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Back and Neck Pain Exchange

What are the best treatments for back and neck pain? Who are the best doctors? ... more

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Recommended office chair for herniated disc in nec...

I have pretty bad posture, and I have a herniated disc in my neck, and I work on a computer for long periods...

Posted by stanwelks

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Recommended office chair for herniated disc in neck? I have pretty bad posture, and I have a herniated disc in my neck, and I work on a computer for long periods...

Bi-Lateral Ulner Nerve Pain After Neck Fusion

I had a neck fusion in April 2010 that was succesful. About a year afterwards, I started having bi-lateral...

Posted by tuttwiler

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Bi-Lateral Ulner Nerve Pain After Neck Fusion I had a neck fusion in April 2010 that was succesful. About a year afterwards, I started having bi-lateral...

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

I was recently diagnosed with LSS 3 months ago and my life has been turned upside down. I cannot walk or...

Posted by An_251538

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Lumbar Spinal Stenosis I was recently diagnosed with LSS 3 months ago and my life has been turned upside down. I cannot walk or...

*****CRAWLING sensation years after cervical neck ...

I had a 4-level anterior cervical neck dissectomy (fusion with metal plate) back in 2008. One month in a...

Posted by fallingapart24

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:*****CRAWLING sensation years after cervical neck fusion I had a 4-level anterior cervical neck dissectomy (fusion with metal plate) back in 2008. One month in a...

10 days post-op from Anterior Cervical Fusion

Hi, everyone. I am not even sure if this is the place for this topic, but I'm hoping it is. Several months ago I...

Posted by virvin

Hi, everyone. I am not even sure if this is the place for this topic, but I'm hoping it is. Several months ago I started having pain in my trapezius (upper back shoulder muscle). The pain began radiating down to my right bicep/tricep area and finally into my forearm. I did some massage therapy for a while and then went to a physical therapist who did some dry point needling in my shoulder area to try to help. When I told him about the pain starting to radiate down my arm, he suggested that maybe it wasn't just my shoulder and asked me to go see an orthopedic doctor.

I am on really good terms with the ortho center here in town. Prior to this surgery, I have had 13 others for various things. The most recent being a TKR (total knee replacement) in August. The doc scheduled an MRI for me the next day and asked me to come in the day after for review of the MRI. He saw that I had a disc herniation between C5-C6 that had completely slipped into my spinal column and was compressing the spinal cord as well as the nerves down my right arm. I have bulging discs between C4-5 and C6-7. He went through my insurance and really pushed hard to get the surgery for disc replacement through but even after several appeals, my insurance company said no.

He said they approved the fusion, but I was terrified. However, over the next two weeks, the pain in my arm increased drastically. I realized that I had little choice in the matter so we scheduled the surgery and before I knew it, it was done.

My surgeon said that when I woke up, the majority of my pain would be gone and the rest would go away over time. Well, he was right. I woke up and couldn't believe it, but I was actually pain free. Not even the incision hurt. I stayed over night and went home the next day feeling great. I only need to wear the neck brace if I go for a car ride or if I sit at the computer for any length of time.

My problem, you ask? I am having horrible dreams and having panic attacks regarding the titanium materials in my neck. Titanium is not new to me. I have it in one of my feet, my jaw, and of course my knee. But for some reason, this is getting to me. I had nightmares last night where I was trying to claw open the back of my neck to get the hardware out. Then this afternoon, I had a nightmare that I ripped open the incision in the front of my neck to get the hardware out that way.

I am still pain free and go for my follow up on Wednesday morning. However, the panic attacks are getting worse throughout the day and I'm starting to have a hard time functioning. I know we can't take the hardware out, but I'm freaked out about freaking out. I never had a problem with any of the other hardware in me...why this now?

Has anyone else had this problem or even heard of this problem? I hate to bring it up to my doctor as I don't want him to think I'm crazy. Thanks!View Thread

Posted by virvin

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:10 days post-op from Anterior Cervical Fusion Hi, everyone. I am not even sure if this is the place for this topic, but I'm hoping it is. Several months ago I...

Neck cervical spine surgery

I finally had surgery on my neck after 2 years of waiting and physical therapy. My surgery was Feb 12, 2013....

