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bitshird

bitshird

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2007
Messages
10,236
Location
Adamsville, TN, USA.
After fooling around with my Doctor and finding that I had a small tear in my right rotator cuff, that wasn't getting any better, I finally convinced him to do an MRI on my neck, Well I ain't going to be able to run with big dogs no more, seemed like I was having a low voltage current running down my arm from my shoulder to my hand, and back up to my neck. Also have a small spur on the shoulder along with an arthritic joint.
The Dr has had my on Hydrocodone f3 times a day or over a year and a half and Tramadol for the past three years , but the pain really hasn't stopped, Yesterday I went to another Orthopedist and was told that sure they could operate and scrape some junk off the joint and remove the spur but I would put me out of commission for 2 to 4 months, and still would not stop the problem of the electric charge running down my arm, he showed me the REAL trouble, I have on vertebrae C-5 that is almost a trapezoid and is putting some serious pressure on my spinal chord and there is almost no disk left on either side of it, He recommended seeing a Neurosurgeon as I was walking out the door I recommended he get real.
I took copies of my MRI to a friend that is a Chiropractor and is licensed for acupressure, he said maybe it will help, But with the condition of the vertebrae just about any fall, stupid lifting or a sudden jarring impact could render me not able to move any more. So I'm pretty much turning things over to Animefan "Andrew" and going to just make pens a gain and design tools, besides he's a pretty bright kid and should be able to handle the shop and I can help with some of the paper work. The funny part is I pretty much quit taking the Hydrocodone about a month ago just before Christmas and not any noticeable difference in the pain level, I still eat on just an hour or so before bed, but I think I can stop completely . I mean really 30 MG of Opiates a day and not doing any good! Except to the Pharmacy??
So I guess this is kind of a retirement again, I hope this one works out better than the last two times did, and this time I have help. Now to see about making some pens Woopee!!!!
 
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Shucks Ken, sorry to hear of all your pain! Here's wishing you (and Andrew) all the best!
Heck, at least we'll get to see some pens from you now. :smile:
 
Sorry to hear about that Ken. Looks like you need to become a pecil pusher. :eek:

I bet you'll have the best looking pencil of the bunch though. :wink:

Take it easy, let the young pup have a go at it and be careful. In fact wrap yourself in bubblewrap and mark it as "FRAGILE" (It's Italian.). :biggrin: :wink:
 
Sorry to hear that Ken. I was just informed that I would need rods in my back if I want to ease the pain. Unfortunately heart issues come first. Take it real easy (yeah right- not from what I have heard about you) turn some pens and just be a supervising boss. (If possible).
P.S. I agree with Lupe about the bubble wrap-sounds like a good idea. LOL
 
Hey Ken
Dont rule out the neurosurgeon.
I had both C5, and C6 totally deteriorated, causing 80% spinal cord compression.

Surgery consisted of removing a piece of my hip bone, entering through the front of my throat, removing deteriorated disk, replacing it with hip bone, a few nuts bolts and screws to hold it all togeather while the bones fuse.

That was 2 years ago, no more pain or spasims.
It sounds drastic but I would do it again

Good Luck
Ed McCabe
Ontario, Canada
 
Ken, terrible about your pain. I had the same thing repaired last March at Jackson, TN. Semms_Murphy clinic Dr. Bernett did C6-C7 for me. Wonderful job. I hate doctors, my bride is an RN so you know who I go to for med advice. Seriously, give them a call for a consult if nothing else. They do great work and are not all that far from your home. You will need a refferal but your Chiropractor can do that for you. Their # is 731.423.1267. Good folks there. BTW, I do not get a finders fee.
Charles
 
Hey Ken,
I had the rotator cuff surgery last March. 2 of them were torn, 1 was partially torn and the biceps was partially torn. Don't pull on tree limbs and let them break suddenly, it HURT'S. Lot's of rehab and work to get the movement back(April to October) but a lot better than before. Range of motion much better now also. Still a little tender if not careful but if you find a good doc it is worth it. I didn't care for the 1st one I went to, but was very pleased with the second one. Hope yours gets better.
 
Hi Ken,

hope that you get better. Heck, there's a "marketplace" for carbide tools that needs to be filled.:wink: I'm sure that you have taught Andrew well and that both of you will succeed.
 
