Does anyone have DISH and/or OPLL?

@doug2018, My cervical fusion was in 8/2011. I had a wonderful recovery except for the awful onset of type 2 diabetes from the dozens of steroid shots while in the hospital. The surgeon said not to worry, that my bloodsugar would drop back to normal after the shots stopped. However, he was wrong. My blood sugar soon forced me on to Metformin and a label that changes my life daily. I have not gone back to the surgeon after the follow up visits because my recovery was smoother than I ever imagined. After a few years I now have some tension and pain on one side of my neck, but so far not enough to send me back to the Neurosurgeon. He said that I would need more procedures on down the road, but so far nothing is bad enough to warrant more cutting for me. How is your recovery going for you? I just love being off ibuprophen!

Hi,
I had seen four surgeons who advised me to have surgery higher up in my neck. Im not keen on it because the previous surgery has left me worse off.Further more all these surgeons are looking at my MRI of the neck and making a decision.I am not a cadaver that they experiment on.This is what i dont understand.Furthermore all these surgeons are known to each other and they are singing from the same hymn sheet.They dont realise how important patient history is in making a decision.They have no idea how i am feeling because they cannot feel for me.I had no idea what condition i had prior to surgery.I only started researching this condition after my surgery.

I have read that Cervical procedures are the much more successful than other areas of the spine. The surgery has stopped my pain but still am wearing my hard collar due to a 3 level fusion. My only complaint is some swallowing difficulties that I believe will pass. I have thorasic issues as well, I go to Mayo next month where I hope that gets addressed along with the DISH condition overall. My surgeon was my second opinion, first with a neurosurgeon, the the second was a orthopedic surgreon.

On August 7th I had C4-C7 fused I also learned I have DISH and osteoarthritis. In my case large bone spurs had to be removed during the surgery. Recovery has not been terrible but I am still in my hard cervical collar and will be at least until my next follow up on Nov 2nd. Dr said when 3 are fused it makes recovery longer like in my case. I also every day wear a Orthifix Cervical Stimulator 4 hrs a day.to promote quicker fusion. My main complaint is some swallowing difficulties that I think will pass. Im 45 and live a active life, this has slowed my down for the time being, but overall I have gotten used to the collar I have to wear it 24/7 except when eating or showering. Remember with DISH staying active is key. Please feel free to contact me with questions if you have any as I am happy to help however I can.

Dear doug2018, I too had problems with swallowing after my fusion. Years later I still sometimes choke on the larger pills and supplements that I use. The gel capsules sometimes get caught at the back of my throat and gag me. I have to be very still and calm when I take my pills. Mostly I choke on the magnesium capsules and the fish oil. After 7 yrs it has not abated. Also tend to choke on food while in restaurants. Mostly on drier meats and sandwiches. Can be scary if I cannot get a breath.

@langteach A trick we used in hospitals to get pills down for those that had trouble was to put the pill in applesauce

Thanks for the tip. I used that with my kids, maybe it will work for me.

I have had both interior and posterior operations for cervical disks with disks removed and a titanium bar inserted in my neck. These were done in 2001 and 2003. Dr. Thanki performed both 12 hour procedures. In 2005, I had the lumbar spine laminectomy involving the whole lumbar spine. At this time, I was still working and each surgery required 3 months leave from work. Also a Miami J Cervical collar until the time was done. These 2 surgeries allowed me to put my arms up afterwards. In addition, 5 other replacements were performed on both hips, knees and left shoulder were performed, the last TKR of right knee was April 4 of this year. I would do it again, because the pain makes the decision in the end. I related to the spine looking like a dripping candle.