Posted by karenavon

I finally had surgery on my neck after 2 years of waiting and physical therapy. My surgery was Feb 12, 2013. I'm still on leave from work. I';m glad too. I thought I'd be back to work after 1 week, I was wrong. I tried sitting in my computer chair, Yikes. it hurt just sitting in the chair. no way I could work 8 hours. So I'm on 6 weeks leave, doing physical therpay, couldn't drive for 3 weeks, fine with me!. One hard thing is still washing my hair, it's long, to the middle of my back, but I get it done wiht help from Mom. I need to color it so bad, my grey is showing like crazy. I get tired or my neck gets tired. I had c23 plate and 2 screws and c34 and 45 fused. I don't see much restriction in motion now that I'm stretching. I get spasms a LOT. Much less pain. I've slept up to 5 hours wiothout tossing and turning, that's amazing for me. I wake up rested instead of exhausted. I'm stiff on waking, in my neck, but it loosens up with time. still wearing the neck collar for 3 more weeks. I hope the pain level stays so low as it is now, or completely disappears. I wonder if I'll be able to work after 3 mores weeks, my neck tires so easily and sitting at a computer for 8 hours is rough on the neck and back. I still can't cook much at all so I got chicken already cooked from walmart and hot dogs cuz they only get boiled or grilled. Cant do laundry yet, mom helping there too. dishwasher is a no go too for now. hve to stoop to fill it. but the pain is much better so I hope the rest comes with time. Hmm, what else can I share, oh, cleaning the house is a disaster. I can dust a little but the vacuum and sweeping are out for now, what a drag. Oh and when i got home, mom filled frig with food, later I go to eat and its all WARM. the frig wasn't working. I call around and was told to defrost it, since I wasn't home for 2 weeks ( stayed wiht mom), it got over frosted. I had to empty freezer, no tmuch in there, leave it unplugged overnight and, well this is after 3 days of trying to figure out what to do without callign repair man. Finally after plugging it back in, it was cold and works fine so keep that in mind if you go stay with someone for a while. you might just need to defrost frig, not call repairman. of ocurse all that food was wasted nd had to be thrown out. sad but learning experience. Mom has been the BEST, she ahs done so much for me, she has practically worked herself to death taking care of me. Mom is just the best. So generous and caring. I'm so lucky to have her. Ask me any questions you have and I 'll share my experience with you. Best of luck to everyone.View Thread

Posted by karenavon

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Neck cervical spine surgery I finally had surgery on my neck after 2 years of waiting and physical therapy. My surgery was Feb 12, 2013....

Cervical fusion

have had two cervical fusion c3,c4,and most recent c6...never had pain until now and it hurts bad...how long...

Posted by An_250573

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Cervical fusion have had two cervical fusion c3,c4,and most recent c6...never had pain until now and it hurts bad...how long...

Cervical fusion

have had two cervical fusion c3,c4,and most recent c6...never had pain until now and it hurts bad...how long...

Posted by An_250573

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Cervical fusion have had two cervical fusion c3,c4,and most recent c6...never had pain until now and it hurts bad...how long...

Cervical fusion

have had two cervical fusion c3,c4,and most recent c6...never had pain until now and it hurts bad...how long...

Posted by An_250573

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Cervical fusion have had two cervical fusion c3,c4,and most recent c6...never had pain until now and it hurts bad...how long...

Post cervical fusion, 6 yrs later a lot of pain in...

Hello, I am new to this. I had a neck fusion at C5-C6 6 years ago. The disks above and below the fusion were...

Posted by An_250505

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Post cervical fusion, 6 yrs later a lot of pain in neck, arms Hello, I am new to this. I had a neck fusion at C5-C6 6 years ago. The disks above and below the fusion were...

please help

hi my name is moe,and i have had really bad back pain going on day 4.i thought i slept on it wrong,so i have done...

Posted by moe37

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:please help hi my name is moe,and i have had really bad back pain going on day 4.i thought i slept on it wrong,so i have done...

Question about neck pain

I have a problem and I hope this can help. I am a weightlifter and I was bench pressing with dumbells on...

Posted by Phi771

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Question about neck pain I have a problem and I hope this can help. I am a weightlifter and I was bench pressing with dumbells on...

non narcotic pain medication

am looking for pain medication without opiates

Posted by trino

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:non narcotic pain medication am looking for pain medication without opiates

Is there anyone who can help me understand what th...

MRI: L3-L4 disk bulging L4-L5 buldge L5-S1 paramedian disc herniation 11x9mm.Impingement of the right S1...

