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What do I have to do to stop this unrelenting pain?

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 3/21/2012 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
Just when I felt almost normal again...wham! I get this sharp, stabbing pain in my left forearm that feels like a blade is tearing through my muscle straight into my hand and down my middle finger where it throbs and burns like its on fire! I can't use my arm, if I move it or try to use it the pain increases ten fold. I get the same exact pain in my right forearm as week, but today it's my left side that's killing me. I took a BT pill, but it doesn't touch the pain. 

Even at rest my arm feels like its weighed down and my muscle is being pulled from my arm. What did I do? How did I cause this flare up? I thought my pain was under control. I was all set to tell my PM doctor on Friday that we finally found the magic dose. Now I can't believe the intensity of the pain. It's not swollen and ice and heat packs don't help. I'm at a point where I feel cutting my arm off is the only way to stop the pain. Guys, my wife is Deaf and I need my arms, hands and fingers to sign with her! There are days, such as these where I can't 'talk' with my wife. I feel horrible and not just from the pain in my arms. I'm typing this mostly with my right hand and now my right arm is starting to ache the same as the left. 

I know the pain is associated with the nerve damage to my neck. I had a 2-level fusion back in July, but after about three months the pain and numbness returned with a vengeance! What do I do now? I can't sleep...I'm at my wits end. I can't imagine having to live with this level of pain everyday for the rest of my miserable life. 

Mr. Miserable
Posted 3/21/2012 5:47 AM (GMT 0)
Im sorry to hear of about your high level of pain thats returned to your arm. I know nothing about your "story" so I wouldnt even begin to guess what you've already tried. I can, however, comiseriate about your pain levels, as I too have 2 level fusion, but had mine down a few years ago. My fusion is on levels C5/6 and C6/7. Ive also have a discetomy on my S1 level and have had sugery on my right knee (all surgeries were caued by a bad car accident in 2005).
I guess I just wanted to let you know that someone else knows what your going through. I feel like a complainer a lot of days but I have to remind myself that true friends will let you vent when your in pain/upset. Im also hoping that your wife is suportive. I amso very lucky to have a wonderful husband who lets me rest when I need it, and gives me allthe support I could ask for.
Posted 3/21/2012 11:00 AM (GMT 0)
I was just checking a cervical nerve chart and it looks like C7 is the nerve that goes to the middle finger. It sounds like you have a pinched nerve in your neck again. What levels did you have fused? My cervical fusion was at C-5/7 but it was my thumb & half of my index finger that would go numb. I would be heading to an orthopedic doctor to get checked out or call the surgeon that did your surgery.

Good Luck and let us know what you find out!
Posted 3/22/2012 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
BarbF, thanks for your kind words and support. It's good to have a place to commiserate with like minded CPers!

Jag, I had a C5/C6, C6/C7 fusion done in July 2011. It helped for three months then the pain increased in both time and intensity. The numbness was initially just in my middle fingers to my pinky fingers, but now my entire hands are numb and it doesn't matter what I am doing. I often wake up with my hands numb! It doesn't matter what position I sleep in either!

I had a CT Scan with/without dye of my neck last week. I have a follow up appt. with my PM doctor this Friday and will find out the results. I don't want to go through another neck fusion. I still have trouble swallowing and I find I choke more easily and for no good reason. My Orthopedic Surgeon had talked about doing a three level fusion, but the test results from a discogram study were not conclusive enough. I wish they had just done it then and maybe I wouldn't be suffering like I am?

On that note, I'm preparing myself for a future operation on my lumbar. Once I win my Worker's Comp. case I will move forward with a four level fusion of my lumbar. I'm not responding to alternative treatments and it's become more and more difficult to walk. The flare ups are also increasing and the constant pain from my neck down my back, arms and left leg have drained the life out of me. I've spoken to several people who had a four level fusion and they have improved... That said, it seems I am Murphy's Law. It gets so hard t remain positive with all the pain. Thanks again for taking time to sow our support. I hope you both are feeling less pain and are able to return to "normal".

Charles
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