Change of meds

[tpm]

thanks Limbo
I'm hoping he sends me for an MRI. We shall see

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

I'm sure to agree with Limbo also. And I do think you know by now, the Nerves in the areas of C3 and C4 work with your Upper Back, Shoulders, Shoulder Blades, then as they start to go down the arms, these nerves make connections with other nerves going down the arms into the hands. The Nerves kind of do a spider web connection. If problems are in these nerves coming from the Cervical Spine, a short circuit effect can take place. Short circuit effect, basically means a signal is sent but the other nerve picks it up, and it then thinks there is something wrong with it also, and there may be nothing at all wrong with that nerve. So in general, a combination now starts with these Nerves. As Limbo stated, the Muscles are trying to protect something. If if is the Cervical Spine, or is it a Nerve or nerves, no one really knows. Now when the Nerves and Muscles stay tight like this for a period of time, the brain locks this in, and thinks the body should stay in pain. Kind of stuck. This had happened to me. I was given an Anti-Depression Medication (hit and miss med's) to alter the brain, and release the Pain. I thought it was crazy at the time, but by God it did work. It didn't work right away, but after 2 weeks to 4 weeks, I was starting to get some relief, and over the months the Muscles started letting up, and the Headaches started going away. Then as this was going on, I was able to perform my home PT, to help these muscles break up even more. Walking of course is always the best also, but have to include the PT exercises also.

In a general sense as we are all different, I am trying to help you with some questions you may like to ask your treating doctor. Anything is going to be trail and error from here, but each one is worth a try, and never worth giving up on.

[BooBoosNeck]

tpm Wrote:

Bad Boy Bad Boy Wrote:TPM, have you had any new Films taken now since your most current Surgery? Not just X-rays, but MRI or Cat Scan also? Also could you detail your pain areas for us?

I do think in your case that it is going to be very Wise on your part to also get a second Medical Opinion going from a Neurosurgeon, and maybe one from a Spine University Hospital.

Bad Boy
I have had an MRI back in October which only showed my C3-4 herniation above my C4-5 fusion. Previous to that my C5-7 fusion. C5-7 fused correctly but to date my C3-4 has not begun to fuse. Surgery was in March 09.
I had gone to another Neurosurgeon for a second opinion and he feels I may have some nerve damage coming from my C5-6. He said surgery would be too invasive and recommended I move to a dry climate. Easy for him to say. I also sent my films to Special surgery hospital in NYC but the only advise given by them was to see a Rehabilitation Doctor.
I have an appointment this Thursday with my Neurosurgeon and I'll let you know what he says. Ex rays to be taken
Pain wise I have constant "compression feeling" like someone heavy is sitting on my shoulders. I have constant shoulder and shoulder blade pain on both sides as well as my upper back and back of head. The muscles going from the tops of my shoulders up the side of my head is like a burning feeling (both sides, they seem to take turns as to which side is worse) The head pain as gotten worse over time. Right now it feels like someone is squeezing the back of my neck. I also get tingling and numbness NOW as I'm typing from my pinky finger and ring finger on right hand. More so the ring finger. Again that is why the second opinion Doc thinks it is coming from the original surgery. Constant 24-7 pain is at the back of neck and right below it. I find by holding my neck (front) it takes some pressure off but my wife goes crazy every time she sees me doing it (which is always).
I am still going to physical therapy 2 to 3 times a week since April. My therapist can't believe how tight my muscles are around my neck and back. The C2-3 is especially tight and she can't seem to relax them. Nothing we do makes it any better. She now is just working on my "core" muscles to keep everything working

And thanks Lilly for your prayers

TPM,

My injuries are VERY similar to yours. I am just wondering what all they have tried on you and did anything give you any releif at all (meds or anything else)?

Thanks

[tpm]

BooBoo
I have had just about everything there is except acupuncture. Surgeon didn't advise it. To date I have had numerous MRI's (cervical and thoracic), CT scans, ex-rays, 4 EMG nerve tests, 2 cervical Discograms, MRI brain scans, Chiroparactic, Physical therapy, Shoulder Ortho gave me injections but in the end determined my pain came from my neck. Also several epidurals, facet joint injections
Meds have been Oxycotin, Percocet, Vicodin, Norco, Neurotin, Lyrica, Ultram, Robaxin and Flexeril (muscles), Mobic when I tried going back to work driving
One facet joint injection gave me 2 days of relief but that wasn't enough according to the doctor.
This is what I can remember now. Nothing worked but I did feel my best right after my first surgery in 2007 for about 4 or 5 days. Then all the meds wore off

Forgot to mention Massage therapy

Pretty much been through the mill

I hope you get relief BooBoo

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

TPM, a funny past issue hit me while thinking about you. As you said in the past Lyrica wasn't for you. And now in the future Lyrica is working for you. This seems to make a person wonder. What I'm getting at, was my doctor back in 2002 or 2003, had went back in my medical file. Found a medication I said to have been working, then I said after time it wasn't. This was from 2001. He then, a year or so later said lets try it again and yes it did work this time. Sometimes we all have to look back at what worked, what felt like it worked, what might of worked, and try it all over again, just like this Lyrica issue now working for you. Now the thing is, there could be some other things such as PT things not performed again, or something other then just medication, that might work for you now. Find that Loop is tricky, and will put your mind to work and hopefully find that Loop to complete this cicrle.

