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Well crap
https://gladerebooted.net/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7330		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Killuas [ Thu Oct 06, 2011 12:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Well crap
Went to the doctor over a year or so ago about my neck, stiff, arms go numb at night when I sleep. Got xray's said I had spinal stenosis. She sent me to physical therapy for a while which helped some. Started getting worse again so this time she sent me for an MRI.

Just got a call from the doctor and I have about 6mm of room for my cord when normal is around 15mm, so it is classified as severe. I also have arthritis in my neck which doesn't help either. So now I have to go see a neurosurgeon to see what the options are.

I really don't want to have surgery especially where this is at, never heard anyone say good things about it. On the other hand when your doctor is telling you don't do anything risky and don't fall or you could end up paralyzed it tends to dampen your mood. so I will go and see what my options are, with my luck I will end up a quadriplegic.

ahhhhggg!! :(
Author:  Hopwin [ Thu Oct 06, 2011 12:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
Whoa, wtf?
Author:  Killuas [ Thu Oct 06, 2011 12:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re:
Hopwin wrote:
Whoa, wtf?



That was kind of my response too.
Author:  LadyKate [ Thu Oct 06, 2011 12:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re:
Hopwin wrote:
Whoa, wtf?


This! :psyduck:

Dang, Killuas. Adding you to the prayer list. *hugs*
Author:  Foamy [ Thu Oct 06, 2011 12:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yikes. My torn rotator cuff doesn't sound so bad now.

Hope they have a minimally invasive option for you.

Take care.
Author:  Lenas [ Thu Oct 06, 2011 1:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Keeping you in my thoughts Kil, be sure to keep us updated.
Author:  Aethien [ Thu Oct 06, 2011 1:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
Wow, yeah, good luck, man.
Author:  Midgen [ Thu Oct 06, 2011 2:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
sucks...

Stenosis and a ruptured disc led me to my last back surgery. Unfortunately it didn't go well (I came out of the surgery worse off than I was before), and the Surgeon has no explanation other than 'sometimes bad stuff happens'.

My lesson learned from my back surgery experience is somewhat profound.

Surgeons do surgery. If you go to one with a problem, expect him/her to offer a surgical solution. Be sure you explore all of your non-surgical options before you ask a surgeon for a treatment plan.

If surgery ends up being the answer, do your homework in finding the right person. As for references.

When it comes to operating on your spine (or anything for that matter), results are far more important than bedside manner or punctuality...
Author:  Arathain Kelvar [ Thu Oct 06, 2011 3:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Midgen is wise. Also, have hope - modern medicine is amazing these days.
Author:  Jasmy [ Thu Oct 06, 2011 3:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Well crap
Good luck Killuas. You will be in my thoughts.

/hugs
Author:  Killuas [ Thu Oct 06, 2011 7:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Well crap
Thanks for all the well wishes everyone. I will consider my options carefully as well as seek out a second opinion, I don't trust doctors fully. Although it would be nice to be able to sleep through the night without waking up 10 - 15 times with no feeling in one arm or the other.
Author:  Squirrel Girl [ Thu Oct 06, 2011 7:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Well crap
For what it is worth, if I had a patient with only 6 mm I would refer to a neurosurgeon too.

Is it one level or multiple levels?

Good luck and keeping you in my prayers.
Author:  Killuas [ Thu Oct 06, 2011 8:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Well crap
If I remember right she said it was C5,6 and 7, in addition I have 2 bulging discs as well as ossification (sp?) basically arthritis. So my neck is pretty messed up from the sounds of things. She said she was surprised I didn't have more symptoms, guess even though I'm falling apart I'm hardy :D .

As far as modern medicine until they have my substitute robot body that they can implant my brain into I remain unimpressed :lol:
Author:  Micheal [ Thu Oct 06, 2011 8:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Damn it Killuas, take the surgery and get better. No dying or getting paralyzed on us, I need all the old fart friends I've got. Lost one this week already.

Prayers inc., good wishes to you on this.
Author:  Taskiss [ Thu Oct 06, 2011 9:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
Good luck!
Author:  Midgen [ Fri Oct 07, 2011 12:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Well crap
Killuas wrote:
As far as modern medicine until they have my substitute robot body that they can implant my brain into I remain unimpressed :lol:



Indeed, my faith in 'Modern' medicine has taken a serious hit the last few years.

Call me when they have solved the mystery of nerve regeneration (so I can get the feeling and strength back in my right leg), cured diabetes (all types), and have a pill that will let me eat all the cheeseburgers, fries and milkshakes I want without gaining weight or otherwise negatively affect my health...

I'm sick of chicken and broccoli and stumbling around like a 90 year old who lost his walker....
Author:  Taskiss [ Fri Oct 07, 2011 12:43 am ]
Post subject: 
With the cost going through the roof - an operation involves a team of folks, expensive equipment, and then everything it takes to provide the pharmaceuticals, you'd think the average lifespan would be quickly rising or folks would have far better quality of life, no pain, etc.

