Anyone who has had Cervical spinal compression surgery

They sent me to neurologist and after 3 visits I finally will get botox injections. Doesn't seem to be working yet. Anyone have this experience. I need a buddy to talk to please for
Reassurance.

Sorry. Wish I could help.

@cmzollinger
Have they narrowed down which levels/nerves may be compressed (EMG/nerve conduction studies/myelogram testing) and what is causing your ongoing dizziness/balance issues post surgery? Did you have dizziness/balance issues before surgery? I’m not sure Botox is going to do much for dizziness/balance because Botox deadens muscle unless they know exactly what levels are being affected by muscle spasms/stiffness/tightness.

Once I had ACDF surgery on my C5-C6 level to decompress/fuse and relieve pressure on my spinal cord (cervical myelopathy spinal cord injury), I immediately noticed reduced neck/shoulder muscle tensions and my daily headaches went away. The myelopathy also affected my arms/hands (weak/numb/dropping things/writing challenges), walking (heavy cement feeling in legs), and bladder control. I also have balance/dizziness and believe my myelopathy caused some permanent spinal cord injury and I have some residual deficiency in arms/hands/legs/bladder.

My small fiber neuropathy/peripheral neuropathy plays into my sensorineural/motor movement (sense of where you are in space when moving). Have you ever been tested for small fiber neuropathy?

My understanding with myelopathy, it can affect neurological signals and spinal cord blood flow below the cervical spine level plus any spinal stenosis/neurogenic claudication can affect blood flow to sensory nerves and cause damage.

To answer your question, I had dizziness periodically for 4 years before surgery. Just thought it was allergy related. I have never had an EMG or mylogram. Thanks for your reply.

@cmzollinger
You may want to see your primary doctor, an ENT or neurologist to see if you can get to the bottom of your dizziness. Have you been tested to rule out things in an attempt to diagnose the source of your dizziness?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dizziness/symptoms-causes/syc-20371787

@cmzollinger One cause of dizziness can be muscle spasms in the neck. This happened to me, and it was independently rotating my C1 & C2 vertebrae a little bit which caused dizziness. The vertebral artery runs trough the cervical vertebrae which is part of the blood supply to the brain. It gets stretched if the vertebrae are twisted. When my neck was like this, and I looked upward, it kinked the arteries a bit and started vertigo. Since my spine surgery fusion at C5/C6, it doesn't happen, but I can get some slight symptoms with headaches and I know to check the alignment. A physical therapist may be able to help if that is what happens to you.

Thank you Jennifer
That makes perfect sense. I am starting botox injections and hope that my neurologist can help this but it's an every day problem that interferes with my lifestyle.

@cmzollinger - Welcome to Mayo Connect. I had a similar procedure done in Feb 2023 and, I too, have some residual dizziness. Maybe yours is related to the "normal" recovery process? My physiotherapist gave me some exercises and some simple orthotics that help retrain the brain - needed due to the cervical work. I'm not fully satisfied with my progress but I'll trade some periodic dizziness for my "prior to surgery" problems.

Have you tried any specialty treatments related to your dizziness?

I have had 2 full rounds of physical therapy a d some specific for vestibular retraining. It's been a year and half but no progress yet.

@cmzollinger - No wonder you are frustrated! I only experienced real improvement when I started seeing a physiotherapist - who is like a regular PT but with a deeper whole-body understanding. I use simple orthotics for brain retraining and I use activator poles when I walk long distances which helps both steadiness and core strengthening. I still hate walking down steep steps.

Hang in there. Spinal issues take a long time to develop and they can take a frustratingly long time to improve. Never give up. Maintain a positive outlook. Try new things. Be experimental (what do you have to lose?).

Good luck. Positive energy being sent your way...