Am I Crazy or is my Doctor?
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi all, I am very new to this site, but I am waiting to schedule my ACDF at level c5-6 surgery this month. I am so confused by what my neurosurgeon has told me and what I am reading here. Brief history: I was in a car accident over 20 years ago which resulted in an extruded disc fragment at c 5-6. The pain did not begin to really affect me until 2011. My pain presents as midback, between the should blades, above the bra line pain in which my spine feels like it is in a vice. I also get excruciating muscle pain in my traps which feels as though the muscles are being stretched constantly. There is no numbness, no tingling, no electric shocks, or anything like that. I went to my first neurosurgeon in 2011 and he recommended surgery, but as I was only in my mid 30s, I asked for PT before discussing surgery further. The PT fixed the problem within 2 months. I had 2 more flare ups but they were always "fixed" with PT.
This time, I was raking leaves with my husband in Nov. 2015 and woke up the next day with the same pain described above. I figured no big deal, I'll get PT and the problem will go away...well, it's been a year and a half and I'm still in pain. I've done everything imaginable to "fix" the problem: PT for 6 months, chiropractic care for 4 months, had two rounds of pain management injections, acupuncture, massage therapy, basically anything I could think of, I did. Last week I finally decided enough was enough, I've lost enough of my life to this pain, I'm going to see a neurosurgeon.
i found a doctor who had amazing credentials, reviews, and came highly recommended. He is associated with a reputable hospital, has an amazing bedside manner, and has been in practice for over 20 years. We looked at my MRI and, after a failed trial of a prednisone pac, discussed surgery. He recommended ACDF surgery. He says he has done this surgery over 1,000 times, I will have 95% reduction in pain (although he acknowledged he's not God and can't promise that), I will only need Tylenol to get through the recovery, the surgery will only take 20 minutes(!!!!), it will be same day surgery(home the same day), I can drive the next day, and go back to my desk job within 4 days. I will have stem cells removed from my hip, a "fake bone" will be put in place of my disc, a plate and screws will be put over it, and I will not need a collar.
This all sounded amazing, so I said "sign me up!" Now, I'm reading all of your stories, and I'm beginning to question things...a lot! Am I crazy or is he? Any advice is appreciated.
0 likes, 14 replies
Titanium_Man Jennofur
Posted
Hmmmm. This is interesting. I haven't had neck surgery, but from what I do know, he sounds extremely optimistic. I wouldn't be worried, but I would want more members to share their experiences and I would want to know his exact procedure plan. I wish I could help more!
Tuckerraz Jennofur
Posted
Hi there. All I can say is I had a fantastic and well renowned surgeon for my ACDF C6/7 (I was 36 in 2014), and there is NO WAY any of that would have been possible from my perspective in terms of timings. I was off for 4 weeks beforehand due to the combination of drugs needed to control the pain, and was in hospital for 2 nights/ 3 days after the op. I was told that leaving on day 3 was 'exceptional' given the seriousness of the op, and they couldn't believe I could get up to use the toilet 30 mins after the op. However, it was MASSIVE and you mustn't underestimate the impact it has on your body. I had a carbon fibre cage put into my cervical spine and no collar/ metalwork.
Afterwards I was on tramadol, diazepam, amitryptiline and paracetamol for weeks - 12 to be exact. I was physically approved (as in able to lift my arms, turn head fully etc) to drive after 9 weeks (signed off recovery time after op, during which I was also on a Physio programme) but had to wait until I could manage the meds down. I then did a 3 month phased return to work (reduced hours, as you get so very tired and sitting at a desk, driving etc can trigger pain), so wasn't at full capacity till c. 5-6 months after the operation.
My neurosurgeon said it takes 12-18 months for you to be at whatever your new 100% is, including any nerve recovery and fusion, and he was right. It was a lengthy and hard post op recovery, but I had to have the op as otherwise I'd have lost use of my arm/ hand. He also said it wouldn't get rid of all pain, but would prevent further damage. Again, he was correct.
I'm now 3 years down, and have residual nerve damage in my arm and still take meds, though far far fewer. I am under the care of a specialist spinal care Physio to build my strength, which is great. I am also completely mobile, which I wouldn't have been otherwise.
My advice, if you have to have the op, is be prepared for a hard recovery, and don't set yourself up to fall. You will need time and plenty of rest, but also walk every single day. Do everything they tell you, take all relevant meds (but not NSAIDS as they hinder bone growth), get a good Physio and when your body says rest, rest. A positive, realistic outlook is half of the battle. As is a good diet and not smoking. It's not fun but you'll get through it, and it is a means to a better end.
Wishing you all the best.
x
Jennofur Tuckerraz
Posted
Thank you for your response, Tuckerraz. From what I'm reading and seeing on YouTube, the things my neurosurgeon says seem impossible. I have read dozens of reviews of this doctor and of their experience with him, and they all say the same thing: surgery was only 20-30 minutes and they were back to "normal" in a matter of days. I just don't know how to reconcile all of this information. When it comes down to it, I have to have this surgery....I cannot live like this for another year and a half let alone the rest of my life. I guess the recovery will be what it is, and if I lose my job, it's just something I'll have to deal with.
