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Chronic Pain
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Posted 11/17/2012 7:06 AM (GMT 0)
i had a neck fusion of C-4/5, C-5/6, C-6/7 six months ago and i'm still really struggling with chronic pain. My rotation is nil and the pain doesn't go away. Apparently its the best its gonna get my nerosurgeon said if its not better for now. it is better since the surgery but its the chronic pain and rotation that is so bothersome. i've already done 6 mths of physical therapy and they said there isn't anymore they can do to improve it. i hope no one else doesn't have to live thru this.

Serenitee

pelvic trauma, ileostomy, 17 total different surgeries

bipolar 2, borderline personality disorder, ocd, ptsd, anxiety/depression, etc

Posted 11/17/2012 8:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Serenitee I can empathize with you, I think over time you might not have quite as much pain as you do now, although it has been quite a while, did you have all these fusions done at the same time? If so, that is allot to have done and six months although quite a while it still is not all that long for having that much done. You probably will not get much more movement though, with all that fused together, you do lose allot when it comes to flexibility and movement, all that area is now all one bone, since it is all fused together, so you don't have the disks and the joints there anymore to give you flexion and movement.  I  have C5-6-7 all fused together, and then C3/4 fused together in the back at the articular joints. This has taken allot of my mobility away in my neck, the most difficult thing I find is trying to look upward like looking up at the moon when it is high in the sky, I just cannot tilt my head back because of the fusions. Also looking from side to side is also limited. I must say I don't have any of the pain, any more in my arms and hands, I do still have some pain in my neck, but I was told that would always be there. But it is much better than before having the surgeries.

 

Anyway just know that your not alone in this, you have plenty of company here, that have had the same type of surgery, and we can definitely relate to you!

 

I wish you well!

 

White Beard

Posted 11/17/2012 12:06 PM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to send you hugs and wish you well.  I haven't had neck problems but can see why you'd be frustrated.  I hope somehow things get better for you.
Posted 11/17/2012 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
I understand you, im starting to feel neck pain more often i dont know what is causing it but im guessing is because i havent had a good sleep but still im sick of this pain what do you recommend?
Posted 11/17/2012 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Serenitee...I can certainly empathize...I have had 3, two-level, cervical fusions (same two levels as you) and the last one they needed to go in from the front and back of my neck to really shore things up with titanium...

Do you know if they used BMP in your surgery to help promote fusion?

Sadly the 15% of those of us with spine/disc issues that are bad enough to need surgery...it's really only done to fix a mechanical issue and not really meant to be a pain reliever 100%:(...

It's certainly concerning that you have had 6 months of physical therapy which seems like an awful lot as there is only so much they can tell you to do with stretching and using the bands each day..And when you say you have no rotation...are you saying you cannot physically turn your neck at all???

That is definitely not normal...It's normal to have a bit of loss of range of motion with all the titanium. I can turn better to my left than I can to the right but I do ok...I can't look all the way down or all the way up but again...that doesn't bother me much...

I would seek out another Board Certified Neurosurgeon in your area to ask them to look you over. I would make sure you get copies of your medical records with this last Dr. as well as all the surgical notes...

I at least had some good years after my first surgery without having much pain at all....

Are you on any medications like a muscle relaxer to take daily? How about any nerve pain medication? The other next step would be to seek out an actual Pain Mgmt. Dr. and see what they think in speaking with the new Neurosurgeon....

Again...sorry to hear of this update....it's sometimes the bad luck of the draw with those of us here who have chronic pain:(
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