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14 weeks post op neck surgery--please help
I've read where so many have suffered for months and even years after acdf surgery and it breaks my heart. I'm 14 weeks out and it's been a nightmare. I spent the first 8 weeks in tears from pain with little relief. Finally got on neurontin at 8 weeks and had some relief. I've increased the dose but it just doesn't work long enough. Still not showing any signs of fusion, started wearing the BGS yesterday. Can't sit for more than 2 hours due to pain in neck. Shoulder and left arm hurt like crazy. Dr says my test look god. He used the ROI-C which does not require screws. I'm so scared! He just keeps saying give it time. This is my second neck surgery and I had no problems last time. Has anyone had a rough recovery but ended up being ok? If so how long did it take? Trying hard to stay positive but I can't even fold a load of towels right now! Please please respond
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Hi Cocoa
I am sorry you are in such pain. If you cannot get some resolution, seek another opinion even if you are in recovery phase. I did read about the cage you have. My first surgery was fine, the second a nightmare in recovery time. I am now three years out, and a different person. In my case it took a very long time, over a year to really heal. It was only this last year, I was able to ditch the narcotics. I have faith that you will heal. Address your worries about the pain one way or the other. If you are suffering it does make healing take longer, and it causes alot of depression and anxiety. Those impede a good recovery. My doctor did address the pain, when I didn't think I was doing very well. Hopefully he will listen to you, and do more to help during this time. Sometimes you can get muscle spasms, which hurt like the devil. Soma is a good med. to add, to remove this problem. Call your doc. it can't hurt. I so hope that this turns out as good as what I did. ginnie:grouphug:
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Hi coco,
Bursitis is an animal of a different kind. Surgery pain on top of that can't feel good. Has your doctor DX'd the bursitis? Sometimes, not all the time, an injection can calm things down. It is an inflamation of the joint as you know. I do think it can resolve on its own with some TLC. However if it is getting to the point you scream in pain, you need to let your doctor know. You don't need anything stopping you from having a good recovery from the surgery. I hope he or she listens to you, and treats you accordingly with some help. Google up Bursitis, see if the symptoms you have pretty well match, and then give the doc a call. I really hope you get well soon, and that the pain you have goes away. Take care and let me know how you do. ginnie:hug:
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Hi Cocoa
I believe a person knows their own body best. If you think this is nerve damage, I would go with that gut instinct. Most of the time we are right when something goes wrong, even if the doctor doesn't agree.
This may be another way to go about getting help. See a physiatrist, not only do they deal with pain, but they deal with the "whole" person from a cellular level. They can do all the pain docs do and more, including referrals if there is something with the nerves. You do need someone to pay attention to you, and listen when you tell them you think this is nerve damage. Healing is hard enough from surgery, with out this additional worry. I would also call your surgeon once again, and state clearly, that something is wrong. Be as pro-active as you can to try to get some help. You are in some serious pain, and I so hope that some doc, will pay attention and address this issue. Troop to the ER if you have to. Sometimes the sqeeky wheel gets the greese. I am the type of person who will find the help, with every effort in order to feel better. I have switched doctors a number of times and finally found those in my corner, that have compassion and will listen to me. It took alot of effort to find these physicians. Since then, my health in general has improved. I so hope that happens for you. Please keep in touch with me. Let me know what you decide to do. Don't ignor it, fight to find the answer. I care about you, and you are not alone with dealing with it. Anyone who has experienced some severe pain, has empathy for what you are going through. I am here to listen any time you need to talk. My prayers are with you. ginnie |
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You said your second recovery was a nightmare...can you tell me what happened? Nerve damage? Revision surgery, etc? Did you ave arm pain after the surgery? Did you have the burning? |
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You said your second recovery was a nightmare...can you tell me what happened? Nerve damage? Revision surgery, etc? Did you ave arm pain after the surgery? Did you have the burning? |
Hi cocoa
Yes the second recovery was terrible. I had more pain from that than the actual problem I had to begin with. I reversed my entire cervical spine. I thought that hurt, until I had that second sugery. The first 3 months were agony even with meds. Yes burning, but mostly these spasms that took my breath away. I did have pins and needles for about the first six months, then all resolved quite well in fact. I took narcotics all during the first two years, afraid of the the pain that was remaining. Then last summer, I decided to do something on my bucket list. I swam with a horse in the gulf of mexico with other disabled spine people. I fell off, laughed and got right back on. I had no additional pain at all from the activity. So....I ditched the morphine. I asked to come off it. If I could do that, what was I needing the meds for????
