Surgery with Dr. Lenke

[leahdragonfly]

Gayle and everyone, what should I worry about on massage. Sounds great but very scary. What should I tell the massause NOT to do? The physical therapist did some upper back massage and got rid of some painful knots.
Susan

Hi Susan,

I would first make sure it is ok with Dr Hu. Dr Hart told me 'no one touches your back' for the first I think 6 weeks at least, if not more. I didn't get my first massage until a few months out, and I was extremely nervous. I went to a masseuse I had been to many times, explained to her I had had the huge surgery, and told her that I needed nothing to hurt about that first massage! She was very gentle. I was nervous and a little sweaty but it gave me courage to go back again a few months later. I really didn't enjoy having a massage until closer to 8-9 months out.

I make sure any masseuse I see knows the magnitude of the two surgeries I had. I tell them specifically that they can not press down over the spine with their body weight. I also told them early on that they could massage gently along the sides of the spine but not directly over the middle. I might suggest starting with a 30 minute massage as one hour to lay on that table is too much in the early months.

[loves to skate]

Doreen,
I am so sorry this is happening to you with you neck. I have similar issues with my neck, but it doesn't sound as bad as yours. Almost two years ago my neck acted up and the back of my head on one side was numb. After a course of oral cortisone, it started to improve and has been pretty good since. I hear a lot of cracking and crunching in my neck but it doesn't seem to hurt. Inheriting DDD and osteoarthritis is a horrible thing. I hope you get relief soon.
Sally

[susancook]

Hi Susan,

I would first make sure it is ok with Dr Hu. Dr Hart told me 'no one touches your back' for the first I think 6 weeks at least, if not more. I didn't get my first massage until a few months out, and I was extremely nervous. I went to a masseuse I had been to many times, explained to her I had had the huge surgery, and told her that I needed nothing to hurt about that first massage! She was very gentle. I was nervous and a little sweaty but it gave me courage to go back again a few months later. I really didn't enjoy having a massage until closer to 8-9 months out.

I make sure any masseuse I see knows the magnitude of the two surgeries I had. I tell them specifically that they can not press down over the spine with their body weight. I also told them early on that they could massage gently along the sides of the spine but not directly over the middle. I might suggest starting with a 30 minute massage as one hour to lay on that table is too much in the early months.

Thanks, Gayle! Susan

[susancook]

Looks like my neck is collapsing. :-\

While my Nero did not fine MS lesions, she found this:

The lesions are called osteophyte complex (bone spurs). The bigger of the two is at C3-4 and the smaller is at C4-5 and C5-6.

Level C3-4

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-di...e-complex.htm#

The same level also has retrolisthesis which is magnifying the bone spur.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retrolisthesis

This spur is showing thinning of the sac where the spinal fluid is along with narrowing

Level C4-5 also has a bone spur but none of the other things mentioned above.

Level C5-6 also has a bone spur. There is moderate-severe narrowing of disc space and height.

Level C6-7 is normal

So there is multi level DDD degenerative disc disease (this is what was happening in my lumbar), degenerative retrolisthesis, bone spurs, etc.

If it's not not one thing it is another.

Welcome to the DDD community. Sorry that you are among us, aging is a bummer sometime! I hope that you find relief!
Susan

[babyboomer16]

Hi Doreen, I just got back from seeing Dr. Lenke again, and saw your post!! OMG!! You poor thing~~~ I was wondering what your next step is? The weirdest thing happened when we were checking in to our room at Parkway Hotel, we saw two people checking in that resembled you and your hubby. The woman was tall and slim and the guy's head was shaved and we almost walked up to them, but Jim said"no that's not Doreen." Now that I read this thread I am really wondering. I knew you had your one yr. check-up with Lenke. already. So I was pretty sure it wouldn't be you. How are you? I guess you knew I fell and broke a rod. At first Dr. Lenke thought I could live with it, but it got too painful. So I am going o have revision surgery the 31st of May. That's the plan. He's going to reinforce me from T12 to my pelvis. I know how it feels to fall and not be able to get up. I have fallen more than once. I landed on my knee very hard this last time. It caused severe pain in my right buttock. And I also went on the steroids for six days prescribed by Lenke. Where all the things you are talking about caused by the fall? Or we're you having problems already? Let me know, as I am worried about you . I'll be praying for you. You were doing so good. Many good vibes coming your way! Linda

