Getting old and Medical issues are not for pansies

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davidc

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I fought having all this neck fusion done since around 2010. I finally had to cave in Sept. 2016 as the pain, nerve damage and knots in muscles became unbearable. As of January I am still going to PT where they are trying to build the muscles back up and see what will happen to the nerve damage caused by the spine collapsing and the holes in the spine having calcium build up. I know my arm strength hand grip etc. is still way below par. I have not touched a DA or Rotary for Month`s now. I may eventually be able to handle a Rotary in time but not to sure about a vibrating DA. My range of motion is pretty limited with head rotation, up, down etc. Anyone else had anything similar done ?, any veteran tips before I find out the hard way ?. I kinda think of this as Trump`s first infrastructure job LOL.


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Dave
 

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Hi Dave, I don`t have any words of wisdom regarding your neck other than I wish you a speedy and complete recovery and hope you`re back in the garage detailing soon!
 
davidc- I can`t pretend to know from this subject, but I`ve seen enough "pins, plates, and screws" Xrays that yours look familiar.

Accumulatorette had Spinal Fusion done, gained over an inch of height as a result. And my pal Bob with the MKII Jag just had spinal surgery to (hopefully, so far so good) alleviate issues that had him headed towards a wheelchair. Both were in significant pain for decades and are now infinitely better.

Your issue/procedure sounds a lot like Bob`s, though his work was done lower down the spine.

I hope you get the same relief that Bob and my wife did. Both of them are *REALLY* glad they had it done and wish they`d been able to have it done it sooner.

How does the PT seem to be going? Do the PT people seem to know what they`re about? Not all of `em do...and that`s an interesting Q about the vibrations/etc. from a RO/DA, wonder if they`ll have a good answer.
 
Thank you to all for the well wishes.
Accumulator: As for the PT issue. They have me doing the head tilting regiment and a lot of hand, arm exercises which extend up and into the neck. Some seem repetitive and it has been about 6 new visits since the Doc saw me and is allowing the neck brace to be removed for several hours after wearing it 24/7 for 3 Months. During that 3 Months they had me going to PT about 20 times doing the same exercises except moving the head. Is it working ?, to some extent and it may just be a time thing and being on my way to 63 probably is not helping. They operate thru the front of the throat which means some things have to move which has led to choking issues trying to swallow which is a real problem and I sure hope that part gets better. The wife made some raisin cookies over the holiday and I choked on a friggin raisin. Told her chocolate chip only from now on as they melt.

Dave
 
davidc- Heh heh heh on the "cholocate chip only.." :D But seriously, I bet that raisin gave you an anxious moment or two. Gotta chew *chew* *CHEW*, huh? How does that saying go..."Nature will castigate those who don`t masticate", guess you`re a posterchild for that at present.

Eh, at going-on-63 both my wife and Bob would say you`re a young `un! But yeah, recovery (from all sorts of stuff) takes longer as we age.

I bet you`re *really* glad to be out of that neck brace, even if it`s only for a few hours.

Some of that seemingly repetetive PT probably results in incremental improvements that`re hard to discern but still significant.

What does the Doc say about the swallowing/choking? Sometimes it`s a real chore to get MDs to discuss stuff that makes them think "uh-oh, unhappy patient...gotta avoid lawsuit!" I`ve often had to point out "the correct answer to that question does not involve whether or not you did your job right, that`s a different topic entirely".
 
Accumulator: Your as old as you feel : I am at 95 ;). They keep talking about a swallow test ( if I am still alive) but those people are the biggest pain in the a** about doing it. I have heard some people needing the throat STRETCHED. Sounds strange and painful. The Wife is working on it as she is like a Bull Dog on things like that. As for the chewing: yes I chew things to death and times but tend to forget once in a while ( gets me in trouble every time). I am always the last one done and mostly worn out from chewing.

Dave
 
From what I am told and looking at the xray it involves 4. I was there but not really paying attention ;). First diagnosis 2011 was 2 discs and spinal disc degenerative disease. the next MRI 2016 was 3 discs.

Dave
 
I have come to appreciate life and good health in a whole new perspective in 2016. I wish you nothing but the best and hope you will be able to enjoy life and detailing ASAP. Stay positive and treat each day as a gift. I need to heed my own advice on this at times.

Keep us posted:)
 
I wish you all the best, as a veteran of L4/5 and S1 fusion with rods and drywall screws I feel your pain so to speak. A second surgery to correct the effects of that surgery years later allows me to be quite a weatherman!
 
Mike lambert said:
I wish you all the best, as a veteran of L4/5 and S1 fusion with rods and drywall screws I feel your pain so to speak. A second surgery to correct the effects of that surgery years later allows me to be quite a weatherman!
Click to expand...

