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395684 tn?1215997724

I can't take anymore,please help!!

I am 38 years old female. I had a lumbar spinal fusion in February, afterward, I started feeling better for about a month, then all of a sudden I reverted backwards to the way I used to be, in chronic lower back pain, my neurosurgeon did an MRI and told me the fusion process was fine and all was healing well and that he was for a loss as to why I still had the same excrutiating pain, then two months later, still with the back pain, I devoloped neck pain, the pain in the neck does not change no matter what I do, there was no injury involved. The pain has progressively gotten worse and is accompanied by the following symptoms, my head always is sweating, just my head,headache, I have to urinate all the time but I can't seem to empty my bladder all the way. I have severe joint pain that moves from joint to joint throughout the day. my doctor did an MRI on my head and my neck as well as blood work. The MRI was fine, the blood work came back fine except she said something was elevated (it began with a C) and indicated that there was inflamation somewhere in my body, but she doesn't know where. I asked her what to do now, I told her the pain is getting worse and I still have th excruciating pain in my lower back as well, she advised me to go to the ER if it worsens or I can't take it, I have been to the ER several times and they don't do anything, they tell me they don't know what it is then give me some type of narcotics and send me home. The narcotics are not working, I am still in pain, no one will help and I can't take much more. I lost my job because of missing so much, I need to get healthy so I can get to work. They have given me every kind of medication you can think of, such as the following : amytripiline, neurontin, lyrica, flexeril, valium, percocet, vicodin, oxycontin, prednisone, cymbalta, celebrex, Ibuprophen 800 mg, Motrin 800 mg, naprosyn, imitrex, skelaxin, soma, toradol, tylenol w/codeine. Please write me as soon as you can.
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Avatar universal
I had my husband read your post because I could have wrote this myself. I had my first Lumbar Fusion in Dec 2001. Like you I thought I was getting better. About 4 months after surgery I knew I wasn't. I tried all the PT,but was never any better. After a year of testing,MRI's, CAT Scans and so on it was determined that my body was rejecting the bone that was used for my fusion,which was not my own,but from a bone donor, o I had my second Lumbar Fusion in Mar 2003. This surgery did help with my lower(Lumbar) back. However, I started having pain in my neck,along with severe joint pain!  It became so bad that I saw my Spine Doctor. I was sent to Cleveland Clinic where after a series of tests it was determined that I have damage from C2-5 AND it showed calcium deposits ON and around my spinal cord. I asked what this was and was told that this happens from previous surgeries,when blood will turn into these hard deposits. 5 years later I am now left in severe pain daily.The joint pain is as severe as the other.  I have to take large doses of extremely strong pain medication daily. They want to perform another fusion,this time on my neck,which I had NO problems with until AFTER my Lumbar Fusions! Then another surgery on my mid back to remove these deposits. They are in such a dangerous place on my spinal cord that it can cause paralysis. The surgery involves being put on a herat and lung machine,then going through my back with a rib spreader,deflating my lungs so that they can reach my spinal cord to remove the deposits. Needless to say I was told this surgery is very difficult and takes at least 5 months to recover. For those of you who have a bad back,I beg you to please consider any option available,other than surgery. Once you have surgery it is like a domino effect on the spine. It will weaken the spine above and below where the "repair" is at. Please read and listen to feedback from those who have had the surgery. I had the best here in Ohio. Really one of the best in the country. But remember the results can be worse than what you're dealing with now.
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395684 tn?1215997724
I have already seen the rheumatologist and to no avail, they did not find anything, I don't know what she tested or but she said all was normal. I have been to pain management before they helped with my knees (osteoarthritis) and I have had nerve blocks for my bakc but it didn't help, but I thank you for your advice.
Helpful - 0
233190 tn?1278549801
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It is difficult to say without examination.  A normal MRI would make spinal disease less likely.

An elevated CRP can also suggest rheumatologic disease, which can also manifest as chronic back pain.  

A referral to a rheumatologist and/or physiatrist (rehabilitation MD) can be considered.  

If the pain continues, and the tests remain non-revealing, you can consider a consult with a pain management specialist.  More invasive pain management options can include epidural injections or trigger point injections.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com
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