raz2006 wrote:
Yes I am also post op cervical fusion. Do everything possible that you can do before you decide to do a fusion. I had my c5-c6 fused in sep 08. The pain never went away. In the last month now, I have mod-severe pain in my arms and hands. I always have pain in my neck and upper back. I was in an auto accident in 1991 when I was 19. Now I am 38 going on 110. I have been through chronic pain programs, PT, meds, heavy narcotics and more with no sucess. Since there is something pressing on the nerve, one way or another I am going to end up with another surgery if not to put off being paralized. But life for me pretty much sucks. Dealt with major depression as well. Of course filed for disability with social security and have been denied twice so far, but continuing to fight those idiots. So yea I know what you all are feeling. 80% of my life is in bed which really makes life not fun.
Guest wrote:
I too had a cervical fusion in Feb. 2004, mine was a result of an auto accident in Aug. 1999. It took 5 years for the dr.'s to finally figure out that I had a small tear in my disc.. I had my C5-C6 removed and I too used a piece of bone from my hip. The surgery was no problem, hardly any pain! I had too stay in the hosp. for 3 days and then for 6 weeks wear a soft neck brace. I was off of work for close to 4 months, I really could have gone back sooner but because I had decided to use my hip bone instead of a cadaivar my recuperating time was longer! The only pain I really had was from using my hip bone, it was EXTREMELY painful! Before the surgery I had a lot of problems with my left shoulder and arm. I had experienced numbness and tingling, my doctor thought I had carpal tunnel. I had carpal tunnel surgery in Dec. 2001. It helped my hand but my pain was still in my arm. One month before my fusion I had a nerve block to see if it would help, it did for about 2 weeks! I have no problems now with my arm or shoulder, the only problem I have is muscle spasms in my neck where they had to cut! It hurts to yawn sometimes, in fact I am on muscle relaxers at night! Does anyone else have these problems? If so how have you been told to correct it? Did I mention I was 24 when the accident occured and 28 when I had the surgery?
Hello, I have been referred to have the Anterior Cervical Disk Surgery in the C-5/C-6. They want to fuse and put a metal plate in there. I injured myself exercising 6 weeks ago and an MRI later, I have a large herniated disk. I have some mild on and off pain and "slight" weakness in my right arm. Do you think there are other options that I could try instead of surgery? From what I've read, surgery sounds like it has it's own set of problems after you get home.
Yes I am also post op cervical fusion. Do everything possible that you can do before you decide to do a fusion. I had my c5-c6 fused in sep 08. The pain never went away. In the last month now, I have mod-severe pain in my arms and hands. I always have pain in my neck and upper back. I was in an auto accident in 1991 when I was 19. Now I am 38 going on 110. I have been through chronic pain programs, PT, meds, heavy narcotics and more with no sucess. Since there is something pressing on the nerve, one way or another I am going to end up with another surgery if not to put off being paralized. But life for me pretty much sucks. Dealt with major depression as well. Of course filed for disability with social security and have been denied twice so far, but continuing to fight those idiots. So yea I know what you all are feeling. 80% of my life is in bed which really makes life not fun.
Hello all.
I had a c6and7 fusion on the 18 of november 2009. Everything has went well up until about a month ago.
I now have neck, arm and shoulder pain that has come back. It is definately not as bad as it was pre sugery,but it is getting worse day by day. Some better than others. I also have a extreemly sharp pain from my elbow to by wrist. It too also comes and goes. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions of what I should do. I am thinking of calling the surgern and talking with them. %-)
I had a c6and7 fusion on the 18 of november 2009. Everything has went well up until about a month ago.
I now have neck, arm and shoulder pain that has come back. It is definately not as bad as it was pre sugery,but it is getting worse day by day. Some better than others. I also have a extreemly sharp pain from my elbow to by wrist. It too also comes and goes. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions of what I should do. I am thinking of calling the surgern and talking with them. %-)
I had anterior cervical plating and dysectomy on the 21st of May 2010 on C4, 5,6, and 7. The problem begain in 2006 when I had to have rotator cuff surgery. I had 2 rotator cuff surgeries (right side) that I believe led to the nerve damage and the ACDF. I am now in PT and I believe the pain is worser now then before I had surgery. I can not sit long periods of time, constant pain in shoulder areas such as spasm, throbbing, etc., (pain was mostly on the right side) now both sides are affected and I feel pain down my back. How long is this whole ordeal suppose to last and will I ever fully recover to work again?
