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Hi Kim you are right that pain makes people look older. I definetely look a lot of older after more than 2 years of sever chronic pain. Unfortunately I made the bad decision in August 2023 to get laser surgery at the Deukspine Institute Florida for my neck left C5-C6, C6-C7 Deuk Laser Disc Repair. He also performed bilateral rhizhotomies from C5-T1 which caused a dropped head. Since coming back to Australia my symptoms, have got a lot worse. I suffer chronic burning and stabbing pain in both sides of my neck with referred pain to my shoulders, shoulder blades, arms, hands and fingers. I go through horrible muscle spasms, stiffness of the neck. I tried physiotherapy, heat, cold packs, gentle stretches, exercises, relaxation therapy, opioids but nothing really helps. I feel totally exhausted like you due to the constant stress and lack of sleep. Two neurosurgeons told me here in Melbourne Aus no surgery for me anymore, just pain management which is not working well for me. I am upset with myself for getting this operation.that cost me $72K. I wish that I never did this and used non surgical therapies instead, but I was desperate. I hope that time will be kind to us eventually. Dont' get a spine stimulator because I read that people in Australia died when they had these devices installed in their spine. Stay away from more surgeries. Watch the ABC 4Corners: Pain Factory documentary on youtube. Big eye opener.

Do you think a vibration plate is ok to use with if you had a acdf c4-c7 a year ago?

I'm 2 1/2 years post c 4 corpectomy with c3/4 and 4/5 instrumented fusion. Still symptomatic, which was always likely to be the case. I am now waiting an ACDF at C5/6 with my neurosurgeon as there remains a compression at that level. I agree, adjusting to a new norm is definitely something I've learnt since surgery. We just need to keep going, keep moving and face symptoms of pain, dexterity, sensory loss & disruption and mobility.💪🏻😀

What happened to your neck to have the surgery four years ago?

I had surgery last July 2023 in my C3 to C5 vertebrae , and I know that my C5 to C7 levels are also bulging, particularly the C5-C6 area, which is quite pronounced. I'm looking forward to visiting a rheumatologist soon, as I've been experiencing cramps in my right hand and arm from time to time. Additionally, I'm eager to find out more about the constant soreness in my upper back along the shoulder blade. I'm hopeful that these appointments will lead to some answers and a plan for relief.

Adapting has been hard to the numbness and pain. I still use a walker. Only my family and friends understand. I had ACD and fusion cervical six to 7 and laminectomy to thoracic. Basically 3 plates and 12 screws in my cervical. Going on 3 years. I have more issues that my neurosurgeon said is a much more risky surgury and if I choose to have it then he will do it but for now I'd rather deal with this than more. It's great you have options and then decide if its worth it. I havent been back to see everything fuse BUT I did get a Mylogram to see what else is going on with my spine. It was well worth it to have peace of mind.

'The patient life becomes normal' - double air fist pump when I heard that and you're spot on, we adapt. I have 8 appointments this month as I head into surgery in February to hopefully fix the last effects of my C4-T3 laminectomy (SEP20). I always try to approach each morning that every day is a good day knowing that some are going to be better than others, but it's another day. My happiness bar is pretty low so I appreciate the small things even more knowing it can be a lot worse. You, keep trucking & keep helping people too. That alone can be it's own energy!

Hi Kim. You're looking good. Thank you for the update and videos. Happy New Year !!!

I'm dealing with the same after my C4-7 ACDF from August 2023. Talked with one surgeon who suggested a C2-T2 fusion (no other options). I'm currently seeking other opinions

Please keep us updated after you try out the prism glasses. I've had what was basically a laminoplasty on multiple levels about 10 months ago and it didn't help with any of my symptoms in the slightest. I've been told to get my eyes checked out for BVD by the person who did my follow up neck x-ray. I thought it was just BS to make money on expensive glasses. So I'm very interested to know if it's gonna help you. Hopefully it does. And just a personal opinion. Don't mess with your face! You're pretty and aging naturally always looks better than surgery. So many celebrities have done that and look worse. Poor Meg Ryan among others.

اشعر وكأن عمري ٨٠ سنة ٣ غضاريف في الرقبة الم الرقبة مع الكتف واليد الم شديد بشكل يومي بالاضافة الى الم وركي وساقي الايسر سياتيكا كذلك الم شديد اتناول المسكنات بشكل يومي كرهت الحياة اصابني اكتئاب بسبب الالم معظم وقتي مستلقية

Happy New Year 2025.

You are helping so many of us that have had similar experiences following a multi fusion ACDF surgery. I’m 2 years out & am having challenges with pain and muscle imbalance. Im working with a new physical therapist and as you perfectly said adjusting to the “new normal “. Blessings to you and your sweet kitty - sending both of you healing thoughts & thank you for being a resource for those of us dealing with these challenging situations. You look amazing and Happy New Year! 2025 Will be a better year 🙏

Hope kitty realizes how lucky he is to have you.