[tpm]

Bad Boy Bad Boy Wrote:TPM, a funny past issue hit me while thinking about you. As you said in the past Lyrica wasn't for you. And now in the future Lyrica is working for you. This seems to make a person wonder. What I'm getting at, was my doctor back in 2002 or 2003, had went back in my medical file. Found a medication I said to have been working, then I said after time it wasn't. This was from 2001. He then, a year or so later said lets try it again and yes it did work this time. Sometimes we all have to look back at what worked, what felt like it worked, what might of worked, and try it all over again, just like this Lyrica issue now working for you. Now the thing is, there could be some other things such as PT things not performed again, or something other then just medication, that might work for you now. Find that Loop is tricky, and will put your mind to work and hopefully find that Loop to complete this cicrle.

I totally agree Bad Boy
A new day brings new results. My neurologist has tried different meds off and on in the past.
I am still taking less Norco/Vicodin then a week ago but I am getting a little more discomfort and pain now. My wife thinks it may be withdrawal symptoms. Been on vicodin and Norco since 2005. I'm going to try a tough it out for a while

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

TPM, just so you know, your in my best interest. All I can really do, is throw stuff out there so you can read it. And hopefully something will help you.

I once was given a combination of Medication that worked well for me also. It was Tylenol #3, 2 at a time four times a day, with 1 Valium 5 mg, 4 times a day. I would take all 3 together, and it did help more then other medications. I was getting Muscle relaxation, and pain relief, but was also told, the combination alters it state once in the body, to a different chemical, something like Morphine. I wasn't tired, nor did I have the zombie affect. And I slept better also.

Even though I know you had other medical opinions, you may still wish to try and get another, totally different from the ones you have seen to date. As it is my opinion, one should be able to pin-point where the pain is coming from, and set up a good pain relief plan for you. Pain Management also might help, and you may have to try a few before you find the one that works in your interest.

I too, if I was in your shoes, ask, if a revision was done, that would include that other herniated disc that wasn't fused and left alone, if a total revision, with one plate and screws would be better for you, and not the surgeon. As the Domino effect has been talked about here, I just can't understand surgeon's knowing this, would just leave a Herniated disc alone, knowing it will or might Domino with the others. To me, that is like changing your oil on the car and not change the filter.

[Still in Limbo]

TPM, Please Heed BX4's Advice!! I was Told of the Domino Effect by My Pm Dr., They were the Only Dr.that Actually sat down with Me for almost a Full Hour on Our Initial Visit, and Explained Their Plan of Action, what They Felt would Work and what Wouldn't, and what was going to Happen in the Future. And that's when the Domino Effect was Described to Me. It's a Very Simple and Easy to Understand Concept, when a Disc Lower on Your Spine Fails, the Disc above it has to Carry More of the load, and in Time will also Fail, and the Disc above that One will have to Take Over! Fortunately for You, Your Injuries are in Your Neck Correct? So You will have to Deal with the Upper Body Issues, where with Mine being at L5/S1, I get the Honor of having to Deal with All of them!! I was 6'2" when Injured, and I'm 6'1/2" Now!! Please get a Second Opinion from a New Dr. if You can, so You know from a Different Set of Eyes if You are being Treated Correctly. My PM Dr., due to My Severity of Pain, and Relief for Me is Living at a 7-8 on the Scale, Sent Me for a Second Opinion of Themselves to a Different PM Dr. to Make Sure They were Treating Me Correctly! I have a Great PM Dr., I was Very Fortunate, and I Hope You can Find Relief, and Soon!! As always My Best My Friend!!

[tpm]

Bad Boy and Limbo
I appreciate everything you are telling me and will concider just that. The reason my surgeon didn't remove the herniation at C3-4 is because it wasn't large enough, the discogram didn't conclude it was a pain generator, and mostly because the doctor whats to buy me more time range of motion wise.
I will see what his cause of action is tomorrow and post it

Thanks again to all my friends on here for informative and kind words. I wish all of you a pain free future

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

TPM, then as said, the surgeon tried to buy you time, and range of motion didn't take place, as you stated your all locked up. And then I can see you bringing that up. Or in other words, I say to the surgeon, just how many times you think I want to go under the knife here?

The next thing is, a good surgeon would of advised a Bone growth Stimulator after your last add on fusion to promote faster better healing. Medical Journals showed fact, that after one surgery in the spine, healing will be slowed down, or may not fuse, with the stim, it will. I'm living proof of it also.