If you were diagnosed with this, would you write a will?

[Deja Q]

"Patient has C4-5 moderate posterier central disc protrusion with annular tear. Scheduled for a C4-5 anterior cervical discectomy & fusion"

[PartyPooper]

1. No. I would get a second opinion!

:D

[Ian David]

7. A slipped disk? Get a 2nd opinion before spinal fusion

And for god's sake, stay away from chiropractors if you have cervical problems.

Chiropractors are good for LOWER BACK ONLY.

When chiropractors work on your neck, it's reckless and dangerous.

[JimmyJazz]

2. you should have a will if you are over 18 regardless of your health.

[expatriot]

8. a living will even if you don't have any property

Like if you have companion animals or a special stamp collection or if you want to be buried wearing your special pink thong.

[JimmyJazz]

12. I second that! A single person really needs a living will

if they are having a surgical procedure. I had one made when I was pregnant even though I was married at the time. I wanted to make sure my parents had NO say whatsoever, if something were to happen to me...isn't that the whole point of the Terry Schiavo case in Florida - her parents and her husband disagree.

A living will would have prevented that tragedy,

[AlienGirl]

3. Nope

I'd get the discectomy and fusion--I've seen people relieved of chronic neck pain through disc fusion operations.

Tucker

[Sanity Claws]

4. My take on it

It's probably a good idea to have a will, even if you were 100% healthy. The only exception is if you like the way the state will divide your estate if you die without a will.

[RC]

5. Sounds like painful back surgery to me.

Yeah, a second opinion

[agates]

6. Nah

but I'd find out who the best surgeon and who the best hospital is in my area for this type of surgery! Good luck!

Not to be morbid or anything (sorry) but before ANY surgery you should have a careful discussion with your closest relative about your wishes in the event things don't go as planned.

[bettyellen]

10. get a living will and health care proxy......

unless god forbid, you want your family to be fighting over what to do.

[DU9598]

11. No will ...

but second opinion is a great suggestion. There are great orthopedic surgeons who are now doing disc replacement rather than discectomies and fusions. Consider your options. Make surgery your last option.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

14. Disc replacement is WAY too new and is not being done in necks

to my knowledge yet...wait ten years for that one and let everyone else be the guinea pigs.

[ikojo]

9. No, but before I let a knife near my back

I'd consult another physician not affiliated with the physician who made this diagnosis.

Back surgery is so tricky.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

13. Don't know why they are operating on a central protrusion

If it's not impinging on a nerve, meaning right or left sided, it most likely is not the cause of your problems.

I'd have a consult with a neurosurgeon who does nothing but necks and thoracic spines.

[Deja Q]

17. The MRI had shown it was pressing against a nerve...

The info on the form was brief, however...

[Ian David]

26. Your physisian should have explained things better

[Deja Q]

20. Per neurosurgeon of your criteria...

that's what my doc does.

And given the weakness, that was a contributing factor to having the surgery...

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

21. OK good....

As long as you have confidence in your specialist and he is qualified...i.e. a neurosurgeon...I would never let an Orthopedist operate on that level of my spine.

As far as making out a will, you should have one anyway...good luck with your surgery.

[miss_kitty]

15. you should have a will anyway

WA state, for example takes 25% off of an unmarried decedant's estate when the decedant dies intestate, just because it can.:evilfrown:

As for the disc, I would try acupunture. Once they screw with it surgically, you're stuck with what they do. JMHO though, and not intended as thread-locking medical or legal advice

edit 's's to 'a's. i'm not even pui.

[hangemhigh]

16. Write your will anyway...you should have one regardless-

AND get a second opinion. Spinal fusion is intrusive and painful with a long recovery. I know first hand. This is not medical advice, BTW, mods:) Just a friendly suggestion.

[welshTerrier2]

18. i'd go for a second opinion

spinal fusions can be a longterm problem ... mrs. wt2 had one as a young girl and has lived with really bad back pain ever since ...

also, if there's a ruptured disc (is that what's causing the protrusion?), my understanding is that the body can actually "reabsorb" the disc ... surgery's quicker but other remedies might be just as effective ...

i would absolutely get a second opinion ...

[hangemhigh]

19. I second that, although

I had a fabulous (though long) recovery and very little residual pain or limitations-it's different for everyone.

[welshTerrier2]

23. did you have a spinal fusion?

if so, how long ago? i'm sure the procedure is very different now ...

i will say that a friend who had a herniated disc surgically repaired did very well after his surgery ... i think he was even able to play golf after 3 or 4 months ... he didn't have a fusion though ...

[hangemhigh]

25. Yes....

4 years ago after 2 failed laminectomies (sp?) the "mini" disc surgery. Got the cadaver implant and titanium instrumentation. The mini surgeries offer a fairly quick recovery-golf, however, is not on my list of things I can do well now (but then I couldn't before, either!) I hear the procedure has updated even since I had it done-still have the occasional "bad back day" but fairly rare.

[sundog]

22. I have a will & there is nothing wrong with me

[rasputin1952]

24. I will answer this because it is a Legal Question, as opposed to a ...

Medical Question.

Everyone should have a Will before any surgical procedure. In fact, everyone should have a Will regardless of the age, over 18. It is not difficult to do, and can overcome a myriad of legal problems in the future. Anyone can die at any time, make sure your wishes are in writing.

There are several medical procedures that are considered "routine", but people still have mishaps, not always ending in death; therefore, a Living Will is essential as well. Once again, make sure your wishes are known.

I have moderate/severe arthritis C-3-4-5; surgery is still a long way off for me...:)

(But I have a Will!)...:)

[Skittles]

27. JAYSUS HYPNO

YOU ARE *WAY* OVERDUE FOR AN ASSKICKING