, did the surgery flare you up?

I know OPLL is rare, even rarer in Caucasian folks (which I am) at 0.2% of the population. My doc is Korean, and he pointed out the severity on my MRI and said, "This is what it usually looks like in Japanese and Korean people. Are you sure you don't have any of that blood?" A sense of humor is good. The pain isn't! Ugh!!

Jayson

Post Edited (Jayson67) : 7/20/2018 6:49:08 PM (GMT-6)

straydog

Forum Moderator

Joined : Feb 2003

Posts : 19850

Posted 7/21/2018 3:44 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Jayson & welcome to Healing Well. After reading your story you certainly have plenty of health issues on your plate. We have not had anyone recently have this surgery, what you read from the archives are it.

Yes, you will need to have help at home for a couple of weeks. Is there a friend or relative that can come stay with you for a couple of weeks? Being prepared before & after surgery is critical. If you will look at the top at CP101, scroll to the last post & read the posts there. This is a list of tips made by members that has had various spine surgeries. We have had members come here after surgery & said they wished they had found this forum prior to surgery because of the tips & ideas given there.

You will see a recliner recommendation, if you don't have one, consider investing in one. This is where most were more comfortable for sleeping. Getting up & down out of bed is pretty rough. You most likely will not have the energy to push yourself up & you will not want someone pulling you in an upright position. If you have an electric bed that will work.

Follow all of the post-op questions to the letter. Above all, be patient & let your body heal. We see great problems with people that make unwise choices after surgery. Trying to return to work too soon, unrealistic expectations, thinking they are healed in a few weeks, doing activities they should not be doing or thinking if I push myself hard I will heal quicker. It simply does not work that way. Listen to your body, it will tell you when it's had enough or too much. We don't like seeing anyone take 1 step forward & 2 backwards because of bad choices. Complete healing from this surgery is going to take up to 18 months. You are having a lot work done, keep this in mind.

When is your surgery? Have you had a 2nd or even a 3rd opinion? We encourage everyone to at least get a 2nd opinion. Better to be safe than sorry. Make a list of questions to ask your dr. As far as flare-ups, I would discuss this with my rheummie. He can answer that question better than the surgeon.

Weekends tend to run slow, but keep checking back. Ask any questions that you would like, we will do our best to help in any way.

Chutz

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2005

Posts : 9477

Posted 7/30/2018 2:47 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Jason,

Nice to meet you. You have something I've never even heard of and it broke my heart to read your story.

If you need some assistance you likely have local help and your doctor should be able to recommend some. We have one out in our rural area, next door to the doctors' office. It's called the Mustard Seed Project. They take you to appointments when you can't drive and other services you may need help with.

Also, your insurance company may be able to help pay for an electric bed. I found an almost new one on Craigslist for about 1/3 the new price. Also, the Good Will often has recliners and most often they are in nice condition. Just some thoughts going through my head tonight.

Please take care, my friend, and keep posting to let us know how you are doing.

Warmly,
Chutz

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