NeuroTalk Support Groups - 3 months post ACDF still have pain.

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- - 3 months post ACDF still have pain. (https://www.neurotalk.org/spinal-disorders-and-back-pain/171008-3-months-post-acdf-pain.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Smith (Post 886336)

Hi Sarayuwx, Welcome.

Everything you've shared -- the stress, heartbreak, compassion, anxiety, sensations, reactions, and frustration -- all sounds very... human, and familiar to this group. :)

You've been through a lot, and while the stress, etc. may have been contributing factors, they are not the cause, and if the cause is something in the past (work, injury, natural aging) it really doesn't matter -- we can't change the past, we are where we are now, and we can only go forward from wherever that is. It is unfortunate that (seemingly -- you didn't really say, so I'm guessing) no-one told you that the surgery may not help the pain, and that you had to go through all that anyway, but that's one of those things that cannot be changed/taken back, so let's go from NOW.

Have you been through post-surgical/rehab PT, and are you in Pain Management? Do you have a Physiatrist? (Maybe both in one.) Does your husband go to doctor visits with you, and ask questions? These are rhetorical questions, and meant as possible suggestions to help.

Before trading in your SUV, try test-driving any prospective replacements. Most cars have blind spots, so you may just be trading your current blind spots for other different ones. Also check safety equipment & records, paying special attention to neck/whiplash protection in fender-benders.

You're on a journey through a life-changing event, and we all hope you will recover fully, but that may still take some time & effort, and realities must be considered/faced. Did you take a look at the stages of grief during the period with your dad? Those stages and their effects can also apply to life-changing events like surgery. You may have to moderate/slow down -- even more than originally anticipated -- with the active stuff until you've healed/rehabilitated more. That's another thing they may have neglected to tell you -- realistic recuperation times. It's only 3 months, and it may take a year (hopefully not, but folks here, either directly or by reviewing past discussion threads, may give you a better idea of expectations and experiences) -- you may still have some road to travel, and your family needs to understand this.

Your husband especially, but the family (those old enough) needs to talk to someone, or someone needs to talk to them. This is one of those times when families need to/should rally together, understand, pitch-in & take up the slack, and do whatever is necessary to help out/support mom & get her back on her feet, and/or deal with whatever is ahead -- physically, psychologically, emotionally. You're still a whole person, and deserve to be treated like one.

No-one can ever truly understand what another person is feeling or going through except another who has experienced the same. This applies equally to support groups and to families for the same reason -- shared experiences/history. We (human beings) need both; both are integral parts of our support networks.

I'm not sure what all kind of answers there are, or your choices either, but I am glad you found us, and hope you'll find some.

Doc

beautifully said
yes it is

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarayuwx (Post 886523)

Is there a drug out there that any of you have had success with that also did not zone you out and you were still able to function through the day?

That's hard to say because people react to medications differently. ALL medications have side effects, and people react/respond differently to them as well.

Chronic pain is generally considered to be "pain that lasts beyond the term of an injury or painful stimulus," and I'm not sure you're there yet... you're still healing!

That said, most longterm chronic pain patients on opioids that are properly prescribed and taken are able to function at a high level, but there are downsides, and that may not be appropriate for you; that's between you and your doctor(s).

Some patients do fine (without grogginess) on gabapentin or Lyrica.

Some more reading - Google: talk doctor pain for tips on describing your pain to doctors, things to do and not to do. Choice of a particular medication should generally be left up to the doctor, lest the patient be thought a drug-seeker. Once you see a pain management specialist, medication may or may not be the best therapy for you anyway. There are other things they may want to try first; it may take some time to find the best solution/therapy for you.

Doc

Sarah,
Your story and history regarding your cervical spine injury and surgery is very much like mine.
I found a soft cervical collar just by the act of immobilising and supporting my neck would help.
Maybe quit driving for a while too? At least until you get the pain under control.
Also I found Gabapentin to be a great drug with little if any side effects (for me anyway!) and wish I'd been prescribed it sooner than it was.
It helped me sleep and cope with the pain which thankfully went after a few months and now I no longer take Gabapentin or wear a collar .

Just wanted to add my welcome:welcome_sign:!!!
I'm not sure how to help except with words of encouragement. I have spinal problems at the opposite end of the spine so I don't know what should be expected at three months out.

