C5 to c6, c6 to c7 stenosis in neck. Lower back pain l4 to l5
Posted , 3 users are following.
Stenosis to neck operation due soon as hospital has destruction for mir scan. I've been chasing this fir 9 days when I was assured it would be done in 6 day's. Fingers crossed I get date for operation asap. Back pain progressively getting worse 2.5 yrs if far to long to wait after diagnosed.
Lower back pain resticts me from walking for long periods. Sitting for long periods is painful after an hour. Sleeping is inpossible for a full eight hours.
Already spent one week in hospital for lower back pain and was told it's just cronic back pain.
Now after surgeon who's operating on neck asked fir a new scan to be done before op. Has now had results for lower back as well as neck. .hopi g that when I get into hospital he or the doctor there will do something positive about my lower back. Wife says I look like a 95 yr old when I walk. I'm 58 and before these problems was very active. Have my own carpentry company and have loyal customers waiting for my services.
2 likes, 10 replies
lindagkelly Amos2015
Posted
So sorry to welcome you to this club. First I would try to get copies of every X-Ray result, MRI-report, CT scan, etcc. Sounds like you have really messed up your back. You must have bulging discs. Unfortunately surgery does not necessarily resolve back pain. First think I would do is google the name of your surgeon and see what other people have to say about him. Are you in the UK or the US? I'm in AZ. I've had t back surgeries and I finally had to q uit working because I can't sit for any period of time without a lot of pain or stand for a long period of time. I can walk, but only for a short distance without support like a grocery cart or something. You may have to try different positions to try to sleep. If you sleep on your side, put a pillow between your knees. If you sleep on your stomach, put a pillow under your stomach. If you sleep on your back, put a pillow under your knees. Ask for a long-acting pain killer to help you sleep at night - you really n eed your rest.
Get ready to be patient about everything. Things always take longer than they are supposed to. I for one would rather have the doctor operating with all the information available, so I would be happy to wait for the new MRI or scan.
Good luck to you. So sorry you are going through this. I am 61. I used to be very active before being hurt in a car accident in 2003 when I was 49. It's very hard to accept the loss of being able to do things you used to do. Don't overdo things, you could injure yourself more.
Take care,
Linda
mel77 lindagkelly
Posted
Just wrote a msg to Amos and nothing was said for me to have it moderated. I just read some of the moderators of why it can be moderated. For example, if there are two letters next to each other that it is assumed it may be a link of whatever they are, it is flagged. So, how does one know what maybe the first two letters together will form a link. I know that anything that looks like a web site, can be considered but just 2 letters? So when we write, what are we supposed to do? When I first started here, never was there a problem. Now there seems to be more of a problem writing something to someone who we can help. This is what this forum is all about, helping and being helped. Excuse me Amos but because I replied to you in a right manner, please don't hold it against me as I showed interest in what you have written. Why the moderator flagged it, I don't know. Whether it will be posted, I can't say. Fortunately, most are and that is the reason why I am here. For the length of time here, I have posted over 100 messages. So you can say I am well established. The moderators should already know this. I hope the moderator will release the message. Anyway, thanks for being here and you will find many people will be available and helpful.
Take care and hope everything will be well with you. What Linda mentioned I agree but I did add a little extra.
mel
lindagkelly mel77
Posted
Emis_Moderator lindagkelly
Posted
We do not flag individuals. The problem was the bug that mel commented on, ie text being picked up as a link. It is not 2 letters but lack of spaces between sentences. The posts will get approved as soon as I see them. All I can suggest at this time to avoid this is check before posting there are spaces and I will chase this up again.
Regards,
Alan
mel77 Emis_Moderator
Posted
Thanks for clearing this up for me as I appreciate your reply. I will keep this in mind from now on.
lindagkelly Emis_Moderator
Posted
mel77 Amos2015
Posted
Notified of your new post in my email. Welcome to this most wonderful caring place. As you can readily see that there are a lot of people here who is having the type of problems as you are. First of all, I want you to follow everything that linda says and I would say the same thing as well. I just want to know if your lasts are recent? When you were in the hospital, did you get some type of procedure done like epidural? Spending a week in a hospital now a days is most unusual as they kick you out after 3 days with insurance. I am also curious if you are in the US or UK? When did you say when the surgery will take place? The reason why I ask is if you have time to get a 2nd or 3rd opinion from other doctors, I would go for it. You never what the other doctors will say. With todays medicine, it does pay to be cautious and find everything you need to know and also keep meticulous records. Try to get all summaries of their findings and surgical procedures. You never know when you will need them. That said and done, let me tell you of some of things I had as far as neck and lower back surgeries. Had a neck fusion and rehab was a little tough. I also had 2 back surgeries. This all took place about 15 or so years ago. Today, I have quite severe neck and lower back pain. I am being treated only with pain meds. Because of my age, I will not jump into neck or back surgery. I have 2 legs which I need to walk with. I will do so until I am unable to walk. Always do your best and you do have to become your own advocate. In otherwords, take care of yourself. You have people here who cares and wish you the best. I do the same and I like to help others here. So be well and hope the surgery will fix your pain.
mel
Amos2015 mel77
Posted
My MRI two yrs ago showed stenosis in C5-C6 & C6-C7. Which surgery takes place in Riks hospital Oslo Norway. 25th April 2016.
Without surgery life is not good. Neck is stiff very painful. Headaches very violent, pains in shoulders chest upper arms no strength grip drop cups everyday. Brought plastic mug at least that don't break.
I've had the risks explained to me by doctors at hospital and accept them as I'd do anything to be pain free though they cannot Guarantee.
My other problems is the lower back L4-L5 this I felt pop two yrs ago when carrying roll of felt into roof. This pain restricts me in a lot more than the stenosis in the neck. I cannot walk far maybe 100 Mtrs. Have not worn socks since that day it popped. Cannot get in or out of bath on own. Sitting is not possible for longer than ten minutes. Majority of time I'm laying down. Been in hospital once for this and was told it's nothing more than a chronic back ache. Unbelievable to have such a comment from a qualified doctor for spinal problems. My doctor sent me for second MRI scan that indicated trapped nerves at L4-L5 and hospital have sent letter back saying my trapped nerves do not warrant surgery. Physio could be the answer. Full circle as I had physio when I first damaged back.
Consultant at Riks hospital has today sent letter to my local hospital saying why surgery should be now done on my lower back. But this is Norway and experience tells me I'll be chasing for this surgery.
Spoken to Oslo and as a builder they do not know if I'll be able to return to work or not it depends on attitude and how well the surgery goes. Fingers crossed.
lindagkelly Amos2015
Posted
Amos2015 lindagkelly
Posted
Funny I got letter from local hospital saying there's nothing they can do for my lower back. My doctor is not very happy as description clearly states there could be trapped nerves at L4- L5. He is writing to them. So again I have to wait for answer. Depressing as movement in lower back is getting worse day by day. Even he can see that the way I walk and sit.