Subject: Re: Burning Pain
Forum: The Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum

Topic Area: Pain

I had cervical laminectomy c-3c-4 about 6 months ago. Prior to surgery I had some burning in my right hand, sensitivity in my right chest, and some tingling and numbness in my right leg and foot. Also I had hyper reflexes on my left side. I was informed that these symptoms might always be with me even after surgery, however, they should not get worse. They were much worse after surgery. The burning was now in my back and upper right side, right arm and hand and knew and foot on right side.

As the surgery was performed by a neurosurgeon away from my home town, I was refered to a neurologist in my community. He prescribed neurontin with dosages gradually increased up to twelve 300 mg per day. The pain seemed to decrease but not go away. I fortunatly did not have side effects from drud. Since then I have been taking nine tablets of neurontin per day plus nortriptyline at 10mg..now up to 4 of these per day.

The burning pain has continued but is not as frequent nor as intense. I even have a week of little pain at times. My daily activities do not change and I can not find anything other than the possibility that stress might trigger it and also lifting also triggers it.

My Questions:
1. Could there be a problem with the fusion? Should I have a post surgery MRI. I was told that a tiney wire was inserted during surgery, would that prevent me from having an accurate MRI?
2. Do the damaged nerves that apparently cause this burning heal?

Steve

Dear Steve:

Sorry about your problem, sounds like you have been in some agony. Often what you describe occurs after an operation that you describe. The pain is usually worse right after the operation due to nerve manipulation and inflammation. It sounds like your doctor has been right on track with what most do after an operation like you have had. The wire they inserted is usually compatible with MRI (at least it should). Another MRI is not a bad idea if the pain is not improving. Yes, the nerve is the problem. As time progresses, this usually gets better, but how much better depends on the problem to begin with and the individual. I hope that yours gets steadily better.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro[P] MD

Follow Ups:

• Burning Pain Joe 4/24/1999 (3)
  • Re: Burning Pain CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS 4/25/1999 (2)
    • Burning Pain A few quick questions about this ....... 4/26/1999 (1)
      • Re: Burning Pain CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS 4/29/1999 (0)

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