Well, I just wanted to stop back in and provide an update on my situation. I had the following done just over 2 weeks ago:

• C3 – T1 fused posteriorly with 2 rods and screws, old fusion from prior ACDF was left in place.
• C6 – C7 Lamina Facetectomy and laminotomy

I ended up staying in the hospital, Mayo – Jacksonville, from Thursday around dinnertime when I got to the room until discharge on Monday around lunch. It ended up being an extra day or so just because they wanted to make sure the drains came out OK and that my pain was well controlled with just oral meds and not IV meds since I live about 6 hours away from Jacksonville.
While the surgery was more invasive due to the posterior approach and will likely mean a longer, more painful recovery than the anterior approach, I am glad they opted for that since it allowed them to tackle the issues at C3/C4. During the surgery Dr. Fox found that the facet was severely overgrown with bone spurs which was pain there. Had this been a strictly anterior approach then this would not have been addressed and not been found to be more severe than the MRI’s were showing. Both local docs wanted to stick with the anterior approach so, even though the posterior approach was worse for pain and recovery, I am glad the approach chosen was one that could possibly prevent me from needing yet another surgery down the line. Out of about 7 major symptoms that could be related to my issues, 5 are much, much better, 1 unresolved but probably back related and the last 1 we most likely won’t know until everything is healed and PT completed.
Nearly off the pain meds now as I started the taper a few days ago and muscle relaxers will be next to go as I am able. Frustratingly, most docs up to this point prior to Mayo, wrote off the lower extremity symptoms saying they didn’t think they were related. However, cervical issues are all that was addressed and all but one of my lower body symptoms appears to be fixed after nearly 10 years.
Do as much research as you can to stay informed and don’t be shy about advocating for yourself! Sometimes, you just have to keep digging and asking questions in order to get to the resolution. My hope for everyone here is relief from the symptoms you are having and also the strength to push through.