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- Apr 27, 2015
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Ugh, I'm totally miserable. For years I've had a pinched or compressed nerve in my neck. I have three cervical discs that have herniated and after my latest MRI the doctors are offering me nothing but surgery. It's gotten so much worse over the years that at this point I can barely type. It's excruciating.
As surgeries go, this one is considered highly successful but it's daunting at the same time. They go in through the side of your neck, shift your esophagus and vocal cords over to the side and expose your cervical spine. Then they drill out the herniated discs and replace them with a graft. To finish up they fuse the affected vertebrae together using titanium stabilizers. Mine would take about five to six hours to complete.
Different folks report different experiences with recovery. Some say it's fairly easy while others are miserable. Everyone agrees that the Aspen Collar you're required to wear sucks.
I REALLY hate the idea of having surgery but I just can't take the pain anymore. It's gotten to where it's pretty much constant.
Anyone else ever have a similar surgery? If so, would you mind sharing your experience?
As surgeries go, this one is considered highly successful but it's daunting at the same time. They go in through the side of your neck, shift your esophagus and vocal cords over to the side and expose your cervical spine. Then they drill out the herniated discs and replace them with a graft. To finish up they fuse the affected vertebrae together using titanium stabilizers. Mine would take about five to six hours to complete.
Different folks report different experiences with recovery. Some say it's fairly easy while others are miserable. Everyone agrees that the Aspen Collar you're required to wear sucks.
I REALLY hate the idea of having surgery but I just can't take the pain anymore. It's gotten to where it's pretty much constant.
Anyone else ever have a similar surgery? If so, would you mind sharing your experience?
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