Newbie,,,short notice need answers

[theBadCormorant]

As I said before, the very best of luck, your situation sounds truly frightening.

It would appear from your posts that your problems started in your early twenties, what is the root cause of your spinal condition ? what set it all off in the first place, injury, disease, genetics ?

[Maria]

I'm not sure I got the first name right but when I looked him he is listed as a DO (osteopathic doctor) and board certified in neurology not neurosurgery. Also seems like his experience is very limited in terms of years practicing.

I may have the wrong person. Is the surgeon going to be someone else? I hope so with all that surgery you mentioned I would want to go to someone that has had at least 7-10 years worth of surgical experience under their belt and loads of experience doing what is needed. Ok I think now I see there's another person with the same name I believe that is a neurosurgeon in Sacramento .. is this the surgeon? Sorry .. don't mean to be rude or impertinent and I imagine that you of all people since your uncle was a neurosurgeon are going to be very careful about who's doing surgery on you as long as you're able to pick the best (sometimes insurance doesn't allow for that).

RE dental work... I always have the dentist lie me down completely to work on me as my low back feels great when this is done (and even better if my head is a bit lower than the rest of my bod) and then a nice cush of towels under my neck .. It bugs me a lot to have my mouth open for any amount of time for dental work.. usually I get migraines with the lights above too so have to cover my eyes and be as relaxed as possible. I often leave with neck pain if I've been too tense and had my mouth open for longer than an hour (like when I had a root canal).

It sounds like you have a bit of time at least before your surgery re clearing up the dental infection...

Yeah that idea about becoming paralyzed maybe because the thought of surgery is so overwhelming is probably something like what I'd be thinking too but then again hopefully if it can be avoided that sounds best and then the other surgeries can be done at a later date.

It does sound quite overwhelming though the best one can do is take it one day at a time and try to prioritize and get thru what is most necessary.

Are you thinking about getting a 2nd opinion at all? If there's time and you have insurance I would as that is one thing that just about every insurance will pay for is a 2nd surgical opinion esp. one of this magnitude. I think surgeons should encourage it as well with regard to the degree or magnitude of surgery that you've mentioned.

I suppose having an uncle that was a top neurosurgeon probably gave you an edge there though with knowing more about your condition than most would know. Sorry to read he's no longer around. I'm sure now would be one of those times you really wish he was!

take care and best wishes each day (I tend to freak out thinking about surgery!)!! Maria

[PepsiDoodles]

yes same Panchal, no he is does not have the most amount of years, but is highly recommended in this area, as well is the only Dr that treats patients with my disease Chairi Malformation (hereditary) along with Syringomyelia from c6 to T1,,he does the most difficult cases no one will touch in Northern CA....I have been to 6 others,,as well.

My spinal stinosis is due to a car accident back in the early 80's, as well as other spine issues.

I did call my other neurosurgeon in Oregon who used to be one of the head in research for this to consult with him on it, Dr Neuwelt, now ones of the heads at OHSU, as good as they come, as well my dr agreed to with him as well.

Dr Neuwelt called me this afternoon and agreed with him on the procedure as well the necessity and said I would be in the best of care with Dr Panchal, which meant allot coming from Dr Neuwelt for me, and was a no charge consult, he has treated me for many years and is well aware of the conditions am dealing with.

So yes, I do feel he is qualified enough for this,,but am questioning myself weather or not to let myself just go paralyzed and pass from it, as it will shut down my nervous system also. And try to enjoy what little time I have left.

Or go through with it and pray for the best outcome, that will for sure be a much lesser quality of life and will include some partial paralysis in the arms that is a given, as well the feeding tube most likely..

Just do not know what to do I have no question about his skills, have a few apts he is setting up as well a psych apt as is necessary for this type of surgery should I decide to go through with it all...

Besides myself what to do

[theBadCormorant]

As long as you're alive there is hope so don't give up - you are due a bit of good luck so may be the op will turn out much better than you think.

In any case I am sure surgeons give worst case scenarios to cover themselves, they wouldn't do it if they thought they would leave you worse off.

never give up.

[PepsiDoodles]

He and Neuwelt both said will loose partial arms use of both arms and will more than likely be on feeding tube forever, that they both said same on and I love to eat and cook and I am a great cook to,,,just so sad right now, sorry having a huge pity party

[Maria]

I'd be thinking all the same things as you are and having the huge pity party too. All the same wishing you the best with any decision you arrive at and I personally think all too often spine and other surgeons don't go into worse case scenario unless truly there is very strong possibility of something happening and they truly want the patient to know while the option of not doing surgery will likely render severe consequences the option of having the surgery is not without potentially severe consequences as well.

It boils down to does the benefit outweigh the risks. Clearly it appears your previous doctor and one treating you now must think so or at least that it's worth the risk as long as you're clear on "potential" risks.

You do not have any easy decision to make though I understand your considerations and what you're thinking. Meanwhile just do what you need to re prepping for surgery. Ultimately you have the last say on following through.

[PepsiDoodles]

Thank you Maria, yes, been a hard thing to sort out for sure was wondering if anyone else has had something this invasive done all at one time, and what the outcome was?