ExARMYPILOT
05-11-2008, 09:26 AM
Hey all.
I have posted here a bunch in the past - mainly for back surgery (L3-3/L4-S1) two operations.
I had a cervical fusion C4-5 done the last week of march. I was doing ok - until about 2 weeks ago. I now am in more pain than before the surgery.
My doctor said that C5-6 and C3-4 look iffy during the first surgery, but wanted to see if the first surg would fix - it didn't.
If you may recall, I was injured in Iraq, and now face the possibility of an 8th surgery.
What I would like to know is if anyone has undergone a C3-5 cervical fusion - or experienced the same as I am.
I have intense "hot poker" pain at the site of the first surgery - it radiates down both my arms. If I sit for more than about 5 minutes, the pain gets worse. I can't lay down - there is no comfort.
I take HydroCodone in the morning, 3 800 MG motrin to get me throgh the day, and a Vicodine at night - which only helps to let me fall asleep.
I have a Tens which is usually cranked to about 11 that provides my only relief.
Thanks
Andy
I have posted here a bunch in the past - mainly for back surgery (L3-3/L4-S1) two operations.
I had a cervical fusion C4-5 done the last week of march. I was doing ok - until about 2 weeks ago. I now am in more pain than before the surgery.
My doctor said that C5-6 and C3-4 look iffy during the first surgery, but wanted to see if the first surg would fix - it didn't.
If you may recall, I was injured in Iraq, and now face the possibility of an 8th surgery.
What I would like to know is if anyone has undergone a C3-5 cervical fusion - or experienced the same as I am.
I have intense "hot poker" pain at the site of the first surgery - it radiates down both my arms. If I sit for more than about 5 minutes, the pain gets worse. I can't lay down - there is no comfort.
I take HydroCodone in the morning, 3 800 MG motrin to get me throgh the day, and a Vicodine at night - which only helps to let me fall asleep.
I have a Tens which is usually cranked to about 11 that provides my only relief.
Thanks
Andy
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neckpatient
05-11-2008, 11:34 AM
Hi! I am fused c4-c7 and understand what you feel.I probably need another level fixed. It may be too early to to say you won't improve more from your surgery. Your nerves need time to wake up and settle down from surgery and swelling. Have you ever tried neurontin or lyrica for nerve pain? These type meds help a lot with pain you describe.
ember919
05-11-2008, 02:14 PM
ExARMYPILOT,
Neckpatient is right, in that there probably hasn't been enough time to really tell. I'm sure it seems like forever since the last week of March to you, especially if you're in so much pain, but less than two months is practically nothing in terms of nerve healing.
I'm really surprised to hear you mention taking Motrin. Most surgeons ban NSAIDS for at least several months after a fusion surgery.
I agree with asking about Neurontin or Lyrica. Also, you don't mention anything about taking muscle relaxers. You might benefit from those. If you can't tolerate them during the day, take them at night (will also help you sleep).
Can you manage a low dose of Hydro 3 or 4 times a day rather than just twice a day? (That's sure to generate some controversy, but I believe you can't heal if you're in pain)
The radiating arm pain you describe is familiar to many here and can be really, really brutal. Just in general, the muscle and nerve pains that occur after surgery are varied and strange as the body heals and adapts to the mechanics of the cervical plate.
Are you working during the day? Are you getting any rest periods, specifically time when you can take the weight/pressure off your neck and let "things" relax? Even just everyday activities have an impact and can affect how you feel. You kind of have to start out with baby steps, just doing.......anything.......for short periods of time with rest in between. Even (yes) typing on the computer is something that can cause your neck/shoulders/chest/arms/hands to flare up. (in fact, computer use is one of the top pain complaints with cervical issues)
Sorry, not trying to minimize what you've described or ask a gazillion questions. Just sympathizing and trying to get a better picture of your situation. Surgeons are FAMOUS for not explaining beforehand what recovery will be like, and for having little/no sympathy once they've "done their job".
Hope you find answers and relief soon.
Neckpatient is right, in that there probably hasn't been enough time to really tell. I'm sure it seems like forever since the last week of March to you, especially if you're in so much pain, but less than two months is practically nothing in terms of nerve healing.
I'm really surprised to hear you mention taking Motrin. Most surgeons ban NSAIDS for at least several months after a fusion surgery.
I agree with asking about Neurontin or Lyrica. Also, you don't mention anything about taking muscle relaxers. You might benefit from those. If you can't tolerate them during the day, take them at night (will also help you sleep).
Can you manage a low dose of Hydro 3 or 4 times a day rather than just twice a day? (That's sure to generate some controversy, but I believe you can't heal if you're in pain)
The radiating arm pain you describe is familiar to many here and can be really, really brutal. Just in general, the muscle and nerve pains that occur after surgery are varied and strange as the body heals and adapts to the mechanics of the cervical plate.
Are you working during the day? Are you getting any rest periods, specifically time when you can take the weight/pressure off your neck and let "things" relax? Even just everyday activities have an impact and can affect how you feel. You kind of have to start out with baby steps, just doing.......anything.......for short periods of time with rest in between. Even (yes) typing on the computer is something that can cause your neck/shoulders/chest/arms/hands to flare up. (in fact, computer use is one of the top pain complaints with cervical issues)
Sorry, not trying to minimize what you've described or ask a gazillion questions. Just sympathizing and trying to get a better picture of your situation. Surgeons are FAMOUS for not explaining beforehand what recovery will be like, and for having little/no sympathy once they've "done their job".
Hope you find answers and relief soon.
ExARMYPILOT
05-11-2008, 02:24 PM
Hey Ember - I was put back on Motrin the first of May. I know I'm early in the recovery - and I am still recovering from my second back surgery in October.
