Hi! I am a 47-year-old woman with three children. I had degenerative changes with cervical misalignment between C2 and C7, herniated discs, osteophytes and severe pain. In May, I underwent a C3–C6 cervical fusion with a lordotic plate, two cages C3–C5 , six screws and disc between C5-C6, all made of titanium. I lost strength in my left arm, developed acute injuries at C6–C7, severe pain, and had to have another operation in June to replace the disc. Now the C5–C6 disc is slightly tilted/crooked; they had to file down some of the bone to fit the second disc/Move C. I have physio every other day (+150 sessions) and clinical Pilates once a week. I’ve been prescribed dozens of pregabalin tablets, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatories, etc.

Since the operations, I have constant stiffness in my neck, on the right side, and often when I lie down I feel a tightening, persistent pain and pressure at the back of my neck, like a migraine at the base of my head, and sharp pains in my shoulders/arms. The physiotherapist says the muscles at the back of my arms are inflamed; I have severe pain when I have a massage; I can only sleep on my back; and when I go to sleep, I have trouble swallowing – I actually feel like I’m being choked, I’ve been left with some limited neck movements. It’s difficult to work on the computer; my neck gets really sore, and it gets worse the longer I’m on the computer, but I also get sore if I spend more than an hour on the sofa...

It’s frustrating; I’m struggling to work. I used to have loads of energy, but now I get exhausted by everything.

Has anyone else had a similar procedure and found a solution? Any success stories?

Many thanks, best wishes.