solution to chronic neck pain following surgery

[etuddenham]

I am a 58 year old female with chronic neck pain.  I had a level 3 fusion in 2004 (C4-7).  When the surgon did the work he said that my bones were so hard he could not insert cadaver bones as planned and instead put in a titaniam disk with little "cages" between each of the discs.  I have had increasing chronic pain ever since.  I have been to several doctors in search of some relief--to no avail.  They look at the X-rays and MRI's (I have had at least 4 MRI's since the surgery because they all want a new on to look at).  Their eyes get big and they comment on how "creative" my surgon was.  Then they tell me everything looks like it has healed well and send me on my way.  I used to be very physically active (river rafting, cycling, hiking) but no longer!  Now I am looking at disability because my chroinc pain is making it difficult--if not impossible-- to get through a work week, let alone sleep at night and have a social life.  The pain is getting worse and worse.  I am having spasms in my left hand (the side where the surgery was performed). My neck "catches" when I turn my head, which is pretty much impossible anyway since I have lost at lease 90% of my mobility on the left side--and that's on a good day.  I am now dealing with face pain, headachs, pain in my lower back and heavyness in my legs.  I am limited in what I can take for pain because of alergies and sensitivities.  Ibuprophen works, but rips up my stomach if I use it for more than a few days at a time.  Percoden is about all I can take that works, but you know the issues there.  I am also noticing that when the pain gets really bad and I have not taken anything to for it, I feel higher than a kite--and not is a good way.  In those circumstances, the percoden actually makes me feel somewhat normal, and in any case I never feel spaced out or high when I take it...only a little less engulfed in misery.  At this rate I will be immobile by the time I reach 60.  Any ideas on where to go from here?

[Tuckamore]

Hello Etuddenham,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. Your story is heart breaking but no so uncommon. I am sorry that you are is so much uncontrolled chronic pain.

Surgeons would like to beleive that their repair "fixes" the problem and so would we. Unfortunately that is not always the case. All ppl and their particular structure problem are different. And though the actual structure issue may be resolved we are often left with chronic pain, sometimes unexplainable but still pain.

I do not know the practices in Utah. In my state it is the PCP (primary care physician)that prescribes and follows their chronic pain patients. In many other states you must seek the treatment of PMP (pain managment physician). Whatever the practice may be in Utah I encourage you to find pain management.

The majority of our members must rely on opiates to control heir chronic pain. Yes there are nightmare stories from many in our fight to find and be prescribed proper medications but that is not true for everyone. The key is not to give up. Keep searching. You are not alone nor is your situation unusual. There are good, understanding physicians out there that will treat you.  

I have no choice, without pain medication I would not function. It does not make us weak or addicts. None of us chose this path. So hold you head up and search for pain management. Possibly your PCP can refer you to a PMP. If your state does not operate in that manner than find a good PCP that has empathy for your condition.

It's apparent that a little Percodan is not cutting it for you. You may benefit from either more Percodan or a long acting opiate with Percodan for break through pain. A good physician can help you in your quest for proper pain managment.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. I will look forward to your updates. Just please don't accept the pain at it's current level.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[Sarajmt]

Hi etuddenham:  Your story is familiar.  I had a neck fusion but did not get rid of the pain.  I'd suggest you get a referral to a pain management physician.  They can use different procedures and medications for your pain.

Unfortunately, this happens more often than surgeons would like you to know.  Do try the pain management.  It's helped me immensely.

Sara