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Neck and head problems after successful fusion of c1 and c2
Spine Health | Last Active: May 28 10:18am | Replies (13)Comment receiving replies
Had spinal fusion of c1 and 2. Did pretty good for first year. Started getting stiff neck and pain. Went back to surgeon and was told the surgery was fine and he sent me to physical therapy and referred me to neurologist. pandemic hit so had to stop PT and the neurologist just kept giving me muscle relaxers which were not helping, Every time I told him they did nothing he just gave me different ones.. Then I was sent for epidural shots by my rheumatologist who treats my RA but that did not work. Now I have same problem but have added pressure on top of head, dizziness, watery eyes and occasional sharp pains that don't last too long. Everyone tells me I have some nerve damage but I am really at a loss as to what to do. I also have copd which makes me cough and makes the head problem worse. Any thoughts?
Replies to "Had spinal fusion of c1 and 2. Did pretty good for first year. Started getting stiff..."
This won’t help you but I thought maybe knowing others with same issues but took different steps. They have wanted to fuse C4to C7, I stayed on pain meds because of one question I asked. Will it stop my pain, 2 neuro surgeons both said no they could not say that. So I didn’t and what you’re going through is why. I am very sorry for what you’re going thru.
Covid is over. Start with Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy but call around, really interview the PT providers, for their previous experiences if any with similar type of fusions, go and attend for a minimum of 6 months, do your stretches and exercises, and then, reevaluate where you are with those symptoms and quality of life. C1-C2 fusion is a serious and special fusion. Take extra care to find therapists with previous experience, for the skills needed, insight required, listening capability, intuition, and ka-hootz to back it all up. That plus your honest best efforts will make a big difference for the better.
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@psale92415, I'm sorry to hear that things have not improved since you first posted in February here https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neck-and-head-problems/
You may also be interested in joining the discussions in the COPD support group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/
I hope you saw the helpful replies that members made then. Have you been able to resume PT? Was it helping before you had to stop?