Cervical Spondylosis :: Fusion For 3 Bulging Discs - C4-C5 Already Fused


May 2, 2016

The Dr told me I need 3 cervical fusions due to 3 bulging disks that are cutting off spinal fluid in my neck, I already had C4 and C5 fused. I deal with the pain constantly and it is getting old. He told me I would have very limited movement with my neck. My questions are, did anyone else on this forum have the same operation and would you do it again. My other concern, what happens if I refuse to go through with it, possible damage to the spinal cord or other complications ?

View 6 Replies



Advertisement

Cervical Spondylosis :: Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion

I'm 48 suffered with cervical spondylosis for around 6 years, in the last two years it's got so painful. I have tried all meds, last year I had an op foraminotomy where they drilled the left side spurs C4 to C7. But the last year has been a nightmare the pain is worse. I have now had more MRI & CT scans more meds and having two injections next week. I asked the long term affect of my neck I was told I have a neck of a 70 year old. What dose this actually mean? Wheelchair what?? I am also on the list for a anterior cervical discectomy & fusion.

I have a fall time desk job which doesn't help at all but have a mortgage... holiday is taken as sick days.

View 1 Replies

Cervical Spondylosis :: Anterior Cervical Discectomy/Fusion

I am recovering from Anterior Cervical Discectomy, which became necessary to avoid drastic further deterioration.

I would like to tell you about my experience and what helped me. My problem started quite unexpectedly with a persistent back ache at work (I am an office worker). Within days it was so bad that I was vomiting with pain and had to stop working (I was commuting to London). I was on morphine within three weeks, but it did not help either. I won't list here all the various painkillers I was prescribed, which helped to certain extent, but the pain was so bad that I was suicidal. The doctors communicated with me hardly at all except writing another painkiller prescription. I felt totally abandoned by them. I tried osteopathy, ordinary physiotherapy and Bowen's therapy. Bowens worked the best but nothing would give more than a few hours relief from the extreme pain. My husband then hit on the Tens machine and that was the only thing that really helped. I would recommend it without hesitation. I dropped the morphine, which was a bit of nightmare for me anyway, and managed to live with the Tens machine.

Unfortunately my problem rapidly progressed to me losing strength from my arm and from my fingers and a neurologist recommended the dissection and fusion. It is not an easy fix, but to me it saved my life. I went back to work four months after the operation, seven months after first feeling the pain. I could not say I'm as good as new, but the pain has gone. My neck is stiff, gets tired very easily and a bit uncomfortable. I cannot lift, push or pull anything heavy. But I'm here, enjoying my family and grandchildren. I couldn't ask for more. I'm 63 and now feeling my age, that's all.

View 2 Replies

Bulging Discs - Tramadol, Naproxen, Co-codamol And Nortriptyline - No Relief

I have suffered with a 'bad back' since i was 21, i'm now 40 in August, and since october 2014 i have been getting worse and worse and went from taking tramadol, naproxen, co-codamol and nortriptyline as and when i needed to. Now i take in a day.... 1800mg of Gabapentin, 20 mg of Zomorph, 180 mg of dihydrocodeine 35 mg of Amitriptyline at bedtime 1000mg of naproxen. I also have an underactive thyroid so take 200mcg thyroxine and for my depression and anxiety i take 150mg of venlafaxine.

With all this i still feel pain, but also a little dopey, i'm currently on the sick from work and am worried about how I'm going to pay my bills - i have been to my psychiatrist and she gave diazepam to take when i feel anxious...... love sweets, me!!!! I needed help and advice.... with all that medication i should be floored, never mind the fact I'm still in pain. I had an X-Ray in Nocv 14 this showed osteoarthritis and then an MRI scan this showed a bulging disc on L5/S1 i think it was. I have been referred to the orthopaedic specialists but its all just a waiting game but all this time i still have all my bills to pay and this leads to horrendous bouts of depression.