As of three years out, I still have hydrocodone and percocet on hand. I take them infrequently, and check in with pain management. Sometimes I over do things, or pick up something just too heavy like I did the other day. I go back on Monday, as I fell for the first time. The neck hurts below the site of fusions. I just hope i didn't mess something up. I will always have to be careful, but in my case I feel I had a good outcome. I also know not everybody has the best outcome after a sugery like that. So many different factors play into how well a person does. We are so different in our injuries, with different degrees of nerve damage. I suffered for six years between surgeries, as I didn't have the problem addressed to begin with. I should have done the research, and gotten my records right away. You have to be your own best advocate. I sure hope you get better. I did do alot of PT. Alot!!!! My son is an OPTA, and he got me off my duff to do it at home as well. I started PT four weeks out with lots of massage. all my best to you, and a happy ending and no pain for you. ginnie |
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Hi cocoa
I will pray you don't have RSD either. I don't want you to have to suffer like that. Are you having EMG? I ran from that test, and would not take it. You are braver than I am. I will pray it goes easy for you. Hope you have some meds to help you through it. ginnie
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Adverse Events Reported to FDA A handful of adverse event reports have been submitted to the FDA on behalf of patients who underwent surgery using the ROI-C cervical cage. One physician claimed that immediately following surgery, the patient was not able to move his extremities. An MRI revealed that hardware of the device was impinging upon the patient's spinal cord. The patient underwent surgery to remove the device, but still reportedly suffers from no movement in the arms and minimal movement in the lower extremities. The surgeon claims that the patient's injuries stem from a "catastrophic failure" of the cage. A similar adverse event report noted that immediately following surgery, the patient experienced adverse neurological symptoms, specifically a lack of movement in the extremities. The report claims that the patient needed surgery to remove the device, but that he still suffered limited movement of the legs and no movement of the arms. According to an investigation into the incident, the surgeon followed proper technique for implanting the device, but reported difficulty impacting one of its anchor plates. It has been suggested that the anchor portion of these devices may break, causing serious side effects and, in some cases, necessitating a second surgery to remove the device. |
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So scared! When I woke up from surgery, I begged them to put me back to sleep because the pain at the base of my neck was unbearable. My left arm was dead weight but it didn't hurt and my left hand was 'drawn'. I could move it but it was difficult. My dr said not to worry. The severe pain in my neck lasted for weeks, no pain med touched it. When I moved my arms, to reach for something, I would get sharp knife like stabs across my shoulder. Had a MRI 3 weeks post op, dr said everything was ok....my left arm was still very heavy and glued to my side. Then it was like the feeling started coming back to my arm, but it was very painful. It now hurts to move it out away from my body or up. 8 weeks out, I was finally given neurontin, which saved my life. I just got a cortisone shot in my shoulder 2 days ago and I can move it a little better. My neck still hurts, but nothing like the first 8 weeks, I'm now 15 weeks post op. this whole time my dr keeps saying I have o give it time. X-rays show the cage looks good but no fusion yet. I cant lift anything without it pulling on my neck. my head still feels to heavy for my neck. ihate that I didn't research about the device he used, but I trusted him. I've read several reports about the roi-c since my surgery that have not been good. Its suppsed to give patients a better rom. Just praying everything works out good. |
Hi cocoa
:hug:[I know you are scared. Maybe it is time to seek another opinion during your recovery. I am concerned too. I read some reports as well. Maybe your doc thinks things look good, but your body doens't like right now. Hope your pain levels are down today. xxxginnie:grouphug:
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