[fuzzy]

I felt an improvement right after surgery but for more then a year there was a slow and continues improvement. BUT, BUT BUT,

It was obvious right after surgery that my problems were only half fixed. Here too one can argue my word (the patient with the symtoms) over theirs (they read books but don't know what it feels like), at least in america it seems. The Euroreans saw exactly what the problem is. The moment I went there is was all so clear. Here I got the eyes of incomprehension. After my American family doctor ("primary care physisian") saw my european papers he decided to read up a little and called me on the weekend to suggest NOT TO WAIT with the neck surgery. That came from my home doctor who *after studying up* was shocked how it is possible in this country to slip through due to the understated dry comments of the radiologist interpreting the MRI and nobody actually cared to actually READ the MRIs, LISTEN to the complaint and study up on similar cases. Many don't have time, some don't care. The top doctors in Europe do care and it show. I have never seen someone in the US who really cares, they do exist but the sytem (insurance) has to follow some mundane checklist unless you have a "land now" type of situation. If it gets complicated there is a tendency so say "go away" you are not a textbook case.

It is true there can me some really bad paiin from upset muscles and from the body readjusting after a surgery but within a couple of month one should know if it worked. You know your body best, things should improve or show some sign of improvements. If your pain is unchanged from before the surgery than chances are high its from elsewhere.

I agree with Dshobbies you should *not* keep your previous surgery secret! If the dr. finds out you will have NO MORE help but possibly be shown the door.