Posted by An_249553

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Is there anyone who can help me understand what this is! MRI: L3-L4 disk bulging L4-L5 buldge L5-S1 paramedian disc herniation 11x9mm.Impingement of the right S1...

Intense neck muscle cramp

I recently got over something that I think may have been strep throat. My tonsils were swollen with some...

Posted by zero6972102

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Intense neck muscle cramp I recently got over something that I think may have been strep throat. My tonsils were swollen with some...

The problem with spinal fusion

The Problem with Spinal Fusion Scoliosis is a very common diagnostic in America. Many people have some form...

Posted by dmjacks1

The Problem with Spinal Fusion
Scoliosis is a very common diagnostic in America. Many people have some form of scoliosis, weather it is severe or very mild. Scoliosis is not a huge health risk and it progresses very slowly. However, it is still something that needs to be taken care of and treated as soon as possible. It is defined as a curve in the spine, it can be s or c shaped and can curve to different degrees in different directions. Also, since there are different severities of scoliosis there are different treatments that can be taken to help correct the problem.
A very mild case of scoliosis is usually less than twenty degrees, and before a child is done growing. When this happens a child is usually just watched over the years to see if the curve increases at all. If a curve gets worse and gets to about thirty degrees doctors usually prescribe a brace for the child to wear. The brace is to help the spine grow straight, rather than growing in the path of the curve. If curves become forty-five degrees or more and are still growing, and children who are done growing and have curves of sixty degrees or more than doctors usually insists on the child having a spinal fusion surgery to try and correct the curve (Rowe, Bernstein, Riddick, Adler, & et al., 1997).
Wearing a brace to help correct scoliosis, or at least stop it from getting worse, only really works when you catch it at a young age. When you are prescribed to wear a brace you have to wear it for a long time. Most kids have to wear it anywhere from 8 to 23 hours a day. In a study I found most kids who wear a brace less than 23 hours a day show little improvement in their spine (Weinstein, Dolan, Cheng, Danielsson, & Morcuende, 2008). Even though many kids will hate to wear an uncomfortable brace for that long, it can still help them in the long run. Now that I am informed more about scoliosis treatments I personally feel like it is a much better option than having a spinal fusion surgery. The surgery is very intrusive and although it helps correct the problem faster it doesn't always have the best outcome.
In many cases of scoliosis you will have what seems to be very severe back pain. I found out I had scoliosis by going to the doctors because of my back pain. Although I have had a spinal fusion surgery and have not had any real complications, I would not recommend it to anyone. I was told I needed to get a spinal fusion surgery and that I really didn't have any other options. I had two curves over 50 degrees and going in opposite directions and one curve that went in towards my rib cage, which was about 20 degrees. I unfortunately caught my scoliosis too late to try a brace to fix it. The only real severe thing about my case was the fact that my spine curved in towards my rib caged and could penitently hurt my ribs and lungs. Otherwise my curves were severe but they don't cause as many health risks. My surgery ended with two of my vertebrae being fused together and my curves being brought down to one 20 degree curve and one 30 degree curve still in opposite directions and my curve in towards my rib cage barely being there. I also now have two metals rods, four hooks and twenty screw in my back attached to my spine. Even though my results sounds good on paper and look a lot better on my x-rays, I now have a harder time doing simple everyday tasks.View Thread

Posted by dmjacks1

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:The problem with spinal fusion The Problem with Spinal Fusion Scoliosis is a very common diagnostic in America. Many people have some form...

Pain after Spinal Fusion

I am so glad I found this posting. I had the surgery to remove 2 of the disc in my back in 2009. I have...

Posted by HurtingAlways

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Pain after Spinal Fusion I am so glad I found this posting. I had the surgery to remove 2 of the disc in my back in 2009. I have...

Lumbar fusion not fused after 19 months

I had a lumbar fusion done on my L5 S1 with instrumentation. I am in constant pain on a daily basis. I tell my...

Posted by jenafur_

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Lumbar fusion not fused after 19 months I had a lumbar fusion done on my L5 S1 with instrumentation. I am in constant pain on a daily basis. I tell my...

How do I deal with this?

I was injured on the job 3 months ago and since then I've been in a lot of pain and experiencing an...

Posted by whatamisupposedtodo

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:How do I deal with this? I was injured on the job 3 months ago and since then I've been in a lot of pain and experiencing an...

laminectomy and spinal fusion

aren't there any positives about this surgery? My neurosurgeon says this will help me. He says he can get me...

