I cant believe I stumbled on this page! I thought I had something different going on wiht this arm pain but now I know it is from surgery. I had my cervical spine fused 4 through 6 december 07. Suddenly my right arm is constantly in pain. PT says it is because of C7 taking the brunt of all the work of the spine below fusion. Muscles get really tight and move things (like ribs) around pinching nerves. The key is to try and go for muscle relaxation on the back which in this case is no easy thing. You have to go see a "gentle" orthopedic, massage therapist, etc..work on posture too. Take breaks , do exercises. I am getting a little better but still in shock that so many others have this arm thing. The surgeons out there do not give the right instructions after you leave. It is a life long maintenance. Also Lyrica helps when bad.
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hi all its Debbie here, how are you all doing,well its been 1week since my functional assessment and the server pain from that assessment is still with me ,,now im getting that damn deep achy pain up my left shoulder blade down to my left arm again,when does it ever stop,still feels like someone is slicing my muscles of my shoulder bones and up my neck, still cant lift, push ,pull,back especial if im trying to lift up out in front it just does"not happen to much pain plus, weakness, tiredness my ACDF was on may 19 2008,so its been 5months,starting feel the same as before. :-(
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If you have read most of the blogs on ACDF surgery you have probably noticed I have sent in alot of comments on pain after ACDF.
My symptoms only worsened after C-5,C-6 surgery and continue to gradually worsen as time goes on. I've been told I have RSD, Fibromyalgia, etc. The pain is in my neck and my other pain seems to bee muscle related (spasms). Is yours the same?
It has been 3 yrs since this surgery and yesterday I consulted my 3rd neuro for an updated MRI, EMG and other test to see if they can find out what is going on. He also ordered a brain scan. This will be the first one of these I have had.
I am in constant pain. Though the pain started on one side only it is now moving to the other side and down my lower limbs as well.
I know that all of us that are still having problems may have different underlying issues as soon as I find out anything (if I do) I will pass it on so others can research my diagnosis to see if their symptoms compare.
I keep hoping and searching for answers as I'm sure every one else has been doing. There has to be a reason. Let's all stick together and keep blogging so an answer might be found.
My symptoms only worsened after C-5,C-6 surgery and continue to gradually worsen as time goes on. I've been told I have RSD, Fibromyalgia, etc. The pain is in my neck and my other pain seems to bee muscle related (spasms). Is yours the same?
It has been 3 yrs since this surgery and yesterday I consulted my 3rd neuro for an updated MRI, EMG and other test to see if they can find out what is going on. He also ordered a brain scan. This will be the first one of these I have had.
I am in constant pain. Though the pain started on one side only it is now moving to the other side and down my lower limbs as well.
I know that all of us that are still having problems may have different underlying issues as soon as I find out anything (if I do) I will pass it on so others can research my diagnosis to see if their symptoms compare.
I keep hoping and searching for answers as I'm sure every one else has been doing. There has to be a reason. Let's all stick together and keep blogging so an answer might be found.
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:-( I had C5C6 Fusion Surgery done in Hawaii 2005, Right after my Surgery I've been telling my doctor that I have a lot of pressure on the back of my neck,especially when I stand or walk. He said the recovery time should be about a year. Well since the year past I still have the same pressure on the neck, I also have swelling on my shoulders and hands. To relief the pressure I have to lay down for awhile. Now that it is 2008, I now have numbness in both hands since 2007. If anyone is having the same symtoms please let me know. Because my doctor is telling me now its due to RSD Reflex Syndrome Destrophy or CRD. Just can't do anything without feeling the pressure on the back of the neck. I just want to have some answers.
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Yes. I have the pain/pressure in my neck too especially after being on my feet.
How about when you slide clothes on a clothes rack? Like shopping? I have found this bothers me tremendously. My husband loves it because he has a wife that cannot shop! It absolutely kills my neck and arms.
I still have another week to find out the results of my latest test. (you can read my blog above yours).
As I stated I will blog the results...just wanted you to know I have always had this neck pressure/pain since surgery also.
