Ever since I had my 3 level ACDF (C4-C7) in Feb/09 I continue to have the (radiculopathy?)tingling and numbness in both arms. This get worse at nite where both arms fall asleep and throb(like a tooth ache)and I cannot fall into a deep sleep, I constantly toss and turn carefully as not to disturb my husband, I basically just lay there with my eyes closed aware of my surroundings and every little noise. Anyone else with this issue? I am assuming it is either my TOS or permanent nerve damage as this symptom has never went away(since 2007). Thanks in advance!
Bunz

Hi Bunz, haven't seen you post anything in a while, I was wondering how you were doing just the other day.

I don't sleep well either due to nerve pain down both my arms, same as you. Just recently I started with it going down my left arm, before surgery it was only my right, and now the pain is a lot different (I'm post of ACDF C5-7 March 2nd, 2011) the pain now is more numbing and burning and keeps me from getting comfortable, and sometimes its so much I have to get up and walk it off. I do take sleeping pills to help me with it without them I would not sleep.

I saw my family Dr. today talking about just this. He has just prescibed me Cymbalta to try, today is only day 1, so only time will tell if this will offer some relief from the nerve pain. I hope it will help with the depression I've been struggling with since surgery also. I am desperate to get better, but I'm not as of yet. He's also ordered another CT scan to check out why the nerve pain is still travelling down my arms, but you and I both know they probably won't find much, they can't see pain on a CT scan, only mechanical problems.

If the Cymbalta works for me I will send you a message. Pain is horrible enough, but throw in not sleeping and it just makes one miserable!

I wish you a restful night tonight.
Take care,
Cathie

Hi Bunz and Cath,
I had acdf c5 c6 2 yrs ago and have had episodic bouts of pain, numbness and tingling in both arms and shoulders at different times.
Presently none at all but what I found was very beneficial when it occured was a soft cervical cuff when the pain came on often helped more than analgesics.
Hope the pain goes away for you both.

I will try that... thank you!

Hi Cathie, Thanks for your reply, no I haven't been posting too much lately, with this crazy heat wave I've been having severe headaches, neck pain from my scalene/scapular muscles being so tight and bulging and the radiculopathy is driving me nuts (typing increases this symptom). Taking little naps help, I'm just looking for some relief and would love a good nites sleep lol. As well my Dr changed my pain meds and I am still adjusting. I'm sorry you are still having a difficult time with pain, but do get the CT scan as it will show if you have fused or if there are spurs or if another disc herniated. I had an MRI around 8 months after surgery and it showed the ostoephytes at C4/5 and C5/6 and C3/4 has herniated and further deteriation at C7. Cathie keep your chin up don't allow depression to set in, I always find something postive or a silver lining in my day, going for a walk, feeling the hot sun and sweating lol, looking at my pretty flowers in the garden and watching the birds frolic in my bird bath, visiting with my grand babies. I am learning that my neck issues are what they are and when I can no longer take it then I will seek out Shamisa and go from there.

Take care,
Bunz

Thanks for your reply made it up and I am glad you are doing so well! I have tried using the soft collar and just cannot handle it, I feel like I am sufficating ( I'm a little claustrophrobic?) I wore the hard collar from Feb/26/09 to May/31/09 and had a hard time, I actually believe I got TOS (thoracic outlet syndrome) because of being in the hard collar.for 3 months. Thanks again and take care, Bunz

I had 4 levels fused in 05. Now I've radiculopathy, bone spurs, scolliosis and khyphosis . Thanks doc for telling me the side effects! Anyway, I do trigger point injections, they help for a while. I've also had Botox injections. The Botox seems to give relief longer, but it's had to find a doc who will do them, and to get the insurance to approve. It's NOT cosmetic

Thank-you for your response, my Dr recommended me to a pain management Dr 18 months ago and have been on a waiting list since. Well the other day I read in the newspaper that he is moving his much needed service to Toronto which is a real bummer. My family Dr truly believes in the botox injections and he is now on a mission to see where he can refer me to. So Barb are your injections CT guided and where exactly are they injecting??
Thanks again and take care.
Bunz

Hi Bunz,

Just checking back to see how you are feeling now? It's been a few weeks since I've been on the Cymbalta that I was telling you about, and I found that it has helped a great deal with the depression I was feeling from all the chronic pain. It hasn't helped very much with the nerve / neck pain unfortunately, but at least I"m back to my cheery self again.

Still waiting for my MRI appt., you understand how long our waiting lists are in our area, so I still don't have any other answers yet on my neck, arm, hands and fingers. We sure have a slow healthcare system, huh? :P

Hope you are feeling a bit better with our cooler weather, the last couple of days have been chilly at night, hopefully that gives you some relief from headaches.

Take care and keep in touch when you can,
Cathie

I can't sleep horizontally anymore, so I use a foam wedge. On bad nights, my arms get numb and painful too - so I have to flip the wedge around and sleep sitting up (or nearly so).... Seems like you need to get the pressure off of your arms somehow.

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