Aa
Severe Pain after surgery-help Please
My mom, (age 61, copd, on oxygen) had a compressed fracture in her back (I think t-7 but maybe L7) I heard both mentioned. There was severe pain prior to surgery that they said was nerves "tangled up". Pain was making it hard for her to breathe, she felt like it was "cutting off her air".
To avoid the risk of two surgeries he decided to open the back, put in pins and bone glue and then "clip" the nerves that were causing the severe pain. He said she will have numbness around her waist and under her breasts but "that is better than risking future nerve pain or a second surgery for those nerves". Sounded great. Surgery went great. Came home in 2 days, walked to the mailbox (slowly), walked to the bathroom. Gradually severe pain returned and gradually got worse. Her breathing was again "cut off" when she moved or stood up. Surgeon said "see pain specialist"- he prescribed pain medicine- percoset and neurotin in the mean time. The day after Thanksgiving pain was relentless and she got weaker and weaker. Legs barely held her, couldn't pee for 20 or 30 minutes when she tried. Breathing and pains was so bad we called an ambulance. Hospital for 5 dyas and gradually lost the ability to move her legs. She can wiggle toes but cannot move her legs or lift them at all! Pain radiates around sides under breasts that she describes as "severe burning" and "like a tight belt that needs loosened".
They are treating her for pain (not very well), placed her in "rehab" to get legs working. All this with no diagnosis???? Anyone find this odd? Why would she not be able to move her legs? Why the severe pain where he said she would have numbness? Also constant painful feeling like she has to urinate but cannot. A couple times was incontinent. Had to put in a cath to releave constant bladder pain. I am so confused. Does anyone hear anything that triggers any ideas?
She is suffering and I don't think anyone really knows why. I feel like the surgeon is blowing us off when I call, saying talk to "her dr" or pain specialist. Help me understand what to do next??
To avoid the risk of two surgeries he decided to open the back, put in pins and bone glue and then "clip" the nerves that were causing the severe pain. He said she will have numbness around her waist and under her breasts but "that is better than risking future nerve pain or a second surgery for those nerves". Sounded great. Surgery went great. Came home in 2 days, walked to the mailbox (slowly), walked to the bathroom. Gradually severe pain returned and gradually got worse. Her breathing was again "cut off" when she moved or stood up. Surgeon said "see pain specialist"- he prescribed pain medicine- percoset and neurotin in the mean time. The day after Thanksgiving pain was relentless and she got weaker and weaker. Legs barely held her, couldn't pee for 20 or 30 minutes when she tried. Breathing and pains was so bad we called an ambulance. Hospital for 5 dyas and gradually lost the ability to move her legs. She can wiggle toes but cannot move her legs or lift them at all! Pain radiates around sides under breasts that she describes as "severe burning" and "like a tight belt that needs loosened".
They are treating her for pain (not very well), placed her in "rehab" to get legs working. All this with no diagnosis???? Anyone find this odd? Why would she not be able to move her legs? Why the severe pain where he said she would have numbness? Also constant painful feeling like she has to urinate but cannot. A couple times was incontinent. Had to put in a cath to releave constant bladder pain. I am so confused. Does anyone hear anything that triggers any ideas?
She is suffering and I don't think anyone really knows why. I feel like the surgeon is blowing us off when I call, saying talk to "her dr" or pain specialist. Help me understand what to do next??
Wow im sorry to hear about this. I would suggest get a second opinion, get the records from the doctor's and see another surgeon. Sounds like he is blowing you off......
Good luck
Good luck
Does any dr out there have any ideas? I appreciate your insight.
You are reading content posted in the Neurology Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Allentown, PA
ON
Queensland, Australia
Queen Creek, AZ
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
