Hi,
This is my first time on this website and post. I'm so sorry that my post will be so long but don't know how else to explain my situation with out explaining everything. Thanks so much to anyone who reads my novel post, lol.
I'm feeling extremely frustrated with my Neurosurgeon. I had ACDF surgery almost 4 weeks ago for severe herniated disc c-5 or c-6. My neck, shoulder, and arm pain started after the end of November 2012 after a car accident. After accident I had constant shoulder and neck pain with on & off arm pain with numbness in hand and I could not turn my neck all the way or bend it to my shoulder without terrible pain. Therapy didn't help and in May 2013 I had an MRI and referred to a neurosurgeon because of a severe bulging disk. Anyway Dr. Recommended surgery but stated some of my shoulder and neck pain was due to whip lash from car accident.
I had the surgery preformed July 16th, Dr took out disc completely and put a plastic spacer in. So the numbness is gone and arm pain, but I'm having a lot of pain at base of head and back/side of my neck. Last night I was in tears it was so bad and I had trouble even sleeping. When I saw surgeon for post op appt and told him I had this burning neck pain and shoulder pain he said that it was whiplash? This pain is a completely different pain then I had prior to this surgery and I'm confused? Unless my ACDF caused me whiplash how can this post op pain be whiplash? I really felt as though he was blowing me off and them told me he'd see me again at the end of October in three months! What do I do now about my pain and discomfort? If anyone has any advice for me I'd be extremely grateful. I'm also having shooting pain occasionally down the opposite arm that I've had no problems with prior to surgery.
Thanks for any help or advice anyone gives me..
Brooke

Dr did not rx PT for post op/ pain relief??

Make a journal of symptoms, treatments and pain levels so if you go to a new dr nothing will be missed.

Since whiplash was mentioned I will suggest you explore our Thoracic outlet syndrome forum (TOS) TOS can appear many years after a whiplash event as well as many other causes.
Look for info on trigger points and muscle spasms.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

Our spinal forum might be of help sorting the pain causes also.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

NO Dr has never talked to me about any PT.
That's a good idea about the journal and I'll start that tonight. I'll also check out the other forums you mentioned. Thanks again..

Brooke,

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will fine a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please, just let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Please keep us up to date on your situation. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thanks so much! It's great to have others to talk to about this..

I am surprised you don't have post op medications. You should have been given enough for the first month at least. I am not an expert. However 4 weeks out is a short time. Not sure about the whiplash, but I do know I had some very bad pain 4 weeks out myself. I think mine was muscle spasms. Soma a medication helped me. Your doctor should not just dismiss you if you were in tears. He has an obligation, to see you though these first few weeks. Take it easy, do not strain. Call him back and insist that he at least gives you a call and something to take the edge off. If at 6 weeks you still seem to have real issues, get back into seeing him. Did he take an xray, after the surgery and show you? They usually do that and check to see how you are healing. Plastic was used in the disk space? This was a new thing for me to learn about. I only thought two choices were available, cadaver bone, or bone taken from your hip or pelvis. Do not hesitate to call your physician back. Your neuro surgeon should help. If not, contact your PCP and tell him you are not getting satisfaction from your surgeon. He may be able to call your surgeon and talk to him. My own PCP did this for me regarding the pain specialist after my surgery. I hope you feel better soon. Give it a bit more time, and get some medication, outright ask for some OK? I wish you all the best. ginnie

Thanks so much for your response Ginni.
I was only given enough pain medication for the first two weeks. The surgeon had an X-ray done the day after my surgery before I was discharged from the hospital. At my two week follow up visit I was not shown the X-ray, surgeon just said it looked good and would see me end of October.
I went to my primary Dr. who I recently started seeing last year after my and my husbands long term primary Dr. moved out of state. Anyway when I went to see him last week (3wks Post-Op)for the pain and told him about how bad my pain still was and what the surgeon said. I felt he didn't believe my pain and prescribed me Norco 5/325 one every twelve hours as needed. He also had his staff give me some contract to sign about giving me a Narcotic drug. I had to sign it then the staff witness had to sign it then it was signed by the Dr.
After this I lost it and started crying, so embarrassing, but I couldn't help it. I told his office that I would be finding a new primary Dr when they tried to schedule a follow up appointment.
I'm getting so depressed with this constant pain and not sleeping threw the night from all the discomfort.
I had to resign from my job this week which was a real bummer. I love my job and its PT but I didn't qualify for FMLA and they don't have a "light" duty position for me. So HR recommended I voluntarily resign because it will look better then terminated in my file. I'm hoping once I'm completely recovered I will be rehired.
Thank you for all the feedback..

Signing a contract happens this day and age. I did with my first pain specialist, but not with my current one. It is to stop people from Doctor shopping. Maybe you need to find those physicians who are going to stick with you. Your neurologist, the one who did the surgery, should be involved, as your pain levels are not so good. Call and tell him the end of Oct. isn't such a good idea, and insist that you get an appointment. PCP"S are being followed by the DEA, for every script they write. That is why most PCP's send you to a pain specialist. I have one, and have since I had my spinal fusions. Maybe that direction would be better for you. It is OK to cry in front of your doctor. If he doesn't have some compassion, move on and find another. These surgeries are difficult to go through, and we do need the support while healing. I wish I could offer you more suggestions. Be good to yourself. ginnie

Thanks Ginnie,
I feel better knowing the contract signing is not unusual. I think your right and will call my neurosurgeon and get an appt with him sooner and talk to my primary about a referral to a pain management dr. Thank you for all the feedback..
Brooke

Hi Brooke-

Did he do an anterior cervical disc replacement? Or did he remove the disc and place some bone or bone substitute in?

Either way, I think he should have followed you closer, especially concerning pain.

I do not know why they are so stingy w/pain medication.

PM me, I was an OR nurse for years.

Stacy