How about when you slide clothes on a clothes rack? Like shopping? I have found this bothers me tremendously. My husband loves it because he has a wife that cannot shop! It absolutely kills my neck and arms.
I still have another week to find out the results of my latest test. (you can read my blog above yours).
As I stated I will blog the results...just wanted you to know I have always had this neck pressure/pain since surgery also.
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hi ksf,yes shopping i take someone with me ,i cant do it by myself,about the only thing i can do with minimum pain is water the lawn, any activity using the upper extremities causes more server PAIN,they keep trying to send me to different exercise places but i cant do it ,so i go back to Physio,my Physio knows how to treat me ,i hate being sent away,from him,its not that he is not doing his job ,my neck an shoulders an arms,are not responding,cause i had to wait so long for my surgery,i ask them if i could have that fibomyaliga
he said he didn't think so ,all i know is i have this server pain same as befor,
and am not liking it,,good luck with your test results,deb :-(
he said he didn't think so ,all i know is i have this server pain same as befor,
and am not liking it,,good luck with your test results,deb :-(
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hi all,well went to doc today,i have to go back to pain clinic for assessment getting such server pain in my shoulders an scapular area and neck,causing migraines an PAIN , just thought i let you know whats going on,go to neuro for check up in 3 weeks,talk again soon
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I was in pain for almost 12 years, gradually getting worse as time went on. Finally I lost the feeling in my left arm and the left side of my face and head. I was taking about 8-10 advil a day plus 4 low dose Vicoden tabs to keep the migraines from controlling my life for the past few months. I finally was scheduled for surgery, anterior cervical discectomy with fusion and plating (I had 2 discs done at the same time. 5 days prior to surgery I requested Percocet from my Dr. because I could not take advil which I greatly needed to continue working at my job. I cannot take morphine as it makes me very sick so I requested some sort of substitute in the hospital. The surgery went well I guess, I still have not seen the doctor. Aside from the fact the doctor left without ordering any pain medication for me, post-op, the nurse had to call him to request it, he orders a low dose percocet I cant even swallow. My throat was double the size it should be so I had to crush them up and eat them in powder form. Thank you for listening to me vent, but my question is this, I had surgery 9 days ago and requested a refill of percocet because they were finally starting to work where I felt almost human again and he told me no because I should not be in pain any more. I understand the liability of becoming addicted to pain medication but am I nuts to still be in pain after only 9 days of them cutting your throat open and removing bones and screwing metal plates in your spine. Please let me know if I am nuts or if the pain is normal and I should argue with him about it! ?
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hi ,no your not going nuts,they stopped me on my Oxycontin after my surgery and told me i didn't need it to ,,but i went back to my surgeon and he put me on pain med's for server PAIN, and put me on tremolo and mersendole forte for break threw pain ,go to your GP and ask for it ,its not nice at all to suffer with pain at anytime,hope this helps,DEB
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Wow, sorry so many of you have had to experience this too. My husband had his cervical fusion in 1998. Since then he has gotten progressively worse, disabled fully, hasn't left the house in over a year and is on high dose pain relievers for chronic pain.
Our best solution is and was a real accupuncturist who studied in a masters program for accupuncture and oriental medicine. If we can get past all the legal hassels of work comp we are still hoping to find relief. Since my neck pain was not surgically fixed my husband and I can compare reactions. So much for the specialist opinions, I broke my neck and they told me I would never have feeling down my arm again. My husband had a fusion after the disc herniated. He has chronic pain and I didn't. He has chronic pain. I had pain and loss of sensation for over 3 years when I found a great accupuncturist with great credentials. I have no pain and full feeling and I don't go unless I have a flair up.
If you are even thinking of surgery think again.
Our best solution is and was a real accupuncturist who studied in a masters program for accupuncture and oriental medicine. If we can get past all the legal hassels of work comp we are still hoping to find relief. Since my neck pain was not surgically fixed my husband and I can compare reactions. So much for the specialist opinions, I broke my neck and they told me I would never have feeling down my arm again. My husband had a fusion after the disc herniated. He has chronic pain and I didn't. He has chronic pain. I had pain and loss of sensation for over 3 years when I found a great accupuncturist with great credentials. I have no pain and full feeling and I don't go unless I have a flair up.
