OS visit

[nmac]

I went to the OS on Tuesday. He looked at my CT on his computer and
said that my spinal cord is intact and I probably shouldn't rush into
any surgery. The EMG showed Cubital tunnel in my elbow and he thinks I
should deal with it first. He referred me to another Ortho to look at
my shoulder and elbow pain. He said that I have very extensive
arthritis above and below my congenital fusion and that is what is
causing my neck pain I also have another EMG scheduled to determine
what is wrong with my left ankle/foot. He thinks after I have
exhausted every other avenue that I will be ready for the surgery he
has in mind. Which is "Decompress both anterior through your neck and
posterior through your back and use a lot of hardware." The surgery is
major and will take quite awhile to recover from."I am not sure the
surgery will stop any of the pain and it might make it so you can't go
back to work as an OT." Not very encouraging! I thought he might
suggest another foraminotomy since I have Severe Foraminal Narrowing
in many areas of my C-spine. Right now I am thinking that I wouldn't
ever want the surgery unless I can't get up or sit up. Then I wouldn't
be able to work or have insurance to pay for any surgery anyway. So
far I have decided to try the things he has suggested, go back to the
PM Doc. and figure a way to keep this pain under better control. I am
also going to try PT again during the summer while I am off work. I am
feeling really down in the dumps. I think I have finally realized that
this pain isn't going away. I really don't know what the future has to
offer me. I guess I will see what happens after I complete the tests
and see the Ortho. and PM Doc. I am strong and can overcome the
feelings I am having now. Any ideas are welcome. Thanks for letting
me vent. Hope all is well with everyone.
Nancy

[Kiwi]

Hi Nancy
I'm really sorry to hear you are having to deal with so much. I
don't have much to offer in the way of constructive help as I haven't
been through anything like what you are coping with at the moment but
I do know the OPLL diagnosis caused me a fair bit of mental anguish so
I can empathise somewhat with you. Stay strong, enjoy the sun when
it shines and I'm sending you positive thoughts for what that's
worth :)
Jane

[rockdoc]

Hi Nancy -
Sorry to hear about all the stuff you have to deal with right now. In
the end, you will what is right for you. It's no fun with all the
'what if's'. I think we all have to come to the point with
understanding that the pain is not going to go away...mainly, we have
to come to the point of finding a way to live with it. I'm still
struggling with it too ... I've told my boss that I can't keep up the
pace I've been on for the last few years...just physically cannot do
it anymore. Don't give up hope though ... a way through all of this
will show up.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.

BrianS

[mcin...@earthlink.net]

Thanks Brian and Jane for your encouragement. It is good to have people to connect with that can relate to our condition. Wednesday is the EMG to investigate my ankle/foot weakness and numbness. I am interested to see what is causing it. I was looking at my list of conditions in my electronic medical records on line over the weekend. I now have a DX. of Neuropathy. It also said saw S/p laminectomy. I haven't had this operation so I don't really understand why it is on the list. Hope it is sunny where you are.
Nancy

-----Original Message-----
>From: Kiwi <jane.r...@gmail.com>
>Sent: May 16, 2010 2:07 PM
>To: OPLL <opll_di...@googlegroups.com>
>Subject: Re: OS visit
>
>Hi Nancy
>I'm really sorry to hear you are having to deal with so much. I
>don't have much to offer in the way of constructive help as I haven't
>been through anything like what you are coping with at the moment but
>I do know the OPLL diagnosis caused me a fair bit of mental anguish so
>I can empathise somewhat with you. Stay strong, enjoy the sun when
>it shines and I'm sending you positive thoughts for what that's
>worth :)
>Jane
>