This is really random question for OzBargain but if there's anyone that's had cervical disc herniation(s) and/or had cervical disc replacement surgery, I'd love to have a chat!! So please get in touch!
Got a few issues myself and almost a year on I'm debating whether I should have surgery. Always good to speak to people who know what it's like / been there etc.
Thanks!
As a physiotherapist working in both a public and private system my advise would be to seek appropriate medical advice from a specialist and not ask a bunch of randoms in the internet.
Without your current medical history, age and but 100 other details and having consulted other professionals i wouldn't dare give you anything that represents advice beyond 'go and get professional advice'
I know you are trying to save money but this is something i wouldn't cheap out on pay for the best because back surgery is not something to consider lightly.
This isn't a situation where you can say 'i know a guy who had back surgery and it went…' everyone is different
hey mate, no it's not about saving money for advice.
I'm looking for people's personal experiences with pain management, considerations when deciding to go ahead with surgery, what recovery was like in the long term, whether they thought it was the right choice etc
I'm not actually looking for a medical opinion. I have my own neurosurgeon and physiotherapist for that. At the end of the day, it's my choice what I do and my surgeon/physio will leave the choice to me. I'm looking for real life people who have have gone through what I'm going through because sometimes it's comforting to speak to people who have been in the same boat.
It's easy for my family and friends to say "just manage the pain. surgery is a big deal" when they themselves don't know what the pain is like or how disruptive it is to everyday life. On the converse, it's easy for them to say "do the surgery. get better. and move on", when it's not as simple as that.
But it is actually very helpful/insightful to speak to people who have gone through the same thing
I’m happy for you to send me a PM.
Talk with your Pain Management Specialist about keeping a Pain Diary.
This may assist in identifying what exacerbates your pain and what helps.
Also record the frequency and level of pain.
That is fair enough i'd still say a bargain hunters website isn't the place to look but i do wish you the best regardless of what you chose to do. I will say i have seen some really good success stories in the past so hopefully you hear some of them on here and it works out for you.
My mum had at this operation at 80. The op was ok and she was home a few days Before getting shingles all around her midriff as a result of the trauma so went back into hospital for another 6 weeks as the pain was horrific. After all the drugs given, she had a few falls in hospital and she has never been the same mentally. She walked into hospital but has needed the use of a walker since the op. She still needs a morphine patch, so looking back, pain management might have been the better option.
Hey, I have had that done.
Tell me your story, I think mine was C4/5 or C5/6.
What have you tried instead of Surgery up to now?