Found my way onto this forum and would like to know how "unique" my condition is...

Long story short- went into surgery to get c5/c6 & c6/c7 fixed. Came out with some problems:

the right side of me below my underarms is numb (no hot or cold feeling but plenty of nerve pain).

the left side (including my arm and leg) is extremely stiff.

You could draw a line down the middle of me to separate the two (including front and back.) This gives me sex problems and problems with going the bathroom.

It's been 3 years and the pain is starting to get worse (especially in my numb right leg).

I'm on Gabapentin and Baclofen 3X/day. Not sure whether it's helping or not anymore.

I've tried acupuncture and it worked on my right side pain for a few months. Then went back and it only helped for about a week.

I get the pins and needles at night and it's impossible to get a good's night sleep.

I'm going back to the doc to see about a spinal cord stimulator trial. Don't know what I'm going to do.

After reading some posts I'm thinking everyone is unique

Especially since you were trying to fix things in the forst place. Some accupuncture stories here but not so many surgical aftermath stories. Getting enough sleep is essential for going forward. I have been on and off many meds but still take a sleeping pill. I am still withdrawing from Nicotine after stopping about 4 weeks ago. I've had no experience w/stimulator but I did get some relief from burning and tender feet w/ Mortons Epsom Salt Lotion. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.

Welcome Tomyo10:
Did they ever do any post-surgical imaging or tests to confirm if what you are experiencing is related to the surgery, or is the result of something else? I'm not an expert, but what you are describing sounds more like a spinal cord issue than PN. Seems like you should get some imaging and testing to narrow down the source of the problem(s). If the cause isn't treatable, you may need to see a pain management specialist. They may have multiple options to treat the pain. That would include the use of a SCS - but that's pretty invasive and kind of a "last resort" in my opinion.

Definitely caused by the procedure. The Neurologist said someone "missed something". Something was "nicked" during the surgery.

My new Neurologist says that there is nothing surgically that can be done. He's the kind of guy who won't do any surgery unless absolutely necessary. And he's the one who is suggesting the trial SCS. And yes- it's probably my last resort, also. But doing the trial is only a 5-7 day deal to see if it'll help.

The pain and burning is getting worse and I need to figure something out.

What kind of options do pain specialists give you?

The thing that helped my burning feet and legs the most, especially when I was unable to sleep at night, was finding lotions with menthol in them, that were suggested here. Biofreeze is one of them, and it's available many places now, including on line. My favorite is Lasting Touch which I get at Whole Foods, but the secret ingredient is menthol in both of them.

If your pain is keeping you from sleeping or you feel that the pain level is great enough to make you depressed, Pain Management gives many options going forward. Nerve regeneration and/or healing is slow so you will have to be patient and work with your Dr.s. Your symptoms may change over time. I used to take Hydro-codone 10-325 plus other meds not in PM inventory. You can search Pain Management here and learn about patches, pills,various opiates. Many fear going there but I got better and left them behind. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.

Hi Tomyo,

I have not had surgery - my degeneration is too great and my heart will not take anaesthetics - but I have just found out after a Hospital stay (this is the reason I've not been here to answer your Posts before now, sorry) and MRI that my neck is worse than thought. One Spinal Cord Compression turns out to be 3 at 5, 6 and 8, causing numbness down my left arm and into my middle, ring and pinky fingers. I have excruciating pain referred from my neck into my upper right arm and terrible weakness in both.

From the Lumbar area I get numbness, weakness and referred pain to below the inside of my left knee. I have numbness in my groin exacerbating the issues I have from Radiotherapy burning everything up when I had Colorectal cancer.

Somewhat like you, I am partially bisected, left mainly numb, right pain from my spinal injuries. My Neurological Hypersensitivity is bodywide and the needle stab pains of Neuropathy are confined to feet/legs and hands.

While our situation is not exactly the same, I do understand what you are going through.

I tried Eastern Acupuncture on my neck a while ago and it gave me increased range of movement. The idea is to have weekly sessions to achieve best results. I could not continue as I lost my ability to drive due to sight issues.

As for a SCS, we have an active Forum here:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum118.html

Our Members, and the Stickies and Threads, there will give you lots of advice and information.

Pain Management can open the door to all sorts of treatments from Talking Therapies (helpful to many), through different meds to Infusions like Lidocaine and Ketamine. My life would be totally unbearable without my PM Team.

Follow every Path open to you to achieve any improvement in your condition. I am sorry you have come to be like this in the first place.

Dave.

Thanks Dave and all-

I appreciate the responses.

I went to the Doc's yesterday and I'll need the MRI to see if the SCS would be beneficial. He did say that since I was opened up on both the front and rear of my neck, it's possible the scar tissue would be too great to try the SCS. We will see.

As far as acupunture is concerned, I've had it 4 times and it helped me immensley the first few times; and not so much the last two times. The problem I had was that the nerves had a party of their own in my body the night of the acupuncture. Trying to sleep was a nightmare. The acupuncturist says it's because while trying to chase the pain from my knee, she woke up everything else. Whatever.

Thanks Joano- I got the Biofreeze yesterday and it seems to help. But right now, pot does the best job in relieving the pain completely. But I can't be high all of the time. At least it helps before I try to go to sleep. And the Biofreeze has helped during the day.

On top of this, my wife has Stage IV lung cancer. So we've been going through a lot for 3 years. But she is in remission for now. I told her she can't go anywhere cuz she's gonna have to take care of me down the road

Keep on keepin' on...