New member that has just had cervical surgery.

Hello all, I am new here....almost 6 weeks since my ACDF surgery C4, 5, 6 with plates and screws...I am still having numbness in my right hand, and now have had a fever for the last week. Plus the last two days horrible excruciating cramping in my neck that will not go away...Neurosurgeon gave me xanaflex, for muscle relaxers, does nothing at all. Soma for pain...are you kidding me..it does absolutely nothing. I am seriously considering switching to a new dr, because I do not feel he is listening to me and thinks I am making this stuff up. I have a high tolerance for pain to begin with, so for me to complain it has to reallllly hurt. Might I add I am only 35. My ns said typically my surgery is only done on 50+ year olds. I have been reading posts on here for a couple weeks now and decided to join so maybe you all can give me some advice, thoughts or something....

thanks in advance

I made you a heading to help get more attn to your post.

Post Edited By Moderator (straydog) : 6/2/2014 8:28:11 AM (GMT-6)

Thats is not very nice of a doctor doing that to you. Your frustration is understandable. Neverthesame is always giving great advice. I hope you can find some relief.
I wanted to welcome you here and am so sorry your dealing with the pain.

Hi TurtleGirl & welcome to the forum. I have to agree with Vickie, the odds of another neurosurgeon taking on a patient that is pretty fresh from surgery is pretty slim to none. They do not want to be responsible for someone else's work for many reasons.

What an idiot to give you two of the same meds, that makes absolutely no sense. Did you not know both were the same type of meds? I would have had to call him out on that one & ask why two of the same type of meds, dr or no dr. I am so sorry that this has happened to you. I would be on that phone getting an appt set up & they would be hearing from me one way or the other. This is completely unacceptable in my book.

I hope you can get this taken care of quickly. Take care.

Do any of you think I should be concerned about the fever I have had?? I left a message with ns last thursday expressing my concerns about fever and pain, yet still have not received a call back. SHOCKER!!! Went to family dr early last week who took blood tests and such and said I do not have an infection. This is why I am worried about fever...could it be my body rejecting the hardware in it or ????? Fever has lasted a week ranging from 99.9 to 102 My body temp usually runs low anyhow, so this is why I am concerned...

thanks for listening

When I had my spine surgery, (or any of my surgeries, actually), all my surgeons did agree on certain things, and one of them was a fever over 100.....call them immediately. I also run low, around 97.3 give or take, so I understand quite well that for us, a high fever is actually a high-high fever!

As Vickie mentioned, I, too, am totally baffled he'd rx those two meds, and then come up with a nonsense comment that "there's nothing stronger." (I'm aware of how you worded it, however, which should have been enough to clarify to any physician that you're seeking relief).

In my experience, the thing about most surgeons is that they view their job as very short-term. It seems they do their job and cover you for about 72 hours and send you on your way. Then you have 3 days to arrange pain management and see your PCP. My orthopedic surgeon covered pain meds for 6-8 weeks post-op, but my neuro only covered 72 hours. Anything after that isn't their problem (or so it appears).

Plus, whether you're someone who holds off on expressing pain until it's 'very bad,' or you're someone who expresses it 'at the first sign,'...my impression is that both are still treated the same by the providers. They don't get into the personal history or details of pain threshold and/or if you wait until it's very bad to complain.

Back to your comment, my personal non-medical opinion is: YES, running a fever would concern me.









M.

Hi TurtleGirl13 There are Surgeons out there with the attitude, "Hey I have done my part! I have done the surgery! Not my problem!" I have seen a couple like that! Of course the surgery they did they will tell you is not the problem! I am glad that you found some other NS that will take a look at you and see what is going on! What your experiencing just doesn't sound right! The fever is a concern, did you mention it when you made your appointment with the new NS? if it continues to be a problem or gets any higher, you might want to go to your local ER or if you have a convenient care or something like that. I think if I were you I would try and wait on the Pain Management till after I seen the new Neurosurgeon and se what he/she thinks, maybe something isn't right with the surgery? Or maybe you just need to be on more sreroids to counter act inflammation? I would wait to see what the new neurosurgeon has to say about it. Jus my thoughts though.

I do want to Welcome YOU to our Chronic Pain Forum, and I am sorry you are having to go through all this, but know that we are all here for you, yes you are young for having to have had all that done, but there are allot more pleople than you might realize that have had surgery and fusions done to their cervical spine and at a young age, I was actually 33 when I had my first ACDF at C6/7. Since that time I have had two more fusions done in my neck, but many years later! Anyway just know that your not alone! When your here on this forum, your part of our Healing Well Chronic Pain family!

White Beard

Hello turtle girl and welcome.

Sorry about your troubles. I had 3 level ACDF in January. The neck pain is not surprising, I had difficulties standing or walking for a while after surgery. Muscle spasm medication was OK, but typically too late once pain started. We're you is a neck brace? I was in one full time for 6 weeks and part-time for about 2 weeks. 4 months later, neck and shoulders still ache, but started PT and now getting some relief.

I too still have numbness in both arms and hands and swallowing issues. Although my surgeon said my cervical is healing fine, he is assisting with my other issues. Too bad your Dr. Is not doing the same. It must be very frustrating.

Six weeks is early, hopefully progress is near by. I know my recliner is still my best friend. I purchased it just for my post-op and thought I would have donated it away by now.

texas122

Nothing stronger??/ That is pure BS. There are a lot of medications out there that might help from prescription NSAIDs to nerve pain medications like Lyrica and Cymbalta to a whole slew of narcotic medications from Tramadol to morphine and tons of others.

Sadly I do not know what kind of pain of exactly what is causing your pain so I can not suggest which type of medication to ask about from a caring doctor, but hopefully your next NS will either be able to help directly or be able to refer you to a pain management doctor.

Since it is likely that it would take you at least a few weeks to get into a pain specialist, and you are likely going to need a referral anyway, wait and see what the new NS has to say and does, then if you feel like you are still getting blown off ask for a referral to a pain specialist.



Fair warning about pain doctors. There are two types out there. One will only do procedures such as injections and the other type will also prescribe medication. Be sure to go to the second type of one.

Well really that is about par for the course isn't it?? I am sure he's not going to admit there's problem, even if there is one! I will definitely keep my fingers and toe's crossed for you on your appointment with your new neurosurgeon next week!

Hang in there TurtleGirl13 hopefully this new NS will be able to help you!

White Beard

Do any of you know why my numbness and tingling came back from the base of my neck down my right side through my shoulder blade? Its just like it was prior to surgery. Right after surgery it went away, but the last 2-3 weeks it has gotten worse each day. I am sure my new ns next tuesday will answer my questions, (as my current ns said its just my nerves waking up and there is nothing wrong) but i wondered if any of you have experienced this or have any thoughts on the situation. Any suggestions or ideas, as well as your support is greatly appreciated!!

I do have a list started :) I am just concerned about the numbness because it was gone just after surgery, and has been coming back, so I fear the worst...because it is so painful and annoying. Thank you for responding. I hope you have a good day.