localized arm twitching

[gigolost]

I am post ACDF 1.6 years.  I have a return of pain down my left arm, similar to the pain before the ACDF and am now having uncontrolled left arm twitching.  I have insisted on more diagnostic tests to diagnose more problems.  It took them 4 years to make the diagnosis of the first disc problem.  I don't wish to revisit all of that pain for that length of time again.  I did not have the twitching before, is this cause for more worry also?

[stewje]

I am 32 and had an ACDF of C5 and C6, it has been one year and the pain is much worse than prior to surgery.  I continue to work and raise to small children but the pain is imposssible.  I will probably die of a GI bleed from to many NSAIDS before I ever die of natural causes.  I Hate this, the pain is unbelievable and headaches everyday, what was the point of this surgery.   I  felt better prior to surgery, not saying I did not hurt but the pain now is continuous and never stops. What to do ,, I see a pain mgmt MD ,have done PT and  feel like there r no more options.  As a RN I suggested to the MD  to do an MRI but he basically said something is prob wrong, can you afford to be out of work for this.  Answer :  NO   if i was medicaid maybe then I could get the tx I need. but bc I pay taxes and work I have no chance at figuring out the problem.   jess

[fosstang]

Did you ever get the answer to your twitching?  I too have the hand shake/twitches on left side after ACDF surgery on 5/29/08.  They did a bunch of tests for Lymes, etc...all came out ok.  They also did a brain MRI which they said came out ok......then the dr came in the room and gave me a prescription (propranolol / 2 x a day -for high blood pressure..I have low blood pressure) He said this would help the tremors and it seems to have helped cuz if I forget the dose the next day they are starting in again! He also mentioned that I should take a good B vitamin.     Let me know what you did find out.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

I agree with you that any new symptom after any procedure to the spine should be worked up and investigated thoroughly.  This can be  a sign of another disc disease or manifestations of other conditions such as low calcium levels or micronutrient deficiency (like the B vitamins).  Long term complications of the procedure such as some form of soft tissue fibrosis should also be thought of.  I suggest you discuss these possibilities with your doctors and have yourself evaluated (like another MRI, blood electrolyte and mineral levels, etc).

Regards and God bless.