Degenerative Disc Disease Support Group

My uncle had this done two years ago and it did not work for him he is still in pain. His recovery was hard but he has parkinsons and suffers from sever depression and is 67.

I wish you good luck and a speedy recovery for when you get the surgery. One of my orthopaedic surgeons would have done C4 C5 disc surgery for my herniated degenerative disc in my neck. I chickened out! I got a second opinion and that doc said to wait as long as I can until I loose the use of my arm. Who do you believe?
Your age should aide in your recovery.

My mom had the C area done and is recovering but it's taking a long time..she didn't have a fusion though...I am trying to decide what to do..I think while the meds are controlling the pain I will stick with them.

Oh Jess, I don't envy you your decision. And I know that you want to have kids, and I'm sure that is weighing on you too. I'm wondering if you could discuss this with your ob/gyn? Who knows, maybe s/he has had experience with this, too.

I think you are wise to take your time to decide. You will want to factor in everything you can. If you had it done before you had kids, you would want to make sure you are completely healed before conceiving. Certainly picking up babies will be a dicey thing for you no matter what.

I just had my c-spine done (so far) and your mom is right, it is a long recovery. It was a full 9 mos before I got clearance from my neurosurgeon. I had wanted to put off surgery as long as possible, but then I was getting worse, and I had to make the decision based on my quality of life.

Drat! Don't you wish there were guarantees with these things? I really feel for you!

You do have one thing going for you and that is your age. You should heal much quicker. Gook luck, and let us know what you decide.
Hugs, Sue

Thanks sue...I will talk to my lady Dr.

my issue now is, my weight limit for repetitive lifting is 7lbs...that's not even a gallon of milk! That's weigh less then a baby, I know that with the fusion I would be given more lee way with that...I just feel stuck and it's a crap decision to make. I DO wish it was easy of that he had said holy crap you need it right now or..no you'll never need it.
Not...you'll need it eventually....and I'll do it if you can't take the pain or the med side effects anymore...he's a very sweet man and said he'll try the FJI's again or anything else....I'm just frustrated...Ok...I'm gonna get my morning going...It's my husbands birthday...feeling good enough to make him breakfast in bed...thank god for the MS contin.

I had lumbar fusion surgery at L4-5, L5-S1 about 8 years ago when I was 41. The recuperation was slow and extremely painful. I still had and have pain after the surgery. They say it is the rule of 1/3's - 1/3 will get better, 1/3 will stay the same and 1/3 will get worse. I spent the better part of a year struggling to recuperate from this surgery. For several months I needed someone to put my shoes and socks on for me, underwent painful rehabilitation, and after all that was in about the same boat I was in before surgery.