well, I have gone to Dr. Oro in CO and Dr. Weingart in MD and i have decided that if anyone os doign my surgery it'll be Dr. Oro. I felt all around more comfortable and trusting with him, as well as him being more humble and knowledgable. Here's the problem. I have a VERY stressful job situation going on right now that makes me wonder whether the timing is good for surgery. I can take off the time. That's not an issue. Dr. Oro said my symptoms are most likely due to chiari (no syrinx- only a bulging disk as C5 that's touchign the spinal cord but not compressing). He gave me an 84% chance of iproved symptoms. I don't get headaches- just dizziness, vision problems and fatigue among smaller things like tinitus, pressure, etc. He left it up to me whether i want surgery or not. I am woriied about not havign good health insurance like i have now. I have felt shitty for 2 years now, and it "seems" to be improving, ori'm just gettign better at dealing, but i am NOT living a quality life. So question is: how do i decide this? Any help or suggestions would be most appreciated.
Jen
My life had been taken from me before surgery. I could no longer drive. I was unable to completely take care of my family. I was working but had to take a 2 hour lunch to take a nap just to make it through the day. Headaches was not my main symptom. vertigo, brain fog, neck pain, balance issue, hoarse voice and vision problems were.
Dr Oro operated on me last September and I feel better now than I have in years. He certainly knows what he is doing and his staff is great. I went back to work part time at 4 weeks post op and full time at 6 weeks.
Good Luck in making your decision.
Diana
Jen,
First of all…I’ve heard great things about Dr. Oro, so I’m glad you were able to see him.
From what I’ve read, surgery should be considered if symptoms are getting worse or affecting your quality of life. There is always the “wait and watch” approach, if you want to hold off on surgery. Some people are able to manage their symptoms. There is always a chance it could get worse, so you should follow up with your NS on regular basis. Did Dr. Oro have an opinion on what you should do?
It really needs to be a personal decision. Sadly, no one can make it for you. Personally, I have Chiari with a syrinx and my symptoms are getting progressively worse, so I’m ready for surgery. You have to do what’s right for you. Hopefully, some more people will chime in with their perspective.
Crystal
C5 is so far away from your skull. How badly is that disk bulging!?
Hi diana,
thank you for your response. It's much appreciated and you make me feel better about going forward with the surgery. Our symptoms are very similar. did you have a syrinx? Also, if you can tell me any more specifics of what to expect for surgery and the process/hospital in aurora, or anythign you'd like to suggest, that would be great! I feel glad to find someone who went through the exact same symptoms as me and had the same Dr. I'm planning on having.
thank you again,
Jen
Diana Smirl said:
My life had been taken from me before surgery. I could no longer drive. I was unable to completely take care of my family. I was working but had to take a 2 hour lunch to take a nap just to make it through the day. Headaches was not my main symptom. vertigo, brain fog, neck pain, balance issue, hoarse voice and vision problems were.
Dr Oro operated on me last September and I feel better now than I have in years. He certainly knows what he is doing and his staff is great. I went back to work part time at 4 weeks post op and full time at 6 weeks.
Good Luck in making your decision.
Diana
It's "touching" the spinal cord, but not compressing it. NS did not seem concerned about it, but gen practitioner back on Maui thought it might cause trouble down the line since i am having neck pain on the left side and less feeling in my left arm and fingers. But I think that could be the chiari as well, right? Thanks for your question,
Jen
Bill Zern said:
C5 is so far away from your skull. How badly is that disk bulging!?
Jen, I did not have a syrinx. It was totally up to me to preceed with Surgery. Dr Oro suggested trying the Paleo diet first and seeing if that would give any relief. I chose not to try because I had been on Weight Watchers eating very healthy when all my symptoms began.
I can only say good things about the Aurora Hospital. I traveled from Texas to CO so it was just me and my DH. We flew home 10 days after surgery. I only spent one night in ICU then one night in a regular room before I was released. He stayed the night with me when I was in a regular room. We then stayed in a local motel just to make sure I didn't have any complications. I rested and slept most of those days. I worked out well because I have 4 girls and I'm not sure I would have rested as well at home.
Within 12 hours of surgery, my eyesight was back to normal. I surprised the OT person that next day when I could walk a straight line and go up & down stairs. Dr Oro's office referred to me as a textbook case. Which was nice because I had always stumped my PCP with all the wierd symptoms I had.
Please let me know if you have any other specific questions.
Diana
jlr38 said:
Hi diana,
thank you for your response. It's much appreciated and you make me feel better about going forward with the surgery. Our symptoms are very similar. did you have a syrinx? Also, if you can tell me any more specifics of what to expect for surgery and the process/hospital in aurora, or anythign you'd like to suggest, that would be great! I feel glad to find someone who went through the exact same symptoms as me and had the same Dr. I'm planning on having.
thank you again,
Jen
Diane,
I do have a specific question. (I am going to go through with it. I'm ready to get my life back- for me and my husband wants his wife back) i have no one to travel with me all the way from Maui to CO. My husband thinks i'm toughter than i am and he thinks i can fare well with all the flight connections with just whellchair escort from gate to gate. is he insane? I'll be staying with my cousin in CO for 2 weeks post op. Any suggestions?
Thanks! Jen
Diana Smirl said:
Jen, I did not have a syrinx. It was totally up to me to preceed with Surgery. Dr Oro suggested trying the Paleo diet first and seeing if that would give any relief. I chose not to try because I had been on Weight Watchers eating very healthy when all my symptoms began.
I can only say good things about the Aurora Hospital. I traveled from Texas to CO so it was just me and my DH. We flew home 10 days after surgery. I only spent one night in ICU then one night in a regular room before I was released. He stayed the night with me when I was in a regular room. We then stayed in a local motel just to make sure I didn't have any complications. I rested and slept most of those days. I worked out well because I have 4 girls and I'm not sure I would have rested as well at home.
Within 12 hours of surgery, my eyesight was back to normal. I surprised the OT person that next day when I could walk a straight line and go up & down stairs. Dr Oro's office referred to me as a textbook case. Which was nice because I had always stumped my PCP with all the wierd symptoms I had.
Please let me know if you have any other specific questions.
Diana
jlr38 said:Hi diana,
thank you for your response. It's much appreciated and you make me feel better about going forward with the surgery. Our symptoms are very similar. did you have a syrinx? Also, if you can tell me any more specifics of what to expect for surgery and the process/hospital in aurora, or anythign you'd like to suggest, that would be great! I feel glad to find someone who went through the exact same symptoms as me and had the same Dr. I'm planning on having.
thank you again,
Jen
What kind of insurance do you have? I have a HMO so I'm very limited. I'm thinking about changing to PPO or Kaiser when we get our next chance to change. I want something that will allow me to travel to Denver to see Dr. Oro. Life plays mean tricks on us sometimes. I moved from Denver 6 years ago and now one of the doctors I hear great things about is in Denver. Anyway, good luck with your choice. I have what one tech said was 7mm and another said 5mm Chiari and Arthritis in my cervical and lumbar spine. I also have disc issues in C5/C6.
i have blue cross blue shield. we have a lot in common! if you can switch to BCBS, it's wonderful. i was in kaiser hmo for too long.....