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Considering disc replacement; Cervical disc herniations
Topic Started: 21 Aug 2015, 09:28 AM (183 Views)
cindy2015
Unregistered

Hello all, I am new here and wanted some advice on surgery options, whether or not to consider surgery at this stage.
I have had pain in my neck and left shoulder for 9 years, it began in 2006 and worsened in 2010 Iin 2012 the pain went bilaterally. I have 3 bulging discs C4-C7 most remarkable at C6/C7 with left nerve root compression.
My symptoms are pain, numbness in fingers with tingling sensations, muscle spasm and a blood rushing sensation when I sit or bend forward.
I have felt quite alone in all this, although can now see that thousands of people suffer the same problems with discs. It helps to read peoples stories, but also frightens me when I read the sad stories of operations making problems even worse for the person.
I don't feel consultants have been very helpful, for the past 4 years since my pain hit an all time high I have had epidural injections, nerve block injections, tried physiotherapy, acupuncture, chiropractor, massage, I do yoga and pilates as much as I can. I walk, eat healthily. I don't smoke and drink only occasionally.
I have tried numerous pain medications including gabapentin, pregabalin, tramadol, naproxen, and muscle relaxants.
All pain killing medication does is slightly take the edge off the pain, I slept for about 1 hour last night due to horrendous pain in my shoulders.
I keep thinking about surgery options like disc replacement, but don't even know if this would be an option for me, although it was mentioned by one surgeon.
I am at my wits end with the pain and I cannot work or drive very often. The loss of independence is just awful, I just wonder if anyone can give me any advice on whether surgery should be considered at this stage seeing as conservative measures haven't worked well for me.
Thank you in advance for any advice you can give me at this stage. I can upload a picture of my scan at a later date to see if my bulgy neck looks similar to anyone else's.
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