Ha!!!!!!. And today`s prediction is a chance of rain and very high humidity. I seem to have noticed a little of that already. So I understand the metal used is like chain link fence and they are growing bone around it which is the white objects in the pictures. It is good to hear from a veteran as I do not really like surprises and learning from others that have already been down this road is very helpful. I already have a steel plate and drywall screws in my left ankle that I shattered in 2008. Maybe this new antenna will make me a super meteorologist ;)

Dave
 
I didn`t have any fusion done, but I had a lumbar laminectomy in my mid twenties (about 20 years ago). At the time, my L5 S1 was cheesecake from lifting too many Ford transmissions. It`s not like anyone wants to stop & help working flat rate.

Anyway, I was in extreme constant pain before the surgery, and had 100% improvement. I have had zero pain since I woke up in the recovery room with no limitations.

Other than that, I loathe doing any type of work where I have to get on the ground. My legs cramp and it`s so uncomfortable.

Other than that, my worse health issues from getting old have been dental issues. I have $30k + invested in dental implants. No way I`m getting teeth you take out at night & no way I`m going around with jacked up looking teeth.


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looks like a three level fusion dave, which really does in your range of motion, flexibility and usually includes arthritis later, on top of your nerve damage. i had 3 disks rupture in my neck many years ago when i attempted to stop a wrong way drunk driver who then hit me head on. my condition later deteriorated and the neuro surgeon said i needed a 3 level fusion but recommended a 2 level which i agreed to. took me a full year to recover back then (1989) and the nerve damage done before the surgery never improved, but i was glad i had the surgery anyway. they repair what they can and you really just have to live with the results, but you`ll be better than you were before. i was never sent for any post surgery therapy, which i think will probably help you. i`ll be 64 in a few months and have had a few surgeries since then and you`re right about healing being slower now. just take it one day at a time and know that it`ll be some time before you`re better. will definitely be praying for your speedy recovery in the meantime.
 
Tropicsteve: Thanks for clearing that up, I am really ignorant when it comes to this stuff but learning. Sorry to hear of your catastrophes but glad to hear your managing thru. I have very limited motion as of now and Social Security basically told me to take a flying leap for disability. I was a Service Electrician which requires a lot of positions and sometimes requiring to be inside cabinets and very tight areas. They told me to look for an easier job even if it means a pay cut...........really.

Dave
 
Swanicyouth said:
I didn`t have any fusion done, but I had a lumbar laminectomy in my mid twenties (about 20 years ago). At the time, my L5 S1 was cheesecake from lifting too many Ford transmissions. It`s not like anyone wants to stop & help working flat rate.

Anyway, I was in extreme constant pain before the surgery, and had 100% improvement. I have had zero pain since I woke up in the recovery room with no limitations.

Other than that, I loathe doing any type of work where I have to get on the ground. My legs cramp and it`s so uncomfortable.

Other than that, my worse health issues from getting old have been dental issues. I have $30k + invested in dental implants. No way I`m getting teeth you take out at night & no way I`m going around with jacked up looking teeth.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


I hear you, most of our old age ailments were caused by our 20 year old mentality. When I kneel I spend a while looking around to see if there is anything else I can do while down there. The utter pain in the knees is almost enough to make you want to stay where your at.

Dave
 
Mike lambert said:
I wish you all the best, as a veteran of L4/5 and S1 fusion with rods and drywall screws I feel your pain so to speak. A second surgery to correct the effects of that surgery years later allows me to be quite a weatherman!
Click to expand...

Mike: I forgot to ask, can/do you use a DA ?. Just wondering if the constant vibration is a problem.

Dave
 
Dave,

Sorry to hear about your challenges, I can only imagine how frustrating this must be and the SS just seems strange, hope you can get reassessed. Had a family member that was in a similar situation but was initially worse off than you though she was younger. It took a good 3 years but she has eventually been able to function pretty normally with some pain and fatigue but greatly improved. Slow and steady wins the race. Do the PT, and do your exercises religiously. Write down where you are at today and check in 2 weeks, 4 weeks etc. You will improve - slowly - it will happen but its slow, be patient.
 
Yep getting old is not for the young, lol. I visit doctor`s offices a lot more frequently than I ever thought I would. I had my back surgery two years ago (l4-l5 fusion) and still deal with lower back pain. I hope the PT gets you back to some level of normalcy. Don`t give up on detailing, just keep adjusting your technique and tools and break up your details into "bite size" pieces. Listen to your body and don`t overdo (I always fail at this).
 
I have three levels fused. The neck fusions began about 14 years ago when I couldn`t push the soap against my body in the shower with my right hand. I thought the problem was with my shoulder, that`s where all the pain was. I was in my 40`s when I had the first one. Actually the neck fusions were pretty successful. The lumbar fusions, that`s another story. Then there is the thoracic issue they won`t touch. Rotary, vibrating DA. One word RUPES.
you`ll get there. Stick with the therapy. If you want to talk more about specifics free to PM me. Thought and prayers are with you.
 
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