I have just had a medical report back. The specialist says?

Question

That I have a cracked disc in my neck and 2 prolapsed discs. The odds are not good if they operate, infact it could make things worse, a whole lot worse, What would you do? let them operate and hope for the best, or put up with the pain, its bearable and I can still move around, obviously I have worse days than others. The thought of not being able to move terrifies me, and thats how I may wake up after the op. My friends tell me that any chance is better than none. Thanks to all who answer. xx

OOPS forgot to say this is a third oppinion. sorry

Answer 1

I have lived with back pain due to a car accident for the passed 27 yrs. Doctors told me the risk of operating was high and I chose not to go for it. It sounds to me that the risks could be too high. If you still have relatively good function then I would take this time to find other ways to treat your back problems. There are some really good natural treatments that may help in pain management and even give the bone a chance to heal to some degree. Don't rule out the surgery but use it as a last resort if it gets worse and starts to really effect your ability to function.

Good luck and take care

Answer 2

I have had prolapsed discs, but they were in my lower back, so I dont know if its similar. I did everything possible to avoid surgery. I had a series of epidural shots (not pleasant) and then did physical therapy. I still have some spasms, but for the most part am fine. I would get second and third opinions, and perhaps see if there are some who have had the surgery that you could talk to. I pray that you don't have to live the rest of your life in pain. You should pray to God for the wisdom to know what route you should take. Medical breakthroughs are happening every day, so maybe your solution is just down the road a bit.

Answer 3

That's a question only you and your doctor will be able to answer!
You just have to weight the pros and cons because "every" surgery carries its risk!
It's unfortunately a "Russian Roulette" and what more can I say?

If you can get around and have means of controling the symptoms and pain then possibly the answer would be "no".
But the other side of the coin is injuries to the spine can be very dibilitating if left untreated! (something your insurance company will never tell you). From experience, my neurosurgeon told me if I didn't have surgery to remove the herniated disc material from scaring the nerves, my condition would worsen over time up to an including being in a wheel chair. So, in my case I went for the surgery but in no way am I suggesting you should based on my experience. It leads back to the first part of my answer between you and your doctor. Of course, ALWAYS get second and if possible third opinions! As we know, some people are motivated by monetary gain and therfore that is one way of dealing with that senario!

Best of luck to you!

Answer 4

I cannot see how they say an operation will not help. Do this, get a second opinion please. Make sure the surgeon you go to for it is a very good one if you do have surgery.Do some research on this.If you do decide to have surgery make sure it is a neurosurgeon doing this surgery, one of good reputation.

Could be you may have to see a neurologist as well to make the best decision on what is to be done. I too have had a cracked disk and prolapsed discs but my doctor recommended I go for the surgery. Make sure that this doctor is a good one. Good luck!

P.S. Stay AWAY from chiropractors on this one!

Answer 5

In 1997 I was run over by a car which broke two of my vertabrae. I also have degenerative disk disease, and in some cases hardly any disk material at all, and then I've have ruptured disks before.

The issues can resolve themselves to a degree, cracked bones heal, disk material heals. pain can fade. I'm curious as to what would be accomplished by surgery??? I wonder too if you are in any kind of full or partial body cast.

No offense, and certainly I can relate, and knowing that everyones tolerance level is different as regards pain,,, Your issue doesn't sound at all life threatenin, crippling, or in pain,,,very long lasting. Certainly you have to limit yourself through a healing process, much as I did for about 6 months, but I have to tell you,,,I'm a contractor, and often work 7 days a week still, at 62, 10 years after that one incident, and I'm doing OK.

Rev. Steven

I wish you well.

Answer 6

The first thing you should do is get a second, third, or even fourth opinion. In something that serious it's always good to have other Doctors weigh in. And do some Internet research, see if you can find a hospital, clinic or Dr. that specializes in this or who has developed break-through methods in treating your condition. I honestly couldn't tell you what I would do, I'd be so afraid of influencing your decision in the wrong direction. Good Luck to you!

Answer 7

Ask a chiropractor's opinion (you do not have to let your back be touched for an opinion). Only go to a chiropractor recommended by your GP/physician as this is so dangerous an area for anyone to be messing with. Go back to your GP and see what s/he has to say about chiropractor's opinion before undertaking any treatment..
Given the drastic nature of the possible consequences you can't do too much background research. Try and ask around as to the success rate of the person who will be performing the operation. Do some research around and see who is considered the best in this area.
Meanwhile, try self treatment by reflexology. This is a pain relief strategy only, it will not cure. I recommended this to an old lady who had a couple of damaged discs mid back and she was delighted with the results - took some but not all of her pain away.
Nobody can make this decision for you, as you are the one who will have to live with the results. All you can do is look at all the options, including pain management. Managing Pain Before It Manages You, Revised Edition (Paperback) by Margaret A. Caudill-Slosberg is an excellent book on the subject.
My thoughts go with you ad I hope you get some kind of relief for your pain.

Answer 8

I have always viewed surgery as a last resort. Try conservative treatment, and live with the pain as long as you can and it does not interfere with your activities of daily living. Once that occurs then you have hard choice to make. Also ask around and see if there are support groups to discuss your situation and what other treatment alternatives there are. Main thing is to not wait until the pain and physical condition have gotten to the point that surgery will not improve things, and just stabilize. Good luck.

Answer 9

Tell you what my friend, Take the Homeopathic Remedies ARNICA 30,RHUS TOX 30 and HYPERICUM 30 together thrice a day half hour before meals and you will be feeling just fine in two to three days.Trust me nothing works better in your conditions then these three. I have been there and cured myself now I am perfectly fine and the doctors are still scratching their heads wondering how :-) ! Take the three every 15 minutes till you start feeling relief after that just thrice a day will be enough till you are 100% well ! If the pains still persist after 2 days please email me with your conditions and symptoms and please include all modalities i.e Better by movement or worse whichever, what makes you feel better and what worse etc etc.
Take Care and God Bless you !

Answer 10

I'm a pediatrician but I have seen some children with back pain and some of my friends and colleagues have had back surgery. I would be concerned that the "cracked" disk in your neck may eventually impinge on your spinal nerves. I would get a consult from Neurosurgeon first. You may also consider physical therapy for the pain but I don't know how safe it would be with your "slipped disks' and cracked disk. Good luck. Noone should live with pain