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Shoulder pain 8+ weeks post op acdf

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Posted 8/5/2014 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I started back to work from home (because I still can't be in a car) and I am still in a neck brace (8+ weeks now). I have to start working part time because I cannot afford to be off work anymore. So I am going to work 4 hours a day to start off, with approval from my doctor, with breaks at least every 30 minutes. I have all the ergonomics figured out so I can see keyboard and monitor without tilting head (not that I can tilt it in brace anyway) and have pillow under my elbows to support my arms. But it is only day 2 and i hurt like crazy! Have had to up my pain meds and my shoulders are killing me. The only work I can do from home is computer work. Any suggestions? How long does this issue last? Anyone out there who has no more pain after C4-7 acdf? One friend said 5-10 years, really? Feeling very discouraged.
Posted 8/6/2014 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
Well not to be discouraging here but 8 weeks is not a lot of healing time having had 4-7 done. We generally don't see folks returning to work yet but certainly understand the need. If I had to try to put any kind of time wise on being able to sit 4 hours, holding head and shoulders up without the kind of pain issues your seeing I would put it closer to 6-9 months versus your 8 wks and your friends 5-10 yrs is going to likely be considered a failed procedure!

It's an extensive procedure and involves a lot of internal manipulation and your talking about your neck which is full of closely clustered spinal nerves that take a really really long time mending.

Patience I guess, with yourself. Give yourself time to heal and rest frequently while sitting making sure your back and shoulders have adequate support. Is your chair highback?
Posted 8/6/2014 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Ouch, I get it the need to return to work but even with 4 hours a day that is too much for some 8 weeks out. I am betting you have kicked up the muscle spasms from, well you know where. I am not sure what you are taking for them, but I hope you can work & take them. You may need a stronger muscle relaxer than what you are currently taking, at least take it after you have finished working for the day. Have you tried while working to alternate using moist heat & ice? It may or may not help.

I have to agree with what Vickie has said overall. Its just a shame you have had to do this & not have time needed to really heal. I just hope you don't pay the fiddler later on down the road by doing this.

Take care.
Posted 8/6/2014 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
My niece who had one less fusion than you went back to teaching in 8 weeks. It was very hard for her. She did not have to wear the neck brace and she could drive by then.

If you can't find a way to reduce your pain AND your stress it's just going to take even longer to heal. But, of course, you know that. I'm sorry this takes so long.
Posted 8/6/2014 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Abilene, yes, I need to figure this out..... I almost feel like I need coaching or counseling but I can't go anywhere even if I found someone who does that.... I have been stuck at home all this time, stuck in this collar, stuck in pain, stuck by myself most of the time, stuck depending on everyone for everything, stuck having to return to work, food gets stuck in my throat, stuck, stuck, stuck.....
Posted 8/6/2014 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Coaching or counseling might be quite appropriate and certainly that could be accomplished by phone, skype, email, ....
Give it a try. I think you have had a great idea.
Posted 8/6/2014 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
Abilene is right and some type of therapy sure can't hurt! Most of us "old timers " have done our dues with counseling and some remain years just for the support offered, the ability to put all the frustrations to voice, hearing ourselves say it makes it less scary! All kinds of thoughts run rampant in our minds and we wonder if this is the best it gets, can I learn to do this day in and day out? Counseling puts perspective on many of those issues.

I remember a day when I literally broke, lost it, at 6 surgeries in less then 19 months, had ups, downs, good days and bad. Never took meds and now my kitchen counter resembled CVS! Sleeping in a recliner, hadn't even seen the upstairs in almost 2 years, had to scoot from the washer to the dryer on my computer desk chair, couldn't get out either front or backdoor without help maneuvering 5 steps. Sit in a darn chair to shower? Shower for goodness sakes! You know the one where normal stands under the spray and lets the hot water run over your face? Not ontop of your head?

