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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 General Board Posts >> When to give in to the knife?  OT
        
(Message started by: Renee on Feb 21^st, 2005, 6:30pm)

Title: When to give in to the knife? OT
Post by Renee on Feb 21^st, 2005, 6:30pm

My latest cervical MRI findings (c3/4 and c4/5 are old injuries)

C3/4: 2mm central disc protusion noted with small spurs. Canal and foramina appear adequately maintained.
C4/5: 2mm central disc protusion noted with small spurs. No canal or foraminal stenosis.

New findings:
C5/6: Interval 3mm broad-based herniation that is more prominent to the left, with associated spurs. This impresses but does not completely efface the ventral subarnchnoid space but does cause some narrowing at the entrance of the left foramen. There is mild right facet encroachment on the foramen as previous. CSF surrounds the cord.

For two months my left arm/hand has been getting numb and steadily things have gone downhill. I went to the e.r. a few weeks ago thinking I was having a heart attack to find it was chest wall spasms, again on left side. In the last week the numbness in left hand has gone to dropping things held in left hand and constant spasms in neck, upper back and rib cage. I can't take a full breath of air due to the chest wall spasms.

I had the MRI this past Friday. My chiropractor reccommends more epidural steroid injections (esi's). I had 3 esi's in 2003, 1 in 2004 and 2 thus far in 2005. He wants to change the point of injection in my neck.

I think I've had more than my share of epidural steroid injections but I hate the thought of giving into the knife.

Anyone with experiences such as this to share would be appreciated? More steroids, knife or what? [smiley=huh.gif]

No sympathy please....just a painless cure! ;;D

Title: Re: When to give in to the knife? OT
Post by Redneck on Feb 21^st, 2005, 7:07pm

2nd and 3rd opinion? I never had any surgery of that nature so not much help.

Title: Re: When to give in to the knife? OT
Post by E-Double on Feb 21^st, 2005, 7:11pm

I'm writing not because I have a clue (sorry) but because I feel ya....

I have arthrits in 2 discs in my neck and one is bulging.....

Have had the numbing arms throughout but honestly thought it was something random and maybe something worse....

The discogenic problems were just discovered (though I might have guessed they have been around a while...wrestled, rugby, CH thrashing ...)fairly recently and now have to start weighing options as well.

The one thing I will tell you is that there is no way I would go under the jknife unless truly last resort....

So many stories of things getting worse.

Hugs to you and all that go through all the rigors that we do (not complaining ;))

Best!!!

Eric

Title: Re: When to give in to the knife? OT
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Feb 21^st, 2005, 8:13pm

I'm sure things have come a very long way since I was a nurse, but I don't remember seeing alot of really good outcomes from cervical surgeries for herniations. That's not being said to scare you!

There are some really interesting new procedures I've been seeing on the news and in the paper - one of the surgeons lives here in Michigan - regarding the use of artificial discs. It's minimally invasive and requires no fusion.

I would encourage you to do a little research and definitely get a couple other opinions.

You'd think God had given us enough when he gave us clusters!

Hugs,

Kris

Title: Re: When to give in to the knife? OT
Post by cootie on Feb 21^st, 2005, 11:10pm

I know where yer at with all that......I won't do the injections stuff......am afraid of makein stuff worse in the long run or settin it off faster I dunno. Am thinkin after a while alot of injections mite cause a problem of there own with some form of scars or scareing ? I have had bad reaction sites with other shots b-4 so.....I dunno. I get spams purdy regular like you have. Seems to go in fazes.....like alot of things. I jus have that 'gun shot' in the spine pain most of the time. Known ALOT of people that opt'd fer surgery. Seems most ended up havein to go that route 2 and 3 times after the first one within 1 to 3 years. Get on sum back pain mb's and read up.....you'll be suprised how many WARN you to only use surgery as a LAST resort. I don't wanna start sumthin I can't stop. Back breaker Pam

Title: Re: When to give in to the knife? OT
Post by Charlie on Feb 22^nd, 2005, 12:42am

Sorry about your troubles Ree.

I have only one thing to say: Pay no attention to a chiropractor. MDs they are not.

Good luck kid.

Charlie

Title: Re: When to give in to the knife? OT
Post by Magman on Feb 22^nd, 2005, 4:24am

Renee,

Out of all of the replacements and fixes performed, the procedures done on c4,5,6 were the most successful. In 87 I had a ruptured disc at C4-5 removed. In 94, problems at C6 required fusion of C4 thru C6. Bone was cored from the hip for use as plug in fusion process.

I have not lost any noticeable lateral movement and only a slight limitation in extreme forward/backward positions. Numbness and/or pain was eliminated immediately upon procedural recovery.

Hope this helps. If you have any questions, PM or email and I will try to provide answers.

Regards,
-dan

Title: Re: When to give in to the knife? OT
Post by 1MajorPain on Feb 22^nd, 2005, 11:03am

I receive the injections on a regular basis and will continue until something with a higher success ratio comes along. I have 4 friends that have the same lower back problems as me from sailing and all had surgery...one is better (for now), two are going back for more surgeries (one his fourth), and the other can't hardly move...thats enough for be to make my decision. There are some very interesting things on the horizon that have been approved by the FDA, I'm holding out for the hi-tech stuff.

Major

Title: Re: When to give in to the knife? OT
Post by Renee on Feb 22^nd, 2005, 5:58pm

Thanks all for the input.

I am going to see a neurosurgeon for a second opinion but in the meantime have a scheduled epidural steroid injection setup for this Friday.

Fortunately, my good doc wrote me an rx for pain meds today. I will be using a patch, called a duragesic patch, at 25mcg here in about an hour.

Anyone ever used that patch before? Will it stop the pain and spasms? Will it cause nausea? It supposed lasts 3-6 days. How long has it lasted for other users? Will it cause cluster problems if I am not currently getting hit?

thanks family for the input!! ;)
Renee

Title: Re: When to give in to the knife? OT
Post by Jimmy_B on Feb 22^nd, 2005, 8:20pm

on 02/22/05 at 17:58:23, Renee wrote:

Anyone ever used that patch before? Will it stop the pain and spasms? Will it cause nausea? It supposed lasts 3-6 days. How long has it lasted for other users? Will it cause cluster problems if I am not currently getting hit?

thanks family for the input!! ;)
Renee

I used the patch a while ago...so in answer to your questions:
Will it stop the pain and spasms? It definitely dulls the pain to bearable levels...I don't think anything can completely kill pain.

Will it cause nausea? It did for the first few days, Until I got used to it. If it's bearable, tell your Doctor and get something to control Nausea.

It supposed lasts 3-6 days. How long has it lasted for other users? It'll last 72 hours (3 days)...no more, no less.

Will it cause cluster problems if I am not currently getting hit? Actually, it kinda really dulled the clusters.

Please let me know if you have any other questions...about the Surgery, too. Since I'll be going through that soon.

Jimmy

Title: Re: When to give in to the knife? OT
Post by BobG on Feb 23^rd, 2005, 1:20pm

I can't give you any advice/suggestions/info on the cause or cure for your pain. Just want you to know we are thinking of you and hope for the best.