boba

Hi Tom, I did PT for 8 weeks before surgery and am looking forward to getting back to it. I go for a recheck in 4 weeks and the surgeon will decide then if I can return to work and start PT. He mentioned 12 weeks of PT. Right now the pain in my arms is almost nothing and it sure feels good.

Thanks mscott, it's not like I have a lot to relearn, I just started shooting last spring and as soon as the weather breaks here I will be practicing on my range here at home.

Thanks Flex, that's fine.

Just thought I would updated this old thread. After months of PT, Spinal injections and lots of narcotics, surgery was done on 1/19. The herniated disk was removed and a cadaver bone was used to make up the space. I also have a metal plated screwed between the c5-c6 and a bone has been grafted over that. For the first time in months the arm pain is almost gone, I still have weakness in the right arm which may or may not return. I am looking forward to getting ready to shoot this seasons IPDA and USPSA local matches. It's going to feel good getting back into the swing of things. I have about 4 weeks I have to lay low and then back to work and more PT.

Prayers out to your father PB

Everyone thanks for the encouraging words and advise. Today the pain level is around a 2 and the unit seems to help. I have been working (I am a programmer). Sitting had been very painful and after the first couple of hours at the computer the pain gets to be a 8 - 9 even if I get up every 20 minutes or so. I just got a call from EMPI (manufacturere of the TENS unit I have) and they said that my Health Insurance would cover it less the deductible. This was a WC covered injury so now they have to go back to the WC for authorization. I will find out next week. PT has been very light so far due to the pain and muscle tension. Their goal behind the neck injection and this TENS unit is to get me to the point PT can actually work on me. The nuerosurgeon said that if I am not showing improvement after 30 days of PT then he is suggesting surgery. I plan on going to U of M for a second opinion and have them do the surgery if it comes to that. Thanks again everyone. Bob

Hi gang, I am finally in PT and had my first neck injection today. It's been about 6 hours and the pain is getting worse again. Yesterday I got a TENS unit for the PT people and it does help some and keeps me for using the Narcotics so much. Pain pills and muscle relaxers are not my choice of pain control and hopefully this will get me through the worse pain times. Anyway have any of you used the"TENS" as a long term pain control (IE 6 + months)? BTW the unit I have is a Empi Select.

My best wishes go out to your wife baerburtchell. I know first hand being in cronic pain any where can ruin your outlook on things real quick.

Well here in Mid Michigan gas was at 1.94 this morning and is now at 2.07...go figure.

We are at 2.54 here in the Lansing Mi area.

Enjoy and thanks for sharing with those of us not so fortunate this year.

Fall is my favorite time of the year also. I love the smell and cooler temps and the colors. It just doesn't seem to last as long as it use to. Lately we have been going right to the freezing temps.

Dan my hat is off to you and stick with your plan. I am also going to start a diary and like you there is a high possibility that I won't be able to stick to all the time. Like you have already stated I believe that the secret will be to not get discouraged about progress or the lack of time for the training planned.

Same here...best wishes to a speedy recovery

In 1988 I laid in traction in the hospital getting morphine shots every 3 hours. I had herniated the disk between the L5-S1 and the plan at that time was to be in traction for 7 days then PT until I got better. On the 4th day my bladder was no longer working and they decided to do surgery the next day. Less that 24 hours later I was going home, I took only asprin for a few days after the surgery. I was one of the lucky ones. The herniation I have now is out of it's casing and against the nerves. I have all the normal arm pain, numbness, hand tingling, burning in my neck plus the headache and my vision is effected. I will go the route of no surgery if I can avoid it. I should hear tomorrow when I go to the Neurosurgeon. Edited to add thank you for serving.