I need relief from neck pain after two cervical fusion surgeries.?

Question

I have had two cervical fusion surgeries and am now experiencing neck pain above the surgeries. I need to know what I can do to stop this pain or at least make it bearable. It is affecting my daily life, making my hands go numb, blurring my vision, and giving me headaches on par with migraines. I might be up for disc replacement surgery but I don't know if my insurance will pay for it or not.

Answer 1

My heart goes out to you. I have had chronic lower back pain and sciatica for 14 years now. I had surgery but by the time they diagnosed the problem, I had nerve damage. After years of hell, lots of drug therapies, pain management and depression, I had a spinal cord stimulator implanted. It worked *wonderfully*, BUT I had to be one of those freaky people whose body rejects foreign items and I needed emergency surgery to have it removed. So, now I am back to where I started!

I know I have not answered your question, but I want you to know you are not alone and I completely sympathize with what you are going through. I hope and pray the doctors find a way to bring you some relief.

Answer 2

I am in the same situation...Had C6-7 done 10 years ago, the C-5/6 and now this year C4/5. Recovered great aftere first okay after second, third one did me in...I haven't worked in over a year...constant left arm pain, very limited neck motion, and of course I'm depressed as all heck. Applied for SS Disability, as I have had no income the past year, seen as many Drs as you can imagine anf everyone says, yes another surgery is ijdicated, but my chance for paralysis is high. So I just live on my valium, and morphine each day. The next step is this week they are placing a electronic nerve stimulator (Like a TENS unit) and if after 5 days I like it, they take it out and do a 6 hour surgery to permanently attch it to spinal cord. Or as a last resort, morphine pump, that's the way I am planning to go. Good luck, I can really sympathize with you.Think long and hard about another surgery please...I wish I had.

Answer 3

Like when you are sitting as your computer there are lots of muscles at work not just your arms and hands. Your lower back if not supported, upper back supported or not, shoulders, and neck are all being taxed. The same muscles when tighter than they should be can put pressure on nerves that cause different levels of pain (including tingling and pins and needles). Sometimes (and it is smart to start here) it is aggravated by a misaligned skeletal structure, which a chiropractor (because of the surgeries one who uses an activator) can help with not just alignment but shrinking muscle damage that may exist by using ultrasound. The muscles themselves (due to any number of factors) have knots called trigger points that need to be relaxed. And they can be found as far away from your hands as your lower back. So a next good step is to work with a massage therapist. I would recommend doing this until the pain that you are feeling now and any from reaching the one hand over onto the opposite shoulder (try both hands) is gone.

Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses or a couple of bananas (natural muscle relaxers) daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.

Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.

The cure - start with a professional massage, (if this does not do it you probably need a chiropractor as well) you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. Press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).

For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.

Answer 4

First, your age will play a factor.
Attitude is everything!
How you breathe will determine how you feel.
I am a CHt (Certified Hypnotherapist) a member of NGH, OAH and OHC.
Take this simple test.....
Stand up and take a deep breath..
Does your shoulders rise, your chest stick out?
If it does your breathing "High" like a smoker or someone who has suffered trauma, either real or perceived. When children are born they breathe through the diaphragm. If they are not it indicates that they may have a pulmonary problem or a cardiac situation like stenosis (narrowing of the artery from the heart to the lung). When you breathe properly there are muscles in the back and abdominal area that are worked and help carry the upper trunk.
Another advantage to breathing low is your 'center of gravity' moves form the solar plexus area to the area 2 inches below your belly button. This will make you feel more sure-footed and also relieves stress like you wouldn't believe. People who breathe high have a tendency to fly off the handle (road rage). The next time you get a little tense go to deep breathing and watch how calm you will feel.

Getting bored yet?

The first thing you need to do is learn to breathe properly again! When you breathe high the upper trunk drop down pushing the organs into each other and the spine ends up carrying the weight of the upper body. This can cause back pain and slipped discs etc..
You bend over an average of 180 times a day. Remember when you sit down your bending over.
Your subconscious will remember the proper way to breathe if you prod it by a little practice.
Put the palm of your right hand over your tummy in the belly button area. Put your left hand over the center of your chest where your heart is
Now imagine you have a 'Blue' balloon in your tummy.
Now take a deep breath as if you wanted to inflate the balloon. This feels funny at first! You make even get a little 'heady' or dizzy as your getting excess oxygen into your system that your not used to.

Now you know what deep breathing feels like.
Take an old bathroom sash or a piece of rope. Tie it around your waist 2 inches below your belly button. Tie a double knot that will not slip. Tuck your tummy in just slightly so that when you relax you can just feel the presence of the knot.
It's a reminder to breathe through the diaphragm. You only have to do this a few minutes a day and your subconscious will take over. You will sleep better, eat better and take the pressure of the discs.
You will find as you learn to breathe in this manner you will have a greater desire to sit straight with your butt tucked back against the chair. If the chair you’re in is cheap tuck a pillow or book behind the small of your back. You will actually grow a half-inch.

For immediate relief lay down on the floor on your stomach. Now gently push up with your elbows until you feel a slight pressure on your back. (Not until it hurts) Read a book or watch a movie.
It's called a 'Reverse extension" and helps to put the discs back in place.

When you breathe try and take the air in through your nose and exhale through pursed lips. Imagine that you are breathing in comfort and energy and peace and love.. and exhaling negativity, discomfort.

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

You should go ahead with ACDF if not you will be addicted to pain killers (especilaly Oxycontin). After surgery you need to "train" yourself from not "wanting" the pain killer drugs. If you don't go to surgery paralysis will be the next step from neck down! ACDF is safe now sp you should worry about the pain killer drugs addition rtaher than the surgery itself as you are only 35 yrs old. Good luck!

Answer 6

Are you taking any pain medication? If not to make the pain bearable you should see a doctor to evaluate your pain level and possibly prescribe something. Physical therapy helped with my pain, I have nerve pain from a compressed cervical disc. The massage they gave me relaxed the muscles that were spasming and pulling my discs out of place. See a doctor.

Answer 7

1

Answer 8

my GP sent me for physio and i have to wear splints on both arms for this my arms were also going numb and felt sick with neck pain if it doesn't help i have to have corticosteroid injections next or more surgery