6 days ago I had c5/6 6/7 fused..and they sent me home on t3's! after coming down with a respiratory infection they put me on perc5.
now I am out of meds and they are refusing to prescribe me anything else for the pain...they said i don't need meds and it is all in my head.
My left arm is throbbing and i can hardly stand up. The only thing that makes me almost tolerable is sittng in bed........what am i suppossed to do with out anything for pain.....they said " take tylenol ".
The pain is getting worse and i only have 20 t3's left...any suggestions on what to do?

Hi there,

That's crazy that they wouldn't give you anything stronger for pain. I was on Oxycontin, muscle relaxers and percs for months after surgery. I had the same surgery as you in March, fused C5, C6, C7 with titanium plate and cadaver bone.

I would call my family doctor first and try to explain your pain level and see if he will help you. If that does not work out then go to ER, call an ambulance if you can't have someone drive you. You should ask for some muscle relaxers also, it will help.

Are you wearing your cervical collar? I was in mine for 8 1/2 weeks post op. It was brutal. But make sure you wear it.

Good luck with your recovery, take care of yourself and make sure you don't wait too long to talk to someone, better to get seen before you run out of T3's.

Take care,
Cathie

Hi,
I agree with Cath regarding wearing a cervical collar.
I had ACDF c5 c6 and wasn't told to wear one post op but some time later found enormous relief from a bout of intense shoulder and arm pain by wearing one.
I don't recall needing much in the way of post op analgesics though especially by day 6 so maybe you need further reviewing.
Have you had any ct scan or x ray since surgery?
Let us know how you go.
Regards

Without knowing anything else about you or what your symptoms were before the surgery and how they are different now, I think you should go see your PCP and ask for his assistance by virtue of a script for additional pain meds and (assuming this is not WC) a referral to a neurologist or pain management doc to figure out why you are worse. Your surgeon sounds useless at this point for unknown reason so move on at least so far as pursuing pain control options and further clarification.

A complication would be indicated if you either had worsening pain or inappropriate pain not explainable by anything else, post-surgically. Sounds like you are there. There are numerous reasons for increased post-op pain, some of which are an emergent issue.

bigblabber2, my best guess is that you are having spasms. I had the same thing happen after my second fusion (about 3 days later); felt like my left arm was being sawed off. Because it was a weekend my Neurosurgeon had me go straight to the ER to rule anything in or out. Long story short it was severe spasms from having the nerves decompressed. As it was explained to me later, once they are decompressed they tend to be angry and actually "plump up" for awhile. So, I was given a higher dose of Valium and it stopped. Narcotics won't usually help with that kind of pain. I would ask for a muscle relaxer and Valium is the best on the planet! I am kind of surprised your doc didn't give you at least 3 months worth of meds. My own always did; an opiate (usually Norco) and then Valium 5 mgs. And yes, you can wean off Valium just fine; I did...twice. Now, I just keep a small amount on hand when a spasm hits. Anyway, if all else fails, I agree with Cath, go to the ER; they can help you to get it calmed down. Good luck!

I had a mri when I went to er for respiratory infection and saw my spinal doc then he came to see me....that was when they told me i needed nothing it was all in my head.........they did switch me to vic5 on monday but gave me 20 and said i could only take 1 every 6 hrs and that i could not get a refill.
I had only neurological symptoms before the surgery no actual pain at all....0!
Now i have immense pain.
I live in nh and when you see any doc for narcotics they put you on contracts that state if you go to any er without their permission it is a breach and you will be kicked out of clinic.....my family doc has no knowledge so he referred me to the pain clinic so he cannot help me either.........i believe that they are wrong but with this stupid contract i am screwed.
yes I do have a collar .
Muscle relaxers are a breach of contract and my spinal doc who also was my surgeon said there is no medical reason to after 7 days be on anything but over the counter Tylenol!

I am tired-frustrated-and feeling like a pity pot....tx for this site so i can at least vent on someone other than my boyfriend!

dear fellow sufferer

i have had similar if not yours worse
i have no respect for anyone
in the medical field not to mention
do not trust anyone as a direct result
of what it is that you are going through
my surgery is the same as cathie
only a second surgery a year later
i failed to fuse first time
second one i won't even start explaining
still in the healing process and my doctor
still thinks it is in my head
i returned to my pain specialist for help
i concur with cathie in worse case
go to the hospital
something i was forced to do
as a result of my surgeon ignoring
my calls and let me suffer for 2 days no meds
awaiting his lax in sending me my script
you are in pain i was there
and know how it hurts
please don't wait
get the relief you need
shame on those that tell you how you should feel
my pain doctor monitors my meds
knows i am not a "addict" seeking the next high
having made the decision to go through what i did
is certainly not to be left with needing
all the medicine i am on
oxycontin is not where i want to be
along with muscle relaxers
and am never below a level 5 pain scale
i am so sorry you're suffering pain
i write you with tears
as i so remember what it was like right after
you do not want to hinder any healing process
with pain like i still have
have an advocate with you at all times if possible
note everything, i mean this if this be the only thing
you take from my message
i will pray relief your way
i hope you have someone watching over you
i would sit on a stool in the tub as the warm water
would trickle down my back as my child would
pour it slowly
i am taking other steps regarding the behavior
of my surgeon
may your angels wrap you in their wings
and give you hope that it will get better
until then
go to the hospital
i am so angry for you

i found this forum
and happy to say
the support is wonderful
lean on when need be i visit daily

p.s. i am new at the www and use of the computer

Well update I am on my way to see my spine doc at 9am. I hope all goes well, because to night my boyfriend had to hold my hand while i went thru 15mins of pain worse tahn when i had my children.........and they say it is all in head..........wish me luck..........keep you posted!