Posted by An_248691

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:laminectomy and spinal fusion aren't there any positives about this surgery? My neurosurgeon says this will help me. He says he can get me...

Worse pain after spinal fusion surgery

I had an L4-L5 & L5-S1 fused 3 years ago and the pain now is 100 x worse. Can't believe this happened to...

Posted by An_246003

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Worse pain after spinal fusion surgery I had an L4-L5 & L5-S1 fused 3 years ago and the pain now is 100 x worse. Can't believe this happened to...

my back fusion was over 2 years ago and my L5-S1 f...

I'm 29 and 2 years ago i had disc removal and spinal fusion all in the same year just got a ct scan done and it...

Posted by aj2917

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:my back fusion was over 2 years ago and my L5-S1 fusion still not complete I'm 29 and 2 years ago i had disc removal and spinal fusion all in the same year just got a ct scan done and it...

very confused

hi my name is nancy i had neck surgery amost 3 years ago i got hurt at work a box hit me in the back of my...

Posted by nancyshore

hi
my name is nancy i had neck surgery amost 3 years ago i got hurt at work a box hit me in the back of my neck and shoulders . im so confused. here i sit cause thats all i can pretty much do. after i got hurt they said i had aurtritis. i spelled it wrong. anyways 3 months later after i got hurt i couldnt walk right my left side was just not working my neck was killing me the pain went into my fingers it felt like sharp knives went staright into them it was awful. finally they sent me to a spine doctor did the mri i had surgery the next day. c4 c5 was cutting off my spinal cord i was close to being paralized. i still cant walk right now im dealing with my left side still but its has been getting worse no pain meds come close to letting me sleep i wake up every night swinging my arms in my sleep i wake up and just cry. the other day i called my lawyer said ok i had enough he was about to close my case i said no. they told me i can work lol. how? i have been going to the hospital cause i know this is not right both my arms now hurt my doctor has me in physical therapy its worse. so i went to my doc i was crying telling him i can do nothing afraid to drive. he left came back with a book opened it up to the spine section went down the list got to c6 c7 it said arms he just looked at me i had an emg done the doctor did say go back to the spine doc get another mri i did he didnt do that he did an xray i was angry. but was relieved when he showed me the book and c6 c7 said arms well tommorrow i have to call back and go see the surgeon again my lawyer stopped the settlement part and he said i need to go back so i am. i cannot live like this forever. can anyone relate or have been thru this i know im not alone. but just upset that they keep blowing it off im ready to rent a room at the hospital. sorry so long but i needed to get it out thxView Thread

Posted by nancyshore

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:very confused hi my name is nancy i had neck surgery amost 3 years ago i got hurt at work a box hit me in the back of my...

C2 fracture

I was involved in a car accident in June 2012. I was flown to a trama unit .After a MRI the neurosurgeon told...

Posted by An_248247

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:C2 fracture I was involved in a car accident in June 2012. I was flown to a trama unit .After a MRI the neurosurgeon told...

35 yrear old injury or something new?

35 yrs ago i hurt my neck....i do not recall what i did. Now today I have "multi level cervical degenerative...

Posted by Emmittearl

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:35 yrear old injury or something new? 35 yrs ago i hurt my neck....i do not recall what i did. Now today I have "multi level cervical degenerative...

Pain! Neck, shoulder, arm, armpit cant figure it o...

I have been going in circles for the past 3 1/2 years with this pain after I as rear ended. Been to...

Posted by An_247762

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Pain! Neck, shoulder, arm, armpit cant figure it out? I have been going in circles for the past 3 1/2 years with this pain after I as rear ended. Been to...

bmiqq

I have been suffering from Neck as well as back pain for the last 2-3 years. first about my Neck. It pains and...

Posted by bmiqq

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:bmiqq I have been suffering from Neck as well as back pain for the last 2-3 years. first about my Neck. It pains and...

bmiqq

I have been suffering from Neck as well as back pain for the last 2-3 years. first about my Neck. It pains and...

Posted by bmiqq

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:bmiqq I have been suffering from Neck as well as back pain for the last 2-3 years. first about my Neck. It pains and...

Pain in my hip

All of the sudden I started getting these sharp stabbing pain in my hip. Kind of inside the top of my...

Posted by An_247667

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Pain in my hip All of the sudden I started getting these sharp stabbing pain in my hip. Kind of inside the top of my...

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feelin bad

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