Questions regarding Spinal Surgery Recovery

[sandiemas623]

I have had neck and back pain for years.  But recently was told that the ruptured disc in my neck could be causing perment damange.  Alot more to it but its the summary.  In June I had a ACDF on C6/7 and 6 weeks later I had a Discectomy on L5/s1.  I was under the assumption that this would end my years of pain and weakness and I would get back to my life in 6-weeks...  Here I am 6-weeks later, my surgeon says I need to go back to work, my body says I can't.  My symptoms are still severe pain in the neck/shoulder area, migraines (which I never had before), tingling feeling in left arm and foot, sharp shooting pain in mid back between shoulderblades, when it hits it feels like some one stabbed me with an electric probe and I get goosebumps all over my body.

My question is could something else be wrong?  Should I be sucking this up and returning to work like he asks?  Should I be fighting it and ask for more time/test?  I am not sure what to do at this point, my family and friends say "no way you can go back to work" and my doc says yes you are read?  He won't talk much he is a surgeon and good at what he does but his bedside manner is horrible. Also for FYI I work as a social worker for Child Protective Services, make very important decision regarding the lives of children and adults, drive a lot and can not take pain meds.  It is a high stress job and that alone adds to the shoulder pain.  Thank you for your time to look at my question.  I apreciate any and all responses.  

Sandy

[Polarshef]

I have come into this discussion a little late but thought it may be helpful to others to share my experience.  On 1 July I had a multilevel (3 level) discectomy to cure a longstanding problem.  At the time the surgeon told me the operation would take about 1.5 hours and I would recover and be back at work part time after 4 weeks and full time after 6 weeks.  The operation actually took 4 hours and now, just over 3 months later I am finally making really good progress after a very slow though steady recovery.  I am doing physio twice a week which has really helped.  After the op, apart from the first week or so, my medical supervision has been from my GP and physio.  My GP told me right from the start to expect at least a 3 month recovery period.  She said that surgeons are always over optimistic with their estimates and once they have done their part, are not really involved with the problems of recovery.  This is not to say that they do not do a good job.  I still feel my surgeon did and excellent job, but was just not realistic about my ability to recover faster.  I think it will take me another month to be able to go back to work.  Fortunately I work for an organisation that has very good conditions and I am still on full pay.  It has been a roller coaster of a recovery.  There are times when I get so depressed I just seem to burst into tears for no reason.  Other times I feel really good. I take comfort in my family, friends and the church community who has helped me through this.  It is really a shock to have your independence suddenly taken away and quite an adjustment.  I was lucky to have such great support.  
I was told after I had the operation that my nerves were so badly trapped that I would have eventually lost the use of my legs, so although it was a very painful recovery, I never regret my decision to go ahead with the op.  
For others who expected to recover sooner, just hang in there and it will happen.  For you Sandiemas623, I would suggest you discuss your position with your GP, or another one who may be more in tune with your situation and don't go back to work until you are completely ready.  After all you have been through it is not worth having a relapse.
Hope everything works out well for you.
I would encourage any

[sandiemas623]

Your comments and thoughts help.  It is tough for me because I am not one to sit around either I am a very active 43 year old woman.  With several foster kids, adoptive kids, active in schools, community and of course work.  It is very hard be limited by PAIN and I was under the impression that the surgery would end my pain and I am sure it just might after time but I have never been one to wait around.  I think I am making my self worse by doing the things I am doing.  My pain levels are rising and I am depending more and more on the pain meds.  I have made appointments to see a new Doc and start Phy Ther on Tuesday.  It helps a lot to hear others stories and reading these posts.  I have a tendancy to be to hard on myself and NOT speak up while at the doctors office so I am sure I brought a lot of this on myself.  Thank you for your kinds words.  I am hoping the healing and all went well with you:)

[sandiemas623]

So what are you doing about your shoulder/arm pain.  What is it that you are doing?  I hope you have better luck than I have with your new doctor.

[sandiemas623]

Thanks for your comments.  Its nice to know that others are out there.  I feel so inadequate like I am the only one that has these feelings and pain, I should be better by now and my surgeon makes me feel like I should be.   I just don't know what to do about it.  I have since made an appointment with a recomended Neurologest in the area. I have also requested another MRI to see what is going on if anything.  Again any advice is welcome.

Whatcha cooking for dinner:)

[lindsaylinn]

Hi hon and good to meet you. I had a double ACDF this year and am still in pain in arm and shoulder blade. Now I have a surgeon like yours you describe- he's like "everything looks fine"! Doesn't understand why I am still in pain... You might want to do the same thing I am but not just yet- you just had your surgery in June? Heavens, mine was in Feb and I'm still not recovered yet, you need to give it more time in my opinion. Even under the best of circumstances, to recover from this surgery takes more time. But the surgeons never see to see it that way. You and your family and friends are right I think. MORE TIME. That shoulder pain is horrible I know what you mean. Others will be along shortly and I will write more later as I am cooking dinner right now.