3 replies to this topic

[scatty14]

I am interested re the worsening of the myeolmalacia as after my first surgery ie the three level c5 to c7 decompression laminectomy in 2007 I was told the area of permanent damage ie the myelomalacia had expanded in size post surgery/decompression hence responsible for my increase in symptoms. I am now wondering whether a similar thing has happened post the three level ACDF c4 to c7 in 2008. Anyone else had this?
After the first surgery I had some immediate new symptoms and once the afffects of the surgery itself had worn off some 4 months or so later I started to deteriorate back to almost pre op status I now find a similar thing is happening.
Any feedback greatly appreciated

[scatty14]

scatty14, on Feb 6 2009, 02:03 PM, said:

I am interested re the worsening of the myeolmalacia as after my first surgery ie the three level c5 to c7 decompression laminectomy in 2007 I was told the area of permanent damage ie the myelomalacia had expanded in size post surgery/decompression hence responsible for my increase in symptoms. I am now wondering whether a similar thing has happened post the three level ACDF c4 to c7 in 2008. Anyone else had this?
After the first surgery I had some immediate new symptoms and once the afffects of the surgery itself had worn off some 4 months or so later I started to deteriorate back to almost pre op status I now find a similar thing is happening.
Any feedback greatly appreciated

Hell this message really is getting the replies in lol

[cate]

I am not going to be much help. my daughter had similar problems as you, but hers were c5 and 6.. You do not say what the symptons are that you are experiencing. What did they tell you the results could be? In my daughters case, she now has BSS and lymphodema, and is able to walk with crutches, but has stayed away from being in a wheel chair, she works part time, and lives on her own, so in some case the improvement is that she would have been in a wheelchair within the year. spinal cord is completely flatten in the c5/6 area, and will not regenerate, because of the time factor.
she has made the best of things, We can only hope things stay the same, but who knows, she has the constant coldness and then burning in her limbs, and other problems, and I do not know what a pain is like. she also has a dropped foot on one side, lost of balance in darkness etc.
I think before you can get any direct replies you may need to say just what problems you are having, and maybe in you read old post you may get some help
cate.

[scatty14]

cate, on Feb 7 2009, 03:45 PM, said:

I am not going to be much help. my daughter had similar problems as you, but hers were c5 and 6.. You do not say what the symptons are that you are experiencing. What did they tell you the results could be? In my daughters case, she now has BSS and lymphodema, and is able to walk with crutches, but has stayed away from being in a wheel chair, she works part time, and lives on her own, so in some case the improvement is that she would have been in a wheelchair within the year. spinal cord is completely flatten in the c5/6 area, and will not regenerate, because of the time factor.
she has made the best of things, We can only hope things stay the same, but who knows, she has the constant coldness and then burning in her limbs, and other problems, and I do not know what a pain is like. she also has a dropped foot on one side, lost of balance in darkness etc.
I think before you can get any direct replies you may need to say just what problems you are having, and maybe in you read old post you may get some help
cate.

Hi again Cate!


Thanks for ypur replies should have read this one before answering the other one!

Well my sypmtoms are, pins and needles, vibration type feeling, electric shock like feelingsin many body areas. also electric type sensations before limb jumps around have this in my legs. . My right side has partial numbness more or less from neck down , also temperature and pain less sensitive on right side of body. Left side leg weaker and have to concentrate on picking foot up and when tired I tend to scuff my foot not pick it up well so have tendency to trip etc. My balance seems to get worse with tiredness, I walk with a stick but tend to veer of course ! and of course in the dark its worse. Both legs have clonus and will jump/jerk if at certain position on toes etc so have tendency to start jerking about when using steps etc.The smallest Incline and stairs/steps hard work. My arms are weak with the right one weaker, My hands weak and numb on my right and pins and needles and not sensitive to pain and temp etc so i burn cut my right hand very easily without realising. My hands are weak so opening things hard and manual dexterity hard so writing hard for any lenght of time., getting coins out of my purse hard etc At certain angles cant even write. Arms dont want to do anything above 45 degrees so kitchen wall cupboards or shopping rails really hard the pain kicks in. fOR EXAMPLE CHANGING THE DUVET leaves my arms like lead weights then my legs kick in. Burning spots on my body on the right side on back and down leg...like you have a hot water bottle or sitting on a radiator really hot spots. Really cold spots too but I DONT FEEL THAT! Just notice it sometimes that my left foot frozen! Thin I DONT REALLY temperature correctly I only feel it if when I get too cold or too hot. hard to explain like my body thermostat doesnt work. Neck pains back of head pains etc etc...Bladder ooh have to go all the time use to self catherise but cant as my right arm / hand problems and my right arm shakes at certain angles just like my feet.legs do when at certain angle. Think its the clonus and spasticity etc. Bowel probs etc etc...I guess despite the drugs I take its the constant LIVING with the above that gets me down if that makes sense?

Well I have had enough of ..listing problems dont want to be seen as whinening or something. I know things could be worse I could be a lot worse off. I was told the myelomalacia is permanent etc and that it had got worse after the first bout of surgery ie, the C4-5 c5-6 c6-7 THREE level Laminectomy . I know there are risks that I may need more surgey now I had the three level ACDF etc I suppose as I have also been told its DDD osteoarthritis then there will be wear and tear to be expected. Hope this helps thank you again for yuour reply.