I finally talked to the neurosurgeon about my MRI results.

[Ladyhawk]

He suggests removal of two damaged discs at C4-5 and C5-6, bone plugs and a titanium plate. In other words, he recommends fusion of three vertebrae.

The surgery would be done from the front. The surgeon would cut into the left side of my neck, push my trachea and esophagus to one side, remove the offending discs, place bones from a cadaver where the discs used to be and screw the whole thing in place with a titanium plate.

I would have to wear a hard cervical collar for three months.

Problems:

1. He cited a figure of 80% efficacy in alleviating neck pain. I was hoping it would be higher.

2. He cited a figure of 5 - 10% of a chance of vocal cord or vocal cord nerve damage. His assistant said it was lower, to which he replied he'd have to get back to me. As a singer, this is rather scary.

3. It looks like I'd be wearing the cervical collar during the hottest part of the year, which is exactly what I was trying to avoid. Ungh.

4. Also, I don't know if you can swim in those hard cervical collars. I need my nature fix this summer, or I don't know what I'm going to do. I usually hike for awhile around the lake, then plunge in when I'm too hot. I get hot very easily, probably due to medications I'm on. I actually get sick when I get too hot.

What do you think?

P.S. I usually don't crosspost, but felt it wouldn't hurt to crosspost to this group since some of you kind of know what's going on.

[jdots]

1. get second opinions please !

why are they going in through the front ? sounds more complicated.My wife feels like she was sold a bill of goods after she had the disk surgery in her neck.It is so hard to find out about doctors now,if the rate is 80% find out what your surgeon's rate is.......If you aren't getting the operation right away you have to ask guestions,then more guestions followed by guestions.

[ocean girl]

2. Please, I beg you, try acupuncture

I was injured in a car accident (disk problem) and I got acupuncture the NEXT DAY and for a couple of months after that and I have no problem today whatsoever.

I realize, however, that your problem sound much more severe than mine was, but it would be worth your time to check it out. If possible, find a Chinese doctor, trained in China to visit.

Acupuncture has also helped me tremendously with Chronic Fatigue/Fibromyalgia and Depression.

Good luck to you!

[Ladyhawk]

4. I would try it. I would try a lot of things if I had the money.

I am living month to month, having a hard time stretching my budget because 1) it isn't large, and 2) I'm often in pain and can't go grocery shopping. I lived on Cream of Wheat for ten days. I lived on sourdough bread for about a week (with a few other meals for variety).

When I feel awful, I have to eat out. I can't go pushing a shopping cart. I have to eat on the run. It's a complicated thing...part psychological, too, I think. I hate living with no human contact. I can't go "shopping" so I have to meet other humans someplace.

I would try a lot of things if I had the money. Massage would be high up on the list.

Now, I'm just so tired...so tired of being in pain and having to constantly fight the system to get decent medical care. I'm tired of being turned down and fighting and being turned down. I feel like shit.

[Droopy]

3. My mom had the same surgery and she's doing fine now

The only thing is that she has a thin scar going down the right front side of her neck. I think it's a small price to pay for a mobile and pain free existense. You will be in discomfort for a little while, but once it's healed you will feal great. My mom was in a lot of pain and was losing the use of her arms before the surgery. Now she lives like a normal person.