Amen sister I am with you on that...I am also 2 yrs out from my last surgery or fusion and plating of c3-T1 and have done PT, been thru all the nerve testing multiple pain management docs and on Soma and Norco daily. I use Voltaren gel to numb the area and also use heating pads and TENS unit to relieve the pain..can no longer work and I am 49 and medically retired after 23 yrs with same company. It's sad. All docs tell me is I will have to live with the pain and don't worry about being addicted to pain meds cause that is going to be my life. REALLY depressing. I will take the pain all day but must use meds at night to sleep or will not be able to and will be in tears all night. I recovered well, good diet, did exercises, range of motion is were it should be for my surgery. I have good days and bad. I hope she makes a full and complete recovery with no pain and lasting symptoms, cause I don't wish this on anyone. And I wish all of you the best in your endeavors to live with this pain. Live for the good days and deal with the bad...but don't depress yourselves over all this...just do your best and take it one day at a time and move forward. I know its hard, believe me I know, God bless and stay strong!!!
I had similar surgery 11/15/2013, C3 -C7 Posterior Lamonectomy with Fusion. My original diagnosis leading up to the surgery was Central Cord Syndrome, due to fall that caused a hyper extension of my neck on 10/7/2014. The recovery process has been trying, some days are better than others. On those not so good days I think about day of the injury, when I came to from the fall and was unable to move anything from the neck down.
I needed extensive rehabilitation, learning to walk again and all other motor skills. It's now almost 6 months from the injury and 5 months from the surgery. I'm back to work limited duty (6 hours per day) and continue physical therapy 3 days a week.
On those days when I have increased pain I take my prescribed mess and moist heat. Most of my pain is in my shoulders. This forum has given me hope and I love for the people who have posted a few years ago shared a current status of their recovery.
Thank you and others for letting me know I'm not alone.
I am a 44 yr old female I used to be a high impact aerobic instructor, work full time, etc...high functioning person, a go-getter! Known as the cheerleader to most...I had my first neck surgery May 2013, my second neck surgery c3-7 surgery Oct. 25, 2013. I love my surgeon and was take great care of, the problem is, I have daily, chronic pain, a pain level of 7-9. I don't think I have been under a 5 level pain for a few years. I have tried physical therapy 3X week, pool therapy, pain management, meds, acupuncture, massage therapy and an electrical stimulator, tens unit. Nothing as helped, nothing! I am so frustrated and need help! Any suggestions??? It seems the only relief is resting it, ice, but again, the pain never goes away, I am never pain free, ever. Is there anyone out there that can recommend something??
Hi my name is Karen,I am 55yrs old, I had c3-c7 posterior spinal fusion surgery in March 2014, I have a titanium plate with scew's, my surgeon assured me that after a recovery period of twelve weeks I could resume doing most things, driving etc! to date 8 months later I am no further on, I am taking MST continus (morphine) for pain, a long with Baclofen for muscle spasm, but nothing takes the pain away, I can only turn my neck about a quarter both on the right & left, I am in horrible pain every single day, I love house work & baking, but if I am on my feet for a long time, my shoulders, neck, middle of back between the shoulder blades throb with pain, to top things off I have just been diagnosed with 'Parkinsons Disease', I don't know if this is linked with my pain, I know that I felt a lot better before this surgery, I never thought I would end up like this, I empathise with the last lady, sounds like she feels just as I do, I have tried Oxy contin, Oxy norm, lots of different pain meds, butrans patches, botox injections in to the muscles of either side of neck, and still nothing works, I can't drive because I can't turn my head, I will be seeing my surgeon soon, I want answers!
I am a 58 year old active female who has had both the diskectomy and laminectomy on C3-5. It was rough at first but I am pain free. Don't get me wrong, there are days when I ache but it is mostly arthritis which I've learned to deal with. Physical therapy helped me. Stay limber!
Hello Copperdoghd, good to hear about your good health. I have been fused c4-c7, 3 different surgeries. The issue was caused by an accident 20 years ago and gradually got to the point that the fusion was the best choice. The c3-c4 has been giving me problems, I have scheduled surgery. I am pretty healthy and just have pain in the neck, ha, which tightens the muscles and radiates up into my head and neck. So I feel, and doctors feel, this should correct the problem. So to my question, how are you doing after all these levels being fused? Are you mainly pain free? And are you living a pretty normal life? I guess my only concern is the surgery doesn't correct the problem, and I lose motion which would not be good. I have had a Transforaminal epideral injection directly into that location with 98% relief and the many different Orthopedics and NueroSurgeons said that is a pretty good indication that the disc is causing the pain.
Rely on God. I am 61 and two surgeries the katest was in April. I take almost the same meds. We just have to deal with it.. It is tough to pretend you are strong when you want to rip your head off your neck. I empathize with you I know the pain I've lost my career can't do a lot of things but I still have hope to enjoy those spots of time when pain is bearable. You are not alone, you have all of us on this site and you have God who is caring for you. Often using pain (not giving pain) to bring you to a place to help others.
We can all try to escape the pain with meds surgeries, ice packs etc. I am fused on all but two levels c1-c2c2-c3. I have been living with this for 15 years. I try all tips but you have to find what works for you. Just venting here helps a little. I try to remember that God is not finished with me and will use my pain to help others. A big prayer for all of us and a place where we can come to and not feel alone.
