Oh, Joy. Surgery coming

[cali cruzer]

Well, I get to go under the knife. The surgery is scheduled for 12/7. A Day Of Infamy!
Cervical spine surgery C3-C7.

I've been dealing with bicep strength and range of motion issues for the past 2 yrs.

I've been through 2 different neurologists, Multiple MRIs, X-rays, blood tests, nerve testing, balance tests, brain scans, and physical therapy.

First neurologist tested fro ALS. Negative. Tested for all other sorts of diseases. All negative. Diagnosed as Motor Neuron Disease.

Second neurologist. Same testing. Result was not neurological. Recommend spine doctor.

Spine doc says spinal stenosis and degenerative discs. He was surprised I wasn't presenting with any pain as most in my condition do.
I told him I initially had pain and a constant ache in my neck and shoulder and arm strength loss. That's what sent me to my primary doc and I said "I think I have a pinched nerve in my neck."
Two years later the spine surgeon says I have spinal stenosis C-3-C7, with C5-C6 probably causing the nerve and strength issues in my bicep. Degenerative discs causing compression. In layman terms...I have a pitched nerve

They are going to go in and open up the stenosis and add spacers between the vertebrae.

Well...Merry friggin X-Mas this year.

 

[ULTM8Z]

Damn that sucks. Pray that it goes well for you.

At the risk of "its easy for me to talk" since I'm not the one going through it...

With things like this, I often think of how fortunate we are to live in a time when medical science can correct for so many of these kinds of problems (or at least minimize the effects). Back in the day, when things went wrong you just had to live with it.

 

[gramps]

Good luck. Anything in the back and neck is risky business. Follow the rehab directions/weight limits. You don’t want them having to go in a second time.

 

[younda]

Might be a difficult Christmas but you should have a much improved new year!

 

[muscl car]

Good luck with your upcoming surgery !!!!

 

[danbrennan]

My stepson has degenerative discs in that area. He's been holding off on surgery, but the pain is really getting to him, although he recently started using gabapentin, and says that has really helped. I imagine he'll probably give in, in the not too distant future, and get the discs fused or replaced.

 

[Rosster]

Here’s to a painless surgery and full recovery.

 

[ChevyReb]

I had the surgery in December ’17 and last eight days been in severe pain. I have an appointment to see surgeon Thursday who will likely X-ray me there then schedule an mri asap!

So I may be having a similar December with you cali Cruze. Good luck to you!

 

[BillyDean7173]

Good luck and a speedy recovery!

 

[gutted72]

I hope your neck surgery goes well and provides you relief.

I had L4 -S1 fusion done at the end of June. My surgery did not go as planned and I'm still recovering slowly.

All I can say, ask a LOT of questions and do a crap load of research on the type of surgery your doctor plans to perform.