[Doreen1]

Hi Linda,

Sorry you have to have another surgery, but happy to hear Lenke can take care of it soon. I've been having a lot of numbness issues prior to the fall, but the fall magnified things. No, I wasn't in STL recently. After talking with Lenke's office the other day, they referred me to Dr. Riew also at Barnes, cervical specialist. Riew's nurse was very nice and asked me a lot of questions about what areas were numb, balance issues, etc. My 2 year follow up apt with Lenke is Oct 16. I wanted to schedule an appointment with Riew around the same day, but he will be gone that entire week. His nurse said I probably don't want to waif long to see him because of the increasing numbness.

I have an apt May 28 with locaL cervical specialist; I want to know how fast things are deteriorating. Then I'll make an appt with Riew for a second opinion. Fortunately, Riew is covered on my insurance and if I need surgery, I definitely want someone recommended by Lenke.

The steroid pack didn't help. Did it help you?

[babyboomer16]

Hi Linda,

Sorry you have to have another surgery, but happy to hear Lenke can take care of it soon. I've been having a lot of numbness issues prior to the fall, but the fall magnified things. No, I wasn't in STL recently. After talking with Lenke's office the other day, they referred me to Dr. Riew also at Barnes, cervical specialist. Riew's nurse was very nice and asked me a lot of questions about what areas were numb, balance issues, etc. My 2 year follow up apt with Lenke is Oct 16. I wanted to schedule an appointment with Riew around the same day, but he will be gone that entire week. His nurse said I probably don't want to waif long to see him because of the increasing numbness.

I have an apt May 28 with locaL cervical specialist; I want to know how fast things are deteriorating. Then I'll make an appt with Riew for a second opinion. Fortunately, Riew is covered on my insurance and if I need surgery, I definitely want someone recommended by Lenke.

The steroid pack didn't help. Did it help you?

I am so sorry this is happening with you! You're so active in so many ways!!! Yes, the steroid PAC did help me. But I have been off of them for a while now and things are biting bad again. I also take a muscle relaxer. They seem to help, but I think my situation is probably different from yours. I wouldn't wait til Oct. if you can get in any sooner. However, you are seeing a local specialist the 28th. Yes, I read your posts. How scared you must have been when testing for MS. It sounds like you have DDD in your neck. Each vertebrae effects a certain part of the body. I googled it one time and it showed how each and every one will effect arms, hands, feet ,heart, fingers,legs and on and on. I certainly hope it's something they can fix to make you feel better. Keep us in the loop. Sincerely, Linda
.

[scooter950]

where there is "spine" there is pain....

oof I am so sorry to read your posts about your C spine problems. I have been following your posts and the fall sounded so frightening, and now this recurring c spine issues! sending prayers xxx Jamie in TX

[Doreen1]

Hi Jamie,
Can you tell me about your c spine journey?

oof I am so sorry to read your posts about your C spine problems. I have been following your posts and the fall sounded so frightening, and now this recurring c spine issues! sending prayers xxx Jamie in TX

[Doreen1]

July 2011 MRI
Cervical MRI July 2011 Marked.jpg

May 2013 MRI
Cervical MRI May 2013 Marked.jpg

[Confusedmom]

Doreen,

I just wanted to chime in and let you know I'm thinking of you as well. I'm actually really sad to learn of your neck problems, especially since you seemed to be having a role model recovery up to this point. Hang in there--you're a tough lady and will work this out!!

Evelyn

[hasteffen]

Hey Doreen,
So sorry to hear about all the issues you are having. Just wanted you to know that my one year post op appointment is Oct. 16th. I hope we can meet then. I will probably fly into STL the night before.
Best,
Heidi

[Doreen1]

Very cool, Heidi! The 16th is my birthday.

[hasteffen]

Happy early, early birthday! Hopefully, you will get great news... see you there. What time is your appointment? I think mine is at 10

[golfnut]

I hope you can meet. I have been fortunate to meet several wonderful people from the forum in person many months after corresponding on the forum or through emails in Dr. Lenke's waiting room.