Hello and many thanks in advance for reading this post !
I have been and continue to search for any and all advice regarding successful pain management stemming from an anterior cervical fusion.
My surgery was in Jan. 2006. Over three and a half years later, I still continue to struggle daily and most times hourly, to manage pain resulting from this operation.
Prior to my surgery, I had lost approx. 60-70% of the strength in my leg arm due to nerve compression by ruptured discs (specif. C4, C5, C6 & C7 [all of which are now fused and secured with a titanium cage]). My strength has and continues to improve but it's been a slow, arduous process. Even though I no longer have the tremendous nerve pain caused by that compression, what remains is just about as bad and sometimes worse.
My pain consists of a continuous dull, burning ache that runs vertically from the base of my skull to approx. the T8-T9 range and horizontally from shoulder to shoulder. I have a conglomeration of the following on most days: the dull, burning ache as stated in the previous sentence, migraines that seem to be located behind my eye sockets, muscle spasms and pain, inability to have free range of motion in my neck (I do understand that this area was compromised because of the nature and location of the fusion), and just an overall sense of malaise. Not to be cheeky about the last note but I just feel bad most all of the time because of the situation.
I am no longer able to function in the manner to which I was once accustomed and by this I mean everything from cleaning my house to taking a shower and washing my hair without the aid of a bath chair.
It hurts...I hurt... all the time. It's always there, no matter rain or shine. I'm 34 yrs. old and I feel as if I'm 80...and not the good kind of 80 where everyone's all happy that they're out golfing...but I'm assuming you probably already inferred that much :-)
Doctor-wise, I sought out the best surgeon within my region. He not only teaches the surgery, but also helped develop much of the procedures for it and he's just wonderful. I have and continue to trust him implicitly. I've been very forthright in explaining my dilemma to him. Even though I feel that he has given me the best medical treatment, I still rely on and value other's journeys through this same plight.
Recently, like as of ~2 mos. ago, he referred me to a pain mgmt. clinic. I met with this doctor and he's also very accommodating and was willing to listen to all of my issues, questions, complaints, etc. But what neither could offer me is a way out of this conundrum.
Medication-wise I have been taking the following for more than 6 yrs. to address the pain I have now and the pain that preceded it as well: Soma 350mg TID, Ultram 50mg TID and Voltaren 75mg BID. I continue to take these in conjunction with Norco 10mg TID. I also knowingly take way too many Aleve to try and subdue the intermittent pain that I have during the 8 hr. intervals. Herein lie the majority of my problems; what to do after the pain meds wear off and I still have 6 more hours to go before the next dosage window.
So, again thank you for muddling through much rambling and PLEASE know that any advice, suggestions, or “witch-doctor” approved or not approved therapies...just a little light-hearted humor J anything would be immensely appreciated at this point. I am SO desperate to find some semblance of light amidst this darkness.
I have been and continue to search for any and all advice regarding successful pain management stemming from an anterior cervical fusion.
My surgery was in Jan. 2006. Over three and a half years later, I still continue to struggle daily and most times hourly, to manage pain resulting from this operation.
Prior to my surgery, I had lost approx. 60-70% of the strength in my leg arm due to nerve compression by ruptured discs (specif. C4, C5, C6 & C7 [all of which are now fused and secured with a titanium cage]). My strength has and continues to improve but it's been a slow, arduous process. Even though I no longer have the tremendous nerve pain caused by that compression, what remains is just about as bad and sometimes worse.
My pain consists of a continuous dull, burning ache that runs vertically from the base of my skull to approx. the T8-T9 range and horizontally from shoulder to shoulder. I have a conglomeration of the following on most days: the dull, burning ache as stated in the previous sentence, migraines that seem to be located behind my eye sockets, muscle spasms and pain, inability to have free range of motion in my neck (I do understand that this area was compromised because of the nature and location of the fusion), and just an overall sense of malaise. Not to be cheeky about the last note but I just feel bad most all of the time because of the situation.
I am no longer able to function in the manner to which I was once accustomed and by this I mean everything from cleaning my house to taking a shower and washing my hair without the aid of a bath chair.
