[maz]

Hi I am fairly new to this site and think that it is excellent. I am in the UK and post on the site there too and have had tremendous support from the members. I have posted to people who have already had ADR on this site although I havent yet. I am waiting on 11th Sept for a double level cervical activ c adr from a very well renowned and experienced surgeon in England Mr Ian Shackleford. I realise I should have really posted my story on this forum first so apologise if you have already heard it from the other post surgical outcome one. I have pain as the only real symptom although my left hand is clumsy now and have lost some sensations in my arms and hands its minimal. Firstly I had a bad fall down hill full on to my left shoulder June 06, and at the casualty (EM) here they Xrayed my hand arm and shoulder and sent me away with pain killers and advice for a very bad sprain.

Long story short then to the Rhuematologist for diagnosis of myofacial pain syndrome when pain occured in my left trapezius he looked at MRI and said he doubted it was to do with wear and tear. He said it was caused by the fall, So physio, strapping, tens, meds, sports massage, acupunture, chiropractor, osteopathy etc etc and lots of tears later went to pain clinic on the National Health Service and was told by the De-nervation Consultant that I had awful DDD, caused by the accident and now had loss of lordosis causing forward angulation of the cervical spine ( which is poker straight) and no hope for any improvement only more pain and would eventually lose my arms/ The and only then jhe suggested a fusion the only option!

This story I have told so many times I am not even sure where I have posted it, but the middle and both ends is the same MRI told the radioligist I was fine told the pain clinic de-nervation consultant it was curtains! Then off to find out what else other that fusion could help me which I did found ADR England. Sought the opinion of a local (Devon England)surgeon who said I was fine it was a pain syndrome he didnt belive in MRI's between 20 - 50 unless there was cancer, traffic accident or genetics involved and to go back to the pain clinic. I am taking Tramadol which is the only pain killer I have been able to take and get help from since April this year. Before that I had nothing and was trying to work! I took advice and got a 2nd opinion which matched the pain clinic de-nervation guy (neck v bad) but the difference is I am a candidate for ADR and Mr Shackleford is confident I can get it done and go back to work. I am a social work manager in the fostering service working with teenagers with alot of problems and placing them in the care of people wqho can see them through, and help them.

I never dreamt I would be better ever as things have become so bad. My life of moor walking , tennis , cycling, hard work, and growing all my own organic veg has become one of looking at 4 walls without hope until I met Mr Shackleford so if any of you have had similar experiences and had a good outcome to relieve pain I would dearly like to hear from you and my best wishes to you all Maz