I've been watching your vlog since the beginning. I had the same surgery as yours (mine was September 2024) with basically the same results. I remember you said you vacuumed and lifted something and figured that's what made things go bad. I personally kind of think they're destined to go bad (even though I might have prematurely rode my Harley). Right now I have a surgeon who is going to do radio frequency ablation (RFA) in 6 of the nerve spaces in my neck to try to alleviate some of the pain. I was wondering if you ever had looked into the possibility of having ablations? I'm having it next week - I'll message again if it did any good or not. I'm 73 so things may not work out as well as they might with you. Have a Happy New Year, and I hope it gets better!

OMG! I am wearing prism glasses as I'm watching this! They are not prescription, and I ordered them from Amazon. They allow me to lie down and read while I'm looking straight up. Also, I will sit up and look straight ahead while I look at something in my lap. This allows me to relax from all the neck flexing from normal phone or computer use. I am just over 3 months out from surgery (single level). I was still having quite a lot of pain - in the last few weeks, equal to before surgery. Being at work (computer) is the worse time for pain. I saw someone on my Facebook feed in the hospital after a procedure who had to lie flat for a day - they had the glasses. I thought if I wasn't having to look down as much, I might have a better chance to heal. So I don't know if your prism glasses are the same (some call them 'lazy glasses'), but even within the week, I have managed to cut the pain meds by about a third. I go back to work Thursday, so I'll have to see how I can adapt there. If I am still having pain at the end of February, I have to go back in for imaging. I know you've been through it and are still looking for improvements, and I certainly send best and healthy wishes for the New Year.

wow !! that nurse sucks. who did u see there ? Vaccaro ? heard a few talks of his. supposed to be one of top guys buy insufferable to talk to or listen to. I've been to Frank Camissa at HSS .He was very professional and gave all the time I needed to understand. He does not take insurance and charges 600 bucks for consult. I think that was worth it but disappointed and think it's ridiculous about not taking insurance . seems ultra greedy. HSS is number one for spine and ortho. also Dan Riew at Cornell is probably top 2 guys in Cervical. simple google search will provide more info. I'm in process of getting appt with Riew. Dr Riew is world renowned in Cervical

facelift ??? you don't have one wrinkle !! lol. your gorgeous . you need nothing. btw. most likely getting ACDF soon. 5 years of fighting it. all the symptoms of twitching , numbness, pain down arm, c3,4,5,6

Good luck Kim...and kitty🐾 Happy New Year 🎉

Still keeping up with you Kim. Really rooting for you! Don't give up. I'm having a lot of issues from my failed disc replacement / single level fusion from October 2020. Sucks, but we have to manage the best we can!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I'm 4 months out from my c3/c4, c4/c5 surgery and my symptoms are better regarding hand function and pain/pins and needles in my arms but I'm still getting quite a bit of pain in my neck. All the follow up scans show that the surgery is fine but people assume that because the surgery has been done the pain goes straight away. I don't really have a question but it's just frustrating. You shouldn't do anything to your face, you always look great

The new norm is a great way to describe it! I had 3 levels fused last December at Jefferson Cherry Hill. My left thumb is still numb and inside my left elbow has constant discomfort. My new Cadillac neck hates the cold air and it hates flexing up & down. Looking up on store shelves is painful, reaching above my head is painful. Not excruciating pain but enough to remind me I had surgery. I also wear prism glasses, I have vertical insufficiency, loss of depth perception etc. and I get Botox injections for migraines, the migraines are apparently coming from above my c-3/c-6 fusion. Back in physical therapy to work on my range of motion.. turning my head to clear traffic is still very uncomfortable.. 2025 we will figure this out! Hang in there!!!❤️

did your original surgeon not do a ct scan to see if they have fused ? if not why ?

Hi Kim, I’m Adam 47yrs old I had acdf c4-c7 surgery 20 months ago and I believe that I am experiencing a failed surgery. Im dealing with slots of muscle tightness and spasticity Iv slowly been losing my ability to walk, do stairs , even drive. My freedom Iv been following you on TH-cam since my surgery I have learned a lot from watching your videos I feel we share lot of the same symptoms and worries as well as view points. I can hear my words coming out of your mouth your words hit me like a freight train your tears and your fears cause I’m in the same boat and it very scary. Iv done 20 long months of research and you and your symptoms are the closest iv found to my own. I just had more MRI done the other day which looks to be pointing towards more compression in my neck area my doctor is now going to start Botox injection in all effected muscles. Anyways as you know the symptoms go on and on really what I’m saying is thank you for videos and advice as well as sharing your experiences!