It hurts...I hurt... all the time. It's always there, no matter rain or shine. I'm 34 yrs. old and I feel as if I'm 80...and not the good kind of 80 where everyone's all happy that they're out golfing...but I'm assuming you probably already inferred that much :-)
Doctor-wise, I sought out the best surgeon within my region. He not only teaches the surgery, but also helped develop much of the procedures for it and he's just wonderful. I have and continue to trust him implicitly. I've been very forthright in explaining my dilemma to him. Even though I feel that he has given me the best medical treatment, I still rely on and value other's journeys through this same plight.
Recently, like as of ~2 mos. ago, he referred me to a pain mgmt. clinic. I met with this doctor and he's also very accommodating and was willing to listen to all of my issues, questions, complaints, etc. But what neither could offer me is a way out of this conundrum.
Medication-wise I have been taking the following for more than 6 yrs. to address the pain I have now and the pain that preceded it as well: Soma 350mg TID, Ultram 50mg TID and Voltaren 75mg BID. I continue to take these in conjunction with Norco 10mg TID. I also knowingly take way too many Aleve to try and subdue the intermittent pain that I have during the 8 hr. intervals. Herein lie the majority of my problems; what to do after the pain meds wear off and I still have 6 more hours to go before the next dosage window.
So, again thank you for muddling through much rambling and PLEASE know that any advice, suggestions, or “witch-doctor” approved or not approved therapies...just a little light-hearted humor J anything would be immensely appreciated at this point. I am SO desperate to find some semblance of light amidst this darkness.
Honestly I don't think that maybe you should keep seein ght esame physician. i do advocate seeking out a new doctor if your current treatment doesn't work and this would be a good opportunity. What do you think?
Aries, im Deb, i dont know what to say , but u r not alone, i to had ADCF in may 2009, c5/6 c6/7 did my injury in 2006, i have never been in such pain before, the only thing that left me after having surgery was the very big deep ache that ran from my left shoulder down into my left arm to finger tips, i had hard labouring job, lots hours, dont know if light work makes a difference ,but some i find on here have not been such hard long enduring hours of very physical jobs, i do think the longer ur surgery is left the harder it gets to recover, i cant do house work ,like u i feel 80 but worse that an 80 yr old who is healthy, i am 46yrs fm i have 2 grandgirls 5yrs an 7months, the only thing i can do with them is watch them play gives hugs not to hard tho an kisses an smile at them , i can play toys but maybe only 5 mins time, i cry lots because i want to run ,ride bike,play in park ,fly kites, i CANT due to PAIN an so tired all the time, i also have a 6mm tear to 80% in my suspantus tendon,in my left shoulder an a leak an spurs, wich they can not fix, the right shoulder has butting spurs leaks an is rubbing on the tendon they can not fix, so im stuffed, but i go on with my life so i can see my family an try hide thr PAIN as much as possible cause im am stuck like, this for life, im on a lot of meds for PAIN, Depression, stress, an pain managment, thats my life, so hope this has helped, pls feel free to ask any QS u may like , Deb
Nick here, not gonna bore you with the long story, i experienced the same pain and had worse days, not always easy to explain. To make along and agenizing painfull story short, I ended up at a good biocenetic therapest, she is working along with a fisio therapest, trhee months- 75% improvment, I only suffer with the headaches, like presure, aspesialy when I lay down to rest this tierd body, but it takes time, and I am patient, it does improve. Happy to share the good news.
I had C3 and C4 fussed and have continual headaches and pain in my neck. It seemed to me like I was always making excuses for not doing things. I also have had L5 and S1 fussed. I have been on so many pain meds none of which have completely worked. However, do not give up I found almost total relieve through Acupuncture but it is not a quick solution and may take ten or more visits before you start feeling relief. It is also something you will need to continue with but you can spread the sessions out after your first ten or so to maybe once a month, Just make sure you get a good person to do your Acupuncture. do some research before going to the first one you find.. I drive two hours just to get to mine but she is Chinese. I know what you may be thinking about the current virus going around but why not go to someone who has been taught in China on a procedure that is about 5000 years old. I could get acupuncture done about 15 miles from my home but after research I am very confident in my Acupuncturist. I hope this helps as I have pain in my back and neck along with headaches but after treatment I feel pretty good and some times I do not go back for as much as two months..