[Chainsaw13]

A followup to my situation.

I incorrectly wrote about the results of my MRI. Besides the bone spurs I have (had) three herniations, c3-4 to the left, c4-5 and c5-6 to the right. The c5-6 was the worst of the three. Since seeing the neurosurgeon, I've done 6 weeks of physical therapy and been taking anti-inflammatorys. About 75-80% of the pain has been relieved. There's still some numbness and tingling in the right arm down to the hand. I can really step it up by tilting my head back which presses on the nerve. That also elevates the pain. So there's obviously still an issue.

Yesterday I saw the NS for my followup visit. He offered two suggestions, steroid injections or fusion surgery. And of course my PT says to keep coming to them and they can work out the herniation. So now I"m starting my research as to what I"m going to do next. The everyday pain isn't that bad provided I don't move my head backwards. Sleeping is the worst part. I can no longer sleep on my right side which was my normal position. I can sometimes sleep on my left side, but I usually end up on my back using two pillows to prop my head up. Because of all the tossing and turning hasn't helped my sleeping much, I don't think I've had a full nights rest since this started.

Looking into the injections, i don't think I want to go that route. Seems many people have some severe side effects. Also my NS told me it's only works 50% of the time.

Surgery scares me, but might be the best option. I'm definitely going to get a 2nd and probably a 3rd opinion.

So if anyone's gone through the surgery I'd like to hear your story and whether you think it was worth it.