Titanium plates in the neck

[Staceyinfo]

Does anyone but me have bulging discs in your neck? I had three that were operated on, and now I have a big titanium plate in my neck. The reason I am writing this thread is to share somethng with you the doctor told me. My neck has been killing me and I had to go in today for a cortisone shot in between the discs (very risky procedure).

When he saw the x-ray of the plate in my neck he said (sorry quote key broke) No wonder your neck hurts so much! Your titanium plate is HUGE. They usually only put in a small one for one disc but yours is covering 4 discs. That makes your neck totally stiff and prone to cause pressure on your other discs. I was so shocked when he said that. No one told me this stupid thing was going to cause me such bad pain! It was supposed to PREVENT pain!

A word to the wise. If you are going to get neck surgery. Think careful!!!

Stacey

[Lt_Ripley]

I'd be p***ed. seek legal advice. Especially if there comes a time you may need it corrected. when did you have this done ??

Edited March 25, 2009 by Lt_Ripley

[realmcutter]

reminds me of after my second sinus surgery when i had 3 stints put into my nose. My nose was hurting so much i didn't know they were their. But when they got taken out it was the most painful thing i ever experienced, and the most i ever bled too .

[Staceyinfo]

I'd be p***ed. seek legal advice. Especially if there comes a time you may need it corrected. when did you have this done ??

2001. I seriously doubt I can do anything about it. I agreed to the surgery. However, if any of you are in the same predicament, I can at least warn you about it before you make the same mistake!

[schizoidwoman]

I hope you get it sorted out and it isn't too painful for you in the future, it sounds as thought you've not been given the best treatment in the past!

[Staceyinfo]

I hope you get it sorted out and it isn't too painful for you in the future, it sounds as thought you've not been given the best treatment in the past!

Thanks so much for your support. I should have added that my now doctor said it may have been necessary to use such a big plate - meaning I did have three bulging discs, so maybe there was no alternative. That is, except to have not done the surgery at all. My advice is to wait on sugery if you are in this predicment. I am told that discs do fuse themselves eventually (they may or may not). I would think extra extra hard on trying to wait it out!

[momentarylapseofreason]

Thanks so much for your support. I should have added that my now doctor said it may have been necessary to use such a big plate - meaning I did have three bulging discs, so maybe there was no alternative. That is, except to have not done the surgery at all. My advice is to wait on sugery if you are in this predicment. I am told that discs do fuse themselves eventually (they may or may not). I would think extra extra hard on trying to wait it out!

Thanks for the tip.

I have been considering getting neck surgery but now I'm not so sure.

[tigger]

any surgery is risky... sometimes the 'macrame set' is missing peices from prior surgeries so you have to use the next size.. dont take what one docter says as gospel tho.. seek another opinion.

if you are needing surgery, i say go for it.. you dont get any medals for suffering from pain. im about at the end of my tether in the pain threshold factor.. drugs arent doing a thing, but due to my age being the only factor, i still have to wait a bit longer. (need a hip replacement)

[xCrimsonx]

*hugs* I hear ya darls, I suffer from scoliosis and was told I may end up in a wheelchair after giving birth to my two children, but Im still standing.

Pain is a challenge and really does make ya stronger, still you might wanna chat your Doctor about it or another speciallist.

*pokes ya Dr's ribs real hard*

I hope It comes good for ya.

[tigger]

*hugs* I hear ya darls, I suffer from scoliosis and was told I may end up in a wheelchair after giving birth to my two children, but Im still standing.

Pain is a challenge and really does make ya stronger, still you might wanna chat your Doctor about it or another speciallist.

*pokes ya Dr's ribs real hard*

I hope It comes good for ya.

yea.. i have scoli too.. it was picked up when i was 3, then i spent the next 5 years in a back brace for 23 hours a day.. they figured that wasnt helping so i had 13 vertebrae fused and a harrington rod inserted next to my spine, then spent another 6 months in a body cast. it was removed two days after my ninth bday.. best late prezzie ever

im 'supposed' to be in a wheelchair too.. given the fact my spine was so wonky (and my heart and lungs were going to be crushed by the shifting of my rib-cage). but my specialist knew better (he'd been seeing me for a good 20 yrs) after the first op i had. the second one i was meant to be in for 2 weeks.. after the suckers punctured my lung, i spent 5 days in hdu (high dependancy unit) with that chest-tube, and another day and a half on a ward. the third i was in for 5 days after i had the rod removed (had to have it out due to needing a mri)

all said and done.. i wonder how different a person i would be if i hadnt had the challenges that i have had. yep.. like crims, pain is there... day in and out, some days are better than others but it is something you learn to deal with. shizen happens.. im here, im walking, and boy do i get a good laugh out of life