If you are even thinking of surgery think again.
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hi all well 6months now after ACDF at levels 5/6 6/7 went to my neuro yesterday he said all is well with the surgery but the PAIN i have left which is what i had before the operation im going to have to learn to live with for life,so now im starting pain management in a clinic in febuary, me and my meds ,dont know how im going to deal with this for the rest of my life,but ill try ,,ill chat later, :-( Debbie,
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I was in an auto accident in jan 2006 and had a tear in my disc. i was in pain for a year. had anterior cervical fusion c5 and c6 in jan 2007. i felt great after surgery. i was pain free then i started getting extreme burning and stabbing pain in my neck and left shoulder. This was nerve pain. went on lyrica and it helped then I started getting facial spasms left side of face. My surgeon could not care less. traveled out of state for help. then this tear i am having total loss of control of all my muscles and collapse to the floor not being able to move a finger. I have extreme pain in my neck at the time. cant do any activities without neck pain. all tests i had done came out negative. cant use my left arm without pain. I wish i had my life back. going for an emg on monday. good luck to all of yyou.
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Pain after surgery. I had a cervical 5-6 disectomy with fusion done on december 2005 wore a hard collor for 3 months and a soft color for 1 month. The Doctor advised me that I had severe trama to the spinal cord due to this injury that occurred by a severe blow to my head. Some things for me got better after surgery, like, I can now hold things in my hands with out dropping them, the migraine went away for the most part and the feeling in my left leg came back. My injury would have put me in a well chair if I did not have surgery done, however its been 4 years since surgery and I am still in severe pain, (neck & shoulder) cant sleep at night, have heaviness on the left side of my body which all prevents me from working in my dream job and very depressed. To all that are going thru this this I have nothing to bring to the table but brother hood. Daily pain meds are making things worse and they do not totally take the pain away. Pain day after day is no way to live. Stay strong.
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Thanks to everyone one there for sharing your stories. It really helps to see that I'm not alone. I have been reading these forums pretty much since my surgery (11-03-08) and finally have the courage to join in. :-) I have pretty much the same problems as I have been reading from everyone here... severe neck, shoulder, left arm pain, numbness, weakness. I just started p.t. , I got a stellate ganglion block that was unsuccessful, and on Feb 3rd I go in for another EMG. Post op xrays look fine and I am fusing. I had a ACDF on level C5-6 on 11/3/08....I also suffer from migraines with occipital neuralgia, lumbar spinal stenosis, bulging disks @ L4-5. Pain is hard to cope with some days, mostly nights...sleeping is almost impossible!! I write in a journal, this helps me to keep track of my pain & try to find a pattern...I also use a heating pad, and drink Emergen-C at least twice daily. I heard vitamin C helps to heal damaged nerves. I hope this helps anyone looking for answers.
Amy
Amy
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I don't know how to reach this website-so am leaving my email address for those who can offer some advice-or to just SHARE. I had my surgery on 9/2008--I had Anterior Cervical Fusion of 3 levels!! C4-7 --My Dr. replaced 3 discs with something called "Peek"-and also used titanium and screws to hold in place. I originally had excruciating pain down left arm. Before surgery..had Neck injections, PT & strong meds to stop CONSTANT Excruciating pain-BUT PAIN CONTINUED! After an MRI I was given choice of -continuing pain-or surgery, 1ST I had a Foraminotomy--June of 2008. A BIG WAIST of TIME, money-and MORE pain. 3 mos later had the Fusion surgery. Was told I didn't need ANY collar-.but asked for soft collar,and I STILL use it. Was told I'd be painfree W/I DAYS. It is 5 MOS I STILL have bad-not worse-but BAD left arm pain, & NOW also have neck pain, shoulder spasms &neck spasms. I ALSO think maybe i was better off W/O the surgery. Dr. disagrees-naturally. ALSO I have THROAT probs. feels like there is a golf BALL stuck in my throat!! HELP!!
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