Well one day I just lost it! I was so sick of having no control over my life! Every thing always depending on pain, meds, steps, just something you know? I took every single dish I owned and smashed it on the kitchen floor!! Lord I must have looked like a mad woman!! I looked up and my then husband was standing there watching and he said "feel better "??.. I started laughing and laughed so hard for so long my sides ached, but the point is I did feel better!! Tons of weight had been lifted because although I couldn't control every aspect of my life at that time I did control something and I needed to dump the anger, the frustration and fear and took to counseling that week and learned some cheaper ways then breaking all the dishes to deal with those feelings.

I'm pretty proficient now in distraction techniques and all my kids accuse me of being half deaf which I am but most likely I'm just off somewhere in my mind lessening the pain by sheer distraction.

Not all therapists are good with CPers but there's some worth their weight in gold. Find one and be kind to yourself!
Posted 8/6/2014 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
I love Vickie's story of breaking the dishes but I don't recommend it, like she said it can get expensive replacing them, lol.

No wonder you feel like screaming or something. You have just had a very traumatic major surgery, in a very uncomfortable brace 24/7, cooped up in the house, your freedom has been taken away from you, you are in a lot of pain still & I think I could keep going here but from where I stand & see things it all stinks. If you want to get some counseling, hey go for it, been there done that. It is rotten that you don't have short term disability especially with your surgery being so extensive. What little sanity I have left I owe to a wonderful psychologist.

You just have a lot going on lots of residuals from your surgery & in all honesty, a lot of times when people have surgery for some reason they tend to get somewhat depressed afterwards. I am one of those people that it happens to.

Maybe try working in 20 minute increments instead of 30 & then rest. Gradually build yourself up with this work week. The main problem is getting your pain under control. Don't try stretching out your pain, its better to be on top of it rather than under it like you are now.

Keep us posted....
Posted 8/6/2014 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
Taller Now, you have been given some great advice. I've laughed AND cried as I read it. I hope it has helped you to know that others really get it! This site is great!

Is there any other way for you to have insurance other than your job? That's got to be stressful for you and probably for your husband, too.

Wishing you a better day, taking it very slowly, even if it takes you ten hours to work four hours.
Posted 8/6/2014 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your understanding and insight. I will take it real slow with work. I was at the top of my career as a scientist and to even be removed from that is hard to adjust. Thankfully my workplace is understanding. I am usually so tough and have made it through so much better with my lumbar surgery and other health issues. But I should keep things in perspective, while it is hard, many others have a rougher road to hoe with much more challenging health issues.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Posted 8/6/2014 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
And I too loved the breaking dishes story! I can understand that frustration. This forum is therapy just being able to express my frustration is helpful. There is nothing anyone can do to change things, so it comes to venting, taking a deep breath, moving one day at a time, coping, praying, and savoring each small morsel of pleasure offered up each day. A bird, a sunset, a friend, a grandchild, a hug.....
Posted 8/6/2014 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Taller Now, it sounds like your at a point where your frustrations are really getting high, and understandably so! Going back to work, ( even if it is still at home) can be challenging when your still hurting and not feeling up to par! Patients wear thin after a while, tired of the pain and wanting to so badly just be back to your normal self! I guess the only advice I can share is take it, in tiny baby steps, very slowly, and slowly build up as you are able. Please don't be afraid to take and use your pain meds! Most pain meds and muscle relaxers will not inhibit the healing process. If nothing else they will probably enhance it! Pain causes tension and stress, and those two things can adversely affect you bodies capability to heal. May I suggest something that I have done in the past, that I learned from the doctors when working on the Oncology unit. When we had patients that were scheduled for tests, that would often be stressful and cause the patient more pain, the doctors would order the patient, pain medications to be taken prior to having the test. It is easier to control pain before it gets a grip on you, than after te fact.  Several months after I had my posterior fusion in my neck, I was scheduled for routine PT, before going to my PT sessions I would take my break through pain meds, and it made things so much easier and kept my pain under control. So before starting work, maybe consider taking your meds before you start feeling pain.  Same with the muscle relaxers, it is always much easier to prevent them from happening that to try and stop them once the have aready started!

I know this sounds trite, but hang in there! Things will get better! You will never be the same person that you were, your body has physically changed, but you will be at least mentally stronger because of it! We are all her for you! and support you on your "adventure"!

