I know decompression surgery does not always rememdy the pain issue..It depends on how long your nerves have been compressed and how much damage their is..their is a test they can do to see how much relief you can get from decompression surgery.
The test is called a scalene block if you get relief than surgery may help your pain levels..Sometimes the surgery may not cure your pain completely but to even reduce you pain level some could dramatically increase quality of life. As for me and this is my opinion even if Im left with some pain..Id rather have the function of my arm back fully..no question about it. Im going to see Dr. Meyer about my situation in Ala. I will let you know what he says..good luck Kathleen in whatever you decide..just remember this is your life and only you can decide whats best for you..Amelia
Newbie Need Help!
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Re: Newbie Need Help!
I was in a car accident in july,99 doc's here wouldnt even do a MRI where I told them my pain was.(left scapla) Did have a fusetion of c5-c6 but it done nothing. then a nother Doc said it was in my shoulder opp. nope nothing thereno tear nothing, I done the pain clinc only made it worse, had nerve blocks didnt help, Doc's here gave up, the pain clinc only wants to give you pills to cover up the pain, not fix the injury. I'm tring to get my inc. to pay for me to go to Dr.Nath but like most they dont want to pay for it.
Re: Newbie Need Help!
I hope I'm wrong but I don't beleive surgey will help with the pain. I think lots of us just suffer through each day. Against dr.s advice I stopped using my affected arm and finally got some pain relief. This life change allowed me to eliminate the nasty painkillers. My work required 2 arms so I stopped when my insurance began to pay. I was stupid to wait 2 years while my insurance company played their games.
My unaffected arm is now overused and in peril. My neurologist told me not have surgery and that it would be of no use. However I have tried injections, PT, & tens units. Nothing gave me the relief that changing my life style gave! Be careful with surgery - get lots of advice before signing up with a surgeon.
My unaffected arm is now overused and in peril. My neurologist told me not have surgery and that it would be of no use. However I have tried injections, PT, & tens units. Nothing gave me the relief that changing my life style gave! Be careful with surgery - get lots of advice before signing up with a surgeon.
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Re: Newbie Need Help!
I wish I had of seen this sooner. This is amelia and I did go to Dr.Meyer. I went to the great Dr.Klein in New Orleans big waste of time as well as about 4 other neurosurgeons. My EMG results scared them all. They would not "experiment" with decompression as Dr.Tiel said and so I finally went to Dr.Nath. He has saved my life. I would be very happy to show anyone here before and after photos of my winging. Also my pain is gone from the LTN injury. In his surgical report he found my LTN was scarred from a strech injury which was my severe whiplash from a man rearending me at 60mph. Also the LTN was in the shape of an hourglass as it exited the scalene muscles due to the whiplash causing scar tissue there. I woke up from surgery May 13,05 and was better but still winging slightly. 6 weeks after that pain free and no winging. Went on vacation to key west to celebrate. After 2yrs though your chances of recovery like mine are no where near as good. Dr.Nath will tell you you have a window of about 6months after injury or so to heal all the way if you will. To me the surgery was worth the risk. One night in the hospital and the next day I was sitting in a resurant with my sister eating. I also met the woman who Dr.Nath operated on before me. She had here LTN severed during a mastectomy in FL by a surgeon. Dr. Nath as she told me is a god...she and I agree we both would kiss his feet for what he did for us. Some are not as lucky but the surgery is a chance. He will tell you if he can not help you. This is my experience with Dr.Nath I hope it helps someone out there who is thinking or looking for help. Amelia