Iam 2 months out from acdf c3,c4,c5,c6,c7 AND posterior c3,c4,c5,c6,c7 both done two days apart in October. Honestly best thing that done, yes the first month sucked in a collar. Getting up and walking is the key, push yourself a little every day just dont over Do It. Yes still tenderness, posterior a lot with feels like skin pulling probably muscles healing back together. Tell your surgeon you want a bone stimulator so the fusions fusion. I been through 4 neck surgeries and trust me each time is worse going back.

Hi, Kim. I think you and I might be living parallel lives 😊. I had posterior cervical fusion C5-C6-C7 in performed in July of 2020. My main symptoms were electric sensations in my right arm when I leaned my head back and severe pain in my right shoulder blade. The fusion stopped the symptoms, but I lost a fair amount of range and motion. A year ago the symptoms came back. I had an epidural performed that caused a vasovagal attack (very scary). I spent a day in the hospital as a result. But my symptoms receded. That lasted until October 28 of this year. I woke up in the middle of the night with severe pain in my back and arm. I’ve had four MRIs is the space of three weeks. The first three failed because I couldn’t lie flat long enough to complete the scan. The pain was too intense, even with Valium and Percocet. Finally, I traveled to Tennessee (I live in MS) for an MRI with anesthesia on November 26. Last week I had an EMG conducted which showed bad results. I lost about 70% of my motor function in my right hand on October 31. It hasn’t returned even though the pain has subsided. That has me very worried. I tried physical therapy but that just added the electrical sensations back to my hand along with the dysfunction. I spoke with my neurosurgeon today. I’m scheduled for a myelogram on Jan 3, 2025. Then he may perform a laminectomy on my C3-C5 level. I have pretty severe stenosis along that section. And then he may perform a fusion at C7-T1. It’s scary, but not being able to walk or losing the function of my hand is scarier. You’re still young so that’s a plus in your situation. I hope you can get some resolution to your problems and retain a reasonable quality of life for a long, long time. Best wishes. Greg

I've been in chronic pain in lower neck for 10 years with no diagnosis except degenerative disk disease. Doctor's could not figure it out because I don't have radiculopathy in arms. The pain is the weight bearing down on degraded structures impinging nerves. Muscles sense the unstable neck and grab it tight causing knots and myofascial pain syndrome. Deep massage causes temporary radiculopathy when muscles released. I'm going to have a laser facet debridement with an endoscope to clean the area up and then looking at ADR within a year from now. Might go to Germany for it because plans here don't pay.

I had a 2 level(c5-c6 & c6-c7) disc replacement in 2021. The lower disc failed and sank into my c7 vertebrae almost immediately. Had it removed and replaced almost 3 years later(always fight for yourself if you're in tons of pain) with a fusion at c6-c7. Its been 10 months since the fusion, and I'm in a ton of pain. It comes in waves and some days are awful, some are tolerable. My bone shows good growth between levels. You CAN have lots of pain even with a good bone fusion. Either way, its still considered a "failed surgery" because you're in pain. Be careful with the hip bone graft, as I understand it, it can be more painful where they take the bone from than your spine pain.

I've been in chronic bad neck pain in the c7 area for 10 years. Also have chronic severe photophobia all my life. No radiculopathy though and docs still haven't diagnosed. Recently had a diagnosis from German clinic for 3 level disk replacement. That's seems to be where a lot of these neck pain issues are going rather than fusion.

Hopefully things go well !

Best of luck to you. I had C5-C7 replaced 26 months ago. It went very well for me. I do have some physiologic tremor in my right arm but it is improving.

Appreciate your Honesty!!

السبب وراء المك هو عدم الاندماج بين الفقرات اعتقد ذلك الف سلامة انا عندي ثلاث غضاريف واخاف أن يقول لي الطبيب يجب عملية واعيش مع الالم بشكل يومي

Just curious if they've brought up the possibility of using hollow artificial spacers instead of your own hip bone considering you mentioned your initial surgery they used cadaver bone. I'm only 3 month's post C4-C7 ACDF and as of my last follow up with my surgeon on 11-27-24 I'm obviously not fused yet but he was definitely pleased with my progress and scans enough to give me a full release back to work. I'm a Union Pipefitter/Welder so in order to be allowed back to work from medical leave I can't have any physical restrictions so I'm happy to say my recovery has been going extremely well as my surgery date was just 09-03-24 so only 3 months to full work release in a physically demanding trade.

Very pretty lady.

Have had 2 Fusions. Won't be a 3rd. Pain is just not worth it. Changes you. Prayers too you.