I had cervical spine surgery almost 3 years ago. I was in horrible pain for three months after. Then it started to get better. But the cracking and crunching sound is back worse than ever
After a year or so of surgery everytime I turn neck in either direction to far that arm hurts badly. It is hard to sleep. All agree it is a pinched nerve but no suggestions on how to fix it. I have to change positions while sleeping many times during the night. I also had a bone graft and have a metal plate in neck. Neuro doc said he thinks it is bone spurs or scarring. I am not caring what they call it I just want it gone. On top of that now I have lumbar spine pain that shoots to hip to side of leg, very painful. Anyone had this happen?
After a year or so of surgery everytime I turn neck in either direction to far that arm hurts badly. It is hard to sleep. All agree it is a pinched nerve but no suggestions on how to fix it. I have to change positions while sleeping many times during the night. I also had a bone graft and have a metal plate in neck. Neuro doc said he thinks it is bone spurs or scarring. I am not caring what they call it I just want it gone. On top of that now I have lumbar spine pain that shoots to hip to side of leg, very painful. Anyone had this happen?
anonymous wrote:
Quote:I had a C4-5,5-6 discectomy with fusion 6 weeks ago. I originally went to a Neurosurgeon because of severe shoulder and upper arm pain, with tingling and numbness in my hands. The diagnosis was stenosis, causing nerve compression. The surgery went great! I spent one night in the hospital and was released with a soft neck brace, which the doctor said I really did not have to wear. I went back to work in one week and started driving at 2 weeks. I was feeling pretty good at that point, then the arm pain started coming back! It has progressively worsened until it is now as bad as it was prior to surgery! The doctor says that there is nothing left to compress my nerves at the levels he operated on, but is ordering another MRI to see if anything was possibly missed. I am beginning to feel like I made a bad decision in having surgery, but the doctor told me that my nerve damage would only continue to progress without the surgery. How long will this pain last? It is especially bad at night while trying to sleep, yet subsides during the day, if my arms are at my side, not lifting, gripping, etc. Putting my arm into a shirt or coat sleeve hurts the worst and I have little or no strength when the pain occurs. Anyone with longer post-surgical experience?
I had C-5, C-6 surgury many years ago, but now I am suffering from so much pain that I can't use my arms. the The mobility is progressive as well as the pain that radiates down my arm and, my finger joints have become stiff. In the morning I can't lift my arm I have to use my left arm to lift my right arm and, the pain lingers all day long. My Dr increases my pain medication with each complaint, this is not what I want. I want to know where I start ot investigate the problem and find a solution. What do I need to ask him to get at the core of the problem?
I am not certain why my surgeon chose such a conservative recovery for me, but I hope it helps me get along better than some of these posts I have read. August 3, 2010, I had C4 to C6 Cervical Decompression/Discectomy Fusion with Instrumentation. I could not swallow for 2 days following surgery and the team decided to give me a 24 hour steroid boost. This helped, but still after 3 weeks, I continue to have problems with swallowing. I am restricted to driving, lifting more than 2 lbs, reaching, picking up from floor, moving my neck left to right actually moving my neck at all. Even with the instrumentation, I am required to wear a hard colar at all times, except when I shower and during that time I am to wear a soft collar. I am taking Skalaxtin, Necrotine on a regular basis. I am to take 5 mg Vicoden as needed...and I do need vicoden all most every day, still. I can not take any asprin, advil, alieve or any thing like that. Because I can not eat much (due to swallowing issues) I must take additional protien, when I take in the form of protien shakes. I am not to even consider returning to work until after my 6 wks check up on September 10. If the fusion has not started appropriately then I will be required to continue wearing the collar and will not be allowed to return to work. It seems to me that most of you have not had the same recovery orders I was given. Perhaps that will make a difference in my long term success?? Also, I read that a couple of you had "nerve damage" that wasn't discovered until after your surgery. I was given an EMG prior to surgery to make certain there was no nerve damage. I had Physical Therapy, a series of Epidurals, medication. I believe my surgery was necessary and I hope that my recovery continues to be successful.
