I am due to see a Neurologist next week due to my MRI showing a badly slipped/herniated disc. My physio therapist has told me there is nothing more they can do and surgery is probably now my only option – and that it's highly likely the neurologist will suggest surgery to be carried out within the next month.
I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this and following some research it seems the surgery would only prevent the issue getting worse and not actually help my symptoms.
Can anyone who has had surgery advise on this? If this is the case and its not actually going to ease my pain and discomfort, is it better to prolong surgery and see if it does deteriorate any more first?
Also, any suggestions on how to actually ease my pain and discomfort. Not sure how much longer I can deal with it!
Hi Nic,
Is your pain, nerve type pain or neck pain, or refereed pain to another part of your spine.
If it's nerve pain, you don't want it to get worse.
If it's neck and back pai, you still want it to be better,Mobutu also you din't want it to be worse.
I had a fusion lower in my back several years ago,,and have no doubt things will have improved now.
They do not undertake this type of surgery lightly.
Not knowing how it affects you now,,I don't know how deterioration would affect you.
just that once it deteriorates further, you can't go back and undo that.
Hi Laura
It changes weekly, even daily!
The worst it has been was nerve pain through shoulder and arm, with numbness and pins and needles travelling down to my fingers.
I've never experienced pain like it!! That has subsided now, although I still feel it if I apply pressure to my shoulder or arm, meaning sleeping can be difficult.
I now have a lot of pain in my neck and continuous headaches, radiating from the base of my head upwards. My neck and shoulders are very stiff, with limited movement and even locked completely a couple of days ago. It now also aches right through my entire back.
Overall my pain is not as intense as it has been previously but I am in a constant state of discomfort and its very draining.
Constant pain is awful.
To be honest, although the thought of surgery is daunting, if it can stop the pain from getting even worse by stabilising your neck, I would go for it, if it were me.
At least once healed from the surgery, there is a chance physio will strengthen your neck without doing damage.
Are you taking anything for the nerve pain, there are several drugs that work well.
Yeah, very daunting. I'm concerned about the surgery, outcome and recovery. I live alone so worried about taking care of myself afterwards and the amount of time i will need off work.
I guess it could be worse in the long run if i dont go through with it though.
You will need some help at first, if you have it fused, depending on the type of fusion, Bone graft or grafts plus metalwork, they encourage you to be mobile as soon as possible.
But if you really can't take anymore now, think how it would be if it gets worse, I don't know how old you are, but you need a better outlook for your future, not a worse one
Im 38 and its already had a major affect on my life. i was very active and did a lot of gym work and weight training, now all i do is manage to get through work and then go home to lie down - i have to lie down for periods at work too.
When i think about it like this, i guess i dont have many options, its already bad enough.
hope you are doing okay with yours
Hi. I have had exactly the same symptoms as you which have been intermittent for three yrs. My MRI showed herniation of two discs and C6/7 was trapping a nerve. The pins and needles stopped a yr ago and was left with horrendous nerve pain and reduced grip and function. I tried medication for 6 Months but was having to increase doses all the time. I finally had surgery in April and have never regretted it. I had removal of C5/6 and C 6/7 with fusion. I am a single parent with a host of animals to care for and it's been really hard to get it all covered. Would I do it again... yes.... I now have no pain... no pins and needles and after 12 off work have gone back and slowly regaining every thing I had before. I was terrified but so glad I did it
Hi Im schedule for ACDFP for C2 - C7 in August My surgeon can only guarantee 50% but thats 50% more than I have now. I can handle the regular Osteoarthritis pain but when the nerve and spinal cord pinching started it was horrible. Due to Stenosis Im unstable and on strict conditions more or less walking on flat ground. Ive given up all sports, sold my horse and Im scared to death. Good luck to you I hope you get relief
Hi love im 14 months down the road after op i had top 2 discs done my neck is brill pain gone lots of movement but i had impingment of my nerves for 18 months so damage was done before i was diagnosed well im 71 and was fit as a flea before the disc hierniated i have no fatigue thats gone my walking is slow and balance bad i am having another scan on tues to investigate this.... my shoulder and hand are still pins and needles but i can use them before i couldent so i cope i take solpadol for pain if bad im in uk and id say get the best surgeon in the field if you can hope this helps a bit give me a shout if i can help good luck