[Artificial Disc Replacement / Cervical] Fusion C5/C6 (age 22) & Artificial Disc Replacement C3/C4 (age 31)

[rebeccawlaw]

Hello everyone! I live in Chicago. I just had to "retire" from my job as an attorney at age 32 because of my neck pain. I underwent my first spine surgery (a fusion C5-6) at age 22 and another spine surgery (artificial disc replacement C3-4) in March 2009 at age 31.

Last year, before I had my ADR, several neurosurgeons told me that I was going to need a 4-level fusion from C3 to C7. This consisted of fixing a severe herniation at C3-4, mild herniations at C4-5 and C6-7, and revision my previous fusion at C5-6. Instead of having a 4-disc fusion, I decided to only have the worst herniation repaired, which was the one at C3-4.

Unfortunately, my neck pain never completely went away after the ADR, although my neurological symptoms improved dramatically. This past June, I worked about 10 12-hour days in a row and my neck pain worsened. To make matters work, I fell on the stairs at my house and don't know whether that affected my neck.

For the past 2 months, I have had neck pain worse then before either of my two surgeries. It is mainly at the base of my skull, but also lower in my neck and in my shoulders. I can't have another MRI because of the Prestige disc and I'm trying to exhaust all non-invasive treatment possibilities before going in for a CT myelogram. My doctor says that I have severe osteoarthritis throughout my cervical spine and my x-ray also shows some bone spurs. Last month, I had facet injections at C3-4 and C4-5. Tomorrow I am having more facet injections at X-C1 and C1-2.

My doctor says that, on the films she has, the space between C4-5 looks pretty bad. If the injections tomorrow do not relieve some of my pain, she is going to recommend the CT myelogram and probably go for the multi-level fusion.

Yuck. I do not want to have more surgery ever. I'm terrified that the surgeries are doing me more harm then good. Before this most recent onset of pain, I was trying to get pregnant and if I have surgery I'll have to wait at least another year to try to get pregnant. We waited so long to start trying in the first place!

I'm so frustrated, but I'm so glad that I found this forum. Seeing that there are people out there in similar situations actually makes me feel a little better. I'm looking forward to making some great friends!

[KBear]

Rebeccawlaw, So sorry you find yourself in pain again. I would suggest getting at least 3 surgical opinions before having surgery and ask why they suggest what they do. I would also consider whether you would rather have surgery now and then have a baby or have to go through surgery while having a baby at the house. I had a 2 week old and 2.5 year old when I was injured and it was a very hard time. I had surgery 1.5 years ago and am now expecting my 3rd baby. Maybe even write a list of pros and cons of having surgery now versus later. Good Luck, Kathy

[Hooch]

Gday,

Sorry to hear your facing another go round. Best of luck to you.

[Cindylou]

Rebeccawlaw, I echo everyone elses concerns, and I hope you can get to the bottom of your pain and find some lasting relief. Chronic pain bites the big one. We're glad you found us. :thumpup: Regards, Cindylou

[rebeccawlaw]

Thanks for the kind words everyone! My pain got a lot better after my last set of injections, but the relief lasted only a week and a half. I'm scheduled for more injections on October 11th and a CT myelogram tomorrow. I'm kind of nervous for the myelogram!

[claudia]

Rebecca,

I'm sorry that you are having to deal with spine problems at such a young age, but after joining SPS I learned that we are not alone! I am also an attorney, and this profession, especially its long hours, is horrible for the back. I tried everything- the ergonomic chair, a seat cushion for my car, but spending such long hours at a computer or in my car were torture. I'm glad you were able to get relief, even though it lasted only a week. But I have heard of people for whom the first injection doesn't work or lasts a very short time, and then the second one lasts months. So I hope that that is the case for you!

[rebeccawlaw]

Thanks Claudia! I actually had to shut down my law firm for the time being. Since my spine problems are in my neck, it is difficult to even look at a computer screen for more than about 30 minutes. I tried connecting my computer to my TV to work with the TV as a monitor, but I couldn't get a good enough picture.

Do you have any tricks/ hints for working with spine pain?

[Justin]

Thanks for the kind words everyone! My pain got a lot better after my last set of injections, but the relief lasted only a week and a half. I'm scheduled for more injections on October 11th and a CT myelogram tomorrow. I'm kind of nervous for the myelogram!

Hi Rebecca. Good luck tomorrow with your myelogram. I had a CT / Myelogram in 2009 and it was a breeze. Make sure to follow the facility's instructions after the procedure.

[claudia]

My problem is in the lumbar spine, but what I found most helpful was getting up every half hour and walking at least for a few minutes, and stretching. I also bought an ergonomic chair, which somewhat helped, and my secretary gave me this roll-on pain relieveing gel thing from Avon, called Celadrin, which was very good, I would rub it all over by lower back like 5 times a day and would get great relief from. I also had a chiropractor across the street from my office and I would go at least twice a week during lunch to use that electrical stimulating machine. But what killed me was the driving- there is little you can do when you are stuck in a car. I am actually unemployed at the moment, and even though I am actively looking for a job, a part of me is dreading having to go back. I actually got offered a position in one of the large law firms that expects their associates to put in 10 billable hours a day (for those not familiar with that concept, to be able to do 10 billable hours, you have to work at least 12). I declined the position without telling anyone in my family I had gotten it, because I knew my back wouldn't have been able to handle it.