[harry521]

trying to be brief. frankly if I didn't have family i would have done myself in a long time ago. i am just so tired of the pain. May 20, 2007 I was involved in an automobile accident (not my fault, but really doesn't make a difference) After trying physical therapy for approx 6 weeks they decided t c5,c6,c7 fusion was necessary. The surgeon assured me this operation would make me feel like a new man. He forgot to mention also a horribly painful future. That was performed August 1st 2007, 2007. Since that time on and off I have had pain in my neck radiating to my right shoulder. It is steadily getting worse. Sitting and driving seems to have an adverse effect on it. Thankfully laying down will usually bring the pain to a manageable level very quickly. Thank God. The pain realistically gets to a solid level 8 to 8 1/2. If you're a doctor you know how bad this is. I am, as if the neck isn't enough, going to have a laminectomy March 22nd for a bulging disc. Just a note. Even as I am typing the pain is escalating but I really want to get through this so someone might answer me. I am rapidly getting to my wits end. My quality of life is terrible but thankfully I have a wife of 43 years who God bless her is doing her best to stick with me even though she needs a knee replacement. No one can believe a doctor can't seem to find the problem but so far, no luck. I can honestly say that if I had 1,000,000 dollars I would gladly spend 1,000,000 if someone could cure me. Just thinking how long I have suffered with this and how long I might have to, frankly brings me to tears. I don't mean crying. I'm talking out of control sobbing. Even with a great family I really don't know how much longer I can take this lousy quality of life. I realize why people commit suicide. I am getting close to not being able to type anymore so I better go. If anyone would like to send me an email I am Harry at **. God bless eveeryone who reads this and anyone who can help. I desperately need it.

[pooh_ac]

Originally Posted by harry521

trying to be brief. frankly if I didn't have family i would have done myself in a long time ago. i am just so tired of the pain. May 20, 2007 I was involved in an automobile accident (not my fault, but really doesn't make a difference) After trying physical therapy for approx 6 weeks they decided t c5,c6,c7 fusion was necessary. The surgeon assured me this operation would make me feel like a new man. He forgot to mention also a horribly painful future. That was performed August 1st 2007, 2007. Since that time on and off I have had pain in my neck radiating to my right shoulder. It is steadily getting worse. Sitting and driving seems to have an adverse effect on it. Thankfully laying down will usually bring the pain to a manageable level very quickly. Thank God. The pain realistically gets to a solid level 8 to 8 1/2. If you're a doctor you know how bad this is. I am, as if the neck isn't enough, going to have a laminectomy March 22nd for a bulging disc. Just a note. Even as I am typing the pain is escalating but I really want to get through this so someone might answer me. I am rapidly getting to my wits end. My quality of life is terrible but thankfully I have a wife of 43 years who God bless her is doing her best to stick with me even though she needs a knee replacement. No one can believe a doctor can't seem to find the problem but so far, no luck. I can honestly say that if I had 1,000,000 dollars I would gladly spend 1,000,000 if someone could cure me. Just thinking how long I have suffered with this and how long I might have to, frankly brings me to tears. I don't mean crying. I'm talking out of control sobbing. Even with a great family I really don't know how much longer I can take this lousy quality of life. I realize why people commit suicide. I am getting close to not being able to type anymore so I better go. If anyone would like to send me an email I am Harry at **. God bless eveeryone who reads this and anyone who can help. I desperately need it.

Harry, there are many many ppl here who are or have been where you are at now. Please try to find a GOOD pain management doc and soon! gentle hugz

[razzle51]

hello try to rule out things that can contribute to pain. as like Chocolate , salt , etc , etc check side effects of your meds , if pain is one and that does happen ask dr for something else. stress causes pain. good luck

[Leesa]

Hi Harry ~ I'm so sorry you're in so much pain. Being a spiney isn't much fun at all. I've been suffering with this for 26 years -- and there have been times I've questioned my survival too. But then I know that I am here for a reason, and if God wanted me, He'd take me.

Harry, have you gone into pain management? If not, you should. There, they can give you more options for pain relief. There are many things they can do to relieve your pain, and not just medications. Ask your doctor for a referral to a pain management clinic. You will be glad you did.

