SEVERE NECK/SHOULDER PAIN 6 MONTHS POST OP CERVICAL DISECTOMY

GILMORE06 · Newbie Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 2

I AM 6 MONTHS POST OP ANTERIOR CERVICAL DISECTOMY WITH FUSION AT C5/6 6/7. I WENT THROUGH 2 YEARS OF PAIN MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES TRYING TO AVOID SURGERY, BUT I HAD A HERNIATED DISC TOUCHING MY SPINAL CORD AND 1 BULGING RIGHT BELOW IT, ALSO HAVE DDD THROUGHOUT SPINE. ALL IN ALL, I GUESS I NEEDED THE SURGERY BECAUSE OF THE HERNIATION, BUT I HAVE WORSE NECK & SHOULDER MUSCLE PAIN THAN BEFORE. THE PAIN RETURNED ABOUT 6 WKS AFTER SURGERY. I HAVE STABBING PAIN BETWEEN MY SHOULDER BLADES AND SEVERE MUSCLE SPASMS AND PAIN FROM THE BASE OF MY SKULL THROUGH MY SHOULDER AND DOWN INTO MY RIGHT ARM TO MY ELBOW. WHEN I STRETCH, IT FEELS LIKE I AM SEPERATING MY SPINE AND I HAVE INTENSE PAIN WHEN RETRACTING FROM THE STRETCH. MOVING MY HEAD IN ANY WAY SENDS SHARP PAINS THROUGH MY NECK, SHOULDERS AND IN THE CENTER OF MY SHOULDER BLADES. I HAVE BEEN TO 6 WKS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY, 2 DIFFERENT MASSAGE THERAPISTS, HAD ABOUT 50 TRIGGER POINT INJECTIONS, SOME EVEN WHILE ON THE MASSAGE THERAPISTS TABLE. I CAN'T SLEEP FOR MORE THAN A COUPLE OF HOURS AT A TIME EVEN WITH SLEEPING PILLS. I AM AT WHITS END. MY POST OP XRAYS AND MRI LOOK FINE ACCORDING TO MY NEURO AND PAIN DR. THE ONLY THING MRI SHOWS IS A BOOMERANG SHAPE IN MY NECK WHERE THE TITANIUM PLATE IS. HE SAID THAT SHOULD BE A SMOOTH CURVATURE, NOT A HUMP, BUT CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT AND NOT EVEN SURE THAT IS CAUSING PROBLEM. I AM AN ACTIVE 35 YR OLD WOMAN WHO'S QUALITY OF LIFE IS DETERIORATING. I WORK 40+ HRS A WEEK, AM VERY ACTIVE IN CHURCH ACTIVITIES, KEEP UP WITH 2 TEENAGE BOYS AND BASEBALL SCHEDULES, HAVE HORSES AND ENJOY DOING OUTDOOR THINGS, BUT I AM IN SEVERE PAIN 24/7 AND SEE NO END IN SIGHT. DR IS OUT OF SUGGESTIONS. ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THE SAME AND GOTTEN BETTER? I AM TRYING TO KEEP MY HEAD UP AND A SMILE ON MY FACE. THE LORD IS GIVING ME THE ONLY STRENGHTH I HAVE. THANKS FOR ANY REPLY!

Guest · Guest

Hi, Gilmore - I also had cervical surgery about 6 months ago C4-7, corp C4-5. Reading your post was like deja vu.

Does your pain feel different than pre-surgery? I seem to have much more pain at the base of my neck and on the back of my head, and earaches, and also am experiencing "electric-like" shocks if I move the wrong way or too quickly. There are days where it also feels like someone has hit me in the area between my shoulders. While I do not regret having the surgery, as my right arm/hand is at least less numb than pre-surgery, it has still been an adjustment in lifestyle - and sounds like it has been for you, as well.

Do you also have to sleep with your head/neck elevated? Do you ever find that when you wake up, your arms/hands/areas of your face are numb?

I am also having some neuropathy in my right leg, and some unsteadiness when trying to walk rapidly - not sure if this is related to the surgery, or to other disc problems in my lumbar area.

My surgeon has now suggested a few possibilities, including:
1) While everything looks fine on x-ray of the fusion area, the vertabrae above and below may not be supporting the stress. (I also have DDD, mild herniations, and osteoarthritis). I will be having a new MRI done soon.

2) I may need additional minor surgery on my right arm (ulnar nerve).

I also found out that I was severely vitamin D deficient, and as a result, was having bone deterioration. After being on high doses of vitamin D, I am having a little less pain, but like you, still having difficulty at night sleeping.

Please post what you find out from your doctor, and I will as well. Hopefully, others will also respond to your enquiry.

Big Z · Newbie Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 1

Hello, Gilmore06. I to had a Cervical Discectomy on the C5,C6,C7. My surgery was performed 3 Times. 2 Anteriorly and 1 posteriorly. I had my surgeries, back 2 back in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005.

I still have pain in my neck, shoulder and back muscle in my left arm. I have difficulty sleeping and staying asleep. Until they can find a way to relief all my issues of pain, I will treat myself. So, get yourself a flat pillow and some icy hot. At first I was using a heating pad every nite. The heat soothes the pain to allow me to fall asleep.

So I tried the icy hot and it to produces heat. My husband rubs the icy hot on my arm, all around my shoulder blade and neck. Use only a very thin layer and not to much rubbing, it will burn. Within minutes, I felt relief. This is my method for bedtime, it is when all the pain hits, when I am lying down. But during the day, I try to keep my mind occupied, so I won't think about the pain, which is a continuous thing.

