C5-6 Prodisc-C Surgery Blog

[jessmith07]

J-

I have suffered from an anxiety disorder for my entire life, although it was only finally diagnosed about 8 years ago. Since then, I've been on medication (currently 60-90 mg of Cymbalta) that has helped me get back to "normal". There are certain times and/or events that cause increased anxiety (like my recent surgery and the months leading up to it) that cause the need for me to increase my daily dosage for a while, then once the crisis passes, I am able to go back down to my usual dose. I also have another medication (Xanax) that helps with accute anxiety attacks. There is a nice side-effect to the Cymbalta, and that is that for some reason, it helps reduce chronic pain. Also, before my laminectomy in September 2008, I was having severe sciatic nerve pain and was on 200-250 mg/day of a drug called Topomax. I originally started taking this medication at 50 mg to help prevent very frequent migraines, but after researching the drug, I found out that at higher levels, it helps reduce chronic nerve pain. I had to work my way up to that dosage, increasing by 50 mg every few weeks. But it helped! I went from barely being able to move to walking 15-20 miles per week relatively pain free.

I know that anxiety alone can be debilitating, but adding the stress of severe chronic pain on top of that can be mind-boggling! And people have the best of intentions telling you to relax, but they just don't understand that, for someone with this condition, it's usually impossible. My anxiety attacks consist of heart palpatations, shaking, heat flashes, then feeling freezing, nausea/vomiting, and all of the associated abdominal distresses. I know what you're feeling around this...have you seen a psychiatrist? They are professionals in dealing with this and have a great knowledge of how to treat you with medications and/or therapy. You really don't have to suffer with this particular condition, especially with all of your other health problems.

Wishing you all the best,
Jess

[Katie]

Don't worry, I am not going to tell you to relax. Jess gave you some great information, and I hope if it fits your situation that it may help.

Also, regarding pain....I have been given some various pain medications that should have dropped a horse, with no effect. Only one helps...straight short acting morphine. There is no rhyme or reason to this, except one of my friends is a doctor and says that people with the gene for red hair often have very different reactions to medications. That is certainly the case with me. If they don't work, than many make me extremely ill...I never know which And I only have the slightest tinge of red...not full flaming Eric the Red locks

There is a chance that this may be what is happening to you. I'm sure that many doctors do not know or believe this tidbit of information, but since she has the same problems, she has investigated it a fair bit. Might be something to think about and try another medication. What else has helped or not helped?

It's just a thought...I really hope that something breaks for you and you get the relief you need so badly.

[jchebert1979]

Thank you everyone, I know you mean well and I appreciate the support.

I was once referred to what I thought was a pain management doctor by my neurologist. He did some trigger point injections then and that was it. I called back today to see if he could help me and turns out he is a sports medicine doctor and not a pain management doctor.

I asked his nurse who he would recomend and she gave me 4 names. I called all four and even with a referral none could see me sooner than August. I called my surgeon's office back and after 5 minutes of her telling me to be patient I asked to be referred to a PM. She said she would ask the doctor after he got out of surgery later today.

He sent me home with 10mg lortabs and I have taken 4 so far today since 9:00am (it's 12:30 now) with not even a 1 point reduction of pain. I have a few left over fentanyl patches from my brain surgery, but those didn't work then either. Besides, after all of the hydrocodone, I can't use one today anyway.

[Maria]

I agree that I can't understand what is going on w/you. I'm sorry that you are experiencing any symptoms that are still greatly perplexing or aggravating.

The thoracic herniations are a mystery to me altho I think I might have something going on there myself .. not really wanting to find out tho may have to.

I am interested to hear how things progress with you, what will be found, diagnosed and how things will be handled.

I hope you will continue to share that information with us as we can all stand to learn about something new and different.

thanks for continuing to post and update...

[dshobbies]

J,

I couldn't agree more with Jess. The old adage, 'it takes one to know one' is so true. Everyone posting here has severe spinal pain and no one on the outside can begin to understand. If we found solutions by ourselves, we wouldn't need the caring and support we found from others. Bad choices, bad doctors, bad advice has plagued most of us.

