How long? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

PsychLea · 06-29-2003, 11:28 PM

For all of you way ahead of me in recovery, how long did it take for the pain to go away?

I am going into my 8th week and still having problems. Tonite I felt like my head was going to fall off my shoulders

Thank goodness for hydrocodone and Soma. I have a lot of burning and pain in my left shoulder, which was absent until I returned to work last week.

This week I am going back to full time. It's a little disappointing, ya know? I was doing so well the week before I returned to work.

I am really enjoying being back at work though. I really do love my job and like helping people. My coworkers are wonderful and funny. So even though it is extremely stressful, it is still an enjoyable atmosphere.

They have one more person to hire before I can go to part time and hopefully my husb will have a job by then. I'm not depressed or anything, just really annoyed

------------------
God bless,

Lea

C4-5 noncompressive disc displacement
C5-6 compressive disc displacement
C6-7 broad based disc protrusion encroaching on the anterioposterior aspect of the spinal canal.
DDD
ACDF C6-7 5/13/03 with titanium plate,4 screws, and no collar postop.

lifeonhold2003 · 06-30-2003, 01:56 AM

Lea,
I can't answer your question, because I've just passed my 9th week and still no improvement. I too am still having that burning pain in my left shoulder, in addition to the pain, numbness and tingling all the way down my left arm. I also am having terrible pain in the back of my neck which travels upward across the top of my head over to my forehead.

I applaud you for being able to work. I can't seem to do anything for very long. I too am very disappointed.

I sure hope you begin to feel better real soon.

------------------
AKA: Julie

4/23/03 - Anterior Cervical Discectomy w/Fusion C5/6 - donor bone with titanium plate, 4 screws, no collar post-op

winged phantom · 06-30-2003, 07:07 AM

Hi Lea,
Glad to hear you are back at work, although I did read a few days back about your DH's troubles with work... or lack of it. In spite of all the headaches with tension and worry, etc., I hope you can get some good R&R when you are "off duty" (oh, yeah, right!). Don't do heavy lifting and gardening (deja vu)...

Finally at about 8 weeks I was able to get off my major meds, but I was on Soma until just a few days ago; only manages to take it every 12 hours, though, not every 6! I'm doing ok... just doing a lot of walking, though, so not the usual stuff that life throws at us. Except that tonight I have to "move out", essentially, and do a thorough cleaning of the apartment. Well, that should not take long.

Baby yourself a bit longer, Lea, or if you notice things are just not right or much worse than they have been, call the doc and ask about it all...
wr

janie francine · 06-30-2003, 10:34 AM

Hi Lea,

Sorry you're having a rough time. I can't help with answers as I haven't had surgery. Just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you. Take it easy, OK?

Jeanine

BDW2 · 06-30-2003, 06:14 PM

I am in week 12 and my left shoulder blade is on fire. I have been through 6 weeks of PT. All of my Docs are assuring me it is muscle pain. I am going back to work tommorrow FT. I am like you though, WILL IT END? I have been told I need to build the muscles back up on that side, but it is pretty painful. Doing alot of stretching, exercising. Doc wants me moving. On the good side, neck is doing better, great ROM, no pain. Good luck.

------------------
ACDF C6-7 with plating and donor bone (3/28/03)