I am six months out from my fusion. What kind of surgery did you have...fusion? When thinking seeing someone for therapy...think of possibly a Physical medicine and rehabilitation, also referred to as rehabilitation medicine doc. My surgeon got me into this guy who does pain management. He is called a physiatrist. He has helped me with pain that won't go away. He has given me a patch for pain and other meds. He also did some injections that have worked really well for me.

I hope you can find the answers you need. You need to talk to your surgeon about your concerns or maybe find a new doc you feel you can trust...

Please keep us updated...also you might want to post a thread on the new member forum.

Thank you EVERYONE for all of your words of encouragement. I went to see OSS, they took Xrays. He did not say what he saw on Xray but instead is sending me for an MRI with contrast this afternoon. I will have those results read to me on Monday. My neck, upper back and right shoulder are hurting so bad I could just throw up. My Dr. assured me not to worry, that we WOULD get to the bottom of this pain source and I believe him. My husband on the other hand seems to be at the end of his rope with me, the state of the house yada yada and frankly that is making me feel worse. I am just feeling really down and alone today. But I am determined to ge there. Gah. Thanks for listening. =)

Just one thing ~ DON'T sleep on your tummy! LOL That's gonna KILL your NECK. :eek: If you think you're gonna end up on your tummy again, sleep in the recliner! LOL You can't risk getting your neck twisted like that this early . OUCH.

I sure hope you get your pain taken care of. It's miserable being in such pain 24/7. And I WISH your husband was more sympathic! :mad: If he's like some men, if he stubbed his toe, you'd think he was dying! :rolleyes:

My prayers are with you sweetie. Keep us posted, ok? God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee

What night last night! I had on my collar, surrounded myself with pillows and slept alone. I slept all night y'all! Going to ATTEMPT the same thing here in a few minutes, we have perfect sleeping weather here in Bama, light breeze, rain and it is cool out. I go back for results for MRIon Monday. Meanwhile, I hope you all have a great weekend. I have been reading some of these other threads and while I hate the circumstances of why we are here, I am thankful that I found you all. :hug:

Will let y'all know what the MRI showed on Monday :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarayuwx (Post 886206)

Now I have burning pain in my arms. Muscle spasms in my neck and shoulders.....My husband is most unsympathetic to my pain and fusses when things do not get done......

Hi,

You suggest that the burning arm pain is post-surgical. While it may be an annoying, resolving residual of the surgery, it might represent a post-surgical complication, of which there are several, including complex regional pain syndrome. The chances are against it however if it is present, you must pursue appropriate therapies for such. CRPS/RSD is a naughty acronym in the ortho/neuro surgical vernacular and will likely be swept under the rug until it is much too late to do anything about it.

Please discuss such a possibility with both your surgeon or neurologist or PM doc as initiation of specific therapy for such much after 3 or 4 months becomes mostly ineffectual. Also, since you are post-discectomy with ongoing symptoms, ask about follow-up MRI with contrast to rule out recurrent disc. Oh...give your muscle relaxers and all other anxiety medications to your husband....sounds like he could us them!

Good luck!

Thanks Dubious. :) The Dr. Who performed my EMG and NCS said the same thing and indicated that it could take up to a year for that to calm down. It is the feeling like a softball hit me square between the shoulders is what has me bothered, and the spasms in my neck that I had prior to the surgery. But FORTUNATELY my MRI results were a lot better than the first MRI I had prior to surgery except for C4-5 showingmild neural foraminal narrowing and a slight bulge where before surgery it was normal. Hmmmmm...... My Dr. Feels that I am still in the healing stages, which I know I will be for a while, I just get so impatient, and everyone in this house has always relied on me for everything so that when I am down, chaos ensues...... Not fun! My dr also added that the pain between my shoulder blades is not normal. Soooo, We are trying for a block next week, have any of you had any relief with these, even temporarily? Meanwhile, I am back on Lortab 7.5, which has helped better than the neurontin.

I am sorry you are having a hard time after surgery. I had several injections that did help me both before and after my surgery. If the injection doesn't work the first time around, or has any symptoms you don't like, don't repete it. I hope the medicine your doctor gives you provides some relief. I had C3-7 corrected. It took about 4 months for me to feel somewhat normal again. I wish you all the best. ginnie