If you are having surgery for a BULGING disc, DON'T DO IT. If it is HERNIATED that's a different story, but I would still recommend you not do it because it will cause you to need further surgery later on. Every time you have surgery, the level above/below will fail, and more surgery will be needed. It's a vicious cycle. The doctors don't tell you about this, but it happens almost every single time. I didn't know about this when I had my 2 surgeries. It was before the internet, and I didn't know of anyone who had had surgery.

Also the AMA has stated that the surgeries that were performed last year, including the fusions had the SAME OUTCOME as the people who just went to physical therapy!!! Those surgeries didn't come out any better. Most of the surgeries were unneeded. That's kind of scary!!!

I wish you the very best. God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee

[finz]

Hi Harry,

Welcome to NT !

Dealing with chronic pain when there is no relief in sight causes such severe stress on the body. I too have felt the feelings of hopelessness....and understand wishing life would just end so that the pain would stop. That's not a good place to be.

Are you getting any pain meds to help you deal with this ? Have your docs tried nerve blocks to try to deaden the pain ?

I hate to make assumptions about age, but if you've been married 43 years, I'm guessing you are in the 'senior' range. Sometimes docs can tend to undertreat those they consider 'elderly.' There are some legitimate concerns that medications that could help the pain affect older people differently, but, damn it.....they shouldn't be putting you out to pasture yet !

You need to see a good pain management doc who will try to find a way to help you manage the pain. I also recommend counseling. The burdens of chronic pain are difficult to manage, especially when you aren't getting decent pain relief.

I'm not going to lie and say my pain is just fine, but after years of struggling, I have found a combination of opiods, antidepressants (which can also decrease nerve pain, they aren't just for the psychological issues of chronic pain), antiseizure meds (like Neurontin and Lyrica which help to manage nerve pain), TEN's unit, cervical traction, massage, ice and heat therapy, etc I have finally gotten to the point where I have some decent days and get to enjoy family and friends.

Hang in there.....there is hope......maybe not that the pain will go away, but that you will be able to manage it.

Venting here amoungst friends is a good thing.

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Leesa

Every time you have surgery, the level above/below will fail, and more surgery will be needed. It's a vicious cycle. The doctors don't tell you about this, but it happens almost every single time.

I've dodged the knife so far, Lee, so I don't know the answer to this. Do they inform patients of the possible complication of arachnoiditis? (No - it's not an inflamed spider bite...) As I understand it from other spinal veterans (subject to correction), each invasive procedure (surgery) increases the likelihood of developing arachnoiditis.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arachnoiditis

Doc

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by harry521

I have had pain in my neck radiating to my right shoulder. It is steadily getting worse. Sitting and driving seems to have an adverse effect on it.

Hi Harry,

Welcome, but at the same time, I'm sorry any of us has to be here.

I also have neck issues that radiate pain to my right shoulder, and are aggravated by driving (and other activities - like computer work...)

Something minor, but perhaps may help.... A couple of therapists noted that some of my arm/body proportions are shorter than "average", causing me to sit - almost imperceptibly - skewed while driving or in some chairs with fixed armrests. The same can apply to folks who may have longer proportions. Having armrests at the correct height, and adding some height/padding to those in the car, has helped increase my stamina for those activities.

Correcting (and maintaining) good posture - even after years of poor habits - can help in some situations. A lot depends on finding the right therapist who knows their stuff, what to assess/analyze/look for, and what kinds of exercises and modifications to improve things. PTs are not all equal.

I'll also echo others' urging to find good pain management, whether from a single specialist or a clinic, and if possible, get involved in a local (to you) chronic pain support group.

When you can, check out the links in the "Sticky" thread "Useful Sites & Resources" and (if it's not there already):
The Intractable Pain Patient’s Handbook for Survival by Forest Tennant, MD, DrPH
http://pain-topics.org/pdf/IntractablePainSurvival.pdf

Regarding the upcoming surgery, remember what happened the last time. My best advice is to become your own advocate, research everything you can, get a second (and/or 3rd) opinion, ask about alternatives/options, and consider carefully. My own personal belief is that surgery should only be considered as a last resort after any & all other avenues - including pain management - have been tried.

