Neck shot

[how2]

I have had cervical neck fusion and plates with 8 screws about 6 weeks ago and pain worse since surgery,and new pain also. I have been using Fentanyl patches and also darvocet and valium. I also use ice packs. I am fair while I use all of that meds. but as soon as I get off of the patch,Two days later I hurt like 10 and nothing helps. My question is there something wrong that they are not telling me . My Dr. said 99% are good in just a couple of weeks. Please help.  

[sunshine921]

I too, had a cervical neck fusion with a plate and screws in December 2005.  I had neck pain for over twenty years and even after the MRI showed the disk problem and the spur it took me two more years for the courage to have the surgery done.  The surgery didn't help my pain and I feel the pain gets worse and worse.  It's almost a relief to read these messages and know I'm not alone wondering about why I don't feel better.  I take oxycodone twice a day.  It helps me tolerate the pain better but even with that I have break thru pain.  I'm open to any help/suggestions out there.

[suzychihuahuas]

did the shot help.................i had it done monday

[Illuminata]

Sorry, just realized how old these messages are.

[Illuminata]

I have had two surgeries now..three discs replaced...screws plates..whatever to stablize. Now after the second surgery I'm in more pain than ever. I now have occipital neuralgia, which no pain meds could ever help. Maybe you should ask about that. I've been doing some reading and a lot of people end up with this little side effect. Now i'm supposed to wait until there's a real lasting cure, while my children are growing up and the years are going by.

[star queen]

You didn't say why you needed to get the fusion done.  If the cause was due to a broken neck and vertebra, then you may need some extra assistance to recover.  There is a proceedure that is done by an orthopedic neurologist where a type of superglue is injected into the fracture site by needle. The superglue fills the fracture crack and healing is enhanced.  Pain is generally reduced completely or at least to a bearable level during the healing process.  You may not know, but superglue was originally developed during the Korean war to keep tissues together while the body healed.  The surgical proceedure you had with the screws and plate take about 8-10 weeks to completely heal and for pain to be at a reduced level or go away.  Talk to your surgeon to see if he/she does the proceedure I am suggesting (not everyone does it) or get a referral to an orthopedic neurologist for an evaluation for the proceedure.  good luck

[Mickey50]

god, that sounds awful! It I took all that pain med, I would be hospitalized - could not handle it.
Dr. wants to give me some kind of shot in the cerivcal neck - he says I will need a driver and and IV for pain med. Doesn't sound so good to me, have you ever had that done and is it worth it?