Kim i had the same surgery October 2023 i get pain in my arms my fingers get cold and tingle.I had a EMG done last week i was told results were normal. They told me i could do therapy and lyric. I also get a pressure around my head feels like i have a cup on but they don't believe my cap feeling

Highly recommend being looked over for EDS. Dx can definitely help with care plans for the future - in all areas of health! Best of luck you <3

I had 3 levels 4/24. I don’t know if my cadaver bone is fusing or not. I’ve been wearing a bone growth stimulator and have to wear it 6 months, 4 hrs a day. Hoping that helps. Anyways…..if I was told what they said to you (what a bitch that lady was!) I would go back to original surgeon and get that done. If that was an issue, then I would go to a neurosurgeon and get their opinion BEFORE you tell them what the university recommended!!! Then I would ask if they can get bone from another area since that area is supposedly VERY painful. This is my opinion. I love and appreciate your videos! You made me feel less alone during a surgery I had put off for 2 years ❤❤❤❤❤

I had ACDF 4-7 four years ago and have had no complications. My surgeon used bone from my sternum to insert into the grafts using a small incision on my chest, and other than soreness, no problems from that. My last follow up about 6 months after surgery showed complete fusion. Using my own bone may have been the differnce, but everyone is different, but I do hope it works out well for you. Take care and good thoughts your way!

First forget about the original surgeon. Second get the CT scan. Third get one more opinion from a top neurosurgeon/orthopedic in your area. If you're in doubt throw it out. Your instinct will tell you the decision you make with which doctor and procedure will be with trust, confidence and comfortabilty.

If you didn’t fuse and they have to remove everything, why not do artificial discs? Mine fused really well with the cadaver bone but I followed the instructions religiously. I took 5000 iu D and 1200 calcium and used collegen peptides. I did not touch ibuprofen nor ANY NSAID’s since they interfere with fusion. But if I had to do it all over again, I would go for artificial discs to preserve range of motion.

Hi Kim, I always enjoy your posts and I couldn’t agree with you more about it being off putting when doctors don’t want you to research your own condition. I have been lucky to find both doctor and physical therapist that encourage me to share what I’ve learned off the Internet and steer me in the right direction. Also, I’d like to mention that both my doctor and my physical therapist said my hypermobility was a major issue in my conditions Never was an issue when I was younger, but as my pain has progressed I continued to do range of motion work but. Pretty much stopped lifting or doing cardio. The docs told me no more yoga, do muscle activation instead.

Thanks for the update! It seems that your spirits are good which obviously is important! Information is key and I always go with the Dr I think is most competent first, after seeking multiple optinions. Glad you are keeping that wonderful smile and again thanks for the update!

Don’t do a posterior laminectomy without fusion. You’ll end up with postoperative kyphosis.

I would take one step at a time. Get the CT scan, then reevaluate. The CT scan may give you confidence in one approach or the other. For example, if the CT scan confirms this latest surgeon's suspicions, then you may feel more comfortable with his appoach. If you still feel uncomfortable after the CT scan, then you can seek another opinion. I believe Mayo Clinic may offer a remote service for second opinions. VSI in Reston, VA also has a good reputation for revisionary work and could offer an opinion. I would see what the CT scan says before making any decisions though. More testing is good! Better to have as much information as possible.

Don’t go back to the original surgeon. If it didn’t fuse, it’s partly the surgery. Very surprised you haven’t had a CT scan till now. That’s the only way to determine non-union. CT scan will help you answer what to do next. If it clearly shows non-union then this rec makes sense. Once you fuse more levels, or do a laminectomy, there’s no going back . Worth it to Get a third opinion.

Yeah I hate to say it, but get a 3rd or even 4th surgeon and just get more opinions. You owe it to your Future self to be *thorough*. The advantage of seeing a 3rd or 4th is that you can tell them what other approaches have been recommended, and ask their opinion. The more information the better. For my fusion they used my bone spurs as the donor bone. As I understand things have a better chance if healing if it's not foreign. Having said that I'm not sure yet if mine has fused as of 6 months (talking w/ surgeon tomorrow) Best of luck!

Hello, I'm giving you an update on my c3-c5 laminoplasty surgery. The surgery is painful and I'm not sure if it help my lower extremities issue yet because it's been 5 weeks. But I'm going to PT and I'm able to do that. FYI I know what your going through with the Doctor situation because all surgeons has an ego. Just follow your own heart and you will find the answer.

I had two ACDFs 13 months ago , and very luckily mine are so far so good. In terms of you, hopefully the cat scan will give you a lot more information to work with . For what it’s worth , I would go with the full "redo" of your prior operation. Why? Because the only reason you are contemplating another operation now is because you currently have a ”problem” Getting a secondary operation is like putting a band-aid on the problem and not actually addressing the problem! Doing remedial work from the ground up is usually the best way to fix something. And , as the one doctor says , you can also fall back on the other surgery if the remedial work does not fix your issues. Anyways, good luck and the above is just my opinion !!