We're not medical professionals but we have walked in your shoes. If we have stepped on your toes, believe me, it wasn't intentional. We all have needs and feeling a connection to the world is at the top of the list. You don't have to feel alone, we're with you, through good but especially through bad.

Glad you're about to see that pm. Perhaps he'll provide long sought after relief. I wish you every luck,

Dale

[jchebert1979]

Believe me, the last thing I wanted was to make anyone feel like I do not appreciate the support I am recieving. If anyone felt like that because of my posts, please accept my apology.

It is not just the pain that affects me. My body is stuck in a fight or flight response. Sounds, lights, emmotions (good or bad), basicaly any stimulus sends electrical shocks through my entire body. Imaging not being able to laugh at a funny joke because not only the physical movements of laughter will cause pain, but the happiness itself causes pain. Imagine not being able to watch television because the stimulus sets off a pain reaction. Imagine not being able to even meditate. What most people can do to at least try and distract themselves from the pain, causes more for me. It is truly torture.

I have brought this up over and over to doctors and have been ignored, but I will not be any longer. There are areas in the thoracic spine that control the sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system. There are also three areas in the cervical spine as well called sympathetic cervical ganglia (and some in the lumbar area). They however, recieve information up from the thoracic spine and not directly from the cervical spine.

I have herniations at T1-2, T3-4, and T6-7. Thoracic nerves are named for the top disc unlike cervical wich are named for the bottom ones.

T1 sends sympathetic innervation to the thyroid and heart
T3 sends sympathetic innervation to the heart, chest, pluera, bronchial tubes, and lungs.
T6 sends sympathetic innervation to the stomach and pancreas.

I have been through 3 cardiac workups for palpitations and tachycardia, have been diagnosed with gastroparesis (slowing of the stomach), and been worked up for pancreatitis. Every time I asked the doctors if this could be from the thoracic herniations and every time I was told no, given medication that I didn't need, and passed off. It was not until the pain relief of the surgery did I truly realise that I have been right all along.

I realise that thoracic herniations are rare and that the surgery is more dangerous but that is no reason to dismiss my symptoms. If anyone has any suggestions for surgeons that specialize in thoracic herniations, please let me know.

[Maria]

You certainly didn't put me off at all it's just that I realized I cannot possibly imagine what you've been going thru or are going thru and therefore I feel that I would prefer to hear further from you and hopefully perhaps someone here can give you some ray of light that might be helpful re your specific symptoms/case.

I'm glad you wrote a bit more in detail about what sets off your symptoms. That is something I can understand~ only because that is how I get people who are *normal* re the spine to understand my spine predicament when they think I *look* normal and cannot understand what's going on w/me or why I can't do things that seem so simple (like sitting).

I hope there will be a doctor that won't dismiss your symptoms and can be of further assistance to you re your current situation.

take care~ Maria

[JKDE302]

jchebert1979 are you glad you had the c5-6 done?

I know you have more problems below it but do you have any hope you can still get them fixed also..

[JKDE302]

Damn this thread has turned me off the pro-disc...Alot of negative bad news ...

[jchebert1979]

Originally Posted by JKDE302

Damn this thread has turned me off the pro-disc...Alot of negative bad news ...

I do not regret having that surgery one bit. The problem was with the diagnostics, not the prodisc. My regret is not having the discogram before the operation because it turns out that another level was the main pain generator.

I am still glad that I went ahead with it though since here in the states insurances will only approve one level. I got the level that has more movement with the prodisc and I have the fusion at C7-T1 which sees much less movement than upper levels so less risk of adjacent level degeneration.

[jentop]

J,

I just read the entire thread, from back early in the year. I can so relate to your comments about knowing your body and what pain is from where. I truly admire you! I experienced much the same reception from doctors when I questioned them about my various symptoms being related to my neck pathologies. I suffered with vertigo, nearly daily for over a year, as well as fluctuations in BP, heartrate, and balance, along with just not feeling right, etc. I received 2level (C5/6-C6/7)ADR with Pro-DiscC in Jan 09 by Dr. Bertagnoli and am for the most part very pleased. I do occasionally have some pain that is much like my preop pain, but much less intense. I also was told that I have very slight bulges, "nothing to worry about", in the top 3 thoracic discs. This MRi was performed in Germany the day before my surgery. What I found interesting about your last post is that I also have episodes of anxiety that I can think of no explanation for with similar increased heartrate etc. So, I'm interested in anything else you care to share on the subject of the thoracic spine.
You really do amaze me with your bravery. All that you have endured and so far triumphed over is a sign that you are indeed remarkable.
I wish nothing but peace for you.
Jennifer

[JKDE302]

Originally Posted by jchebert1979

I do not regret having that surgery one bit. The problem was with the diagnostics, not the prodisc. My regret is not having the discogram before the operation because it turns out that another level was the main pain generator.

