Hi everyone,
I am new to this community and am hoping someone can help me. I had anterior cervical fusion at C4-C5, C-5-C-6 almost 4 weeks ago. This involved donor bone, a plate, and 6 screws. I was doing so well afterwards that I was shocked! I had hardly any pain at all. I then made the mistake of reaching up in my cupboard to get something, knocking cans out of the cupboard, and turning my head as they were falling. I now have intense burning pain in the bottom left side of my neck/upper shoulder area. I told my doctor who put me on Prednisone for 5 days. He also took an x-ray and although a screw was not in straight, he said it looked fine. He told me that I irritated the nerves too early. Well, that was about a week and a half ago and I am still in a lot of pain. My pain pills, muscle relaxant, Lyrica, and Gabapentin don't even begin to touch the pain. I am now taking 4 ibuprofen every 4-6 hours to get some relief. I have an ulcer and am not supposed to be taking the ibuprofen. I don't know what to do. Is this pain going to last forever? Has anyone else experience this burning pain? It is driving me crazy.