New Member needs help! (Surgeon Recommending 2-level Cervical Fusion)

[Cindylou]

I will ditto, you have been given some terrific advice, so I won't duplicate. I did just want to offer that those prednisone dose packets are like miracle food, taking away all the pain, temporarily. So make sure you aren't fooled by that. Your pain could easily come back when the medication is out of your system....hopefully not, but just a head's up. Welcome to SPS!

[tferg2000]

You are all the nicest and most helpful group of people ever! Thank you all so much. I really can't tell you enough how thankful I am to have found this site!

With that being said, I had my appointment with the orthopedic surgeon this morning. Told him about my wonderful progress, (Pain from 7-10/10 on narcotic pain pills to 0-2/10 on nothing!) Thanks Cindylou for the heads-up on the "miracle food" effect of the prednisone dose pack. I had a feeling that was the case, and the doctor confirmed that this morning. However, he did say it was a good sign that I responded so well and have regained some strength in my arm. Not a lot, but some. I can wash my hair now with both hands in the shower instead of just one...and that's wash, rinse, repeat, and condition! I know it sounds like a small feat, but a week ago I'd just start to lather and had to finish it up with my right arm only. I just didn't have the strength to hold the L arm up there that long. Anyway, it seems like an improvement to me, no matter how small. I'm holding on to every last hope!

So the outcome of today's appointment: The doc thinks that it's "reasonable" to try some conservative therapy for 4-6 weeks MAX. And if I don't see significant improvement (~50%) in my arm strength, he recommends surgery. It's really the C7 disc that looks the worst, the C6 is starting to go. So with the extra pressure put on it from a fusion possibly causing adjoining disc problems, I may opt for the 2 level instead of having to go back in later and have it done. He said we can talk about that when the time comes. But for now I have 4-6 weeks to think about it, unless I start to get worse earlier. Which I know can happen, but I'm not going to think about that for now. I think staying positive will help. Like you said Greg, the power of the mind is amazing!

So the game plan: I have an appointment next Thursday for a c6-c7 steroid epidural injection and PT twice weekly for 4-6 weeks. I'm wondering if should start PT before the epidural or after? I forgot to ask.

I was able to talk to several of my doctor's patients that have had this surgery, and they all have raved about their outcomes and were so glad they finally had it done. I met a girl in the waiting room that had a 3 level cervical fusion and no troubles less than two weeks out from surgery. She looked great. Of course she did say the first couple of days were "rough", but nothing after living with the pain before having it done. And she seemed to have fairly good movement in her neck still. She stopped wearing the neck brace after 3 days. She said they advised a little longer, but she couldn't stand it. She had also tried conservative therapy for a year before having it done. She didn't have the arm weakness though. So I know I'm on a tighter time schedule. I just feel like I need to give this a try to make sure I feel confident that I'm making the right decision if it does come down to surgery. Like you have all said, it's my decision, and I need to feel comfortable with it and able to live with the outcomes. Good or bad. I do feel more comfortable about the surgery though, after talking with a few people that have just gone through the same thing with my doc. He comes highly recommended, and you'd know it to see his waiting room, it's packed! He's compassionate and caring, and answers all your questions, and he has a lot of satisfied patient's that say he's worth the wait. That means a lot.

Again, sorry about the length of this, I tend to be a little wordy when I type. I'm much quieter in person!

Thanks again everyone! Any insight or thoughts on the ESI?

Teresa

[KBear]

Teresa,
I think that is a great plan to do the injection and pt and then move on if it doesn't work. At least that way, you will know that you tried and it didn't work. I'm glad the dr. was good with you doing that, it will definitely give you peace if you need to go into surgery. Glad that you are feeling better about it. Kathy

[Cindylou]

Sounds like you are making progress, even small steps are progress, like you said! I do agree, I would get the injection....don't start pt the same day as injection. Wait a day or two. That's what my doc told me to do. It is always best to exhaust conservative treatment first, then only move on to surgery as a last resort. You sound right on track. I hope you build some strength and receive some relief during this period too.

[Greg]

Hey Teresa

How you doing now a days? Did you get any relief from the injection or PT? Sometimes the epidural injections can take a couple to get the relief you want. Some people feel relief immediately after. Everyone's different so you will have to be the one to determine if you need more or not. I think with you doing so well with the steroid pack you should probably do good with the first injection, imho. But do remember that sometimes you may actually feel some extra discomfort after the injection that may last up to a couple days. Thats usually from the added pressure at the injection site from the steroids filling up the space but goes away within a few days if you experience it at all.

Been wondering about you and I hope you are getting the positive results you've been lookning for. Cant wait to hear back from you

[Wishful Runner]

I hope the injection works for you. I agree with CL on the Prednisone. It's not something you want to be taking for any length of time. It can be a wicked, wicked drug. I had to take it for a little over a year after a very bad asthma attack in 2002 and it has many side effects with long term use that are very unpleasant and take a long time to get over.

I don't have much advice for you other than that because I am a lumbar patient. Best wishes to you and you've definitely come to the right place.