I am still glad that I went ahead with it though since here in the states insurances will only approve one level. I got the level that has more movement with the prodisc and I have the fusion at C7-T1 which sees much less movement than upper levels so less risk of adjacent level degeneration.

Ok thanks alot for that info...

[dshobbies]

Katie,

I never heard the red hair connection before but it sure explains a lot. I often have weird side effects to drugs and some exact opposite reactions to what they're supposed to do. I do know we heal differently and in my case, bruise easily. Good to know there's another connection there.

J,

Ok, no more preaching about relaxing. A friend of mine, unrelated to spine issues, had several health issues and was eventually referred to an endocronologist. Working with her own bodies reactions, they were able to form a med regimen that worked for her. You might consider looking into this, especially if meds are a part of your future.

As far as suggesting this, that and the other, we're really trying to help and don't mean anything insulting. Truly, your pain is our concern and someone, somewhere has been through what you're now going through. If they don't happen upon this forum, it's simply and try this and that situation but there's a solution out there too. Keep us informed and we'll do our best.

Please don't give up on us, Dale

[jchebert1979]

I was finally able to get an appointment with a PM after someone cancelled. It will be this coming Monday.

I am more convinced than ever that the remaining discs are and have been my problems all along. I am disgusted in the entire medical community and have nothing but contempt and distrust. It took two years, over 25 doctors, possibly an unnecessary brain surgery, and over 250,000 dollars in diagnostic tests (not treatment) to get this far when the very first test run diagnosed the problem. It just seems fitting that now when for the first time there is no doubt as to the cause of my pain I may be left without the means to treat it. I was so blinded by my pain that I accepted the first offer for an ADR when it is now very clear that I have multiple pain generators. If it would have not happened to me, I would have never in my life believed that the very people who were supposed to care for me have taken everything from me.

I will not be posting on this blog anymore as my prodisc-c surgery was a complete success. It completely alleviated the pain coming from my c5-6 herniation. Thank you everyone for your support.

[fuzzy]

I have been going through this for more then 10 years until the german doctors not only gave me a chance but promised me more then one problem. At least they were telling me the truth and they were right. My ADR was a sucess but obviously there are more parts in my spine failing at the same time. Now its wait and see for my neck surgery but after yesterdays MRI I feel I am pretty close. I too am an anxiety case and the pain plus the anxiety would send my heartrate into the sky, I went on beta blockers, it was the only way. Well I still am on the betablocker even thought I felt quite a bit better without the pain attacks coming form my lumbar spine but one out of 3 days I am limping due to stong legpain. I really hope that that too comes from my neck. It seems like it sometimes as strange as it sounds. In the MRI machine I got a lot of strange feelings, very tingly numbish feet and pain all over. After the test i could not get up the leg pain was real bad. When I walked in I had no leg pain, it was the vibration messing with my discs pushing on my spinal chord, I am sure of that. I am over due for a post to try to describe what is going on with me but it is complex rather then simple it seems. The kind they don't like to deal with in the US medical system, thats a fact.

[jessmith07]

J-

I hope that when you say you aren't going to post on this blog anymore, you just mean this particular thread.

I know that you're going through such a difficult time, and being in extreme pain for so long definately takes it's toll. And the one's you're counting on to take care of you aren't doing their job; it's not right and it's not fair!

But please don't give up on having a support system in place...even if you don't find what you need from us, please keep looking until you find the right "home" for you; your continued medical problems are exhausting and frustrating, and it really does help to have a good group of people that understand what chronic pain is like. Please hang in there, and keep us posted.

Very Sincerely,
Jess