Neck and Shoulder pain after C5-6 fusion.

[Roonie5038]

A little over a year ago, I had C5-6 fused. With a plate and screws inserted. Since then I am having trouble with pain in the neck and shoulder area just below the fusion area. I wake in the morning with a headache then turns to pain in lower neck and shoulders.
I have talked to the neurosurgeon who did the surgery and he shrugged his shoulders and said I have no idea and sent me back to my neurologist. He gave me a series of injections in both shoulders and the pain stopped for a couple days but then came right back. Then we tried message therapy, it helps but only for a short period. And I have tried changing my pillows on my bed and sleeping in different positions and nothing seems to help for long term.
What can I do?
Thanks
Maureen

[KateH37t]

You might want to see a neurologist to rule out some other problem. Don't want to scare you, but MS can do that. I have three people in my family, some related by marriage, who have it and it's different for all of them. Most people can get on meds and do okay, they can still get around and work, etc. Worst part is the fatigue in a lot of cases. Your neck can cause shoulder arm head and neck pain or tingling in arms. Legs, feet, vision sounds like something else.

[Bxbackpain]

I COULD HAVE WRITTEN ALL OF THESE, it's been 10yrs since what was supposed to be and actually says it is on post op MRI, l3-l5, when my latest report shows that only l4-l5 are fused, I WENT TO NANCY EPSTEIN IN LI NY, my first visit after surgery I walked out of her office and the manager took me in the back said they don't take my plan anymore, so bye, gave me no plan NOTHING, IT IS THE WORST MISTAKE YOU WILL MAKE I WAS PITCHED I WOULD HAVE TO ADJUST MY LIFE A LITTLE, now I have no life, just pain pills depression anxiety and a bad back Mack hips stomach eyes, THE SURGERY STOLE MY LIFE AT 35yrs OLD, DONT DO IT!
Anyone know of support groups, I cut everyone off because I don't want to bother friend & family, if you do it would be a life saver, thx

[elle71186]

Hi treva,I know this post is old but i as wondering about your outcome.I had c-5 c-6 done as well done 3/26/15 and i still hurt and burn in my upper back and arms and now up my neck,So im back on pain meds and doctor has given me a fibromyalgia diagnosis. Hope things work out well for you and this msg finds you pain free.

[fushngirl]

I had a fusion in 2012. I have severe pain in the back of my neck, a burning and tingling sensation up and down my left arm. The pain between my shoulders is unbearable. Not to mention the migraines and jaw pain too. I thought the grinding sound when moving my neck was my imagination until I read your post tonight. I take MS Contin and Lyrical for pain. It works for awhile then the cycle starts over again.

[doogababy]

I'm so sorry for everyone in pain from all this bone bank replacements/fusions as I am a victim of the same thing, a donor vertebrae, in my neck plus two of my own fused together. My surgery was in 1991 and was told it would need replaced in 10 years, it is now 2015  I have had the severe pain down my shoulder and arm starting in 2014, now my neck has been giving me the "up all hours of the night" with horrible pain again like in 1991 before the surgery only now I hear a grinding sound when I turn my head at times. I'm concerned there may be more damage now then before, not sure what to do.
Mia

[flea999]

I don't get it. I have mentioned the vision problem that I have since the surgery too. I get that answer, also. "It has nothing to do with the surgery", yeh, right. I'm sure that it has everything to do with the surgery, since there was no blurry-changing eyesight before the surgery, but the're right and I'm not! It's slow going on improvements to cervical fusion. They are figuring out ways to use artificial discs on people who's fusions didn't take, but those of us who's fusion did fuse, we have to wait in our stiff unnatural positions, until the technology catches up. Try and exercise a lot and stay healthy so you'll still be around for the future help???