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3 months post op from anterior cervical discectomy with fusion

I have never joined one of these medical discussion groups or anything. However, in 1996 I was in an MVA and was told I dislocated my left shoulder, and had 7 bulging discs throughout my spine. Ended up having 2 left shoulder surgeries, one in 2000 and one in 2004. Same symptoms continued,migraine headaches, pain in the neck, pain in left shoulder,arm,and hand. Numbness in fingers on left hand, half of my left foot would go numb from time to time and could last for days on end, saw multiple doctors. In 2008 saw a military doctor at Ft Lewis in Washington, and he asked me if I ever hurt my neck, and I told him about the accident and surgeries. He suggested I get an xray and/or mri, which I ended up getting both because the doctor who look at the xray did not like the way it looked. MRI showed, herniated discs at c5, c6, and c7, the nerve at c5 and c6 was being compressed, spinal cord was being compressed, loss of fluid, narrowing of space. Tried PT for a while, military docs and PT...if you are not in military yourself..they kick your a**!...:) ..It did not work though, ended up making me worse. In January 2009, I had Anterior cervical discectomy with fusion of metal plate and screws, at c5,c6,c7. I had some post op pain for about two or three weeks, than woke up one morning and was completely pain free for the first time in years. The next day I had to help my father in law's father back into bed, (he had altheimers,and was bedridden, had fallen out of bed). After that the pain started right back up again. Same exact pain, same exact spots. My neurosurgeon, sent me in for a new MRI, which he looked at and told me nothing went wrong as far as he could see. ...but here I am 2 months after that and the pain or numbness has not gotten any better. I decided to go and get a copy of the radiology report myself, and it states ::""There is seen on sagittal images that the disc on the left at c6-c7 appears to extend into the neural foramen. On axial images some narrowing of the left neural foramen is confirmed but it is difficult to tell on those images if it is actual disc versus spurring. The degree of left foraminal narrowing  is moderate.""" My question here is, does that mean either he didnt fix everything or the possibility of me hurting it when helping my father in law's father back in bed? And should I discuss it further with my neurosurgeon? Should I find another doctor? I am asking , please let me know, after 13 years at age 32 I am ready to get rid of this pain for once and for all. I am sick of living in pain, on pain meds, muscle relaxers. I just want to fix it once and for all. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!!
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Avatar universal
hiya i had a C5 C6 micro disectomy4yrs ago i have felt like i am going mad i have suffered more pain then the pins and needles crept back in also my left hand crapps up i  get the severe headaches im on 125mcg of fentanyl chanigng it every 48hrs instead of chainding it everh 72hrs i have doe say it still urts something chronic im on gabapentin for the pings and needles i have to say ihightly reccomend it then im on something for vertigo as ive started getting that very badly then serc16 for more pain relief they do work without them my quality of life would be pretty bad i wouldnt have one it would be extinct the only other thing they have offered me now is a chronic pain clinic appointment so i will try it see if it works after seeing my surgeion last week the C6 C7discs have also got a lot of wear and tear on them there is nothing the can do do basically live with a spine that is crumbling they have said they do not wasnt  to operate in the neck now as to dangerouse they cant replace discs which is what is really needed so we will have to learn the best way to live with it im sorry if non of this helps but it shows there is really nothing they can do
karen
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Avatar universal
I have spoke to quite a few people who suffer from the same issue or something very similar, and have gone through the surgery again to either re-fix and/or fix things that should have been fixed to begin with. I am not sure if I wrote it in my first  post, but in reading the radiology report from my first MRI and second MRI, and in the second one it states that on c6-c7 there is still some of the damage that was there originally. I have also spoke to a friend of mine, who's other half works for a neurosurgeon and they are going to talk and find out some info for me. I cannot believe that they tell you that you have to just live with your neck crumbling (falling apart) and there is nothing they can do... that is completely wrong!!...Especially with all the medical technology these days...and more being discovered all the time. Have you tried getting other opinions?? I am also setting that up for myself..to see other neurosurgeon's. Hopefully find one real soon....maybe think about doing the same??.....
kstrope06
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Avatar universal
I had my C6/C7 disc replaced with a carbon fibre "matchbox" by a London neurosurgeon on September 1st 2009. No bollts or screws, just the vertibrae and cartilige shell holding it in place. The disc had ruptured due to wear and tear and was giving me chronic pain and tingles in neck, shoulder, armpit and whole of left arm which left me bed-ridden for 3 months. I was taking diclofenac, codiene, paracetamol and diazipam 3 to 4 times daily to try to control the pain. Post op
the pain was gone completely - just stiffness and soreness. Was given no post op advice by surgeon but my GP told me to do nothing for at least 8 weeks. I did help my husband with weekly shopping, but carried nothing. Even though I was pretty lazy the aches and pains started creeping back and were a discomfort rather than painful. I was taking the occasional painkiller about 3 to 4 times a week when they got too annoying. At the beginning of January I started doing light yoga streches every morning at home, mainly 'Salute to the Sun' and side stretches. I instantly felt better and have only taken the painkillers once since starting yoga. I have been doing this for a month but am still not sure if it is the right thing to do. About a week ago I felt a sharp muscular pain on the right of C6/C7 so have cut the yoga down to about 4 mornings a week. My husband also gives me a neck and shoulder massage about twice a week which really helps. I think your recurring pains are most probably due to you lifting your father in law. From my experience a successful recovery is done by taking it slow and carefully. Little steps at a time. I have also been doing the odd couple of days a week of work and am planning to go back full time by end of February. You are still young and I'm sure if it will get better in time if you do not rush it. I am 52 by the way. I wish you all the best from the bottom of my heart. Dee
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