Getting ready for 3-level fusion, came up as a surprise!

[supergirl]

Hi, it's great to find this forum!

I had a rude awakening this winter with the sudden onset of pain in my left neck and arm and tingling along C6- down to my left thumb. Saw a spine ortho, XR looked like plain old degenerative cervical disease, went forward, celebrex every day, and got a little better at first. Unfortunately was not long lived, and became a "who knows what the day will bring" regardless of my activities or lack thereof!

Finally convinced him to order an MRI (under duress) and as soon as I got it, 3 months after symptoms had begun, whipped it out of the folder and almost threw up right there in the car! At it's worst, around C6/7, my spinal cord looks like a banana... how could I have not known something was going so wrong? No possibility for epidural- no room for the needle!

I consulted a Neurosurgeon who offered 2 options- surgery or not. My choice. BUT, if function is lost, may or may not be regained.

And, for the first time, got a thorough neuro exam, and low and behold, I was having weakness on my RIGHT side that I had been slowly compensating for without realizing it. Totally freaked out, it took me only 4 days to decide to fix this darn thing before I allowed anything else to go wrong.

After thinking about everything, I began to realize all the symptoms I had been having for quite a while that I had been dismissing and not identifying as related: Had had episodes of L thumb tingling on and off briefly for 5 years (maybe 3-4 times ever!). That one morning 2 years ago that I awoke and stretched and got such a severe pain in my left shoulder blade I couldn't even breathe, but just for one day. Chronic RIGHT hip and leg pain, dull ache, especially at night, waking me at night, ibuprofen no longer helping.... Thought I was getting old- that right index finger was really aching, and gee, my handwriting was really atrocious at times--- but I am a DR, so that was expected.... Surprised that I was getting so much better at opening jars with my left hand even though I was a righty... and of course that pain behind my shoulder blades.

I am writing this because I am a physician and frankly most of these little symptoms were so minor, so fleeting, such afterthoughts, occurring over 5 years, that it wasn't until I new what was wrong that I could put the very subtle puzzle together in retrospect.

I am not having surgery for the pain. Although I am uncomfortable much of the time, it's not horrible. But the disability, the inability to do all the outdoor things that make my soul soar is just such torture that I can't imagine a life with permanent loss of function.

I am terrified of surgery, terrified of not having surgery. Mostly grieving the loss of a healthy body- it's gone, and it will never be the same again. Also concerned about having a fiber-optic intubation... just seems so gruesome- if anyone has gone through it, I would love to hear about it from a patient's perspective!

So I have enjoyed reading so much of the posts and look forward to reading more.

Thanks for reading!

[dshobbies]

Hey there Supergirl,

Glad you found us but sorry you need us.

My first thought - a doctor fearing surgery - wow, you're human after all. If you think about all the surgeries you must have recommended yourself, and the postive outcomes that resulted, perhaps you'll fear the prospect a little less. You also must know that nerve damage heals very slowly, if at all, so doing something about it is a better alternative than doing nothing. If pain was the only issue, then waiting to see what happens is more of a viable option. When weakness and tingling are involved it becomes an easier decision.

However, have you considered an ADR instead of fusion? Are ADRs even possible in your specific situation. Perhaps a combination of both might be better.

But whatever surgery, I do wish you luck and I'm sure you'll do great.

Dale

[Maria]

Supergirl,
I was an RN,NP for many years and have overlooked many of my own symptoms that meant something though if were assessing a patient during a visit/examination would probably pick up on it right away and make necessary referrals/recommendations!

When it's ourselves oh well.. must be something "else"!

Sounds like you have no choice re surgical intervention however am wondering as well if you've gotten an opinion with regard to ADR vs. fusion multilevel?

Anyway welcome and wishing you the absolute best with whatever you do with regard to surgical intervention and please keep us posted if you're so inclined.

[supergirl]

Thanks both for your replies.

ADR was definitely an appealing concept, but with the bulk of the problem being large osteophytes, my neurosurgeon will be working hard to decompress my cord. I was disappointed when I understood I wasn't a candidate and a bit stunned at what he initially suggested. He actually is a primary investigator in the use of the discs as well. Alas.

Luckily the images are quite clear and the cord compression is the only reason I am succumbing to this surgery.

Just got the call from the nurse today that all is set to go.

Any post-op food suggestions?

[dridobits]

Hi, I found things that were easy and required little chewing were best. Soups, jello, Ice cream (yea). Bananas are good for potassium. Mike is great for fusion stuff. Prune juice, stool softeners, laxatives, yadayada to help with constipation. Keep things moving.

I think I wrote in another section a list of things to prepare for surgery...things you might want/need etc. Someone started this list and I found it very helpful. You'll want a grabber most likely. A big thing (after the six weeks wait for driving) I noticed was that when I didn't put the car seat way back, I would wind up twisting and really hurting myself. Now I always put the seat way back before I get in and when I'm getting out. Takes more time but saves on lots of pain. I got a great pillow to sit on in my car and also a lumbar support as I'm so weak with sitting.

Good shoes that slip on and off are really helpful. I now wear my froggies (what are those ugly shoes called) all the time. They are great and light.
I've gotten rid of most of my purses as they are all too heavy. Every little thing like this has really helped me...cleaning out my wallet, etc. Getting comfy easy to get in and out of pj's. Baby wipes for when I was too tired to shower (first week is noooo fun for this). Also when getting into and out of the car after surgery using a plastic trash bag under the seat can really help to move you easily.

Maybe you know all of this? If so sorry, anyway I posted this and other stuff in another section. I am about six months post op and it was the best decision I ever made to do it. I have a two level fusion front and back. I've started to hike in the last month. My brain is no longer obsessed with pain and panic attacks.

Best!

[supergirl]

dridobits-
Thanks for the words of encouragement!

Mike? You mean my NS? Good shot!

So I am post op day 3 and doing quite ok. The journey of healing had just begun, wish the surgery was the end!

Finally got to shower, feel much better, but a few tears of frustration along the way.

On just Tylenol today, which is great. Looking forward to not freaking out about breaking the growing matrix in my neck by looking the wrong way.

Family a bit disappointed my voice seems to be intact

The stuff I got to occupy my time.... all need to look downward, and alas I am in a hard collar for most of the time. Oh, well, maybe next month!

Cord was tightly packed, and the c6 on the left tightly trapped in the foramina, and he freed them up, so hopefully all the irritation will subside now.

Luckily I did not have to have the fiberoptic intubation, so two weeks of panic attacks for nothing, thank goodness.

Gave the residents an appropriately hard time, had to tell the goofy intern where to draw my blood, which of course makes for a good story.

I think I have the wrong handle though, should be bionic woman

Thanks for the supportive words.