Scaredo and confused

[Realitycheck]

Good morning. Thanks for adding me. I haven't been diagnosed with myelomathy but as I read more of your stories. I believe that is what I have. My story begins a little over 3 months the ago. My left shoulder started hurting and I couldn't get it to stop no matter what I did. Stretching, heat,ice,muscle rub, rest. So, I adventualy went to the Dr. She gave me a muscle relaxer. That didn't help. Went back again. This time I got a painful cortisone Injection in my shoulder. 3 days later I'm in the ER hurting in my neck and left arm so bad I'm crying. For me to cry with pain takes alot. They do 2 pressure point injections that hurt way worse than the pain I was having. 4 days later. I'm back in the ER almost on my knees begging for them to help me in some way. Please find out what is going on with me. They finally done a CT scan. The results was I have 2 herniated disc. C4-c5 and c6-c7. Gave me pain medicine and sent me home. At this time I'm wondering way I'm not seeing a neurosurgeon or someone. I feel like this is an Emergency. I finally got a referral. He sent me to the pain center, a MRI, A MYELOGRAM, XRAYS. He comes back with your c6-c7 has ruptured and splattered into your vertebrae. C4-c5 is protruding. We need to do surgery asap. He wants to fuse them both. That's a lot to go thru and healing takes a long time. I am scared to death and I feel I might need a second opinion. What do you all think? I have alot of radiating pain going down my left arm.

[Iwan Administrator]

Hi it's only natural to be scared,An MRI should pick up spinal cord compression and if the neurosurgeon says you need the surgery there is a good reason why he is saying this,The results show that you have a better chance of recovery if the spinal cord is decomposed sooner rather than later,also if you feel you need a second opinion then certainly have one ,make sure you write down all the questions so you can have them answered at your appointment, here is a link to the our website myelopathy.org you will also find a link to our Facebook support group I hope this helps let me know how you get on

Best Wishes

Iwan

[MichaelBett]

It's natural to be scared. if this is your first experience with potential surgery,you should get a second opinion. Be sure to write down all of your questions and concerns and ask your doctor. If he/she won't answer them, find a new doctor. you have to be comfortable with the doctor who is treating you. Generally the course of treatment for myelopathy is surgery,but if they haven't diagnosed you with myelopathy with a second opinion-see what your options are going to be. good luck!

[theste02]

I had the same discs ruptured in my neck pressing into my spinal cord. Spinal cord was compressed down to 4 mm, and I had severe pain in my left shoulder, weakness, right leg was spastic. Yes get a second opinion. ACDF is not that bad of a surgery. Laminectomy is horrible, do not get a cervical laminectomy if you have a choice. I am still in pain from laminectomy with fusion 16 months after surgery.