I gotta wonder if it's all worth it.
Author:  Micheal [ Fri Oct 07, 2011 2:59 am ]
Post subject: 
It isn't Taskiss. Hospital staff spend billions every year extending the lives of old folks in serious misery by a week or a month, no quality of time worth mentioning, because they a) know in most cases the insurance will pay for it, and b) they'll be sued by the family if they don't try everything to save the lives of their loved ones.

Americans need more understanding of Hospice and the making the end of life more comfortable rather than a week or two longer.
Author:  LadyKate [ Fri Oct 07, 2011 6:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Well crap
Micheal wrote:

Americans need more understanding of Hospice and the making the end of life more comfortable rather than a week or two longer.


This is so true.
Author:  Oonagh [ Fri Oct 07, 2011 7:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Well crap
Huggies Kil
Author:  Killuas [ Fri Oct 07, 2011 9:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re:
Micheal wrote:
It isn't Taskiss. Hospital staff spend billions every year extending the lives of old folks in serious misery by a week or a month, no quality of time worth mentioning, because they a) know in most cases the insurance will pay for it, and b) they'll be sued by the family if they don't try everything to save the lives of their loved ones.

Americans need more understanding of Hospice and the making the end of life more comfortable rather than a week or two longer.


Agreed. Hospice rocks, they were with my dad (18 years ago now) when he passed away at home, and with my mom (coming up on 1 year) in the nursing home when she died. Neither wanted a long drawn out death and both had DNR orders.

I think that is the key making sure people think about it ahead of time and putting the legal documents in place to protect themselves, not leaving it up to emotional family members in the heat of the issue.

And thanks for all of the support everyone.
Author:  Kirra [ Fri Oct 07, 2011 10:41 am ]
Post subject: 
Good luck Kil! You shall be in my thoughts and prayers also! Get as many opinions and have as many discussions as you can with Docs about options. Try finding an OR nurse and ask for a recommendation of who they would choose as a surgeon. They watch these Docs everyday and know who is good or not so good. And, as it was said before, bedside manner is good, but gimme the doc who is the best first and I can deal with the bad bedside manner.

And so true bout the comments on Hospice, I spent many a night in ICU keeping someone alive with drips and machines for weeks, when the prognosis was poor at best. I know I wouldn't want that done, quality of life is important...not just a heart beating and respirations.
Author:  Killuas [ Fri Oct 07, 2011 8:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Well crap
Going to try to make an appointment with the Cleveland Clinic, from what I have heard they are really good with this kind of stuff. At least I may go to them for my second opinion.
Author:  Sam [ Sun Oct 09, 2011 12:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Well crap
Best of luck with all your problems. I can relate, as I also have many spine problems. I have severe stenosis in my lower back and mid back, arthritis, bone spurs, scoliosis, a few discs that are completely degenerated to where there is nothing but bone on bone, etc.

Having worked in xray for many years, and working in O.R. a lot of them, I have seen hundreds of back surgeries. Not sure what they plan on doing with you, but I would be wary of procedures using cadaver bone and surgeons doing older methods where there is no hardware involved.

Most of the successful ones I saw involved the use of hardware (cages, screws and plates). The ones I have seen have the most problems were the ones they simply wedge a piece of bone in between the vertebrae and let it fuse......especially those involving cadaver bone wedges.

I've had a couple of friends have back and neck surgeries in the recent past, and they have had horrible results. They both went to a surgeon I suggested against. And they both had the old type of bone wedge with no hardware, using cadaver bone. Both people are now on disability and highly addicted to pain meds like oxycontin. Multiple surgeries and or other treatments such as stimulators and pain pumps, that were unsuccessful.

Ask lots of questions and do some online research on your own. If you can, ask O.R. employees such as nurses and O.R. techs who they would see if they needed surgery. I can tell you when I worked in O.R. I knew who to see and who not to see, and would tell anyone I knew that needed to see a surgeon.

On your waking up with numbness, you might want to reposition yourself. Sounds like you are sleeping in a position that is causing the most stress on your neck, and the numbness when you wake up. It could be as simple as laying on the opposite side, if you sleep on your side. It could be your pillow.

Best of luck, and keep us updated on your progress. ;)
Author:  Killuas [ Mon Oct 10, 2011 12:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Well crap
Thanks for the information. One of my coworkers had a fusion done a couple of years ago and was telling me about it. He had the cadaver bone they used as spacers and titanium plates and screws as well. Like I said I am going to get a second opinion whatever the doctor says just to help make sure.

I have been doing better lately in the sleeping department I have found a good position with a new pillow and an old pillow, the trick is getting them set right to support my shoulders as I sleep. The last couple of nights I have only woken up one to readjust and relieve the numbness.

I am also looking into a lawyer, I was rear ended in April (pretty hard it totaled his car, mine took about 5k damage..go go Volvo tank) and I think it aggravated my existing condition. I don't want to be a sue happy person but why should I pay for this stuff when he was the one that made it worse.
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