I am sad to see I am not the only one out here with the same problem. I had c-spine fusion March 2010. For the first week after surgery I felt like my old self. After that week it has been all down hill. My pain is worse now than before surgery. My doctor says its just post surgery pain but it is getting worse instead of better. I can't seem to get him to understand there is something wrong and need futher tests done. I have had a MIR, x-rays and blood work done and all came beck normal. I really don't know what to do. I can't work, clean house, care for myself. There are times I need help bathing, eating and dressing myself. I need help. I don't think I can continue to live like this.
My first surgery was in March 2005 i had C5-C6 C6-C7 Fused i felt good for about a year,winter time kills me in pain all the time try to just deal with it, its hard. Re-injured my neck in 2010 last week i had C4-C5 fused hope it will last a little longer this time, i do not think you will ever go pain free their is no way,your body is not made to be fused at the joints and have metal plates and screws in it.All i can tell you from my own problems since 2005 i haven't felt real good i have good days and bad days i just deal with it life goes on i know its hard but you will make it, wish youluck.
OMG just been reading all your letter's, i have just come back from my neurosurgeon today, i also have the c6 c7 on a neve, he said there is not much protection around the disc'c so he needs to operate. He wants me to go to physio & pain management doc first. Like most of you i hve terrible pain in my left arm, if i lift it too high the pain nearly knockes me out, i also have 3 very numb fingers. He said i also have a frozen shoulder. Now im really scared to go for surgery, reading that most of you are still in pain. :-( :-( I think the worse part is trying to sleep, i wake up and im crying with the pain in my arm. please please someone tell me there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I have to wait at least 3 months for the surgery...... But i am really so glad i found this site i can read your updates. I will just try to keep moving and not let it take me over. Thank you to everyone and best of luck
I did not have pain in my arms until after surgery. My neck is actually feeling pretty good. My neuro says that he thinks I need to get the brace out of my neck and that may help a lot. But surgeon says he is not quite so sure. my hands have just now started going numb. had carpel tunnel surgery a few years back and that went well. Now my lumbar spine is in trouble. will know more in a month. I would suggest you do all you can to strenthen your core muscles. As sometimes your back takes the fall after your neck is done. In my case they said i had it it such bad shape that any fall would have broken my neck. Imagine and I was jogging all along. still do
keep posting. and three months is good, gives you a lot of time to research all of your options.
keep posting. and three months is good, gives you a lot of time to research all of your options.
I had herniated several discs in a jetski accident when I was 25. I suffered on and off with moderate to severe pain for 20 years. Had several rounds of steroids, injections, and physical therapy. In May of 2009 my right arm quit working from the shoulder to the elbow accompanied with severe pain. I went to my family doctor and was referred to a neurosurgeon. Had 4 herniations and bone spurs as well as some stenosis. My right arm improved somewhat with another round of steroids and PT, but the pain never subsided. After all those years of suffering, I opted to have surgery. Had to have C3 thru C6 fused (using donor bone) with instrumentation. Had the surgery done in January of 2010. I have yet to regret that decision. I feel like a new person. The first week after surgery was hell, but I followed the surgeon's directions to the letter and recovery went well. I only had to wear a soft collar when I was up & about, but not to sleep or if I was on the couch. I went back to work part-time after 2 weeks and full time in 4. I would say that 80-90% of the pain was relieved. I still get sore once in a while if I overdo things, and cold, damp rains in the spring ( and now in the fall) cause me some discomfort, but overall, I am very pleased with the outcome. I am not 100% pain-free however. And I never expected to be. My advice to anyone considering this type of surgery is 1) to wait until you've exhausted all other reasonable treatments and 2) be sure to choose the best neurosurgeon you can get. Do your research. Not every surgery has a bad outcome. Unfortunately, (like with the news media), you will mostly hear bad news because the people who have had successful surgery don't complain. I feel sorry for those of you who continue to suffer, and I wish those people the best of luck finding relief, but I felt it necessary to let people know that there can be a happy ending. It must be noted, however, that I am only 10 months post-op, and things can change. I will post any changes both positive or negative as time goes on. :-D :-D :-D
I wrote in on the cervical neck surgery under shelly92555.
I had really bad pain for over three months then it gradually got better. I also could not swallow as my esphogus was so swollen from surgery and I lost ten pounds.
