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Slipped on icy porch and landed on cement steps 1-15-96. Had severe neck pain and left arm pain and weak
all over. Lost 2/3 of motion and 2/3 of my strength. Had fusion April 12, 1996. I felt so good after surgery. ( The ax that was stuck in the back of my head was no longer there) It took a while for the damaged nerves to heal. I have had so much shoulder pain and I haven't been able to do much of anything except sit and do nothing. If I do anything with my hands I have neck pain. It is very painful to wear a bra. I put one on and instantly have pain in my neck and get a headache. The pain goes up my neck into my head,the muscle spasms are bad, it affects my collar bone, the migraine headaches are pretty much gone, etc. Since I know how to take medicine so the pain doesn't get a head of me. I've been on Vicodin on and off since January of '96. Plus celebrex 3 x daily and flexeril 2-3 tabs. daily. This has been going on since surgery. My surgeon said it would get better sometimes it takes a long time for this to heal and "don't wear a bra".That was not what I needed to hear. The 2 surgeons that did my surgery (neoro. - died and ortho.- retired)so I doctor with my family doctors. This was workmens Comp. case. I got so tired of hearing that my problems are positional, mild whiplash, sprains and strains, etc. Now I have tingling in both arms and legs I have sharp burning stabbing pain in the left arm (that wakes me up at night). When I drop my head (Chin on chest) I can feel the tingling go down my neck and shoulders and arms into my hands (numbness comes and goes).The tingling goes down over my thighs and into my feet, right big toe and the ball of my right foot are numb and sometimes the left big toe goes numb I'm
very tired of taking all this medication and being in so much pain. I work as a driver and I can't take Vicodin or flexeril during the day but I take it as soon as I get done for the day. I've had to use all my sick days and vacation days for SICK days. I want something to be done or fixed or whatever will help with the pain. I feel like I'm going crazy!
Now for the icing on the cake! I saw a Neuro. Surgeon form the same practice that my former ortho. Surgeon office.My family doctor called him and ask him to see me. After looking at my chart, he replied that "if he knew I was one of Dr.@#%%^^ patients he wouldn't have seen me!" (What a way to start off an office visit!) I've been very emotional about all of this, I don't want to go thru all of that again.(I used to be very active: horseback riding, boarding horses, snowmobiling) He recommended posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion. Using screws rods and a plate. I told him I needed to talk to my husband and family doctor about all of this. I told him that the EMG showed carpal tunnel in both hands and I do have lumbar spine problems. Now I decided to have surgery. He doesn't want to touch me!?And I can't get a second opinion because nobody wants a workmens Comp. case or a failed fusion. (the first surgeon used donor bone, the one wedge is laying in front of my 7th cervical vertebre - which makes me feel like there is a lump in my throat. I'm not sure where the other bone wedge is? But it is not where it is suppose to be. The surgeon diagnosed my as failed cervical fusion with pseudoarthrosis. Yes, I'm sure I brace. Wouldn't anybody brace themselves after all this. The depression is getting worse. What do you think? I have the relaxation and stress reduction workbook, I just ordered your book "Saving Yourself". Yes I will and have started to read the workbook and have used it in the past for depression. I also called a physical therapist and ask if she could help me with the pain. So said,possibly , tens unit or traction might help temporarly. I need to talk to my family doctor about all of this. But it seems that I can't find much help anywhere. I have read and reread your archives for days and weeks. I feel this is a good place to begin. I'm back at work - not driving - office work. Because of the meds. and the cervical collar I wear when I feel that my head is going to fall off. But most of the work I have to do is with my head down, which is stressing the neck muscles. Where do I go from here? Any suggestions? I'mwide open for suggestions and desperate for help. Thanking you in advance. I take extra strength tylenol 4 x a day. When a dose doesn't work then I take a vicodin. The flexeril doesn't work like it used to so now I take valium as a muscle relaxer. It never ends.
My neck surgery was the anterior aproach. My MRI result: C3-4 moderately severe narrowing of the left neural exit foramen, C4-5 mild bony ridging related to degenerative change, C5-6 noderate narrowing of the left neural exit foramen, C6-7 narrowing of the neural exit foramina bilaterally. Conclusion: Probable post
operative changes at the levels of C5-6 and C6-7 Cervical spondyloisi as discussed above. Multilevel shallow disc herniations and disc bulges with associated
ospteophytic spurring.
Xray results: Posterior stepoff between C3 and C4 probably due to ligamentous laxity. Disc space narrowing with spurring and neural foraminal compromise C4-C7, most pronounced from C5-C7. "the patients head tilts towards the left which is probably positioning articact although could be related to pain. There is no acute fracture seen.
I also had laminectomy (lumbar)'94.
Lumbar Conclusion: Moderately large bulging annuli particularly at L2-L3 and L4-L5 witha moderate bulging annulus at L3-L4. Exiting foraminal compromise due to the bulging annuli and facet degenerative changes most significant onthe right at L4-L5 extending from the lateral recess into the exiting foramen at this level. Very minimal epidural fibrosis and scarring with in the right lateral recess at L4-L5. No definite focal lumbar disc herniation. Facet degenerative changes with laminectomy defects resulting in a bilobed appearance of the thecal sac particularly at the L3-L4 to L4-L5. Levels. No focal lumbar disc herniation noted.
That's all! Thanks for listening or reading. I needed to talk to someone because I'm confused, scared and very tense. Yes, I'm bracing and I'm working on it.
I just turned 50. I'm 5' 8" and weigh 215. Yes I'm over weight and working on that also. Wasn't this heavy before the lumbar laminectomy. THANKS AGAIN!
