Cervical Discectomy

[Doorstop]

Hi all,
I have been suffering spinal problems for 14 years now, I have had 5 surgeries. 3 Discectomies (anterior) and 2 surgeries via the back of my neck for trapped nerves. My first surgery was in 1997, I will always remember how bad things were in the begining. I struggled in agony for 10 months before I was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc C5/C6. By the time I had surgery my spinal cord had been damaged. 3 years later C6/C7 went and I once again had surgery. I don't know what happened during this surgery, but I had more surgery 2 days later to remove a blood clot that was also causing compression on the spinal cord. I was told at this point that the recovery I had made was " as good as it was going to get ". It was suggested I retired from work on health grounds. I was just 42 years old and the mother of 2. I decided there and then I would fight and get back my life. Here we are 10 years later, I'm still working full time, my girls are grown, and I have 2 grandaughters. To anyone else who find themsellves in the same position I say fight hard, don't give up. I still have lots of pain, my left side is very weak and doesn't have full feeling but I am still in control of what happens. I can't have anymore surgeries, as they say the risks outweigh any benefits there could be, and my spine is getting worse month by month, I now have a bulging disc L4/L5 and crumbling bones L4/% and S1. There are lots I can't do but I stay focused on the things I can do. Life is still worth living.

 

[Chewyness]

Well done deciding to focus on what is possible and not on the limitations

So now you have described what has gone wrong, what possiblities are open to you - both for living life to the full and finding new ways to eke the best out of your ongoing recovery?

 

[BIG_Jason]

Same as me c5/c6, anterior discectomy, carbon cage etc. I started taking Glucosamine last year and haven't looked back, no painkillers it's great, I have massage now and then when I need it, and even set up my own mobile complementary therapy business Onwards and upwards x

 

[lil g]

All I can do now is get on with life, until my spine decides not to let me keep going. I have come to terms with what can happen in the future but have decided not to dwell on it... Life is too short. My problems are something I can live with I hope. I try to make fun of myself, when I can't do something silly like open a packet or do buttons up. I had a new jaw joint fitted last year due to the arthritis in my neck travelling into my jaw joints. I was the first one to say it was due to over use!! It's a complete waste of energy to feel sorry for myself, I would rather feel sorry for someone else.

 

[Imran7898978798789997]

That's disappointing, I was hoping for a plan: I'd say this was 'stoical' rather than 'positive'.

Are you sure you've explored every avenue? Did anyone say that all that could humanly be done by anybody in any field had already been done? And what authority can make them so sure?

Or are you just taking some breathing space until you can collect yourself together and figure out how to press forward?

 

[Graeme H]

Good morning, in reply to the last post, I have seen 5 neorosurgeons and they have all said the same. The damage done to my spinal cord is forever, a lot of the nerves are now dead, and othrs are damaged. I have had so many scans, both Mri's and Ct scans to let them see what is going on and they are all conclusive my spinal cord is damaged beyond repair. I know that all that can be done has been done. The next step for me is having the nerve ends in my lower back burned. They tell me if it works they can really help with the pain, bringing it to a level I can live with. Until then I take oramorph and on a bad day oxy contin. They have even told me that as I get older I should resign myself to the fact I will need a wheelchair. This I have done but i'll stay fighting until I no longer have the strength.

 

[House, Genius meets Jerk]

Hi, that answer looks to me like you haven't explored your options thoroughly. Five surgeons are likely trained in similar ways, they haven't solved this so far, so perhaps you need to look elsewhere for some answers...?

Remember that doctors by nature gravitate towards the more difficult parts of the problem, ie the bit that can't be fixed. That's why they still feed white bread to people with bowel cancer whilst declaring it 'incurable', but that's another story.

Anyway, my point is that surgeons don't know everything. The most definitive symptom of a chronic problem is the patient saying 'well I know nothing can be done about it...' Usually that notion has been planted, and it is very often not entirely true.

Shop around, in cases like this I agree a complete resolution may be impossible, by the same token a ten percent improvement, or even slowing the degeneration, would surely be worth the effort, no?