Hi everyone,

I am a 61 year old grandfather of 3 boys. In late August, while playing in the yard with the boys, I accidentally flipped over backwards off the tree hammock. I landed on my head and my legs went up and over my head resulting in a broken neck. C2, 3 & 4 were fractured in the back. I had an anterior spinal fusion at C3-4 and placed in a cervical halo. I wore the halo for 3 full months and it was removed last week and replaced with a Miami J collar.

Use of my arms and legs came back quickly although strength seems slow to come back. I have tingling from my toes to my midriff and also from my shoulders down to my hands. The C5 nerve down each arm causes great sensitivity type pain. I am currently taking gabapentin 600 MG 4 times daily along with Tylenol 500 MG 4 times daily.

The bladder just last month started to return to functionality. I am able to void during the day from 6 am to about 10 pm but have to self cath during the middle of the night.

With the removal of the halo last week, I have found the tingling sensation has increased slightly but is not unbearable. I have noticed some muscles in my neck and shoulders are sore, quite likely from atrophy during the 3 month halo period.

I am curious if others have experienced similar things with respect to the nerve pain and tingling sensations. Are there other drugs out there that may be helpful? I know everyone is different and time is a big factor in spinal cord healing but it is nice to hear what others have experienced as well. What other adjustments might I expect now that the halo is off?

I look forward to hearing from others.

Don