Spinal Cord Injury: 2 MVAs, 2 urgent N/Surgery -burning,parasthesiae, allodynia,DDD, CRPS

See also 'Burning, allodynia, '93 failed fusion C2-C6, 2005 C5-7+Laminectomy
by etherapist, Dec 30, 2008 06:26PM
1988 serious MVeh accident swerved to miss wombat in middle of empty highway [7pm return from helping clients as Senior Psychologist in river country of South Australia]
Unconscious, pushed way out of car ploughed into pile of earth. Ambulance retrieval to intensive care, then 8+ weeks in main trauma hospital, gradually back to work in govt therapy position - still in full Somi brace, saw my country clients when other staff travelled. Car vibration really aggravated of head/spine pain, tingling intensity, spikes & flared up inflammation.
Experienced increasing numbness & parasthesiae in arms, legs, hands - progressively made writing/typing difficult -- developed allodynia where limbs made contact when using or even resting limb in sitting/standing/lying, even with own clothes & bedding. Increasing hyperalgesia which then developed,  extending even to soles of feet and all 4 outer toes as well as upper hands/palms and outer 3 fingers plus more/less with use in index finger, extending up forearm in elongated triangular distribution to outer elbow, then in 4" strip on outside of upper arm to just below shoulder.
I sustained extensive soft tissue damage & tearing through cervical and most of lumbar region, with injured tissue inflammation also extending up over scalp and into face. There was some evidence of small cervical fracture, but conservative treatment got me out of hospital but still had intense pain, unable to handle files etc at work or type, drive, made harder by only fitful light sleep as unable to rest on back of head, and lying on side brought limbs into contact with covers or under pressure of body weight.
Had slowly rehabilitated myself to half time therapy work - with help of weekly hypnosis/acupuncture/physio and daily healing meditation plus CBT.
Then 2000 2nd accident - rear end by laden moving van on slope. Went back to sessional work + web therapist.
2005 -urgent fusion C5-7 with laminectomy C5-7 to free spinal cord [damaged + kink] - real danger of quadriplegia. Had 2 neurosurgeons.Cervical spine severely compressed - extensive damage/erosion, cannot see upper discs.Height reduced, now solid C2-C7. Top thoracic pains after arm use  
Reduced sensation & control of bladder and now bowel.
Walk with stick, cannot shower - like bring pelted in hail storm. Cannot carry things for long, drop things, not as fluent, memory loss, [constant pain intrusion] etc. Lumbar L3,4,5 also protrusions from 1st MVA =>sciatic pain.
But drowned by burning,parasthesiae,swelling in arm/legs/feet/hands/face. Plus more recent searring pain( like acid down gullet, 'smoking' ears, eyes in 'hot oil'
Last 2 yrs lymph and mucus membranes affected. Swelliing hands,feet, neck/face have LLLaser 90 min/wk, acupuncture. Personal Lymph massage critical & leg elevation most of day.  
Minimal Sleep - use Brain wave & meditation CDs.  CRPS.
Spinal cord stimulator recently ruled out. Severe loss of life quality. Thyroid & autonomic dysfunction -sensitive to heat, breeze,vibration
Am a professional psychologist - worked in palliative, rehabilitation, pain mgt. Tertiary lecturer. Published research, cofounder 2 profess societies.
On opioids for years- recently did slow withdrawal. Gabapentin,Meloxicam,Mersyndol forte, thyroxin, Vit B1,B12, Folic acid.
I try to meditate & use hypnosis [my own therapy area] but pain intrudes. Daily do 1hr holosync BrainWave + meditation/hypnosis CDs. Have Pain Unit doctors.
Lump at right base of skull(10yr) now very painful, harder/bigger & no longer reduced/controlled with acupuncture. Last week Stabbing intense in R occipital (from C3 area then under lump) , last night radiate to R frontal with marked tingling into 3,4,5 digits of R hand plus outer forearm/under upper arm. Tears came with intensity.
Grateful for your professional insight/advice/suggestion. Namaste. J

[opus88]

Hi I just read your post, I am no professional, just another pain sufferer and I feel so badly for you and all that you are going through.
I have no suggestions and I'm sorry I am of no help.
I am just replying because I am in contact with another woman who is in constant horrific pain, hers due to a blocked surgery on her cervical area.
She too is pretty much bed ridden but like you does receive alot of comfort from meditation and other forms of mind over pain relief.
I will give you her post to read up on and if you think it would benefit you to chat with her as I think you both have alot in common...
all the best dear, I can't imagine how you go on. You will have to look this up in the archives as it is back a few months now.

DEGENERATIVE DISEASE COMMUNITY
Posted July 16th
Titled: "Unsure if this is the correct topic....."
Name is   epiphany_mm