I see the neurosurg Monday afternoon and am going to ask about those two drugs Neurontin and Lyrica.
"Also, you don't mention anything about taking muscle relaxers"
I'm taking 10mg Cyclobenzaprene at night - it does help me fall asleep, but does nothing for the pain.
As far as maxing out Hydro - I was taking 4 a day from October until mid January - and am down to the onex because of wicked bad headaches I was getting. So we adjusted the dose - and the Hydro induced headaches stopped - but the pain came back
I started back to work last week - and quickly realized that even going in and doing piddly stuff was a burden - so they have let me come back home.
But yes - I realize that I am way early in the recovery - but it still sucks!
I'll report what the neuro says tomorrow.
I see the neurosurg Monday afternoon and am going to ask about those two drugs Neurontin and Lyrica.
"Also, you don't mention anything about taking muscle relaxers"
I'm taking 10mg Cyclobenzaprene at night - it does help me fall asleep, but does nothing for the pain.
As far as maxing out Hydro - I was taking 4 a day from October until mid January - and am down to the onex because of wicked bad headaches I was getting. So we adjusted the dose - and the Hydro induced headaches stopped - but the pain came back
I started back to work last week - and quickly realized that even going in and doing piddly stuff was a burden - so they have let me come back home.
But yes - I realize that I am way early in the recovery - but it still sucks!
I'll report what the neuro says tomorrow.
ExARMYPILOT
05-13-2008, 06:02 PM
OK, well I had my visit yesterday. He said, like many of you here, that it has still been just a short period of time since the operation. And this recovery overlapped with my back fusion is making it take a while. He said realistically, 1 year for complete bone fusion for the cervical operation.
I go back in July - with a fresh MRI to see where I stand and what it looks like. He also put me on Lyrica. I started it last night - am pretty darn dizzy and will continue. So far I notice nothing different with regard to the pain in my neck.
More to follow.
I go back in July - with a fresh MRI to see where I stand and what it looks like. He also put me on Lyrica. I started it last night - am pretty darn dizzy and will continue. So far I notice nothing different with regard to the pain in my neck.
More to follow.
SpineAZ
05-13-2008, 11:44 PM
Sorry to hear about what you are experiencing. I had a C5-C7 ACDF nearly 2 years ago and had a recurrance of the same symptoms as pre-ACDF so now I'm headed for a posterior cervical foraminotomy next week.
ember919
05-14-2008, 12:52 AM
EAP, I can only imagine what the overlapping surgeries are doing to your spine, much less to your subconscious. Hope things start to improve very soon. Keep in mind that 1 year of fusion does not necessarily equal 1 year of pain.
See how you do with the Lyrica. It does make some people dizzy, but you might become more tolerant of it. If you continue having trouble after a while, ask about chaning to Neurontin, which is the older version of basically the same drug. Some people react differently to the two different medications. In my personal case, I've taken Neurontin for years (pre and post surgery) with no problems, but Lyrica made me really, reallly stupid.
Remember to rest, which includes your head, neck, chest, shoulders, arms and hands! Hope you feel better!
See how you do with the Lyrica. It does make some people dizzy, but you might become more tolerant of it. If you continue having trouble after a while, ask about chaning to Neurontin, which is the older version of basically the same drug. Some people react differently to the two different medications. In my personal case, I've taken Neurontin for years (pre and post surgery) with no problems, but Lyrica made me really, reallly stupid.
Remember to rest, which includes your head, neck, chest, shoulders, arms and hands! Hope you feel better!
ExARMYPILOT
05-18-2008, 07:31 AM
The doctor started me in Lyrica Monday - it has bee 6 days and other than not feeling dizzy anymore - I notice really nothing different except I am much more forgetful and a bit confused when trying to find the right words to say.
How long do I give it?
I have been given a "dead Man's" profile - as they call it in the Army until my next visit July 7th. I will get an MRI end of June.
Neck is still hurting bad with burning pain radiating down Right Arm for the most part.
I'm still using Motrin, but have stopped the Flexeril and Hydrocodone - prehaps I should start those back up
Andy
How long do I give it?
I have been given a "dead Man's" profile - as they call it in the Army until my next visit July 7th. I will get an MRI end of June.
Neck is still hurting bad with burning pain radiating down Right Arm for the most part.
I'm still using Motrin, but have stopped the Flexeril and Hydrocodone - prehaps I should start those back up
Andy
neckpatient
05-19-2008, 03:24 AM
I have zero experience with Lyrica but do take Neurontin successfully. How much do you take? Could you list what you are taking now.
ExARMYPILOT
05-19-2008, 05:49 AM
I have zero experience with Lyrica but do take Neurontin successfully. How much do you take? Could you list what you are taking now.
75mg in the morning and 75mg at night.
75mg in the morning and 75mg at night.
Toonces1
05-19-2008, 09:30 PM
Andy, I take Lyrica, and I noticed a difference in pain in a couple of days. It really helped me with the "hot poker" pain. Sorry to hear that it is not helping you much. You should really talk to your doctor about taking Celebrex instead of Motrin. My doc said that it is the only NSAID that does not interfere with the fusion process. Not sure how the Army handles brand name drugs... I, too, had my pain come back about 2-3 wks after surgery. It was really devastating, but the Lyrica has helped. I have heard that Lyrica has been dosed up to 600 mg per day, so maybe a higher dose will help. I am taking 300 mg per day, and am going to try to talk to my doctor into trying 450/day. I wish you the best of luck.
NAPPSIE
05-21-2008, 02:32 PM
Hi Andy and others. I take lyrica for my fibromyalgia but still need vicodin for my c5-6 herniated disc pain. i have not had surgery. And, Andy, I am sooooooo sorry for the pain you are experiencing and thank you for service to our country!!!!