Anyone have experience with C5 C6 bulging disc in their neck?

Yes.  After so many injuries in sports and moto, my neck would constantly get stiff and take weeks or months to get better. Pain in the shoulder blade and down the arm at times.  Eventually, it just hurt all the time unless I was laying down.  I ended up getting 2 artificial discs replaced (c4/5, 5/6). No fusion, no way, never.  *Well, actually, never say never. I wish I would’ve done it sooner because the last two years really restricted anything on two wheels and lifting weights. 

I’d say if you can function don’t get but if it keeps you from sleeping at night or doing the activities you love then go for it. There’s always drawbacks, I still have a little bit of pain, but the surgery fixed 90% of it and my voice is slightly more gravely and swallowing food is not quite as normal as it use to be.  Nothing extreme but I do notice it’s not quite the same.

I traveled to socal for the best doctors. This is something you do not want to a local Dr. for.  

Disc replacement returned almost all my range of motion.  I was pretty restricted for a few years.  I am so glad I did it.

All my disk on the right side of my neck r ruptured. I get a epidural injection at the hospital twice a yr. I had a different kind of injection next step was burning  the nerves. They grow back in aprox 7-9 months. So I skipped that, injection was different,very high pressure & pain. The Mask  they hv your face in sucks . They had to take a short break because my BP shut up, it’s always 116.  Water was running out of my eyes.  Pain down my arm & fingers. They don’t know if it’s neck or 2 nerves in back of shoulder.  My rupters  r not against nereves . 

Had C6 and C7 fused.  Disc replaced with plastic.   12 years later, never had an issue.   Totally worth it

Do you know the cause?  C5-C6 is often associated with Tech Neck (looking down at screens).

If that's the case, correcting your posture habits could resolve the bulging discs naturally.

If you need a little boost, Chiropractic is also helpful (not all chiropractors are equal, you'll know when you find a good one)

If you're considering surgery, this is probably a long standing issue and your body has likely adjusted to compensate for the discomfort. Yoga is a historic full body alignment strategy.  IMO the most benefit is from the tranditional practices including the breathwork and meditation, not the modernized pilates/workout variations. If it was me, I'd do yoga daily until the pain goes away, then maintain with weekly or monthly sessions.

I second the yoga even though it seems woo woo. It has helped me with injuries more than any PT ever has. But you gotta commit to like 4-5 days a week for 3 months to notice some improvement. The app Pliability makes it easy to do at home. 

In my case the nerve pain got so bad I couldn't raise my head or arms.  Trying to sleep was agony.  The surgery made life livable.  Don't ever think you're "fixed" and things will be the the way they were before but you can adjust.

What surgery is the doctor proposing?

I had 2 level (C4-5-6) ACDF fusion on March 3rd.  I had been having issues for 5-6 years. I had been through multiple stints of PT and had a couple injections and nothing worked. Nerve pain was getting worse and worse, affecting my sleep and I was loosing strength in my hands and arms.

I am now over 5 months post op and am I would 100% suggest the procedure. Looking forward to getting back on the bike in a month or so.

I had the same symptoms and the same surgery two years ago. My quality of life has drastically improved. I lost some range of motion but it was totally worth it.

Me too!  Why did I wait so long?!

Also agree on yoga.  Lot's of yoga.

Like someone above said, don't trust the local neck and spine guy. Next step is a neurosurgeon at Baptist Hospital in Winston.. The first guy did a great job. I knew I was better two blinks after I opened my eyes. He used a ceramic disk. You can see it above the hardware. The second surgery was a chop that made me worse. The first guy retired, unfortunately. 

i’m 4-5-6 … it’s getting worse as i get older of course but i will resist to get surgery. I still have decent range of motion and neuropathy down my left arm but no range of motion issues or pain, just forearm and hand tingling/pins and needles… it sucks after about the 5th lap at decent speed but i just cruise and shake it out and then manage a few more laps.  

yes i don't remember which 2 were fused but i do know relief was instant. I have a titanium insert. The top of the line option has sort of a washer bearing type deal so you don't lose any range of motion. That option is for the rich through lol.  i have very minimal range of motion loss.  they did say once 2 are fused together then in about 7 years you will need the next 2 done. im going on 10 now.  they cut you open from the front dig out the disk and scuff up the two surface areas the insert will go so that they will graph to the insert.  soon as you wake up you feel the improvement.  My Dr called for 30 days bedrest which i happily told work but i was on my feet within a week.  you have to wear a neck brace so you look like you called Sal and are trying to get a good insurance settlement.  my scar is pretty much gone now but even right after the surgery it was minimal.  

Brave men^^^^

Can’t believe you didn’t call me about this… 

You know this is my world. 😂

Going on 15 years of off and on debilitating pain, but I’ve held off on surgery for now. I’m going in next week for another epidural. Had at least 15 of them over the last 10 years. (C4-C6) 

He wants to fuse them, he doesn’t think I’m a candidate for disc replacement. 
Keep in mind with disc replacement, continuing to ride motorcycles, with a helmet, it’ll take its toll on the replacement discs. Better luck with fusion if you’re going to continue to ride motorcycles. 
Tracy Rach can give you his opinions, he’s had several surgeries. 

If you haven’t had an epidural, it might help with the pain…. 

I had C5,6 & 7 discs replaced at Texas Orthopedic Hospital two months ago. I was having pain down both arms due to deteriorating discs and arthritis. 
Compared to having a disc replaced and arthritis removed at L5/S1in 2021, this surgery was a breeze. All of the major pain was immediately resolved. Currently I get a sore neck midway through each day but nothing major. My neck range of motion is also better than it was before surgery.

I have a C4 c5 c6 and have been getting shots about every two years.  The Dr has said at one point I will need the surgery.  For all of those who have had surgery - what is the recovery time and off bike time.  A co-worker had the surgery and was in a hard neck brace for 5-6 months and a soft neck brace for another 5 months. 

Your pics seem to show that you got fused ? I was told that double disc replacement only became legal in the US recently and I’ve never heard of a 3 disc replacement… 

I was fused with the replacement discs. My surgeon said 3 is the most discs in a row that is safe. My C4 is worn out as well but I couldn’t get that done. 
So far my recovery and results have been excellent. So good that it is hard to restrain myself from doing strenuous things.