discectomy - Pain Management Message Board

taraburns · 06-01-2002, 10:49 AM

hi everyone, i am a new member here. i had a discectomy 7 months ago . the c 5 c 6 level. and ever since i have had major pain in the back of my head traveling down to the bottom of my neck. the surgeon
said i shouldnt be in pain, bull!!! i am in pain. every single day, mostly in the morning and at night.
i fornd a primary dr. to give me lorcet 10/650, thats what the nuero was giving me.it seems to work. i take it 3 times a day. what i dont undrstand is why am i still in pain? the numbness in my arm is gone , but the pain is generalized in my neck. any one else experience this?

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~tara~

niecsey · 06-01-2002, 05:17 PM

hi im no expert but my hubby has problems with the spine it could be scar tissue

at first when my hubby had his 1st op they said he shouldnt be feeling like he did, then he was operated on again5 months later when he colllapsed again now less than 18 month later hes back to square 1 and thats it

cant operate again been sent to pain clinic good luck hope you get some good responses

davidc66 · 06-03-2002, 09:55 AM

Hey Tara, Spine surgery has a much higher success rate at relieving neurological symptoms, like leg and arm pain then it does at relieving spine pain. They are calling your surgery a success because they relieved the neuro problem but you are left with spine pain. It's not that uncommon.

All my leg pain was relieved with each surgery but I'm left with crushing spine pain and a bucket of hardware in my lower back.I crunch and squeek with every step. The only doc that doesn't understand why I hurt is the surgeon that put 12 screws 8 rods into my spine. Yes he relieved the neuro problems wich makes the surgery a success in his mind.

When your left with post op spine pain the descriptive DX is failed back surgery syndrome or post laminectomy syndrome. It's not much of a DX other than explaining I still hurt.

The lortab, although it helps now is a short term answer.No doc is going to keep you on Lortab forever. You should look into a more long term treatment plan wich may or may not include opiate pain meds. There are many PM docs that will prescribe long acting opiates but I would try some other modalities before making the comittment to be dependent on meds the rest of your life.

Acupuncture, trigger point inj, several relaxation techniques can be tought. Nerve blocks, TENS,TINS ,Epidural steroids to reduce inflamation at the sight of surgery.. More PT,message, etc. etc. All these things can be tried and learned before jumping on the oxycontin or morphine boat.

Eventually the Norco will become ineffective due to tolerance from taking it for such a long perriod of time. It would be nice to have some other ways in your pocket to deal with the pain before this happens.The long acting opiates are an option if other methods fail but it doesn't sound like your there quite yet.

It's only been 7 months so there is still time for more healing to take place. It does sound like you would benefit from a multi disciplinary aproach to manageing your pain. I would also get another surgical opinion. IF a mistake was made during surgery it's not likely your surgeon is going to admit he botched something. Another surgeon may be able to point something out that may explain your continued pain.

Good luck and keep us posted. Take care, David

taraburns · 06-03-2002, 07:25 PM

hi david, thanks for replying, i am starting physical therapy soon. i hope it helps. i ran out of my pain meds over the weekend and that was the real test.my neck and head felt like they were going to explode.i dont wanna go off the meds. i dont like the way i feel
it hurts like hell. and it was supposd to be a simple surgery. i had fusion done, i have a plate and a few screws.well i will let ya know how the pt goes...

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~tara~

ready2pullthepin · 06-05-2002, 08:12 PM

Who ever said your operation was simple sure misled you! It is a BIG deal! Any type of spine surgery is likely to leave you in pain, and all too often, more surgery will be needed at a later date.