Thanks again. I fear his optimism is setting me up for a huge let down if things don't go the way he says.
melm1972 Jennofur
Posted
I too would be concerned but he may do things a bit differently? Here's my story.. I was 42, had c3-c7 fused and hardware placed to stabilize my acdf surgery in January of 2015. My neurosx used the cells from in between my discs to place on the alo graft that he used in between the disc material he had to remove that was diseased or had degenerated, I'm not sure if hip bone is used too much anymore? I was in the hospital for 3-4days, no hard collar just a soft one if I needed it. I had a pain pump in the hospital but Vicodin and muscle relaxers when I was released for pain. I think I was driving 2 weeks after and pt a month after. I was back to work part time about 6 weeks after because I felt I was ready but I could have waited. It was a breeze of a surgery compared to my lumbar fusion a year and a half later. That was a tough one. Any chance you could get a second opinion? Not so much to verify you need the surgery more to seek out the neurosx technique? I think you are right to be questioning the timing of things.
Jennofur melm1972
Posted
Thank you, Melm, for sharing your experience. He is my second opinion...the other doctor I saw recommended the same surgery, but we did not discuss timing. I think you're right that I should look into another opinion for timing purposes. I got so excited at his office when he said I could drive the next day and (his words) "if you have the surgery on a Thursday, you'll be back to work by Monday." I'm desperate at this point and I'm afraid I'm buying a load of bull from an overconfident doctor. I don't know what to think. Thanks again for your input.
melm1972 Jennofur
Posted
Jennofur, you may be one of the lucky ones that is having a really easy and quick procedure based on your issue which is awesome. If your dr is reputable and has done this numerous times I would take his word over ours or any searches you might do. I wouldn't worry too much about it and I wish you luck. Keep us posted. Good luck
Jennofur melm1972
Posted
Thank you, Melm, and I hope you're right, While I am still scared, I think I just have to put my trust somewhere. I hope he's worthy of it and I will keep you posted. I've done my due diligence and I actually called him today and spoke with him. He promised the surgery will only take 20-30 minutes and I will be able to drive the next day. He said he does all of the spinal surgeries on the doctors and their family members in the hospital he works at. If he's lying, there's a special place in hell for him.
Surgery day is May 25. Please keep me in your prayers (or just send me some positive vibes!).
linda57344 Jennofur
Posted
Hi, I had cervical surgery twice.. First time was done thru the front of the neck.. Took bone from my hip and put into my neck.. After surgery I didn't have any real pain in my neck just a small bandage on the front.. I had more pain from my hip where the bone was taken out.. Spent an extra day in the hospital.. No cervical collar required..
About a year later was having a lot of pain in my right for arm and numbness and tingling in my right hand..
I went to see a different Dr this time.. Had a test where they shot dye into my back to see where the blockage is.. This time I had the surgery in the back of the neck.. I was left with a 6 inch scar and a dip in my upper back..
Recovery was awful.. Had to have the hard cervical collar.. Couldn't drive for 3 months.. Recovery was months long.. Have been on pain pills that don't work..
I am now experiencing headaches like I've never had in my life!! I'm taking all kinds of pain pills, anti inflammatory, depression, anxiety and sleep meds.. Nothing works!!
I've tried Chiropractic, injections and nothing will get rid of the pain.. If I don't have a headache when I get up, I'll have one before the end of the day..
I've gone to a neurologist,and Orthopedic.. The Neurologist did nothing but prescribe some worthless pills.. I'm don't want pills.. I want to know what is going on..
The Orthopedic wants me to have Nuervo Elect Stim put in.. I'm waiting for a referral to see a Dr that uses the Nuervo system.. There's others out there but he feels the Nuervo is the best..
If it involves cutting open the back of my neck again.. It's not going to happen..
Keep me posted.. Good luck to you..
BTW.. Are they cutting you in the front or back of the neck??
Linda💜
Jennofur linda57344
Posted
Thank you for sharing your experience, Linda. This incision will be in the front of my neck. After I posted this, I called my doctor directly and told him I wasn't sure about the surgery because what he was claiming didn't seem possible based on the info I have read and received. He swears up, down, and backwards that I will only be in surgery for 20-30 minutes and back to work within days. he seems pretty firm and confident, so I am going to go through with it and pray to God he isn't BSing me. Best wishes to you in your journey. I hope you find the relief you desperately need.
linda57344 Jennofur
Posted
Like I said the surgery in the front wasn't bad.. No neck pain, the only pain was from the site where they took bone from my hip.. That was supposed to be an over nite visit but spent 1 extra day because of that pain..
The scar is very minimal..
Wish you the very best..
Please keep me posted after the procedure..
Linda
Jennofur linda57344
Posted
Thank you, Linda! Do you mind telling me what your recovery time was? According to my doc, I'll be up and about and driving the next day. Does that sound right to you?
linda57344 Jennofur
Posted
It was about 20 years ago.. Like I said the only thing that hurt for a couple of days was where they took out the bone.. It's entirely possible that you can be driving in a couple of days..
I wasn't expecting a bigger surgery a year later and now dealing with headaches all over again..
I had been involved in a car accident as well..
But I have degenerative disc disease in my neck and back..
Good luck.. 💜
linda57344
Posted
What state are you in??
Linda 💜
Jennofur linda57344
Posted
I'm in NJ. Thank you for letting me know about your recovery time. Everything I read is a doomsday prediction. I wish you the best of luck with your headaches and difficulties. I hope you find the relief you need.