Re: neck surgery

[Guest guest]

Hi Sherry,

I too am a "silent" member, except for the occassional response to a topic. As for you facing a neck fusion, I can whole-heartedly relate. To give you the reader's digest version, I had a three level fusion of my lumbar region done in 4/2003, removal of the instrumentation from that fusion in 7/2004 because one of the screws holding my fusion together was pressing on a nerve root. Additionally, I am facing the same fusion surgery of my C5-6 disc, my neurosurgeon has twice changed his mind about scheduling this surgery, but I am positive that it will be done after the holidays. Additionally I have two thoracic discs that are bad and will need some attention. These two discs are in the same area as my scoliosis and where I had had a compression fracture.

I recommend that you do what everyone should do who is facing surgery, research, research research! Whatever that research entails, whether it be from a person who has been fused to the Internet resources. Also I recommend that you never go forward with a surgery until you are completely comfortable with the surgery, risks and possible outcomes. If you would like have any questions about fusion surgery, I would be happy to help you, just drop me a note outside of the group. Regards and blessings to everyone!Lise

-------------- Original message -------------- I am a silent member, have only posted a couple of times. But I wanted to hear your opinions on a problem.I have had bad neck pain for quite a while. Had X-rays and MRI last year that showed problems in Vertebrae 5 & 6 and 1 & 2, Some movement. My rheumy and a neuro surgeon who works in the same clinic suggested neck fusion or epidural shots. I didn't want to do either at the time, "I can stand the pain".I recently went to an ortho to inquire about knee replacement. I happened to mention about my neck hurting, the PA there, ( different clinic) said that we needed to take some x rays to be sure that if during the knee surgery, I had to be intibated (sp), that they didn't create more problems in my neck. I was impressed with this, It made sence. They did so and found problems, unstable vertebraes in 1 and 2 and 5 and 6. They called in a back guy immediately and he required another MRI which happened a few days later. To make a long story shorter, bear with me, he came in the office and said "this is serious", The surgery (neck fusion) is risky, but I think you need it. He referred me to another ortho guy to verify his findings, I haven't seen him yet. My question, you who have had neck fusions, can you share your experiences. I'm scared to death, which doesn't help my state of flareness. I appreciate all your info. SherryKansasRA for 20 years