ADRSupport Community  

Go Back   ADRSupport Community > General Discussion > New Member Introductions

New Member Introductions If you just joined, please introduce yourself here. Please add a signature describing your spinal history (use the "User CP) and ask us how we can help you get started.


Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 06-07-2015, 07:30 PM
Tresher Tresher is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 5
Default New here! An Introduction

Hi all,

I have been a lurker here for a little while but I thought it was time I introduced myself.

I feel my problems started for me at age 17 when my family and I were involved in a 27 motor vehicle pile up during a snowstorm in Dec 1984. I remember having severe neck pain for at least a week afterwards but because of circumstances never saw a doctor about it.

In my early 30's I finally had my first xray and cervical DDD was diagnosed. In those early years I had several pain blocks, and dealt with the pain using anti-inflammatories, Tylenol, etc. Two years ago I started having significant arm pain after a sitting in a truck on a long road trip. The rest of the trip was a bust because I have never had pain that bad. After several xray's a CT and an MRI I was diagnosed with nerve impingement caused by 2 herniated disc's at C5-6 and C6-7. The muscle weakness I have found has been the most difficult thing for me to deal with as I can't hold things well with my left hand and I get constant muscle spasms.

So I saw a neurosurgeon last October who gave me three options. 1. Do nothing and let nature take it's course, 2. Two level fusion or 3. Two level disc replacement. So I decided that at my age (47 year old lady) that I wanted to try to keep my mobility in my neck and after much research I decided on the ADR on the two levels. I am in Canada so I have been waiting 8 months for my procedure which is scheduled for June 11/2015 Yikes! but I am very lucky because my medical will cover the cost of the procedure.

I am soooo nervous about the procedure which happens in just 4 days, my stress level has been through the roof as I have been interviewing for someone to take over my job and now I have to orientate this person for the next three days. My procedure will take place in Victoria BC by a neurosurgeon who has been doing ADR's for several years. Still the butterflies are getting the better of me.

Cheers,
Sherry
__________________
1984- In 27 vehicle pile up at age 17
1997- DDD diagnosed at age 30
2013- Herniated Disc's causing significant nerve impingement and muscle wasting lt arm C6-7 C7-T1
June 11/2015 ADR C6-7 ACDF C7-T1
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-07-2015, 08:08 PM
Cynlite's Avatar
Cynlite Cynlite is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 666
Default

Sherry, you are very fortunate to have healthcare that will cover your surgery! For many of us, that just isn't the case in the U.S.

Do you know what type of disc they are going to use?

Try to think positive thoughts. You are almost on the other side of this ordeal. Sending you prayers for a successful surgery, quick recovery and getting back to a normal pain free life!
__________________
2006: epidural shots did nothing; 2 surgeons recommended 2 level fusion, I declined.
2007 - 2010 4 foraminotomy and cord decompression cervical surgeries and 2 endoscopic discectomy T7-T8 surgeries; total 6 with Dr. Jho (Pittsburgh,PA) My C6/C7 autofused around 2009.
2013 - 2015: epidurals 3 times (again did nothing) and 4 Radiofrequency ablation (or RFA) procedures.
2016 more RFAs, hit the 10 year mark of this insanity and pain, 3 level M6-C ADR with Dr. Clavel May 19, 2016
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-07-2015, 09:12 PM
Tresher Tresher is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 5
Default

Do you know what type of disc they are going to use?


I did call the office to ask what type of ADR my Doc will be using, she didn't have that information right there, however she did tell me he just recently did a single level ADR on someone else and used a "Prestige" artificial disc. I believe you can only do one level with that type of replacement though I think?
__________________
1984- In 27 vehicle pile up at age 17
1997- DDD diagnosed at age 30
2013- Herniated Disc's causing significant nerve impingement and muscle wasting lt arm C6-7 C7-T1
June 11/2015 ADR C6-7 ACDF C7-T1
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-07-2015, 09:40 PM
NJ Gene NJ Gene is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 376
Default

Sherry, I believe you are correct with respect to the Prestige Disc. It requires screws in the vertebrae above and below the disc. If you were to do multi-level, it would require two sets of discs with screws on at least one of the vertebrae which would make it unstable.

Take a look at this link: https://www.medtronic.com/patients/c...vice/index.htm


Good luck with your surgery!! It will be done before you know it!!

Gene
__________________
Car Accident 2002 - Small Herniated Disc C3/C4
1998 Larger Herniation and Cervical Fusion C3/C4
2005 Herniation C4/C5 - 40 epidural steroid injections from Oct 2005, - Oct, 2007
2008 - Foraminotomy at C6/C7 on left side
Feb, 2010 - Cervical Fusion C4/C5
Dec, 2010 - Lumbar Fusion L3/L5
2013 - Bulge on C5/C6; herniation C6/C7 right side
Mar 26, 2013 - Foraminotomy at C6/C7 on right side
May 5, 2015 - ADR with Dr Blumenthal of TBI for C5/C6 using Mobi-C
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Introduction and MRI Billkent New Member Introductions 3 10-29-2013 01:19 AM
Hi ya'll! My introduction JenK New Member Introductions 2 07-19-2013 11:30 PM
Introduction Merlinus New Member Introductions 2 09-16-2011 07:31 PM
Introduction marcus New Member Introductions 4 12-22-2010 11:59 AM
Introduction digitbean New Member Introductions 3 11-06-2008 01:40 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:36 AM.


© Copyright 2006-2023 ADRSupport.org All rights reserved.