1. < Spine Health

Surgical solutions to chronic cervical/back pain

Posted by jenapower @jenapower, Aug 12, 2017

hi I've been on the chronic pain list for a little while now. I got off pain medication completely in an attempt to see where I stand without it. Without telling me my pain doctor then refused to put me back on any when they found out all the damage that I actually had and the meds were masking. It turns out they did MRIs after I was off medication, I found facet problems in my mid back, but much worse they found degenerated discs from C4-C7, bone spurs, and facet problems here also. For the last two months they been doing EMG, other X-ray studies and they now have the MRIs. One neurosurgeon immediately said I needed to fuse all three vertebrae levels in my neck which didn't really appeal to me unless that was my only choice. I'm in a tremendous amount of pain, laying on ice in bed most of the time. I did go back to a small amount of pain medication after moving back to my previous pain doctor, just so I could tolerate the pain until they decide what to do. I also saw a second neurosurgeon who is the top neurosurgeon in our area, head of neurosciences at our hospital etc. I see him again after they try an cervical epidural this Monday. I am wanting to hear other people's experiences with fusing multi levels of their neck, or disc replacements, or any other treatments that they have had. I've been trying to read as much as possible, but there's a lot of information.

I also have a question for the moderators. I've emailed one moderator twice and I haven't really gotten an answer. One of the topics that I have been reading and participating in for quite a while, started to just get over blown with tons of email. Lots and lots of responses some pertaining to the subject matter, and some just heartfelt communication with others about life. I realize many of us are very isolated by our pain and communicating here is a way of making friends. It just seemed like it got out of control, to where I was getting 30 to 40 email every time I open my inbox. I also saw a couple other people ask about this problem and how to solve it. Maybe there needs to be a form just for people to chat and get to know each other and talk about their lives. I put my settings on one daily digest but I only thought that for one day, now that's not working and I seem to be not getting email at all. I have been through all the directions that were listed, because other people asked the same question, trying minimize the number of email coming through. I don't know how to fix my settings because I think I have them set correctly but I'm not getting anything now. I would appreciate any direction on how to correct this as I really do want to read what's going on, without so many email every time I open my inbox. I do have other email I need to read and they get lost in the shear volume.

I really do appreciate all of your input and look forward to anybody's experience with neck fusion, neck disc replacement, or any other treatment. Thank you Jennifer

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mari | @mari | Aug 29, 2017

I THOUGHT THAT Mayo AZ, did regenerative medicine for knees also?
just spent an hour being bumped around phoneing Mayo AZ trying to get a hold of someone re knees (cells)

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1 reply
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Aug 30, 2017
In reply to @mari "I THOUGHT THAT Mayo AZ, did regenerative medicine for knees also? just spent an hour being..." + (show)
@mari

I THOUGHT THAT Mayo AZ, did regenerative medicine for knees also?
just spent an hour being bumped around phoneing Mayo AZ trying to get a hold of someone re knees (cells)

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@mari, it sounds like you didn't get the answers you were looking for. I suggest you call Mayo Clinic's Regenerative Medicine Consult Service 1-844-276-2003 to speak with one of our experts. They can tell you about the services available in AZ.

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stewart | @stewart | Oct 28, 2017

I have spine pain in my lower back, on and off for years, The L 5 vertebrata is no longer properly connected-- in have move forward. At what point should I consider surgery. .

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2 replies
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Oct 28, 2017
In reply to @stewart "I have spine pain in my lower back, on and off for years, The L 5..." + (show)
@stewart

I have spine pain in my lower back, on and off for years, The L 5 vertebrata is no longer properly connected-- in have move forward. At what point should I consider surgery. .

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Hello @stewart,

I moved your discussion and combined it with an ongoing discussion about chronic back pain/issues and surgical solutions. In this discussion you will meet many other members discussing various back issues and what solutions they are considering or have undergone. If you are replying by email notification, I suggest clicking on VIEW & REPLY at the bottom of the notification to see the whole discussion.

@stewart, what surgery has your medical provider suggested and have they given you a timeline?

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gracea | @gracea | Oct 28, 2017
In reply to @stewart "I have spine pain in my lower back, on and off for years, The L 5..." + (show)
@stewart

I have spine pain in my lower back, on and off for years, The L 5 vertebrata is no longer properly connected-- in have move forward. At what point should I consider surgery. .