This was three years ago. Then about year and a half after surgery I started not being able to turn my neck to far left or right. When I do the pain shoots down my arms. When I sleep I wake up a lot if I move wrong and get in to that position. I have had way to many exrays since and of course they show all is well. I had a ct scan and I think it showed all is well too. But all is not well
Not only my arms but now my fingers have begun to start to numb so much that I cannot feel them when I type.
I had on doc tell me that the metal plate should be removed
Another one said, well I am not so sure about that
Another said, he did not know either
It is frustrating getting so many different answers from so many different doctors. In my gut I think the plate should come out. It has been three years and I am sure the bones are set pretty good by now. My surgeon says he can not say that for sure the arm pain would stop if the plate was removed.
UH DOC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From what I remember he nor any other doctor could guarantee anything at all with the outcome of the surgery. So I am not expecting guarnatees. I just want to know if there is a better than 70% chance that the plate is to blame.
It is like pulling teeth to get some of these docs to say anything. They are so afraid of being sued that is it interferring with their patient to doctors skills.
So I have hears a lot of bad about this is all I can say
my lumbar spine now has two herniated disks. I have just had the epidural shot and for now I can walk. I take pain killers and this back thing has kept me in bed more than I care to think about
I am worried mostly about permanant nerve damage which it seems not one doc is willing to comment or say much about that.
HEY DOCS
i KNOW YOU ARE HUMAN, I DO NOT EXPECT PERFECTION, I KNOW THERE ARE RISKS, BUT PLEASE ATLEAST HAVE THE DECENCY TO BE AS HONEST AS YOU CAN TO ME. AND STOP FEARING THE LAW SUIT THING SO MUCH THAT YOU MIGHT AS WELL NOT EVEN PRACTICE MEDICINE.
shelly
I had really bad pain for over three months then it gradually got better. I also could not swallow as my esphogus was so swollen from surgery and I lost ten pounds.
This was three years ago. Then about year and a half after surgery I started not being able to turn my neck to far left or right. When I do the pain shoots down my arms. When I sleep I wake up a lot if I move wrong and get in to that position. I have had way to many exrays since and of course they show all is well. I had a ct scan and I think it showed all is well too. But all is not well
Not only my arms but now my fingers have begun to start to numb so much that I cannot feel them when I type.
I had on doc tell me that the metal plate should be removed
Another one said, well I am not so sure about that
Another said, he did not know either
It is frustrating getting so many different answers from so many different doctors. In my gut I think the plate should come out. It has been three years and I am sure the bones are set pretty good by now. My surgeon says he can not say that for sure the arm pain would stop if the plate was removed.
UH DOC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From what I remember he nor any other doctor could guarantee anything at all with the outcome of the surgery. So I am not expecting guarnatees. I just want to know if there is a better than 70% chance that the plate is to blame.
It is like pulling teeth to get some of these docs to say anything. They are so afraid of being sued that is it interferring with their patient to doctors skills.
So I have hears a lot of bad about this is all I can say
my lumbar spine now has two herniated disks. I have just had the epidural shot and for now I can walk. I take pain killers and this back thing has kept me in bed more than I care to think about
I am worried mostly about permanant nerve damage which it seems not one doc is willing to comment or say much about that.
HEY DOCS
i KNOW YOU ARE HUMAN, I DO NOT EXPECT PERFECTION, I KNOW THERE ARE RISKS, BUT PLEASE ATLEAST HAVE THE DECENCY TO BE AS HONEST AS YOU CAN TO ME. AND STOP FEARING THE LAW SUIT THING SO MUCH THAT YOU MIGHT AS WELL NOT EVEN PRACTICE MEDICINE.
shelly
IM a neurosurgeon, the repeat scan is important...sometimes as the bone heals the graft subsides and the nerve can be compressed again ..even after successful decompression....if no compression is seen considerations include perineural fibrosis ( less common than the back), re-innervation pain and ganglion injury....in general all these improve with time (years)
I had cervical fusion surgery in 1995 on C6 & C7. I was 39 years old at the time. A couple of years went by, then I started getting some numbness in my left arm again but it was nothing very bad or painful. Then it stopped and I felt quite fine until about 6 months ago. One day I got up and there was a very sharp pain in the back of my head just above my hair line. Over the course of the next couple of weeks, every day the pain moved slowly down into my neck, then it started moving left along the side of my neck and finally made it all the way around to the front of my neck right below my left jaw line.