I really don't want any more surgery. I feel that each time I had surgery, it created another problem. I now have sinus problems, My left eye is a little droopy, I have TMJ and numbness on the rite side of my skull.

I hope this helps you. I was told the surgery may help, but there is no gaunrantees.

P.S. Try to take as little Meds as possible, Not good for you!

Guest · Guest

i am 30 years old and have the same exact problem, i had c4, c5, c6 done in february 06. the only thing that got better for me was the numbness in my left hand. like you i can not sleep with out taking sleeping pills, my husband says i cry in my sleep i hurt so bad. I know i have arthritis and have had it since 16. Do not know if that is what is causing the pain or not. I hope we can all figure it out soon and get on with our lives. I hurt going over bumps in cars and everytime i sneeze. good luck to all and hope we all feel better soon

Pain in the Neck · Newbie Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 5

I've gone through 6 lower back surgeries culminating in L4-S1 fusion and more recently two cervical procedures which have combined to fusion from C2 - T2. Reading the original post was like telling my own story to my Surgeon, Therapist and Pain Manangement Specialist - all of which tell me everything looks fine. From my first cervical procecure, I lost complete use of my left arm, which eventually led to shoulder surgery to remove significant inflamation. It was as close to a miracle I've ever experienced. I could move my arm and shoulder without pain (once going through therapy and strengthening). I've asked my surgeon if that same procedure can be performed along my shoulder blades, sides of my neck and other shoulder as I have the same symptoms as you describe in these areas.

I have not gotten a final go ahead, but it looks like the surgeons are interested in moving forward. I will post again if I get the go and provide the results.

One note...keep in mind that even though you are the one in pain, the others in your family are dealing with your issue as much as you are. I lost my family due to not paying attention to their needs. It sounds like you are still keeping up with them, but smiles and open discussions go a lot further.

My prayers are with you, Gilmore.

Guest · Guest

I had an anterior cervical fusion (C5, C6) about 3 months ago. Initially, after the surgery, I was doing great - went back to work in a week and gradually increased gym activities. About 3/4 weeks ago, I noticed increased pain in my neck and left shoulder that radiates down my left arm. I also have some numbness in my left hand, which is similiar to what I felt before my surgery. I see my neurosurgeon on Monday, but I'm really nervous about what could be wrong. Any ideas?

Guest · Guest

Hi there.
I had a fusion of the C6/7 a year ago. The cage became unstable so 6 months ago they had to redo the procedure and insert a plate. 6 weeks ago i started experiencing pain in my arms, neck and back. So severe that my whole life came to a halt. I have had X-rays and MRI and it shows all is well except there is a spasm but no reason why. I have been on muscle relaxers and pain killers and no joy. 2 weeks ago i had a cervical manipulation under anesthetic. Still no help. I think my surgeon has just palmed me off onto a physio now. I feel so desperatly alone because nobody at home understands what Im going through. It was so good to find this site because I realise Im not the only one. But will there ever be light at the end of the tunnel or is this it for me? Im only 34 with 4 kids. I have to believe that somethings going to give. I have tried pill and potions. Massages and therapist. Any ideas? Anyone?????????

vicdar · Newbie Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

It's amazing how our symptoms are so similar, I think that drs should check out this site. I had my first surgery in 2003 and just had another Decembe 2007. The first was c6 & c7, found out it didn't fuse. The second was c4-7. They had to remove the first plate. I seemed to bounce back fairly quickly with the first one. This one was landed me on my behind. My pain is the same as others have expressed. I have been in & out of therapy, trouble sleeping and tired of popping pills. I miss doing the simple things. When I do things with friends and family, I pay the price dearly. After 7 months, I have not been able to return to work. I think we need to come together and figure this thing out. As others have mentions, drs seemed stumped by the pain issue. If I see another drs shake their head and tell me to just give it time, I'm going to scream. Has anyone experience consistent sore throat and sleep apnea?
Thanks for reading

ivyfern · Newbie Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

Hello. Back on feb 28 i have 2 disc fusions in my c5/7. It did help get rid of the pain in my left arm and neck for a little while. Until about a month ago I noticed a lot of pain in my left shoulder and down my arm. I called me surgen and they told me to stop the exercises they had me doing. The pain still got worse. So when i called them again they told me to go see an orhropedic guy. I did. he then told me to get Physical Therapy. I started that last week. My therapist told me it is related to my surgery (the doctor didnt do anything wrong). It is nerve damage. Me shoulder snaps and pops all the time. He told me he is almost able to pull my arm completely out of the socket. We are working on stabling the bone and so on. So far a teny tiny bit of releife. I think and hope this helps. If i had known it was going to be such a pain after my surgery i would have looked for better options.
Anyone have any other ideas that may help me inbtween my therapy appointments to help with the pain? I've tried ice, alieve and rub on stuff. Please let me know if anything else may help
Thank you!

car1955 · Newbie Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

I hear all of you.I had my surgery on 4/9/08.C5/6=6/7.I have been going to physical therapy for 4 months.I am in pain.Left side of neck left shoulder,going down back,pins and needles.I hardly sleep.I find when they stretch me at P.T its horrible and I'm going to tell them to stop.I thought this was the answer.I was on morphine before the surgery. I take Klonapin at night.What are we supposed to do?Become drug addicts.I just suffer in pain.My husband thinks I sound like I'm 90 when I'm 53.he also thinks I should be thankful I don't have cancer.I'm out of work on disability and praying for an answer.

SEVERE NECK/SHOULDER PAIN 6 MONTHS POST OP CERVICAL DISECTOMY

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