Jump to this post

Get more than one opinion

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fiveonred | @fiveonred | Nov 8, 2017
In reply to @artscaping "I don't think I had disc replacement. See attached photo. They just lifted the vertebrae off..." + (show)
@artscaping

I don't think I had disc replacement. See attached photo. They just lifted the vertebrae off the nerves and put in titanium boxes. That fixed the constant falling because my feet never got the right messages and it took a lot of the pain away but not all because one nerve was so damaged and bruised that it will take longer than my lifetime to heal. I was told that unlike bones that heal rather quickly....nerves heal in micrometers and sooooo slowly. So...I am left with SFN and CMPS. I need for the nerves to heal a bit more so that they don't just send pain signals because they can't do that job they were designed to do for us. Surgery is not always the answer...i have had 13 orthopedic surgeries including a Delta Reverse (one of 5 shoulder surgeries), neck and back, knee, hip, toes, wrist, thumb etc. etc. I was reckless...falling off horses and down mountains and had too many concussions. Being rear ended 3 times with long recoveries didn't help. Got dive bombed in the water and lived in a body cast for 6 months. Walked thousands of miles all over the world with my walking group. I miss the walking and camaraderie the most because now I am confined pretty much to my yoga mat and meditation notes and of course MM. I try to stay in the present moment and make it a wonderful moment. I am grateful and want to send loving kindness to all who suffer.

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I had surgery on my cervical spine several years ago. I didn't have any pain which probably contributed to the worsening of my condition over time. I finally sought help after repeated falling. I was scheduled for surgery within 4 days. I received spacers to lift pressure off the nerves. It worked well however I never regained full range of motion. It has been 4 years and I have had no new problems.
.

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marilynkilg | @marilynkilg | Dec 14, 2017

Has anyone had back surgury on L4and l5

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1 reply
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Dec 14, 2017
In reply to @marilynkilg "Has anyone had back surgury on L4and l5" + (show)
@marilynkilg

Has anyone had back surgury on L4and l5

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@marilynkilg, I would like to add my welcome to @IndianaScott's.

I moved your message from the Just Want to Talk group to the Bones, Joints & Muscles group and then combined it with an ongoing discussion called Surgical Solutions to Chronic Cervical/Back Pain. I did this so you could meet the many members already discussing back surgery and pain issues. If you replying by email, I suggest clicking on VIEW & REPLY so that you can see the conversation in its entirety. You may find it worth your time to read through the full discussion and meet the other members who have experienced what you are asking about.

@marilynkilg, are you facing a decision regarding a surgery on your L4 and L5? If you don't mind sharing, do you suffer from back pain?

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dkrobinson | @dkrobinson | Jan 17, 2018
In reply to @jenapower "Thank you porterhouse and Marie, a little more information. I'm 63, was very active, then neck..." + (show)
@jenapower

Thank you porterhouse and Marie, a little more information. I'm 63, was very active, then neck is from injuries from a horseback riding accident, and a skiing accident that broke my right rib cage, my left shoulder, and twisted my pelvis on the right side. The right SI joint gives me problems, as does the mid back but I could live with those, the problem has my neck. I have gone from an extremely active person, ballet, yoga, tennis, etc. to lying on my back in bed on ice almost all the time. I know I have a really good doctor but I'm terrified of the surgeries. We are going to do an epidural on this Monday, the problem is this is been an ongoing issue that's been deteriorating. I've known about it since about 2010 at which point it wasn't bad enough to do anything. Now I had multiple surgeries to get my shoulder back together, five, and it's OK it hurts a little bit but it's all right. The only problem I have that is intolerable as my neck. Nothing really helps except opiates which I don't want to take for the rest of my life. I have every kind of physical therapy machine, tens machine, I go to physical therapy I go to chiropractic you name it I've done it. I'm kind of at the end of my rope but I don't want to make a mistake. Maybe that helps fill in a few blank's. I don't want to make this worse, but at this point I go to sleep with medicine and my head and neck on ice, when the ice melts I wake up two hours later and have to go get more. This is repeated all night long and all day long, not much of a life. I think I've handled it pretty well, but I'm hoping to be a grandma soon and I'd like to be able to participate in those type of activities which I couldn't do right now. Thanks for all your help, Jennifer

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In February I had a spacer put in. They still call it a fusion I believe. At least on my paperwork it was. Its just a spacer with a plate and screws to hold it in. I can say for me it was a much better surgery than the lumbar fusion. Yes still have issues but not like low back. Recovery was easier after the intial 2 weeks. Maybe a spacer could be an option for you.

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