White Beard

Posted 8/7/2014 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Whitebeard,,
Thanks. Yes, since I need to work I will need to up my meds. But will space out my 4 hours of work over 8 hours or whatever I need to do to keep my pain down. I also need a different muscle relaxer. I keep trying the one the surgeon gave me but it messes with my head. I think it is partially to blame for my mental downward spiral. I normally take Valium for muscle relaxer and it works well for me. My regular doctor gives it to me but my surgeon says he doesn't prescribe it. I like it because it doesn't give me a hangover and I can take small amounts as needed. He gave me clorazepate. Flexeril and methocarbonal don't work for me. And I am allergic to Baclofen. So I am not sure what else I can try.
I had a major breakdown last night. I rarely cry, but last night I made a river and then paid for it with major head, neck, and shoulder pain. Maybe I just needed to get that all out. I won't cry again, that is for sure! Thankfully my husband is very supportive, although he feels helpless.

I used to get lonely now I don't want to see anyone. I just want to focus on getting better and doing what I need to do for work and home. It is all I can handle.

I know I need to hang in there and be thankful for what I do have and the hope that I will get better. I don't know what I will do if the doctor tells me I need to wear this collar longer.....so must pray for fusion....been wearing the bone fuser 4 hours a day, I think that increases my pain too.

Thankful for this forum.
Posted 8/12/2014 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Whitebeard,
I reread your reply as I sit here feeling awful. Took more pain meds as you suggested. All I did was be up a bit more and wham! Down I go. I go for my xray next week. I really wonder what is going on since my pain seems to be increasing not decreasing as I would expect over time. I felt better at 6 weeks than I do now at almost 10 weeks. Do you know if you have symptoms if there is no fusion?
Thanks for your advice.
Posted 2/18/2015 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I just recently had ACDF 4-7 on Feb. 3, 2015.  After a week from the surgery, my upper back and shoulders began to burn something awful.  I have yet had a return post-op visit to the Dr. which will be the 23rd and I will ask about this side affect and what can be done.  From what I hear, there is nothing that can be done and we will have to just live with it.  Well I say bugger to that!  I will repost after the Dr. visit.

Posted 2/18/2015 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tobcon,
You are so very early in your recovery. Take it very easy and do everything your doctor tells you to. It was 3 months of no work and just recovery for me. But I did have very extensive and invasive work. My doctor had said it was 1.5-2 year recovery and I did not want to believe him since I am super woman, but I think he is right. So you must be patient and accept things for now. That will help you mentally.

I am almost 9 months post op and still on pain meds. Thankfully I have finally fused enough to start PT. But of course, that is increasing my pain. I recently found out that even my swallowing muscles had atrophied and that was contributing to my difficulty swallowing! I say this not to discourage you but so that you know your reality. Long recovery. I hope to be better in another year or so.

I don't think the doctors really prepare you for your post op experience nor the lengthy recovery. You will be a new person. In the meantime, take it slow and easy. Don't do anything to jeopardize your fusion! No lifting, nothing strenuous. It took me 8 months to fuse with a bone fuser. Some people are faster and we are all different and have different surgeries.

Hang in there!this is a great place to ask questions and also vent.
Posted 2/19/2015 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Tobcon, please start a new thread and let's get acquainted there. My fusion story is told here:
Posterior C3 - C7 laminectomy and fusion 2 rods and 10 screws. Just put that in the Search box near the top right and read about my journey. There are several of us on here who have had similar surgery. We would be glad to answer your questions. I suggest lots of ice packs and rest
for those shoulders. Ask your dr about that and update us please, in a new thread. I'll be watching for you to Post a New Topic-upper left.

THINK FUSION!!
Posted 2/19/2015 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
I am currently working through Mastering Pain workbook. I cannot take anymore time off from work for more appointments at this time, but learning about neuro plasticity, which as a scientist myself is easy for me to understand. Will be interesting to see how much it will help, especially for break through pain in the middle of doing fun things (which is really upsetting to me, that I spoil fun things when my pain gets so bad I have to go home).
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