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Awaiting Cervical rib removal , petrified is it worth it?

Posted , 4 users are following.

suzanne44496
suzanne44496

Would love to hear from anybody who has had surgery and has found it a success. I'm due to have my cervical rib removed (right side) and part of the rib underneath too. I am so frightened but fed up of the constant pain.

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • emma66070
    emma66070 suzanne44496

    Posted

    Hi, I had the Op on my left side in July. Had been progressively getting worse for 3 years and after the op instant relief and no return of symptoms. Haven't taken anything stronger than a paracetamol since leaving hospital and am fully back to all sport and work.

    Good luck hope it goes well!

    • suzanne44496
      suzanne44496 emma66070

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply, It's nice  to hear that your surgery was successful, I'm  hoping il get instant relief too, fed up of moaning about the pain! How many weeks did you have to take off work as this is worrying me as I'm self employed, many thanks.
    • emma66070
      emma66070 suzanne44496

      Posted

      I was lucky being in the military that I was given a fair amount of time off but depending on your job I would say I would have been ready after about a week-2 weeks. The first weekend after my op I was up and about for full days. I wouldn't have been ready to lift etc but light duties were fine.
    • wendy176
      wendy176 suzanne44496

      Posted

      6 weeks with the first and 7 weeks with the second. I also had alot of nerve damage he repaired. it also depends on what job you do.
    • suzanne44496
      suzanne44496 wendy176

      Posted

      Thank you, your reply makes me feel a lot more happier,( I'm a haidresser)x
    • wendy176
      wendy176 suzanne44496

      Posted

      I would of throught you will be like me 6 to 7 weeks ? plus make sure you keep scar covered up ! last this you will need is peoples hair when cutting it getting near scar. I have had my hair cut twice since and always put patch over scar to be safe. may I ask if your consultant in a vascular surgeon.
    • wendy176
      wendy176 suzanne44496

      Posted

      Great, it took me two years to find one. so you are in safe hands. I was sent to bone surgeon first and he was a waste of time.
    • suzanne44496
      suzanne44496 wendy176

      Posted

      Hi, it's taken me nearly two years too, my doctor told me first of all I had Labyrinths (ear problems) for months, kept telling me to take betahystamin even tho she new I had an extra rib, made to feel like a hyperchondriac, luckily a locam doctor took some notice and referred me to muscular scelator who sent me for a MRA  then referred me to a vascular surgeon, feels like it's taking forever. 
    • wendy176
      wendy176 suzanne44496

      Posted

      yes does make you feel like you are going mad. been in and out of hospital. for over two years. at last I am over the worse now and on the way to a normal life. biggrinx
    • suzanne44496
      suzanne44496 wendy176

      Posted

      Thank you Wendy soo much, your replies have made me feel soo much more positive! Cant wait to get it removed to be feeling normal again. Glad to hear that your feeling back to normal,👍x
    • emma66070
      emma66070 suzanne44496

      Posted

      I had a silicone seal done by my surgeon and it meant the scar was sealed off and waterproof so I didn't wear any other dressing after about day 4/5 as I found it was causing me more pain than the Op! If it's an option for you I definately recommend it, my scar is barely visible now too.
    • wendy176
      wendy176 emma66070

      Posted

      Hi emma66070. I heard of silicone cream and tape last week. but to be honest my first op scar nearly gone. but it is suppose to be good stuff for scars and burns.
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