2 Cervical Surgeries - No Relief - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Fast Freddy · 03-23-2005, 10:00 AM

I have just had my second surgery. Jan 7th I had disc replacement on C4-5. In 2001, I had C5 to C7 fused. Since this second surgery, I have had tingling or a cold feeling in the top part of my feet and calves (front part) and also down my arms. Not always - but on and off. After the 1st surgery I had no symptoms for awhile then they eventually came back ( I work at a desk job). Does anyone know if this could be arthritis. Right side of my shoulder at the bottom of my neck is always so sore and it really restricts the movement of my neck, which in turn causes headaches, etc. Prior to my 2nd surgery I was doing ART (Active Release Technique), which I thought helped with the symptoms.

I guess I thought I would feel "normal" after all this surgery, its very depressing that I do not, and I feel like I need constant pain killers. I will be seeing my neuro on April 5th.

kellyv · 03-23-2005, 01:25 PM

... deleted ...

solardust · 03-23-2005, 04:04 PM

Hi,I can relate and sympathize with both of you, I believe most on this board can,healing is such a long progress with these neck surgeries,I had c6-7 done with donar bone,and currently have c 5-6 still herniated,rather large, and small ones at c4-5,c3-4,at the worse before surgery all I could do was sit in my recliner and be in agony,the type that is on relenting,and no medications touched,I was lucky that the fusion on c6-7 took away that pain,then it took weeks and weeks to recover,so here I am month 7, over did some house work and got back some old symptoms and new ones on the left side,as far as leg symptoms,prior to the fusion , it was like my legs were rubber bands,that improved after the fusion,the only meds that really ever helped me, was nsaids(which I now sport ulcers for)and this drug the docs at the ER gave me(Totorital)prolly not the right spelling,but it is a anti-inflammatory.I find out on the 30th if my fusion is complete,and will discuss all these new pains to him then,hopefully he will have a non-surgical idea,gee's typed with every toe crossed,I still use my heating pad, and Bayer cream that ya rub in,I have hydrocodon and muscle relaxers,but they are standbys,I hope you both find pain relief as you heal,it does take the nerves a long time to get well,hopefully that occurs quickly for you both,and learn from me, do not over do it, and at this point its almost like one should never do more then light duty stuff and bathing,Diana

Fast Freddy · 04-11-2005, 01:27 PM

Kelly, I just had my appt. with the neuro, he told me the numbness in my legs is permanent damage to my spinal cord, as a result of having C5 to C7 fused in 2001 and I also have cervical stenosis. I also have this weird coldness from the inside, and it is everywhere. I hope this goes away, he said it's still early, and to give it another couple of months. I'm going to see a PT to see if they can help. I also have severe insomnia, which I now have amytripyline (sp?), because I think the symptoms are more tolerable when your sleeping fine and can handle the pain and or tingling. Please post when you can, what your neuro has to say. Take Care.

solardust · 04-11-2005, 08:36 PM

Freddy, This coldness that you mentioned,does your hand feel hot when it touches the coldness, yet the body part that is cold,no one else that touches it, seems to think its cold???? How confusing I know, but I get this coldness, mainly on my arms, and its from underneath the skin.

You are the very first to mention this coldness,so I really am intrested.Also I think you mentioned that you work at a desk job,you may notice that you hunch up your shoulders, without really thinking of it,I did alot of research right after my fusion, and on Doctor blamed alot of after pain, and refusions to "Bracing" which is the pulling up of the shoulders, a reaction to protecting the neck,try just dropping them down ,you know deep breathing and drop, you wil notice a relief there, its just hard to stop, cuz I know I do it without thinking, (I drive school bus),hope I was of some help, write me about that coldness ok? Diana