Sorry to hear about your troubles, but I think I agree with the recommendation to see a neurosurgeon. Nerve pain is rarely well controlled with narcotics, so that makes sense with your situation. Sometimes meds like lyrica or neurotin help, but I wouldn't rule out surgery.

One thing to consider is that untreated nerve compression can lead to permanent nerve damage, so you could get into a situation where things can't be made better.

I'm not a spine specialist, and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but it never hurts to listen to an expert... Go see the surgeon.
 
Ken my wife had c5 & c6 fused and the nuerosurgeon went in through the front so there is no damage like when an orhto doc goes in from the back and cuts all kind of things. She has been pain free for years and glad she did it.
 
el_d said:
Sorry to hear about that Ken. Looks like you need to become a pecil pusher. :eek:

I bet you'll have the best looking pencil of the bunch though. :wink:

Take it easy, let the young pup have a go at it and be careful. In fact wrap yourself in bubblewrap and mark it as "FRAGILE" (It's Italian.). :biggrin: :wink:
Click to expand...
Lupe We by bubble warp for the tools, I'm not sure if the big rolls we get would be enough to go around my fat arse, :redface:(thats French) I have this beautiful long click some Tejano sent me a while back:biggrin:

Woodlvr said:
Sorry to hear that Ken. I was just informed that I would need rods in my back if I want to ease the pain. Unfortunately heart issues come first. Take it real easy (yeah right- not from what I have heard about you) turn some pens and just be a supervising boss. (If possible).
P.S. I agree with Lupe about the bubble wrap-sounds like a good idea. LOL
Click to expand...
Mike, I've always been type A and sitting around is hard for me. but with my Diabetes and Heart, I'm not sure about surgery, but I'm pretty sure Andrew is close to ready to turn loose, he did a good job when I went on the vacation from Hades last year.

Twist-Ed said:
Hey Ken
Dont rule out the neurosurgeon.
I had both C5, and C6 totally deteriorated, causing 80% spinal cord compression.

Surgery consisted of removing a piece of my hip bone, entering through the front of my throat, removing deteriorated disk, replacing it with hip bone, a few nuts bolts and screws to hold it all togeather while the bones fuse.

That was 2 years ago, no more pain or spasims.
It sounds drastic but I would do it again

Good Luck
Ed McCabe
Ontario, Canada
Click to expand...
Ed the other thing they want to do is a hip replacement, LOL if I were a horse they would have put me out of my wifes misery about 10 years ago.

ctubbs said:
Ken, terrible about your pain. I had the same thing repaired last March at Jackson, TN. Semms_Murphy clinic Dr. Bernett did C6-C7 for me. Wonderful job. I hate doctors, my bride is an RN so you know who I go to for med advice. Seriously, give them a call for a consult if nothing else. They do great work and are not all that far from your home. You will need a refferal but your Chiropractor can do that for you. Their # is 731.423.1267. Good folks there. BTW, I do not get a finders fee.
Charles
Click to expand...

Charles, my primary Physician is going to go over options with me next Tuesday, I wonder what kind of pills he's going to throw at me this time!! I'll have my Chiro do a referral if it seems like I could withstand major surgery.

wood-of-1kind said:
Hi Ken,

hope that you get better. Heck, there's a "marketplace" for carbide tools that needs to be filled.:wink: I'm sure that you have taught Andrew well and that both of you will succeed.
Click to expand...

Peter, Andrew was one of my teachers pets, he was one of my last students and has a solid background what I didn't get to teach hi he learned from my predecessor, who is one of the best Machinists I've ever got to work with, and he's just a kid him self, he just turned 40. The part that ticks me off is I was just starting to get some decent looking bowls done.
 
Twist-Ed said:
Hey Ken
Dont rule out the neurosurgeon.
I had both C5, and C6 totally deteriorated, causing 80% spinal cord compression.

Surgery consisted of removing a piece of my hip bone, entering through the front of my throat, removing deteriorated disk, replacing it with hip bone, a few nuts bolts and screws to hold it all togeather while the bones fuse.

