My c-spine acting up again... (discography results)

[mmglobal]

I have to tell you... that fall set me off in a way that really made me think that surgery would be needed soon. Since the trip, my neck has been better than normal and I would not be considering surgery as long as I'm this functional.

In the past, we've heard that people can be better than ever, after discography. I wonder about possibly rehydrating the disc via discography and getting some therapeutic benefit? (I also have experienced and heard about being much worse after discography... so don't go for discography instead of PT!)

Mark

[Hucky :)]

Mark,

I'm sorry you're having problems with your C-spine. Being a fellow C-spiney, I know what you're going through. They use the Mobi C at the Alpha Klinik don't they? Is this what you will have implanted when the time comes?

It just hasn't been yours and Diane's year has it

Hucky

[mmglobal]

Man oh man... the surgical decision is so tough. For years, I've been too high functioning to consider surgery. I still am, but the episodes are getting worse. The radicular symptoms are getting worse.

I'm having a pretty bad episode now. It's very interesting that the face symptoms are very active with this, but in a different way. I was not specific enough when I said that the discography lit up these symptoms in my typical pattern. The normal pattern was there, but the area lit up on discography extended down the left side of my neck. With this episode, left side of face is more active than normal. Interestingly, it's extending around my neck and shoulder area as I remember in the disco. Unfortunately, it's even worse than that and includes most of my shoulder most of my arm... greater on the inside than outside.

Purpose of the post is not to whine... I think people will find it interesting that I have this corrolation in a very atypical pattern that does not follow the dermatome charts. Also of note is the fact that my surgical decision is not any easier than any of yours. Most of the time, I'm saying that I'm in too good of shape to consider surgery. When I'm in episode, I'm saying that I know it's only going to get worse... I stand better chance of success if I go earlier rather than later.... what am I waiting for... the big episode that will completely knock me down and may be dangerous?

After the discography, I was saying that if I did surgery, I'd probably try C5-6-7 and leave C3-4 alone because re-entry for the c-spine is not a problem and that the symptoms associated with 3-4 are only annoying. With this development that gives me even clearer corrolation to 3-4 puts me back into the split 3-level spanning 4-levels category. I know several 4-level patients... but it's still a big surgery and a risk. This second, I'm leaning towards surgery... maybe in a few days this will be blown over and I'll again be too good to consider surgery.

What's a mother to do?

Yes, I'll have some cheese with my whine.

All the best,

Mark

[Maria]

Doesn't episodic stuff that blows over drive you crazy? Ya feel so bad and feel like surgery time then ya feel so good that it's like *no way Jose* or at least *later Jose*... I dunno... just wish you the best esp. with what sounds like a super sized surgery upcoming. Hope you get some serious relief ASAP.

[dshobbies]

Honestly I don't understand all of this in evolutionary terms. Dinosaurs efficiently roamed the earth for millions of years and have been speculated as the superior species had they not been wiped out by ?.

Mankind has specific weaknesses. Is it that medical science has prolonged life expecation faster than survival of the fittest could strengthen our spines, knees and hips? Are we a dead end branch in favor of a better engineered species? Do other primates have these problems?

I've heard that if we are wiped out because of ?, spiders will evolve into the BMOC. Did you know that black widow females eat their mates? Interesting, very interesting!

[mmglobal]

Dinosaurs didn't wander so efficiently. There were 2 different types of T-Rex's. The big ferrocious ones were prone to DDD... that's why they were so angry all the time. The others evolved into Barney.

[ans]

I'm sorry to hear this. Of course I have no experience of considering such decisions.

How about a six-year pain remission.

[Maria]

Giraffes.. they're still around... 7 cervical very elongated vertebrae with highly flexible joints and some muscles that anchor the neck for the movement. Had to google it as I had no idea...now I'm interested ..

[fuzzy]

Originally Posted by mmglobal

Dinosaurs didn't wander so efficiently. There were 2 different types of T-Rex's. The big ferrocious ones were prone to DDD... that's why they were so angry all the time. The others evolved into Barney.

LOL,

But seriously, you are such an expert at these matters and at the same time you struggle with this decison like all of us. That shows how difficult this is. I myself am very concerned about my own neck. It is constant amd simply is not getting any better and I don't know where the point is when it is "nessesay" to do a surgery. I doen't hurt much these days but I got all these probs in my feet that are triggered by my neck and embellished by bending of my lower back. Europe says sugery. USA says nothing. Actually I just got denied (again) an office visit at a usa neurologist ???? It seems they don't want to touch me these days? Why, because I went to Europe? Because of the ADR, they won't tell me the reason.

[Cheryl]

All I can say is that I feel your pain.

Thanks for sharing!!! I'll be following your story as I am not far behind you. I do not even consider myself functioning.


Keep us posted.