Arthritis and muscle memory cause a lot of residual pain after surgery. Your positive attitude is refreshing and a goal for us who stillsuffer
I too have had C3-C7 fused in a laminoplasty as well as a correction for spinal stenosis. I have one bulging disk still. I still have chronic pain; however, I went from 10/325 mg oxycodone several times a day to one Butrans 15mg patch once a week to 10/325 norco three times a day. Butrans has been a life saver for me. I don't know how it will work with others. BTW, Butrans has been used in the past to help people get off of methadone; it may work for you. Good luck.
Hi my name is Karen I am 57, I had my first surgery about 3 years ago, I had c3-c4 fused, then a year later c6-c7 fused, then March 2014 I had to have c3-c7 fused with titanium plate, screws etc, I have very little movement in my neck, I can no longer drive, the pain is constant and getting worse, after my third surgery I was taking Oxycontin & Oxynorm which made me feel like a zombie, then MST another morphine type tablet, then Butrans patches, none of these meds have helped, I feel the Doctors don't understand the pain I am in, I don't normally cry, but find I break down every day, the surgeon who performed my surgery has retired, so I have asked to be seen by another surgeon , for a second opinion, the muscles in my neck & shoulders are rock hard and have been since the surgery, I attended a Neuro physiotherapist but she can't help me as regards hardly any movement, If I had of known I would have been left like this I would not have bothered, this surgery is by far the worst I have ever experienced in my life, so all who have had the same surgery as me I pity you. I wish I could be more positive but I can't, I am hoping the new Surgeon can find light for me at the end of the tunnel, as my quality of life stinks, one thing that helps is the love & care from my husband, but he can't take the pain away.
I am 38 yo with two cervical fussion C2 / C3 and C4 thru C7. My ROM is very limited but the pain is always there. I also have 7 herniated discs throughout my thorax and lower back. Living in pain is no life but what is worst is to live taking pain meds all your life. My advice is to go to a professional detox center to wing you off all those pain killers. See if your healthcare insurance covers counseling for a pain management and coping with living in pain. You will feel a lot better physically and mentally.
I am 46 & will be having C3-C7 fused in a couple of days. I fell in my bathtub over 6 years ago. I went through injections, stimulator implant that after a couple of months didn't help at all. Since symptoms getting worse, pain dr ref to ortho/spine Dr that had to remove the implant to do MRI. The pain & spasms are so bad that I can't wash dishes, cook, drive & enjoy my grand baby. I was told to take leave from work & now not sure if I will be able to. It's sad how pain management Dr's treat people. I have had all the tests possible & don't understand why hard working people have to go through all of this pain. Well wish me luck...
I feel your frustration. I had c5-6/c6-7 fused in 2009. After surgery I kepttelling the surgeon things.wetent right.They make you feel like it is in you head..I continued to tell them I do t feel right..nottomentoontbe horroable pain I had between my shoulder.blades. I was at the grocery store with my husband.an my legs both went limp.and.out from underneath me. Sure enough C4 was moving around line ball an was not stable, when I turned my neck slightly the it pinched my spinal cord causing my pegs to go numb. I had to have my second.ACDF done.in 2010.my recovery was horriable.My body was rejecting the kadabra bone..as time passed.my left arm,.hand ,and horroable stiffness an constant headaces. All
continued. Along with the Dr making you feel like its all in your head..I had to quit my job..an could not work for 4 yrs. Finally all funds.and saving were drained I had no choice to gorce my self back to work from a.corp position to bar entry level position. All this time my ROM.was never the.same.I.returned back to surgeon again stating my continued pain..no sleep,etc..well I was put threw PT, massage, Tens unit,.MRI. all would barley take the edge off jst to stopy tears..Im 2015 MRI , x rays.showed my C3-4 disc.was starting to deteriate. .basicaly showed it was crumbling..and I was rushed into surgery for the 3rd time.I have not returned to work since.May 2015 I was approved for Short term disability and have now just neen approved for LTD tbrewy employer..whe Social Security Disability has denied my claim pending my appeal dated with the ADLjudge. Now R/L hands have nerveburn pain, I have horriable burn and crampi g still between my shoulder blades and up the base of the neck..my head ace arethe worst theyhave been. And sleep..cant remember what that is. I take hydrocodon, Cymbolta 90mg Gabapentin 900mg.Butrans 7day patch..I have so much anxiety from not being able to sleep at night... Your not alone, prayers for us both for strength and our sanity OMG..
continued. Along with the Dr making you feel like its all in your head..I had to quit my job..an could not work for 4 yrs. Finally all funds.and saving were drained I had no choice to gorce my self back to work from a.corp position to bar entry level position. All this time my ROM.was never the.same.I.returned back to surgeon again stating my continued pain..no sleep,etc..well I was put threw PT, massage, Tens unit,.MRI. all would barley take the edge off jst to stopy tears..Im 2015 MRI , x rays.showed my C3-4 disc.was starting to deteriate. .basicaly showed it was crumbling..and I was rushed into surgery for the 3rd time.I have not returned to work since.May 2015 I was approved for Short term disability and have now just neen approved for LTD tbrewy employer..whe Social Security Disability has denied my claim pending my appeal dated with the ADLjudge. Now R/L hands have nerveburn pain, I have horriable burn and crampi g still between my shoulder blades and up the base of the neck..my head ace arethe worst theyhave been. And sleep..cant remember what that is. I take hydrocodon, Cymbolta 90mg Gabapentin 900mg.Butrans 7day patch..I have so much anxiety from not being able to sleep at night... Your not alone, prayers for us both for strength and our sanity OMG..
So sorry for all the miss.spell words I can not feel the key board beneath my fingers..