Serial Lurker - Time to Check In! (Cervical Fusion)

[CardinalTwo]

Hi All,

I confess to lurking at Brain Talk since 2000 and more recently iSpine since its inception! Hopefully, brief history. Retired RN on the far side of 68! Had L4/5 workup in '97 for R sciatica; managed with conservative therapy--epis, SNRB, aqua therapy, orals, etc--for 10 years. Worked up for worsening neck pain in '98. Stanford NS suggested C4/5 & C5/6 ACDF in '98 for severe DDD with 2 osteophytes. Toughed it for a year until developed stroke like symptoms--HA, slurred speech, blurred vision, incontinent of urine, etc (negative head MRI). Emergent ACDF in '09 for severe cord compression. Planned C4/5 discectomy portion aborted intraop since autofused at that level and alignment was good; both osteophytes removed. 24/7 nerve pain for 1 horrific year. Another ACDF in '06 at C6/7 (losing use of L dominant arm). Much easier postop recovery. Finally, NS said he could help lumbar. Had L4/5 laminotomy in '06; piece of cake recovery that eliminated sciatica.

Three good years. However, now have C3/4 symptoms and worsening L4/5 pain. For me, saga continues, but I'm naturally athletic with high pain threshold and actually cope quite well. RA meds of low dose prednisone and TNF inhibitor, Humira, also help with pain. Take occasional Vicodin. Great parents but sadly, inherited their bad genes! Worst medical scare in last 2 years was insidious onset of narrow angle glaucoma. Almost didn't get checked out for transient, severe eye pain, but now am well controlled after bilateral laser surgeries. Predated cervical ADRs in this country.

Canadian born (grew up in London, ON, graduated from UWO) but married a Yank. Lived in suburban Boston for first 10 years of marriage, but moved to N. Cal in '75. Can't beat the weather here except for the rainy season! Married for more years probably than most of you have been born!

Cheers,
CardinalTwo

[Justin]

to the SPS Forum, CardinalTwo!

Emergent ACDF in '09 for severe cord compression. Planned C4/5 discectomy portion aborted intraop since autofused at that level and alignment was good; both osteophytes removed. 24/7 nerve pain for 1 horrific year. Another ACDF in '06 at C6/7 (losing use of L dominant arm).

Yikes! That's quite a history. How are things after the emergent ACDF in '09? Better, I am hoping. :thumpup:

Three good years. However, now have C3/4 symptoms and worsening L4/5 pain. For me, saga continues, but I'm naturally athletic with high pain threshold and actually cope quite well. RA meds of low dose prednisone and TNF inhibitor, Humira, also help with pain. Take occasional Vicodin. Great parents but sadly, inherited their bad genes! Worst medical scare in last 2 years was insidious onset of narrow angle glaucoma. Almost didn't get checked out for transient, severe eye pain, but now am well controlled after bilateral laser surgeries. Predated cervical ADRs in this country.

I'm sorry to read about your ongoing spine issues now with C3-C4 and L4-L5. However, it sounds like your pain is well regulated with only an occasional vicodin--that's great news!

Once again, welcome to the Forum--there are a lot of supportive Spine Patients here. Please let me know if you need anything!

[KBear]

to the forum, glad you decided to pipe in and talk with us. I would suck at being a lurker, I have way too many opinions! Please let us know if there is anything we could help you with! Congrats on a long marriage, please post on our 'good things' post!

Kathy

[CardinalTwo]

Oops! Emergent ADCD was in '99, not '09. Probably a mini senior moment with emphasis on the mini!

CardinalTwo

[Justin]

Oops! Emergent ADCD was in '99, not '09. Probably a mini senior moment with emphasis on the mini!

CardinalTwo

No worries. I just wanted to make sure you were doing well.

[Cindylou]

Welcome CardinalTwo, hope we can be of service to you. Does it feel good to not be lurking anymore? Again, welcome, welcome!

[treefrog]

Glad you decided to stop lurking and post here. I hope we can be a source of comfort and information for you. I'm sure you have a lot to offer us as well, you sure have been dealing with spine problems for a long time.

[SemperFi]

CardinalTwo,
Welcome! Whatta history! I was an RN,NP and retired back in 2000 due to ongoing back probs after 2nd low back surgery failed and was looking at a 3 level global fusion which I didn't want to have (and didn't) then a 2 level ADR (didn't have) and lastly recommendation for ADR/L4 and fusion/L5S1 (still didn't have).

Cervical probs now at C5/6 but so much DDD going on and the *bad gene* thing too (great parents as well) tho currently nothing that requires surgical attention so I'm good with that.

Glad you're here and hope that you will find some relief!

[ajj1001]

Hiya, nice to have you hear and read your story. I traced my biological family to see if I could blame them for the crappy genes but they were all fine. On the up side I got a new mom, step dad and a half brother and sister out of it! There can be some very unexpected up sides from having a rubbish back.

[cavalier]

Hi Cardinal - the Lamatomey i had was also a temoary fix at best - I now have a ADR there. And we share the neck too - the high pain threshold is a blessing
& a curse as it can take alot for you to notice sometimes as you compensate.
Welcome - Jill