neck pain and surgery

[sydneymichele]

I have had two neck surgeries in the c 5/6 area.  First I had a laminectomy and felt ok but the neck pain came back after a few months then I had a fusion and the pain came back.  in addition, prior to my fist surgery, my forefinger and thumb got numb.  I can feel things but it's like there is a layer of wax covering the area.  

After the second surgery the pain came back and it's been a year of tests and possible diagnoses i.e. the fusion didn't take (I don't have a plate, just a bone graft). I take up to 6 soma pills, 30 - 45 mg of percocet every 4 hours, and a 100mg fentyinal patch and the pain in my neck, shoulder arm hand and fingers still kill me.  I can't work and all I can do is lay down because I can't support my neck.

a surgeon suggested i get 2 epidurals for diagnostic purposes.  I did get relief with the 2nd one however, my pain is indicative of c5/6 problems but the epidural above that gave me relief.  He wants to operate but can't promise me anything.  the last suggestion was to repeat the epirual which I'm waiting on.  does anyone out there have any ideas?  I have lost most my friends and all the only suggestion I get from family members is to a a psychiatrist.

[Tuckamore]

Hello Sidney,

Welcome to MedHelp's Pain Management Forum. I am glad that you found us and took the time to post. I am so sorry that you are suffering with so much pain. My heart goes out to you. You've come to the right place...we can relate.

Unfortunately CP often scares away our good weather friends and some family members. It is impossible to comprehend CP unless you have experienced it yourself. And I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

Although Fentanyl is an effective pain medication for most ppl, you may find better relief with another medication. We are all different. Fentanyl did not provide me with any great pain reduction. Luckily I had a compassionate and caring PCP that worked with me until we found the right combination of meds that were effective. One medication does not fit all. You may want to discuss a trial and error of different medications with your prescribing physician. It may be worth a try.

I agree that a Pain Therapist may help you cope with pain. You are not crazy, you are not weak.....but the support and understanding from a therapist can be effective in learning coping skills to help manage your pain.

There are success stories with the SCS. There are also horror stories. Be sure you investigate and research any offered or suggested treatment thoroughly.

Some ppl have great pain relief following spinal surgery. I've seen it and believe it to be true. Not everyone is so fortunate and some are left with pain, for various reasons.... not just nerve damage.  

I hope you will respond on this thread and let us know how you are doing...and to let us know you are still monitoring your post. I wish you the very best and will look forward to hearing from you again soon.

We are here to offer our support...I hope you will be active in our community.

Take Care,
~tuck

[namnam46]

Hi sidneymichele,

I meant to add that seeing a Pain Psychiatrist isn't a bad idea.  There have been MANY people on here that see BOTH a PM Doctor for their meds as well as a Pain Psychiatrist that can help them ACCEPT the fact that they are CP {Chronic Pain} Patients and will be for the rest of their lives as well as help them be able to learn techniques with dealing with their families AND Friends that JUST DON'T GET IT and can't understand what Chronic Pain IS!!

It's JUST a suggestion, BUT you MIGHT be helped by one IF your Family is having ANY problems when it comes to accepting your CP.  :{

Again, I wish you the best and HOPE that you can get some relief......Sherry  :)

[SLCPMOM]

Sydneymichele,
I'm sorry to hear about your situation.  I am not a doctor but I have seen many patients who have chronic pain following spine surgery.  Generally, spine surgery causes nerve damage and are constantly sending signals to your brain that says you feel pain.  I have seen a lot of success with spinal cord stimulation.  In case you don't know, it is an implanted device that basically tricks your brain into not feeling pain signals.  I would be more than happy to provide you with addition details if you are interested.  It might be another option instead of another surgery.  Let me know.
SLCPMOM

[namnam46]

Sorry - just wanted to correct something I said and that is where I said:

"I've given you me BEST suggestions and I HOPE that you have the VERY BEST results that you are possible!!! "

It SHOULD have read:  "I've given you the BEST suggestions that I have to offer and I HOPE that you have the VERY BEST results that you can get no matter what your decision is!!"

Sorry as I DON'T know how it got so TERRIBLY mixed-up!!!  LOL..Sherry  

[namnam46]

Hi sydneymichele,

First I want to welcome you to the Pain Management Forum and let you know that we are glad you found this Forum. I want to let you know that there are NO Doctors on this Forum only CP - Chronic Pain - Patients that help each other with our OWN expertise and experiences that we have developed through our OWN CP Issues.

It makes me so VERY sad to hear all that you are having to go through with your pain!! :{  I can't even fathom having all of the surgeries you have had and STILL having the UNCONTROLLABLE pain that you are feeling.

I'm ALSO on the Fentanyl Patches. I'm down to the 75 mcg from a high of 125 mcg's after my 3rd hip implant over 4 months ago last September.  I'm going down to at least 50 mcg's and MAYBE 37 mcg's.  I'll just have to see where the pain level is as I get closer.  :)

Is it possible to do a RFA?  That is Radio Frequency Ablation where they go in and "kill" the nerve's by burning them.  It DOESN'T effect you in ANY way EXCEPT that the pain goes away for SEVERAL months {up to 12 to 18 months at a time}.  Then you will need to do it OVER again BUT it's worth a try.  Like I said, I DON'T know if this is EVEN possible with what is going on with you.  But you might inquire about it.  I have DDD that encompasses my ENTIRE spine from neck to tailbone.  I had the RFA done, in my lumbar region, 3 on each side, OVER 10 months ago and it is STILL going strong!!  I'm hoping to make it the LONGEST which believe it or not was 24 months!!  I KNOW I PROBABLY won't make it for that long BUT if it ended tomorrow, I would be back in there the NEXT day to have it done AGAIN!!!!  NO HESITATION at all!!  :)

IF the epidural is ALL that they can do for you then I would be doing it ALSO!!!  I KNOW that the surgeon CAN'T make any promises BUT do you have ANY type of success rates that this surgeon has had with the type of surgery that he is suggesting?  IF the rates AREN'T promising enough - can you get a 2nd and 3rd opinion for OTHER surgeons?  Do you know IF this surgeon is the TOP OF HIS FIELD?  If not then keep looking until you FIND the VERY best one that you can.

I KNOW that the back surgeries are "iffy" BUT sometimes there is NO CHOICE.  You DESERVE to have the VERY BEST!!!

I've given you me BEST suggestions and I HOPE that you have the VERY BEST results that you are possible!!!  

PLEASE keep us updated on what is happening with you.  I HOPE that you will consider becoming a member of our PM {Pain Management} Forum.  You would be a wonderful addition to our MH Family.  :)

I will be looking forward to your updates and wish you the VERY best......Sherry :)