View 1 Replies

DISH Syndrome :: Cervical And Lumbar Spine Is Fused

I am diagnosed with DISH about 10 years back. My cervical and lumbar spine is fused due growth of calcifications and having lot of pain. my neck movements are restricted and with lot of pain. my posture is also disturbed and could not walk straight. My neck is bent forward and could not lift it straight to its original position. I underwent laminectomy surgery for lumbar spine L3 to L5 and S1 and its is fused by fixing pedicle screws. At present i am not taking any medicine for DISH. of course i am diabetic and hypertensive but under control. Recently a stunt is implanted as there was a block in LCX vessel.

 

View 1 Replies

Cervical MRI :: Multilevel Loss Of T2 Hyperintensity Within The Discs

Please help me understand this report:

There is a multilevel loss of t2 hyperintensity within the discs, compatible with disc degeneration.

C3-C-4, there is a small disc osteophyte complex. There is no central or foraminal stenosis.

C4-C5 and C5-C6 there is mild disc bulge

C6-C7, there is a small posterior disc osteophyte complex. There is no cental or foraminal stenosis.

The remainder of the visualized intervertebral disc levels are normal.

The cervical cord is normal in signal intensity and contour on all pulse sequences.

The cerebellar tonsils are low lying extending 5 mm below the plane of the formen magnum. Borderline for chiari 1 malformation. No evidence of cervical syrinx. No evidence of hydrocephalus in the visualized portion of the brain. He used brain MRI to compare for chiari diagnosis.

Impression: cerebellar tonsils extending 5 mm below the plane of the Forman magnum borderline for a chiari 1 malformation. C3-C4 and C6-C7 small posterior disc osteophyte complexes. At C-4-C-5 and C5-C6 mild disc bulges.

What does that loss of t2 hyper intensity mean?

View 2 Replies

Diagnosed Cervical Spondylitis Not Cervical Spondylosis

I was diagnosed with cervical spondylitis when I was 27 ( had a severe fall when I was 16 yrs old...fell 2 stories), am 48 now and moved to Wales almost 2 yrs ago from South Africa and since being here, my pain has increased in intensity. Used to get steroid injections and am aware that I won't get that here in the U.K. I now suffer extreme nausea due to the pain and can only dry retch, as the valve below the oesophagus was tightened yrs ago and now prevents me from throwing up. I would appreciate if others with this condition could tell me what the maximum dosage of Ibuprofen one can take. Taking the normal dosage (2) does not alleviate the searing pain or spasms.

I am also very confused. After x-rays, all dr,s have said cervical spondylitis and not cervical spondylosis. Been told that I don't have arthritis and yet this is not ankylosing spondylitis, which 1 dr said it was..(he never saw the x-rays)...really confused even after numerous x-rays and dr,s. I am almost on the verge of giving up hope of getting effective painkillers from dr,s here. Do the exercises, use heated neck bags and nothing much helps, especially when I get a flare up.

Need to know if increased dosage of Ibuprofen would help.

View 4 Replies

Cervical Spondylosis :: Cervical Spasm, Neck Pain, Left Arm Pain, Numbness, Heart

I dont know i have cervical spondylosis  , but MRI said i have a cervical spasm < now even  after eating food my heart rate increase some times and there are weird feeling  all day long in the chest ,pain in arm .. i feel tingling numbness, in legs ,arms , shouledrs some time. disbalance when i just stand up 

Mty Doctors are sending me to neurologist,Cardio , Rheumatologist,Internal medicine . 

nothing solved . Heart is ok , ECG is ok, x-ray of heart is ok.Blood test was ok ...

View 1 Replies

Cervical Spondylosis :: Has Anyone Tried Reiki?

Has anyone tried reiki?

View 2 Replies

Cervical Spondylosis :: Narrowing At C4-C5

After a fall at tennis, I am 71 y old lady, very fit normally walk 5 km each am. I thought that it may be due to my balance. feel a little dizzy when stretching to pick up the ball. has anyone had any help with spondylosis. exercises or medication.

