Surgery did not help the pain

[RunningMom]

I herniated 3 discs in my neck with my C5-C6 compressing against my spinal cord.  I had an ACDF almost 4 weeks ago to decompress the nerve.  Even though my surgery pain is gone, I still have the severe nerve pain.  The surgeon had given me 10 days supply of pain meds for post op pain control.  I did stretch the meds out to 3 weeks.  I was off all pain medicine for a week and the pain was absolutely horrible.  After several calls into the office, I'm back on a lesser dose of pain medicine.  I have severe nerve pain and there is a chance it could be permanent.  It may take up to two years before I will know.  I'm going to have another MRI this week to make sure there is not another herniated disc against a nerve and to see if the surgery went well.  I have new numbness and pain in my arm and they the surgeon is concerned about it.  I have to say I did not expect to have this nerve pain once I was done with surgery.  I have asked to go back into pain management, but he won't see me until the surgeon says it's okay.

[Tuckamore]

Runningmom,

I am so glad that they are going to repeat your MRI. I am hopeful that you will share your progress with us.

And while opiates are not usually the first treatment for nerve pain they are often required in conjuncture with a drug such as Neurontin (gabapentin)  for the management of neuralgia. Nerve entrapment is a very painful condition and often requires several medications to significantly reduce and control the pain. Most patients do not become addicted and this should not be your first concern at this point.

I continue to wish you well and hope they can find a reason and solution to your pain. We'll look forward to your updates.
Tuck

[RunningMom]

I didn't think you were suggesting anything but to try nerve meds.  I do think you are right, but if there is something wrong, they do need to fix it.  This is the worst pain I've ever experienced and I sometimes wonder how I manage.  

[nick30]

i wasn't suggesting that you had a problem with oxycontin. i was trying to say that for nerve pain the most important drugs are the neurontin type ones. i have no problem with you taking opiates as well, but to not take the nerve meds is not a great idea. NERVE MEDS ARE YOUR 1ST LINNE OF DEFENCE.

nick

[RunningMom]

I recieved a return call from the surgeon's office.  They stated that this unbearable neck pain and arm pain is abnormal and they are calling back today to schedule an MRI.  I'm not ready for something to be wrong that requires another surgery right away.  My post op appointment was moved to later next week.  

It honestly feels like a herniated disc.  I wonder if I herniated a my C7 in my sleep these last 4 weeks while my body is recovering from the surgery.

[RunningMom]

I completely agree with you that drugs should not be taken unless needed.  I will ask about the B12.  There are other vitamins and minerals that help with nerve pain too.  I'm going to bring this up at my appointment.  I don't want to take anything that could be harmful to me.  I personally don't like to take anything, especially everyday.  

I put another call into the spine clinic today with the surgeon's PA.  My pain is still unbearable at the back of my neck and I still have horrible arm pain.  I wonder if they are getting tired from me calling and complaining.  I'm not a big complainer, but I can't handle this anymore.

[mrlittleseth]

Oh and if you want to stay off Narcotics. Neurontin may be of good use to you.

[mrlittleseth]

Hi There.  It sounds like you need a low dose of oxycontin or other similar opiate.  Definitely Lyrica for Neuropathic Pain and also vitamin B12 helps those types of nerves regenerate as much as possible.  I Recommend the Extended release of the vitamin B12.   Opiates should always be a last resort but don't live your life in Misery.  Narcotics are ok just don't fall in love with them.  I have always said that drugs should not be taken unless they improve your quality of life.

[RunningMom]

Nick, I need to be running again.  I was running 36 miles a week.  I have not ran in over 6 months.  It will be at least 6 more months to a year before running again.  I do follow the doctors orders.  I would not do anything to jeopardize my care in pain management.  

I need something that is going to bring my pain down to a managable level.  I would love to be pain free and I'm hoping that I will be soon.

[nick30]

you need nerve meds. narcotics are notorious for not helping nerve pain on thier own. you should have been on nerve meds straight away. you'll end up addicted to narcotics if you try to rely on them for nerve pain.
trust me

nick

[RunningMom]

Tuck, I'm not on any nerve medicine as of yet.  I have a follow up appointment on Monday.  I'm also going to ask if a steroid shot or something like that would help now that the problem is fixed.  I have already asked to get back into pain management, but they said not until the surgeon is done treating me and gives the okay for further treatment.

erbub, it wouldn't be so hard if they managed my pain a little bit better.  Right now I'm in constant severe pain, even with the vicoden and muscle relaxers.  The pain medicine is not even taking the edge off and I'm going absolutely crazy.  I have not slept the last 4 weeks.

[erbub1]

Hi there,

I had the same exact situation you did, with my first surgery January of 2000 for C-5, 6, and 7...and another one in 2003 for C-2 and 3....and I unfortunately have permanent nerve damage that requires daily doses of pain meds....I do not want to discourage you but it is a reality....and my pain is treated monthly by my doctor, I also was unprepared for the pain afterwards I was very upset because although I immediatly noticed the pressure (the feeling of someone on your shoulders pushing on your head) was gone when I woke up  in recovery, but it has been 9 years since the 1st surgery and I finally accepted the fact I will never be 100%....but hang in there and give it some more time and I hope you will be one of the lucky ones...I was not...

C

[Tuckamore]

Hi Runningmom,

I am sorry that your surgeon was not up front with you. In an ideal world surgery relieves pain. The cervical spine is one of the most difficult areas in which to preform surgery. It is not unusual to be left with nerve pain to one degree or another and for varying lengths of time.

Are you on Neurontin or a similar medication for nerve pain. Post open heart surgery late last summer my mom was left with severe ulnar nerve pain. It has started to resolve but has taken six months. So there is hope that your will get better. It really is soon as the area is still traumatized and swollen. As it heals the pain should improve.

My mom required a Fentanyl Patch and large doses of Neurontin to ease her through the nerve pain. Your surgeon or PCP should be willing to prescribe interim medications to control your pain.    

So don't give up yet. I am hopeful in time you will feel better. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Best of luck and take care, Tuck  

[Mollyrae]

Hi RunningMom:

I did not get pain relief right away. It took many months before I felt like I could function on an almost normal level. I guess it took about a good 6 months to totally recover. I had a fusion at C4 thru 6 with decompression.

You really need to give your surgery time which I'm sure you're doing. Patience my dear!

I will keep my fingers crossed for you :)
Molly

[RunningMom]

I'm so happy to hear your surgery went well. :)  Burning the nerves will not work for me.  My disc was pressing against the spinal cord, not the medial nerves.  I've had the testing done for it.  Very unpleasent procedure.

Did you have relief from the pain right away?  The PA said if my nerve is not permanently damaged, I'll start to feel relief in a couple of months.  The surgeon made it sound like I'd have relief right away.  That wasn't the case.

[Mollyrae]

Hi RunningMom:

Unfortunately, your nerve pain is a complication of cervical surgery and you're right when you say that it might be permanent. That area of the back has the most nerves and the most complicated for a surgeon to work on.

My mother and I both had cervical surgery and as mine went well, hers ended in nerve pain that she has today. Her surgery was 5 years ago. The only thing that will comfort the nerves are nerve medications.

In some cases when the pain is at it's worst and all avenues have been addressed, the only option left and I might add a risky one is to burn the nerves causing the most problem.

I feel bad for you and really hope that your nerve pain is temporary. You never know, you might be one of the lucky ones.  You have to realize that you only had surgery a short time ago and things need time to heal. It may take even more time than the two weeks to make that final diagnosis.

Please take care and my thoughts are with you.
My best, Molly