Advice please on husband herniated disc squashing spinal cord.

[GillyGangGong]

Hi Everyone, I was hoping to get some answers to a few questions, over the past 3 years my husband of 53 has had multiple pain down his back. Numbness, pins and needles in he’s hands. Electric shock sensations, and recently, he’s had trouble with he’s walking like forgetting how to walk. Sensations of warm water running down he’s leg. Anyway we finally got him a MRI last Friday. He gotta phone call from the consultant who says it’s not good news. He needs a brain scan next week and will most definitely need an urgent op. Apparently he’s got a bulging disc crushing he’s spinal cord + he’s got arthritis in he’s spine causing other complications. I am googling the hell out of it. And came here to see if anyone has been through this. and maybe ask a few questions? What can he expect will he be ever be cured? How long is recovery for this type of op? I’m ever so worried.

Thanks in advance.,

[Hidden]

Hi there, sorry to hear about your husband , where about is the disc pushing on the cord first then if it's in the neck I can answer your questions . Clive

[GillyGangGong in reply to Hidden]

Yes thank you its in his cervical spine they want to do a brain scan next week.

[Hidden in reply to GillyGangGong]

Hi there I will send you a private message. Clive

[GillyGangGong in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much

[Dozydora71]

Hi I’m sorry to hear this, I’ve been going through similar symptoms I have spinal cord compression, numbness in hands which wakes me up several times a night, pins and needles in hands legs, electric shock sensations especially in my hands, i get pain in my spine and neck area also, I also go off balance as well we’re I’m finding it hard to stay upright on some days, I’ve started using a walking stick as well, also I have a neck collar and I’m waiting to have surgery which should have happened on Friday but was cancelled by my surgeon due to the Coronavirus. I’m only 48 and mine is called cervical myelopathy, I’m not sure if that’s what your husbands condition is but some of the symptoms sound the same. There is no cure if it’s the same but they operate usually to stop the progression of the disease, as it will get worse without the surgery. I’ve done exactly the same google etc before I joined this group, they say time is spine and the earlier it’s treated the better the outcome. I’ve also asked questions to people on this group who have been through the same and it has helped me deal with what we are going through. Any more questions just ask x

[GillyGangGong in reply to Dozydora71]

Wow thanks for sharing your journey, I’m so sorry you have had this terrible condition. Are you taking pain killers? I don’t suppose you are able to work. Do you get fatigued? How’s your sleep? I’m sorry your op was cancelled, my husbands consult physio said they were hoping to do he’s op next week or the week after, it all depends on the Coronavirus. It’s a help being prepared after years of being fobbed off. (Was only last month they send him for CBT) husband is kinda shell shocked. Ps what is the operation called your having? have you had the brain scan? Sorry for 100 questions 🤷‍♀️ And thank you.

[Dozydora71 in reply to GillyGangGong]

Hi the painkillers I’m taking is just paracetamol my pain isn’t so severe yet, I don’t sleep well at all as the numb hands wake me up all the time it’s like I’m going paralysed I’ve had a CT scan and MRI scan which was when my cervical myelopathy was diagnosed. I’m having a cervical disectomy it’s fusing 3 vertebrae in my neck as the discs have bulged and are compressing my spine, which causes all the symptoms, electric shocks pins and needles numbness off balance, I’ve lost strength in my arms and sometimes my leg just gives way. I do work but from home as I’m a foster carer so luckily I can still do my job. I don’t think the op will go ahead for now with this Coronavirus going on, it’s just too dangerous, dont worry too much and ask away, it’s fine I was panicking myself at first xx

[GillyGangGong in reply to Dozydora71]

AWE thanks Dora, it sounds exactly the same, with leg giving way, the horrible sensations, numbness and tingling with shooting pains @ the back of he’s hands.

He drops things ect I will keep you updated he’s got the brain scan on Tuesday. Talk you You have answered my questions. Xxx

[Dozydora71 in reply to GillyGangGong]

No problems, good luck hope all goes well x

[GillyGangGong]

Hi Guys UPDATE~ we have not had the brain scan results as yet, however it’s been confirmed he had cervical myelopathy compression around C5/C6 and C4/C/5 and he will be having the operation within 10 days. He’s waiting to see if the compression goes further up the spinal cord. I was just wondering if anybody here had a rash around the neck? My husband has a terrible red rash around the nape of the neck. Maybe this is a coincidence? Thanks guys you have been awesome 👏

[Hidden]

Good news, he as been diagnosed . The compression stops the brain signals going through the brain stem and then we have problems with our hands , balance, walking and bladder and bowel .

[GillyGangGong in reply to Hidden]

It is it’s been a long time coming this diagnosis can’t wait until he’s recovered from this op it’s going to be hard as he’s my carer.

[fp082136]

There are a few very good groups on Facebook where you'll get lots of support and advice. A couple of surgeons even post.

[GillyGangGong in reply to fp082136]

I have joined one thank you

[Andy123fast]

Hi I have the exact same thing c4toc7 has been fixed I have the water fealing but that's new one of my first things where arm pain and neck and poor balance and very heavy legs post op 18 months and I'm bedbound sorry to hear your husbands strugling too😔😔