That was 2 years ago, no more pain or spasims.
It sounds drastic but I would do it again

Good Luck
Ed McCabe
Ontario, Canada
Click to expand...
I'm with Ed. Get it fixed. I am not going to bore anyone with my issues, but I feel darned good these days and have faced most all of your stuff plus heart work.
 
John I had a triple bypass in 2002 I'm just kind of afraid of getting cut on any more I think the term is Sissy or chicken might cover it as well. If my Primary says go for it, and my wife says OK I'll do it I guess, How much does it limit your bending your neck??
 
Ken my wifes mobility or loss was negligible she still sees behind her back when I do something stupid lol but seriously once you have the surgery it will be a whole new world.
Jerry
 
Ken the only thing I have had that you have mentioned is I had a triple by-pass in '98, still going good from that. Now I need to have knee replacement on both knees, for reasons I won't go into here, it will probably never be done. I am learning how to use a cane pretty good.
Please keep us informed of your prognosis.
 
Ken, sorry that you are going through so much pain. BUT I hope you trust your Doc enough that you will make the best decision for you. I hate Docs too, but I trust mine and if he felt that I needed surgery I would go. Best of luck!
 
Ken, I work as a construction electrician. I have to look up,down, right and left. Move my head around inside cabinets. I believe that I have better mobility since the surgery than before. YMMV
Charles
 
Thanks guys, I'll probably go with the Drs recommendation, he's kept me alive for the past 4 years, I've known for some time something would have to be done, but like I said "I is a Chicken"
 
Seer said:
Ken my wife had c5 & c6 fused and the nuerosurgeon went in through the front so there is no damage like when an orhto doc goes in from the back and cuts all kind of things. She has been pain free for years and glad she did it.
Click to expand...

Just a point of clarity, ortho docs do the same procedures for the problem that neurosurgeons do... Glad to hear the MRS is doing well.
 
Ken none of us can tell you what you need to do but YOU! Give it a lot of though, speak with the family talk with the doctors gather as much info as possible, then you'll do what only you can decide to do.
 
Well, been there, got the t-shirt. C-5 C-6 fusion 10 yrs ago. Just like Twisted-Ed said, kinda simple operation with a neck color for 6-8 weeks for stability and had all the strength back in my hands. Keep your head up and see the Dr. It's the best option.
 
Good luck, Ken! We are all pulling for you and Andrew. Since I dislike doctors as much as you, the only medical advice I can offer is to "check in with the MAN upstairs". His pricing is very reasonable, and all the advice he sent me has been right on the mark.
 
Hey Ken, Hang in there, talk to your pet doc, nod your head and say yes sir, and all that jazz then go get a second opinion somewhere else. After that, take the advise! You mention your bonecracker like you've been seeing him for a while, so he probably has some valid input too. But there's really no need to suffer with something like this forever. Git er fixed. I'm in the early stages of disk deterioration myself, regular doc says "nothing we can do about till it gets worse" so I'm working with a great chiropractor to try to correct the underlying alignment issues and take the strain off the disks before they go out on me too. Hope it works, or I'll be in the same shape you are in eventually.
 
Ken, I really can't tell you what you should do. I've never faced anything like this. Had some stiff neck issues on and off for a few years but even those went away. Not even that was constant pain. But I sure do hope you are able to do something about it. My neck was enough of a problem that I still sort of hold my breath when I think it could come back. In a way it's like living with hand cuffs on. Wishing you the best.
 
Ken, it sounds like you are at least thinking about getting it fixed. I have had two lower back surgeries. I abused my back too much when I was young. Bottom line, I am back to nearly 100%, no pain and just have to watch so I don't lift too much at a time. So I only use one woodchuck at a time when I am turning. Good luck
 
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All I can add is make sure the Doc makes you feel comfortable with him. Like I said in the previous post I made, the first Doc I went to said "You have a massive rotator cuff tear, you need to get it fixed, call when you are ready". Man, not a lot of confidence there. My kids found a guy on the internet 125 miles away in Austin, TX. I went to him and came away feeling 110% confident about having the surgery. He took the time to explain EVERYTHING and treated me like a human being and did great on the surgery. Like your Doc or don't do it. Those 2nd, 3rd or 4th opinions are well worth it. JMHO.
 
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