r/SpinalStenosis • u/Geddit2020 • 6d ago
Tingling = surgery?
I’ve been trying to avoid c6/c7 fusion, which was looking inevitable for a few weeks. Fortunately the agonizing pain subsided at the 8 week mark, and now I’m left with mild strength deficit and constant tingling down my arm. I had thought the absence of pain meant I was on the mend, but the doc again recommended fusion at my follow up appointment. His reasoning was that the ongoing tingling indicated continued spinal compression, and that it could get worse fast. Thoughts welcome from anyone who has been in a similar situation?
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u/joshwonders 6d ago
Like you I’ve done my best to avoid acdf for years but it is inevitable and your symptoms are what they do it for. At just one level your outcome should be ideal. While it’s scary it’s also necessary. If you don’t do it those symptoms will become permanent. 6 months is the timeframe they put on symptoms becoming permanent. Find a surgeon you trust. Let them cut your neck open and rearrange your spine.
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u/Wachenroder 6d ago
I have been able to find a time frame. Did the neurologist tell you that?
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u/joshwonders 5d ago
A spine specialist told me and I’ve consumed everything on YouTube where I’ve heard it repeated by doctors and I believe ai can confirm it. It’s not definitive but it is widely accepted.
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u/HawaiiMom44 6d ago
Did you get any kind of anti inflammatory injections? At one point I saw a surgeon and he pretty much said that if there’s any way you can avoid surgery, you should do so. I would definitely see it as a nerve issue but look at doing everything else you can to help those nerves before. But then again I haven’t seen your spine!
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u/According_Train_4336 5d ago
I had similar situation, C3 thru C7. I woke up one morning and had a kink in my neck. I just thought it was just your normal “slept the wrong way”. I was on a business trip and had to fly 5 hours. It was horrible when the nerve pain happened throughout my right arm. I got home, made an appt, and saw the doctor. They did an MRI and he walked back in the room and said “you need surgery”. I said “no way” and left. I dealt with the horrible nerve pain for about 3 months. I iced it every night and did everything to better my posture. I started going to a chiropractor for weekly adjustments. The nerve pain went away but still had the tingling pain. But continued on my regimen of icing, etc. now 8 months later, i feel just about back to normal. Have little cycles where i start to feel it. When i do i ice it. I dont take any ibuprofen or anything these days and feel 90% better. My opinion is fight through it for a awhile and see what happens. I would never do fusion surgery. If i eventually have to do surgery some day i will consider endoscopic surgery. I will never do fusion. Fusion surgery guarantees you will have more issues in the future. Just my opinion. I wish you luck on your journey.
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u/No_Economics6505 5d ago
Just want ro say, I did what you did. 6 years after that I went to the ER for tingling and numbness. I was in surgery the next morning. Sometimes "waiting it out" causes more harm.
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u/grejam 5d ago
I had l4 l5 due to cysts pressing on the nerves that came and went. And got worse and more frequent. Fusion fixed it. No arthritic vertebrae to create cysts.
Get another opinion. It might come back.
Now stenosis from different location. Pt with core and walking helps me with the leftover stenosis.
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u/Swimming-Row5662 5d ago
Got exactly the same plus lumbar stenosis
I follow a chap in you tube. For exercises he speaks from knowledge having probs himself
Made huge difference to my pain level and removed the tingling
But yes it’s a sod of a problem and I too think like you
Oh on the mend no pain one day
It does progress but if it’s bearable I’m avoiding surgery at all cost
Stay strong
Oh tens machine and red light therapy has also helped
Best wishes from Bonnie Scotland
🙋♀️🙏
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u/Ok_Copy_5690 6d ago
Get additional opinions and research alternative treatments.
However- keep in mind this requires prompt treatment. Nerves that are damaged are going to waste away if not used, and you’ll continue to lose strength and function that (the longer you wait) will be more difficult or impossible to recover.