You're not alone. Best Wishes.

Doc

[Leesa]

Dr. Smith ~ I have NEVER had a doctor inform me of the possibility of arachnoiditis, whether it was with the epidurals, surgery, or whatever. I've talked to many others too, and NO ONE has been warned. Pretty rotten medicine if you ask me!

Hugs, Lee

[chiarichic]

I agree with you, Leesa, on the "rotten medicine" opinion.
I suffered severe back pain within a week of the birth of my first child, and after the firth of baby # 2 and #3 a, as well. And I did have epidural injections with each labor and delivery. Not one person, nurse or doctor, bothered to inform me of long term damage that can be done to the spinal canal from the pain meds, as well as the risk of brain herniation. My 3rd child was born in 1998 and soon after I developed chronic severe migraines, back pain, depression, and severe fatigue. Years later, after multiple dr. visits and countless diagnosis, I was finally diagnosed with Chiari Malformation. I still have permanent damage from the years of misdiagnosis and botched medical treatment.

[martina]

Originally Posted by harry521

trying to be brief. frankly if I didn't have family i would have done myself in a long time ago. i am just so tired of the pain. May 20, 2007 I was involved in an automobile accident (not my fault, but really doesn't make a difference) After trying physical therapy for approx 6 weeks they decided t c5,c6,c7 fusion was necessary. The surgeon assured me this operation would make me feel like a new man. He forgot to mention also a horribly painful future. That was performed August 1st 2007, 2007. Since that time on and off I have had pain in my neck radiating to my right shoulder. It is steadily getting worse. Sitting and driving seems to have an adverse effect on it. Thankfully laying down will usually bring the pain to a manageable level very quickly. Thank God. The pain realistically gets to a solid level 8 to 8 1/2. If you're a doctor you know how bad this is. I am, as if the neck isn't enough, going to have a laminectomy March 22nd for a bulging disc. Just a note. Even as I am typing the pain is escalating but I really want to get through this so someone might answer me. I am rapidly getting to my wits end. My quality of life is terrible but thankfully I have a wife of 43 years who God bless her is doing her best to stick with me even though she needs a knee replacement. No one can believe a doctor can't seem to find the problem but so far, no luck. I can honestly say that if I had 1,000,000 dollars I would gladly spend 1,000,000 if someone could cure me. Just thinking how long I have suffered with this and how long I might have to, frankly brings me to tears. I don't mean crying. I'm talking out of control sobbing. Even with a great family I really don't know how much longer I can take this lousy quality of life. I realize why people commit suicide. I am getting close to not being able to type anymore so I better go. If anyone would like to send me an email I am Harry at **. God bless eveeryone who reads this and anyone who can help. I desperately need it.

Hi Harry,
Sorry to hear about your pain, and i can emphasize with you, as I know NOW that this ACDF operation seldom makes things better, and often it makes your condition much worse. I had a C5 C6 fusion a year ago. The neuro assured me that the titanium plates and screws r very light weight and that they would not cause any harm to the cervical levels above and below it. That was BS i now have a severe disc compression of c7 and c4 has severe changes and osteophyte formation and formainal narrowing that was not there prior, and dito for c3. The neuros talk a good talk, and rant how incredible you will feel afterwards. I have increased arm symptoms as well after it. Prior to surgery i had pain just to bicep area, now i have pain all the way down both arms and numbness of hands/ fingers, which is worst on the left. The neuro was now suggesting fusing c4-c5 and c6, c7. Even the c5 c6 level that was supposed to be "fixed" by the surgery is not, there is still foraminal narrowing, and osteophyte formation. I am not having another surgery, this was botched up enough. And if it comes to me not walking and it IS necessary i will not go to the same neurosergeon in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

The pain level gets so bad for me as well where i know i would of killed myself if it was not for my 2 children, one who has an MR conditon, so he really needs me. But i cry in pain every day. The shoulder and shoulder blade pain kills me, its like someone driving a knife into me. What level are you haveing your laminectomy on? How long ago was your first fusion? martina