View 3 Replies

Cervical Spondylosis :: Really Bad Headaches

I have cervical spondylosis and I am suffering really bad headaches

View 12 Replies

Cervical Spondylosis :: Has Anyone Had Cortisone Injections For CS?

I am due to have cortisone injections on 7th November but am feeling a bit anxious about it.

View 2 Replies

Early Cervical Spondylosis Symptoms?

I'm 28, work in IT, sit 8h (With 5 min smoking breaks/h) in front of the pc and a few more at home. Exactly a month ago, while on vacation in the mountains, one morning after eating breakfast and sitting down to drink my coffee I started having slight dizziness. I panicked because I was never dizzy in my life and it was new to me, except after nights of drinking. The whole day was scared and worried. The next few days were ok again. Then I had days with light dizziness at work a few hours, then sleepless nights because of panicking that I can't sleep and what is wrong with me. Meanwhile I feel very light tingling in left arm fingers and sometimes in left foot as well. One day at work I panicked because of feeling a little dizzy again and went to the company's onsite nurse. She took my blood pressure and it was at 160/85. I started worrying more. She thought it could be a calcium or magnesium deficiency so she gave me a Berocca tablet. After I left her office and before taking the tablet I returned to normal. Next days again I was confronted with light dizziness, tingling in left hand and foot at random times, mostly at work and very bad sleepless nights. So I went to my GP. She sent me to take blood and urine test. The results of those were PERFECT. Every bit. Blood pressure was once 140/85 and 130/85. Next, I went to a neurologist. After 10-15 minutes talking to the neurologist and going through some exercises she told me I have cervical spondylosis and sent me to an x ray. Result of the xray is that I have deformed neck from siting to much at the pc and small lower osteophytes. The neurologist said its absolutely nothing to worry about, the dizziness and tingling will go away, especially if I change my lifestyle. This was 2 weeks ago. Since then I go every other day swimming for 1h, daily neck, back and shoulder stretching in the morning after waking up for 20-30 mins and will soon exchange car for bike, and go walking as much as I can. I am not sporty at all. I am 187cm and weigh 90 kg constant for the last 3-4 years. This is my story.

Now, because I was NEVER in my life sick (only the occasional cold) I am very sceptical about doctors and would like some advice from other people, because I am bit scared right now. I still experience light tingling in left hand and sometimes feels like it will go numb (but never did), can't remember when I last time felt it in the foot. Dizziness appears for a few minutes in the morning when I sit down at the PC at work, goes away shortly after. I now quit smoking (it's been 4 weeks and don't miss it), instead stretch around in the work breaks and after lunch I go walking for 30-40 minutes. But being scared about the situation I tend to "feel" different symptoms including being weekend (probably all in my head). Bottom line: is it possible to be affected by cervical spondylosis ? If I keep up with the lifestyle changes, will I have it under control and will the symptoms go away ?

View 22 Replies

Working With Cervical Spondylosis Getting Worse

I am 63 and have been suffering with neck pain, stiffness in the neck and pain in back of head for over a year now, I also have trouble sleeping as can't turn over without pain, I have to physically lift my head with my hand to turn over. Initially my Dr said it was muscular and gave me Codeine Phosphate which did nothing for me. I gave it a couple of months and went to see a different Dr at tlhe practice who gave me stronger painkillers....Nefopam and also Amitriptyline to help me sleep. She tried to refer me for a scan but couldn't until I'd had physio which I am still having at the moment. The physio I get is about 15 mins every 2 weeks which in my eyes is not nearly enough. However apart from that I have been managing at work fine, I work in a dept store and am a bra fitter and general sales assistant. Any heavy lifting there is to do my colleagues would help and the rest of the time I have been managing fine. This week however I have been moved and put in the cafe, my first day was yesterday, I found it really heavy....carrying loaded trays of food, clearing tables and carrying loaded trays back to the kitchen. every part of the job involves some sort of lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling and scrubbing! Today was my day off and I have had so much pain and stiffness in my neck and pains in the back of my head! I am really concerned that this is going to make my condition worse. If I am feeling like this after one day I dread to think what I'll be like after five days in there. How do you cope at work, do you have a job that entails lifting or heavy work?

