posted
Good morning all, It's been a long time since i've visited mainly because there didn't seem to be any remedy for my constant back pain or ambulatory problems Now i have seen two surgeons who each have advised that i get titanium implants in my cervical spine to stop further compression of the discs in my neck to stop worsening of my balance problems and neck and shoulder pain this is not meant nor would it solve the lower back pain problems but they've made their case that we need to somehow stop the compression my question is has anyone had this done? any regrets? i have a mental resistance to putting metals in my body - i know that removing all metal fillings from my teeth was a good thing.... any replies would be appreciated.
Posts: 277 | From NY | Registered: Jun 2005
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My llmd sends a lot of patients to my chiro. The chiro told me of a story of one german patient who had been to a lot of doctors in europe for her lyme but they couldn't help her. She ended up with my llmd in the US. She got an apartment and started IV for 6-9 months (his protocol).
I can't remember the whole story but one of her symptoms was that she would pass out when standing. They sent her to a surgeon in Florida who does this new surgery on the C1 vertebrae. She had it done and most if not all of her lyme symptoms went away. So much so she stopped IV and all lyme treatment and returned to Europe.
I tell you this and cant remember the surgeon. I will try and remember to ask my chiro. However it sounds like your issue is more than c1.
Posts: 846 | From Somewhere | Registered: Nov 2010
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kgg
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5867
posted
I understand the concern. But the metal you had removed from your teeth was toxic. They have been using Titanium for a long time. Think, fractured hips, knee replacements, etc. Failed ones are not from the metal but from poor placement.
Have you discussed your concerns with your physician? Sometimes it is not ideal to have surgery. Many times there is no choice. The choice is to stay in pain. To me, that is not an option. Quality of life is huge with me. Especially as a Lyme patient.
Posts: 1737 | From Maine | Registered: Jun 2004
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posted
the surprise in this story is that my lower back and hip pain is much worse than the cervical pain, i really haven't focused on the pain because so intermittent and not as serious in the neck as opposed to the back of course now that they showed me the mri images i can see the damage in the neck and it explains the numbness and tingling in my arms
the odd thing is every one i've seen about the back says it's not surgery ready....yet that is what cripples me....and it is so much worse if i take a statin, i can't walk, but this cervical spine surgeon looked at the lumbar results and said no, that's not where a problem really is
yet both neck surgeons said this surgery won't cure the back pain....i can only hope they're just a little bit wrong about that....but i am going to have metal allergies tested....i've known for years that there are some eating utensils which when i hold them send tingling sensations up my hands and arms, so that was a good suggestion about the titanium thanks.
Posts: 277 | From NY | Registered: Jun 2005
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kgg
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5867
posted
Statins are horrible. I would not take one. Muscle pain, insomnia, depression, etc. Probably one of the worse meds out there. Cholesterol is important. Especially to coating nerves.
Yes, you do not want to lose use of your arms if you are having numbness and tingling.
I am going to ask, although you may roll your eyes. Have you seen a good chiropractor for all of this back stuff?
I have left thoracic outlet syndrome. With numbness, tingling and weakness. I went to a chiropractor three times and the numbness and tingling is gone. I am also working on my posture. But just saying it was helpful to me. I would do that before surgery
Posts: 1737 | From Maine | Registered: Jun 2004
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Bartenderbonnie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 49177
posted
I have had an ACDF C5-C6 with solid fusion. Titanium metal, screws and cadaver bone almost 25 years ago. I broke and shattered C-5 while doing backflips off a pool deck.
My Neurologist, who was a genius surgeon, told me numerous times how lucky I was to be alive and to not be a paraplegic. In fact he couldn’t believe I got out of hospital bed and took a shower 3 days post surgical. (got yelled at by nurses).
Your numbness and tingling in arms is a precursor of what may lie ahead for you. It is serious for mobility and quality of life.
Post-surgical pain is post-surgical pain, it’s horrible but controllable. Make sure you discus pain management before any procedure, state what YOU require !
I did lose an octave of vocal range, they cut me through front, slid vocal cords to the side to access cervical spine. I returned to work in 6 months with no residual damage.
I would never let a chiropractor near my neck.
A neck surgery will not address your back issues although you did not state what is wrong with your back.
I also have L4-L5 herniated disk. Neuro said no surgery, that’s a good thing. I have good results with prolotherapy but without practicing proper back health, ie no heavy lifting, bending at knees and not back, back exercises ect, you will just be throwing your money away.
This September my health declined, dizziness, tinnitus, back and neck and shoulder pain. Back to Neuro. Ordered me cervical MRI at University hospital. State of the art MRI machine, 15 minutes total scan.
Minimal changes at ACDF fusion. Not bad after 25 years! But herniated disk at C6, conservative approach advised. Neuro also stated that my herniated disk would not cause my current symptoms.
Referred me to Verigo Clinic so I’m back in the medical maze. I do believe my C6 herniated disk is to blame with Neuro Lyme thrown in but I will never get that diagnosis.
Good luck on what ever you decide. You are doing the right thing by researching to make a uniform decision.
Thank you Guardian Angel 👼
Posts: 3044 | From Florida | Registered: Nov 2016
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posted
We are so complicated. What works for one doesn't for another.
I have lower back pain from sciatica--severe stenosis. I haven't had any surgeries or medical procedures.
Herb patches on my lower back have slowly lowered the pain level. PM me for product info.
Acupuncture every 2 weeks may or may not be helping with pain, but seems to be helping in other ways.
I found out a certain infection seems to be present with stenosis. I use my rife machine to target it, and it helps.
I have to wear shoes that correct over-pronation. When the inserts wear out, I have pain in the hips and lower back along with foot and ankle pain.
Also, I use a book that is called Pain Free by Pete Egoscue, which I highly recommend for chronic pain control.
I had trouble believing that holding a certain position could help so much with pain--until I tried it.
The "exercise" disengages the muscles from trying to compensate for pain. When my muscles are relaxed, the pain is far less.
There's many positions, exercises, for various muscle group pain.
Sometimes I have to go down a checklist to figure out what I've left out to manage pain. It's a constant in my life.
I know all these things won't help everyone, but if any are of use, I'm glad to share it.
Posts: 554 | From New Mexico, USA | Registered: May 2007
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posted
I haven't had the titanium implants in my spine, but I did have a metal-free journey with my teeth fillings. It's a personal call, but if it helps with your balance and pain, might be worth considering.
Posts: 8 | From United States | Registered: Dec 2023
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