What happened to me???

[melo64]

After having a  double cervical fusion with plating in 2004 which failed to relieve my neck pain, I now have new places that are bothersome. My neck and shoulders still hurt and my whple body hurts all the time. Not just my upper part of my body but my lower parts as well (i.e. feet, arms, hands. etc) it feels almost as if they drs.triggered some thing off inside of me. Like they turned on a switch and now I have major issues with my body that I've never had before. has anyone ever experienced this weird feeling after surgery? I've brrn in bed rest for the lasr three weeks

[J T Junig, MD PhD]

I will leave this for others to comment on;  I will point out that it has been 4 years since the failed surgery, and it is possible that you have developed a new condition, such as fibromyalgia.  In fact, I am surprised that you still relate your current symptoms to your surgery a number of years ago.  Have you had other surgeries since that one?

A couple thoughts:  the diffuse nature of your symptoms and your presentation give me concern that you are depressed, or nearly-so;  don't neglect to look toward your mental health as you look for ways to get better. I also worry that you are on 'bedrest', something that is almost never appropriate, save for preventing preterm labor.  We now get people out of bed the day after major surgery, as we have learned how quickly the body becomes 'deconditioned', and how hard it is to get back to full speed after a prolonged period of 'rest'.  Bedrest will generally leave a person more tired, more depressed, and more in pain than will some level of daily exercise.  Taking a day or two is one thing;  after three weeks I encourage you to see your doctor and demand help, including a full exam, labs, etc if you are unable to get moving again.

[Mollyrae]

melo:

Pain phycologists don't always work. If you need pain meds then please take them. Jaybay made a comment about the Fentanyl patch and herself being made to feel like a drug seeker...well, that has not been the case with me. I have always had a good experience with Doctors and in the ER as well wearing the Fentanyl patch. If you need an ER, then please see them. They are there to help you with your pain, not make you feel bad. I would however recommend further testing. It is in your best interest. Take care,
Mollyrae

[melo64]

Thanks for the words...
It is not known by many how long and difficult it is to even admit that I'm in pain all the time. I try to not elaborate on myself to others and especially to my parents. My father was recently diagnosed with Alzhiemers and I've been the one to handle his affairs. THAT was not only mentally draining but each day I came home and went straight to bed in so much pain that I didn't let my father know about. As far as evaluations and exams, I've recently went through a stress test, endoscopy/colonoscopy, and lab work and everything there was normal.
The problem with my pain issues are difficult because they are work related so I have to play by the WC insurance rules which make it much more difficult. Just as I was seeing a psychotherapist and getting to understand and accept where I am at physically and learning how to handle things the insurance stopped all treatment. So not only am I having to try to put my pain in it's place day by day all alone, I'm also dealing with the worst kind of people who are in the business with saving company money. It's been horrible and a total nightmare with them. Thank God my SS disability was approved the very FIRST time I applied.  

[Jaybay]

I've been through the whole failed cervical fusion and plating thing.  First surgery in 1995 and the second with plates in 1996.  By 1998 I was ready to give it all up.  That was also when my abdominal issues kicked in and I knew I was going to die if I didn't do something.  All of my muscles were in continuous spasm and nothing helped.  Not that any doctors took me seriously - that didn't help my depression much.  ;-)

So, I figured I'd either break myself badly enough to where they WOULD listen, or I'd fix myself. I hired a personal trainer for 6 months (broke my bank on that one) and in about 6 weeks, my spine-related pain was gone.  Forever.  If I could "gym rat" my way out of the abdominal issues, I'd do it, but that's another story.  I doubt any doctor would recommend what I did, but it worked.  I figured doctors let me down long enough and it was past time I took charge of my own health.

I see a pain psychologist who has been of tremendous help over the years.  My therapy is apparently just the opposite of yours.  I've worked very hard to provide distractions during the day.  The more I think about how badly I feel, the worse the pain gets.    It was even more difficult persuading family and friends to stop seeing my illness instead of me.  I had to explain on numerous occasions that part of my treatment was to not define my life by my pain, and they could help by doing the same.

It's taken a long time, but I can now engage in self-hypnosis that will get me through a pain crisis without having to go running to the doctor or God-forbid, an ER.  As God is my witness, I will NEVER darken the door of an ER again.  As soon as they see the words "fentanyl patch" on the list of medications, I'm treated like a street-drug addict.  Never again.  Honestly, I will die before going to an ER.  Uh oh.  I veered off topic - sorry about that!

It sounds like you seriously need a physical re-evaluation as Dr. Junig advised.  If at all possible, try to work in at least a few visits to a pain psychologist as well.  If it can help me, the biggest skeptic there ever was about psycho-therapy, I'm willing to be you'll get at least some benefit from it.

I get the depression.  I've had to force myself out of bed, out of my bed clothes and out of the house at times.  It's darn difficult, but your life will be even worse wtihout making the effort.

[melo64]

Thank you Dr. Junig for you response. I read my initial message and I guess I should have elaborated on my condition. I wanted you to know that I also have three more cervical herniations that the fusion/plating has caused. I also have double herniations in my lower back. I have not had any other surgeries AFTER the cervical fusion but I can tell you that I was thinking the same thing about Fibromyalgia but I'm not really too sure because of the current herniations that I have both cervical and lumbar. As far as depression, yes, I can honestly say that I have up and down days because the chronic pain that I have has changed my entire life! I am taking Cymbalta to help. I also do some stretching and breathing exercises as well. Even on my lowest days I still try to fit that in. I was going through biofeedback therapy but the insurance stopped paying for that. So I'm really on my own trying to accept where I'm at and the things that are now limited. During my therapy I was taught that it is very important to listen to my body and when my hurts, that it's okay to lay down a while. I've done that along with trying to be a little active around the house or yard.
As far as an exam, all my blood tests were normal and other than my movement limitations and pain, there's really no other explanation. How does one diagnose fibromyalgia? After seeing numerous drs. and having second opinions not one has mentioned fibromyalgia.