View 46 Replies

Cervical Spondylosis :: Diazepam - Waking Up With Headache

my pain in my neck, shoulders and arms are really bad plus waking up with headache and not sleeping too well.  Doctors gave me 2mg of diazepam to take at night,  I'm not on any pain killers except paracetamol. I feel at a loss as i don't want to take codeine or any other strong painkillers as got addicted to codeine and it was a nightmare coming of them.  I get tingling in my hands and wake up with a numb are sometimes.  Just wish i could have a break from pain for just one day!

View 1 Replies

Cervical Spondylosis :: Dizzy When I Lie - Stemetil And Co-codamol

I have had CS for a number of years but it is worse when I am in bed and when I lie down I go dizzy. I am on Stemetil for the dizziness and

co-codamol for the pain but it stays with me. I don't think there is a cure and I am told to learn to live with it. It drives me mad. I don't socialise any more even with family.

View 2 Replies

Possible Frozen Shoulder, Tendonitis Or Cervical Spondylosis?

It started with deep ache pain in the top half of my arm, up to my shoulder and neck with limited movement in my arm (cannot bend it backwards or raise above my head) This has been happening for approx 6 months now.

I went to see the dr and he said he thought it was a frozen shoulder so referred me to physio. After the physio session with extreme stretching of my arm I was in so much pain that I took myself to a&e where the doctor there thought it was tendonitis so sent me to see another physio.

The second physio therapist said it wasn't tendonitis and suggested that I had an xray of my arm and shoulder, had the x ray done results came back clear so my dr then referred me for an upper arm/shoulder ultrasound where i was told that all the tendons are fine and that she suggests that I have an MRI. Now I have to wait till next Tuesday before I can get to see the doc again and then another few weeks for the MRI referral.

Now since I last saw my dr the pain is now radiating all the way down my arm from my neck and into my fingers, I have also started suffering with extreme dizziness, room spins after sitting up in a morning and also when I turn my head over through the night and I cant look up without falling over, my balance is also off sync. This may also sound bizarre but I have an intermittent buzzing sensation that last for about 3 seconds stops and starts again in my left inner groin area and this has been happening about a week.

Because of the clear x ray and no problems with the tendons I can only think that it is nerve related.

View 1 Replies

Cervical Spondylosis - Bad To Drive Bike/scooty?

i used to go office by my two wheeler scooty but it pain on jerky or bad roads on four wheeler also i have consulted ortho he said drive with collar but online someone told me it is bad to drive bike/scooty

View 3 Replies

Cervical Spondylosis :: Dizziness And Fainting Spells

anyone tell me if they suffer dizziness and fainting spells with this condition

View 11 Replies

Cervical Spondylosis :: Numbness And Tingling Throughout My Body

I have multilevel spondylosis and I have been getting numbness and tingling throughout my body  . Does anyone else get this 

View 6 Replies

Cervical Spondylosis :: Computer Use Make It Worse

I have been off work since the end of May and Cervical Spondylosis was diagnosed by the Occupational Health doctor via the Local Authority for whom I work. This discomfort and pain started and deteriorated whilst working on the computer at work. The OH doctor says it is age related and will not attribute this problem to the fact that I spend most of my working life in front of a computer. I have had physio and acupuncture and they say it is to do with posture. This treatment has not resolved the problem and I have now been referred to the Orthopedic Service. I am fighting this with the help of Unison. Has anyone out there had a similar experience.

View 16 Replies





Copyrights 2005-15 www.bigresource.org, All rights reserved