First of all, I need to say that I have no health insurance and I cannot afford to see a doctor. I am on unemployment but my boyfriend is on disability and it pretty much takes all of our combined finances to pay our monthly bills and buy food and gas and other necessities.
Back to the issue at hand....over the last few weeks now, first it started with just tingling in my neck. It felt like someone was giving me electrical impulses or something. I'd be sitting on the couch or driving my car or just about anything and every so often the buzzing would start. Fast forward to today, now I can't do anything and even when I am not doing anything, my left arm is continually numb from the top of my shoulder to the tips of all of my fingers. My right hand gets completely numb, as well. Especially when I try to hold on to something, like hold a drinking glass or the telephone or read a book, it gets really bad. Strange as it may seem, I can still type and still type quite fast and accurate. But my sleep time is very uncomfortable and the noises my neck makes when I move it are really awful and scary.
The cracking and creaking sounds my neck makes, the numbness, tingling, and feeling of electricity going through my neck and arms and hands leads me to think that maybe something has come loose from where my surgery was and has floated its way around in my body and is pressuring and pinching my nerves and won't let go.
I am at the point sometimes where I cannot stand it. I am afraid I might end up paralyzed or worse. Has anyone had the issue of a screw coming loose from the metal plate and floating around the spinal column or moving around your neck and shoulders? I know I need to get medical help soon and I am sure I will, because I am really scared of what's happening to me.
In the mornings, the pain is so bad, I just moan and it is hard to lift my head to get out of bed. I just want to scream. I take some Vicodin on occasion, but it only helps temporarily. The numbness and tingling don't ever go away now.
thank you for letting me vent my worries. My boyfriend doesn't give me the support I need and doesn't seem to be too concerned that I may be in a very dangerous state of health right now.
First of all, I need to say that I have no health insurance and I cannot afford to see a doctor. I am on unemployment but my boyfriend is on disability and it pretty much takes all of our combined finances to pay our monthly bills and buy food and gas and other necessities.
Back to the issue at hand....over the last few weeks now, first it started with just tingling in my neck. It felt like someone was giving me electrical impulses or something. I'd be sitting on the couch or driving my car or just about anything and every so often the buzzing would start. Fast forward to today, now I can't do anything and even when I am not doing anything, my left arm is continually numb from the top of my shoulder to the tips of all of my fingers. My right hand gets completely numb, as well. Especially when I try to hold on to something, like hold a drinking glass or the telephone or read a book, it gets really bad. Strange as it may seem, I can still type and still type quite fast and accurate. But my sleep time is very uncomfortable and the noises my neck makes when I move it are really awful and scary.
The cracking and creaking sounds my neck makes, the numbness, tingling, and feeling of electricity going through my neck and arms and hands leads me to think that maybe something has come loose from where my surgery was and has floated its way around in my body and is pressuring and pinching my nerves and won't let go.
I am at the point sometimes where I cannot stand it. I am afraid I might end up paralyzed or worse. Has anyone had the issue of a screw coming loose from the metal plate and floating around the spinal column or moving around your neck and shoulders? I know I need to get medical help soon and I am sure I will, because I am really scared of what's happening to me.
In the mornings, the pain is so bad, I just moan and it is hard to lift my head to get out of bed. I just want to scream. I take some Vicodin on occasion, but it only helps temporarily. The numbness and tingling don't ever go away now.
thank you for letting me vent my worries. My boyfriend doesn't give me the support I need and doesn't seem to be too concerned that I may be in a very dangerous state of health right now.
Hi i am Bella and i am 45 years old in 2008 i had cervical fusion on C3-4 C4-5 C5-6 C6-7 and i have a large metal plate with 8 screws, after the surgery it was about 3 or 4 months before i could eat or drink anything without chocking but the numbness in my arms and legs did go away but the pain is worse now then ever the doctor said i had more spurs and that one of the bones did not fuse and said that i need to have surgery to fix it but they want to go through the back part of my neck this time and he said it was much more painful then it was when they went through the front and he can't be sure that it will even stop the pain. I went through a very rough time and i still haven't recovered from that one if some one can understand what i am going through or is having the same problem please let me know i feel like i am going crazy.