Continued pain - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

PsychLea · 09-03-2003, 08:51 PM

Hi guys,

I am so sorry to be whining again! My pain level is right back to where it was preop. I am so discouraged and frustrated. I took a hydrocodone last night and it kept me wired so I didn't sleep. If I don't sleep, my pain is worse, so what's a gal to do?

The pain in my left arm is excruciating and I am now getting daily migraines and visual disturbances. It's not fun trying to dictate and chasing the words all over the page. Those letters move fast

I have the EMG/NCV a week from this Friday and it will be another 2 weeks before I see the new PM. Who wants to live like this? Don't get me wrong, I am still kicking riding my bike,swimming,working, and taking my son to karate and church. Still have friends over, but the pain is continuous,nagging, and just plain wearing on my nerves (no pun intended

)

I guess I just needed to vent. There, I feel better now.

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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.
New MRI 8/25/03
C5-6 posterior annular bulge, now with spurring,canal stenosis, and foraminal stenosis

schragie · 09-03-2003, 09:20 PM

Hi Lea,

Vent away! Glad you're still able to be active. I have had similar challenges. I keep hearing my mother's voice in my head ("rest rest rest") but fear that I will turn into a slug if I don't keep active. I

So, even with the pain I have been going camping, hiking and swimming. I keep percocet in my purse like most women keep tampons. It's a shame, but ya gotta live.

It sucks, however, how much pain can color a life. I find myself much more short tempered than I used to be and sometimes I pay for being active by having bad flare ups that last several days. I'll be starting physical therapy to help me with posture, strength, all that stuff, and maybe they'll show me the best way to be active...like what strokes to use when swimming.

Your migraines sound awful. I get very bad headaches in the back of my head but nowhere near approaching a migraine. I hope you're getting some treatment for that too. As for sleeping, ever try a hot bath with muscle easing soak stuff? It can be kind of smelly, but it feels soooooo good.

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1999 fusion C5-6 & C6-7
2002 herniation of C4-5