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Dear Lynn Platt,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It's incredibly helpful to hear from someone who's gone through similar challenges, especially regarding spinal cord compression. Your story about the progressive symptoms and the decision to address the issue surgically resonates deeply.
I'm 75 and relatively active, but this recent car accident has left me with significant neck pain and, worryingly, bladder leakage. Your mention of bladder control issues as a symptom of spinal cord compression is particularly concerning and something I hadn't fully considered. Reading about your experience with multiple surgeries – four in just two and a half years – is understandably daunting, but it also provides a valuable perspective. I appreciate you being so open and honest about the difficulties.
I'm scheduled to see a specialist soon, and your account has given me a clearer picture of the potential issues and the importance of timely intervention. The prospect of neck surgery at my age is understandably nerve-wracking, but your experience has given me some courage and a renewed sense of urgency to prioritize my health. Thank you again for your time and your thoughtful response. I wish you all the best for your upcoming surgery and continued recovery.
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Replies to "Dear Lynn Platt, Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It's incredibly helpful to hear..."
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@nanny23
The bladder leakage can definitely be tied to your cervical spine and you could lose permanent control of your bladder if the compression isn’t relieved before permanent damage. Spinal cord compression injury is spinal cord injury and symptoms can be felt below the level of injury.
My recovery from ACDF surgery on c5-c6 wasn’t too bad actually. Lumbar spine was really difficult in comparison. I needed bone spurs removed, disc was removed to relieve pressure on spinal cord, material was placed between vertebrae to help fuse the segments and hardware installed to provide stability. You cannot drive for a couple weeks and full fusion can take several months but I was able to get up and move around soon after surgery. You just need to make sure not to do any heavy lifting over 5-10 lbs and not do too much twisting. I wore a soft collar for a little while but they don’t want you to wear it too long since it can weaken your neck muscles.