In Reply to: failed C5-6, C6-7 fusion with psuedoarthrosis posted by Cathie on October 09, 2002 at 23:36:32:
Cathie, you sound just like my friend, Shirley. She had a cervical fusion years ago and had pain with it for years. She also feels that this is the event that led to her developing Fibromyalgia and Depression. She's also got Degenerative Disc Disease and Arthritis, along with bone spurs. E-mail me and we'll compare notes.
In Reply to: failed C5-6, C6-7 fusion with psuedoarthrosis posted by Cathie on October 09, 2002 at 23:36:32:
I have damaged C-5-C7 and L6-S1. Always kept a tub of painkillers, skeletal muscle relaxants. Almost two years ago some one told me to try an walk on smooth river stones that are laid out in paths in parks( atleast here they are) I thought to myself how is going to walk on stones work? Believe me it does. It is a form of foot reflexology. Health stores carry a plastic bersion of the smooth stones. I keep one in my living room and one in my bedroom and walk on it when ever I can for a few minutes each time. Amazing, I have not taken and pain medication in two years.
Also, I got myself those "tummy trimmer" belts and joined 2 of them together and use it to bind my back from above waist to hips. Great releif.I am also 50, 5'7" but not overweight. I can even run a little now with all these aids. Hope this helps.
In Reply to: Re: failed C5-6, C6-7 fusion with psuedoarthrosis posted by Cheezi on October 10, 2002 at 00:27:03:
Hi, I too have fibromyalgia . I think I have that pretty much under control with a magnesium and malic acid formula I take every morn. and eve. Yes I would like to compare notes. What type of employment does she have? Did her cervical fusion actually work?
Thanks for the response and am looking forward to any info. that might help.
In Reply to: Re: failed C5-6, C6-7 fusion with psuedoarthrosis posted by zarin on October 10, 2002 at 03:00:52:
Thanks for the info. Do you walk in place on the stone? My brother has a cabin near a river and everytime my husband and I go there I bring 5 or 6 along back home. ( I collect rocks and also put them around my flowerbeds) They are kind of a souvenier (excuse the spelling). Today I will bring some of those stone into the house and try your technique. At this point I'm willing to try anything.
For my low back pain, I wear an undergarment with light control. It used to help and still help some, but not as good as it did. Thanks for the info. I will give this a try. The belts.
In Reply to: failed C5-6, C6-7 fusion with psuedoarthrosis posted by Cathie on October 09, 2002 at 23:36:32:
Hi, Cathie.
As you must know this is a case of far advanced post-operative failure. If only the monopoly had not allowed you to know about bracing in the beginning your post-operative course might have been much different.
However, now that things have progressed so far, your options are severely restricted.
I would suggest you begin learning about Alexander Technique (see the archives) or Feldenkrais (both are available at the library). It will be a miracle if you can learn and practice enough SR at this point to get past this but it will certainly not hurt to try. Autogenics would probably be your best bet. Self-Hypnosis might just get you past this impossible point.
By the way, you must do whatever is necessary to lose the excess weight. Underwater exercises should be tried since you really cannot do anything else. A whole foods diet will give your bodymind the building blocks to heal what can be healed while you are doing the rest.
Let us know how you do.
Walt
In Reply to: failed C5-6, C6-7 fusion with psuedoarthrosis posted by Cathie on October 09, 2002 at 23:36:32:
....not much to add.
I only hope that testimonials like this spread out as much as possible, getting deep inside people's mind, so anybody will be able to thoroughly investigate ALL the MANY other options when this kind of karma strikes, and make an INFORMED pick....
once surgery is chosen, there's no way back.
In Reply to: Re: failed C5-6, C6-7 fusion with psuedoarthrosis (Archiive in monopoly.) posted by Walt Stoll on October 10, 2002 at 10:12:57:
Dr. Stoll, thank you for your prompt answers. I feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel. I will research these techniques tonight. Finally some help. Thanks again.
Cathie
In Reply to: Re: failed C5-6, C6-7 fusion with psuedoarthrosis posted by Ricky DC on October 10, 2002 at 15:29:42:
Thanks, Doc Ricky.
Do you mind my calling you that? This was the preferred title in my office for 30+ years besides simply Walt.
Eventually, every spinal problem will be required to see a Chiropractor BEFORE seeing a surgeon!!!!!!!! I think this is already being done in some countries.
I really appreciate your input to this BB. I learn along with everyone else.
Namaste`
Walt
In Reply to: failed C5-6, C6-7 fusion with psuedoarthrosis posted by Cathie on October 09, 2002 at 23:36:32:
Hi Cathie,
Think about getting some relaxation massage to soothe emotions, help relax tight muscles, and restore some normalcy to distressed tissues! It may simply help you feel a bit better, and often some of the sensitivity you describe goes away, too.
Best wishes,
Happygal (Certified Massage Therapist)
In Reply to: Re: failed C5-6, C6-7 fusion with psuedoarthrosis posted by Cathie on October 10, 2002 at 06:43:12:
Cathie, I tried to respond to your e-mail, but got this message: 554 Service unavailable; [24.213.60.124] blocked using rbl.pa.net, reason: 3126: We do not accept mail from your domain. Please contact your Mail Administrator.
Is there another address I could respond to?
In Reply to: Re: failed C5-6, C6-7 fusion with psuedoarthrosis posted by Cheezi on October 12, 2002 at 00:48:01:
Got another bounced message, Cathie. Your server doesn't like my server. Do you have another account? Yahoo is free, I believe.
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