With a fused neck, my neck muscles are gaining up on me...

[Deja Q]

Hurts all the time. Dis-use. Obviously unable to use.

So fatigued. Tired...

[flamingyouth]

1. Which disks did you have fused?

[Deja Q]

2. 4/5. I also know that more will have to be in the future...

There is degeneration to vertabrae 2/3, and to 5/6.

I also know that between the fusion and October, 5/6 has degenerated further.

Activities at work I know have made an impact as well; I can feel the vertabrae grating.

I am mentally preparing myself for the worst. I've felt other things too.

[flamingyouth]

7. I have problems in the same spots.

I have opted against the fusions for now. Everyone I know who has had it has a similar story and it doesn't sound like much fun. :(

[LeftyMom]

3. Are you doing physical therapy?

My mom has fusions and a rod in her neck, physical therapy has helped to keep some of her range of motion. Massage might help too, if your doctor clears you for it and you cna find somebody competent and gentle enough not to cause more damage.

[Deja Q]

4. Yes, re: therapy. as for damage...

It's too late.

The core problems haven't even begun to dissipate, and the other ones (shoulder and arm tingling) are still there.

I will survive as long as I can. (which is a remarkable statement if you knew who I am... even if I do say myself myself, and some DUers equate me to "Marvin the paranoid android"...)

[LeftyMom]

5. Do you have degenerative disc disease?

That's my Mom's problem, she's had three fusions and they're considering a fourth right now. I'm having some neck problems that lead me to suspect I'll wind up going down the same road, I'm still trying to talk my primary care doctor into sending me to a specialist, though.

Take the best care of yourself you can, I know it's hard when you're hurting but it really will help with your mood.

[Deja Q]

6. Yes. My lower back is also affected...

Fortunately, degeneration is minimal and the discs are in passable shape.

I've started exercising and other means to take care of myself.

And when the time comes, I've done the research to take care of myself too.

[LeftyMom]

8. Lower backs seem to respond to surgery better, from what I've seen

My late stepdad had a 3 disc fusion in his lower back and it healed much better than my mother's neck work did. He was able to go back to a very physical job once he recouperated.

Mind, he had a ghastly scar that looked like a second asscrack in the middle of his back fat, but he was mobile and not in pain. It seemed to work out pretty well. (He died of something completely unrelated years later.)