Constant pain in neck, shoulders, and back...HELP

[sandiemas623]

OK I have posted a few questions here and gotton some great responses.  I have some additional questions or advice needed.  My quick backgroud:  I work for the state as a child protective specialist III I have been there for over 5 year it is a very stressful job but rewarding none the less.  I have had cronic back pain since I was in my 20's and have tried many years of accupuncture, chiropractor, massage, injections, and medications.  Finally I was told that my cervical spine was unstable and I could become paralysed if I didn't take care of it.  So I opted to have anterior cervical discectomy and fusion on the C6/7 and then 6-weeks later I have a lumbar discectomy only (no fusion) on my L5/S1.  OK  I had several things happen during recovery including complete loss of use of my legs from the ACDF(Neck) Migraines and pain.  The Lumbar was uneventful recovered and leg pain is gone feels great other than the muscle tightness and occasional tingling of my legs and feet.  Actual site is still very tender to the touch.  It has been 6 wks from the lumbar and 12 wks since the neck.  My orginal MRI stated several herniated disc and stenosis but only the one that was in danger was fixed the C6/7 that was the worse rupture.

So now that I have bored you with my brief history I have been having a terrible time with depression and anxiety and dont' know where to turn at times I wish I would just die to stop tormenting my family, friends, employer, and doctors but I know that is wrong and it is not a serious though just an easy cop out.

My surgeon doesn't believe me when I tell him I'm still in pain and states its time for me to go back to work.  I tried to explain to him that even driving for 30 minutes to the store I have to pull over get out of the car walk around and take a breath because the muscle spasms are so bad I am in tears.  It is comsuming my life.  I have no life anymore.  I do not feel I can go back to work and be productive and make important decision regarding hte lives of children and families, sit in court rooms, drive to peoples homes and conduct interviews.  This terrifies me and has amplified my anxiety.

I do not know what to say or how to ask for what I need and some help from someone who has gone through this would be great.  I feel I am going to need to file for Long Term Disability to give myself time to recover and learn how to get my life back on track.  I have until November then my Short Term Disability willl expire.  I dont think my doctor will agree wiht me or be on board and I don't know why.  I am 43 yrs old worked my whole adult life and have never taken as much as a sick day in the past 20 years now here I am and it is very hard to admit out loud that you need help.  

So with that said and if you made it through all that blubbering:)  If you could share your exeriences wiht me and how you went about talking to your doctors, what you said and the outcomes.  What type of help did you look for and what actually works?  Anything would help...  Thanks for your responses.

Sandie

[Onoceobi]

You may find it worth giving cranio-sacral therapy a try. I have ruptured discs at c-5-6-7 and after injuring myself in early 2004 I lived with an undiagnosed dislocated sternum (manubrio-sternal dislocation) until August this year  because nobody looked further than the ruptured discs for the source of my physical issues. This really messed up the muscles and fascia and caused issues with joints throughout my chest, upper back, neck, jaw, skull and face. Not mainstream, I know, but if cranio-sacral therapy can make a difference to me, it can make a difference to you. Make sure you get a good 'un, though :). Hope you find yourself some answers.

[SavannahGeorge]

I do hope you will get another opinion.  I know what it is like to have a dr who you've trusted enough to allow them to cut you open, and still trust and repect, just to turn around and basically be told there is an expiration date on their bedside manner.  It is soooo demeaning when you KNOW this is putting your life on hold completely: the pain the anxiety, etc and then to have the dr blow off your issues.  Get another opinon darlin' and don't feel guilty!  I say don't feel guilty because of me... I love my dr, like he is great, but it seems hes gotten so "big" now, seeing more patients each day than McD's serves Big Macs... That he no longer listens.  Yet I feel guilty when I consider getting a second opinion on my back, neck, shoulder pain.  I know he is a competent dr, just dont know what the communication barrier is between them and us patients.  But I know that your story has inspired me to get a second opinion, I really hope you do too!  God bless you for the years that you have worked to make children safe and sound!  I am praying that God open all the right doors for you to get the solutions to your pain and anxiety.  He never lets us go through hard times without a purpose, and I know that people reading your post are probably saying to themselves, "hey I am going through this too" and so you are inspiring others to take their health seriously, and only trust it with a dr who does the same!  Sorry for rambling on and on... Last thing, have you been given an Empi, or a TENS unit?  Its no miracle cure, and has it's drawbacks but helps a but with the nerve pain and muscle pain.  Thank you for your post.  God bless you, and heal you!

[danirenee]

Good luck with all of that.. If your surgeon is not trusting in what you say, I would suggest that you look into getting a second opinion or seeing a pain management doctor.  Another dr looking over your case could never hurt, and you would not have to switch over unless you felt comfortable with them.  

I also have severe back and neck problems along with bad anxiety.  I came to a point where I had to switch dr's and take some of the matters into my own hands (like getting a new MRI on my own when WC would not approve, and am in the process of getting in with a good back clinic at one of our local hospitals that is suppose to be top notch, still remains to be seen if that is the case or not, and also looking to get in with someone different for my anxiety because the old dr was kinda just wanting to keep things all the same even tho treatment was working less and less every month) Its not an easy process, but if you can find someone that you are comfortable with that will listen to your concerns then it will be well worth the trouble.. they could even do the long term disability for your anxiety if it is bad enough..

Good luck, and sorry about the babble, just wanted to try and explain a bit of what I have experienced and hopefully give you some ideas too.. Keep your chin up and try to stay positive, as hard as it can be... Things have a way of working themselves out at times