Re: Two Disc Removed in Neck, Fusion & Metal plate

[Guest guest]

At 11:51 AM 12/26/06, you wrote:

>Hello!

>My first post to this group. Six weeks ago I had two disc's removed

>from my neck, bone put in instead of disc and then a metal plate

>screwed in. Just wondering when other people might have felt back to

>normal? I still have pain everyday-different kind of pain than before

>the surg..

This is not meant to scare you, it is just MY experience. I had 4 levels

fused on my Lumbar in May of 2000, Then I went back in December 2000 for 2

levels fused in my neck. When I came out of anesthesia I felt worse than

pre surgery. They were trying to relieve pain in my neck and my right

shoulder blade. It was worse than the lumbar, because I could get somewhat

comfortable with my lower back, but your neck is holding up a 12lb weight

(avg) and I just couldn't get it comfortable. I was self employed. I was

supposed to be off work 6-10 weeks, but was back in 2 because of necessity.

For me the pain has never gone away and now after Really trying to work for

5 years, I had to close my business and apply for SSI. I've been to three

Neurosurgeons, 5 pain management specialist, 4 different PT practices,

Acupuncture, trigger point injections, several healing services. It just

hasn't helped. For perspective I'm now 46, I was 40 when this all started

and I have had 3 lower back surgeries since 1982, and one neck

surgery. I've had all the tests under the sun, and they can't find the

source of the pain. The best they can offer is exploratory surgery to look

around inside. I've been on pain management meds since May of 2000. Now I

want to offer some hope, this is me, there is a very good chance this is

not your case, I'm just telling you to let you know I understand.

The first thing you need to do is to get rest. Sleep deprivation feeds the

pain, and pain feeds the sleep deprivation. One thing that does work for

me for pain is I sleep with an Ice pack wrapped in a dish towel Every

Night. I also take something to help me sleep about 1.5 hours before I

expect to be sleeping. Then give into the fact that you will need to rest

other times of the day, when you can get it. I sit in a Lazy_Boy -Chair

(the best gift my Wife ever bought me, with a bone shaped pillow supporting

my neck. This helps with pain and the just raw fatigue of holding my head

up. Did you go back to work at 3 weeks because you had to, or was that all

the down time the Doctor prescribed? First thing is I would ask the

Doctor for something to get you the rest you need when you can get

it. Sorry I didn't see other replies, and I do know what your going

through. That's why I'm writing this at 3:30 am. Lots of wisdom and

experience in this group so ask away.

Dave in Reading , PA

[Guest guest]

At 11:51 AM 12/26/06, you wrote:

>Hello!

>My first post to this group. Six weeks ago I had two disc's removed

>from my neck, bone put in instead of disc and then a metal plate

>screwed in. Just wondering when other people might have felt back to

>normal? I still have pain everyday-different kind of pain than before

>the surg..

This is not meant to scare you, it is just MY experience. I had 4 levels

fused on my Lumbar in May of 2000, Then I went back in December 2000 for 2

levels fused in my neck. When I came out of anesthesia I felt worse than

pre surgery. They were trying to relieve pain in my neck and my right

shoulder blade. It was worse than the lumbar, because I could get somewhat

comfortable with my lower back, but your neck is holding up a 12lb weight

(avg) and I just couldn't get it comfortable. I was self employed. I was

supposed to be off work 6-10 weeks, but was back in 2 because of necessity.

For me the pain has never gone away and now after Really trying to work for

5 years, I had to close my business and apply for SSI. I've been to three

Neurosurgeons, 5 pain management specialist, 4 different PT practices,

Acupuncture, trigger point injections, several healing services. It just

hasn't helped. For perspective I'm now 46, I was 40 when this all started

and I have had 3 lower back surgeries since 1982, and one neck

surgery. I've had all the tests under the sun, and they can't find the

source of the pain. The best they can offer is exploratory surgery to look

around inside. I've been on pain management meds since May of 2000. Now I

want to offer some hope, this is me, there is a very good chance this is

not your case, I'm just telling you to let you know I understand.

The first thing you need to do is to get rest. Sleep deprivation feeds the

pain, and pain feeds the sleep deprivation. One thing that does work for

me for pain is I sleep with an Ice pack wrapped in a dish towel Every

Night. I also take something to help me sleep about 1.5 hours before I

expect to be sleeping. Then give into the fact that you will need to rest

other times of the day, when you can get it. I sit in a Lazy_Boy -Chair

(the best gift my Wife ever bought me, with a bone shaped pillow supporting

my neck. This helps with pain and the just raw fatigue of holding my head

up. Did you go back to work at 3 weeks because you had to, or was that all

the down time the Doctor prescribed? First thing is I would ask the

Doctor for something to get you the rest you need when you can get

it. Sorry I didn't see other replies, and I do know what your going

through. That's why I'm writing this at 3:30 am. Lots of wisdom and

experience in this group so ask away.

Dave in Reading , PA

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for writing! I went back to work after three weeks because my

doctor told me that I could be back to work in a week-WHAT A JOKE!

Even at three weeks I was so tired and on so many meds. I should have

taken at least five weeks off. I went back to work part time. Today

has been six weeks since my surg.. My husband now acts like I had

ttwo teeth pulled and to get on with my life. I think the stress in

my life has not helped my recovery. I guess that could be a topic for

another group, but I really wonder how stress can counter-act the

healing process. I had such problems with muscle spasms after the

surg.. I have meds for spasms. Also wanted to mention to Dave that I

had a very hard time in the recovery room. I woke up in TEARS from so

much pain. I ended up in ICU for THREE days. My throat swelled up so

much that I could not even swollow water. I was fitted for a brace

before my surg.. I was told to wear it for at least three weeks. One

day after I got home from the hospital, I ended back in the ER due to

possible blood clots. When I got to the hospital they checked for

blood clots via ultra sound. No blood clots were found, however my

neck was having some kind of reation to either the liquid skin used

on my cut or I was having a reation to the foam on my brace. The ER

doc called the nero doc and he told her to have me stop wearing the

brace. So, I only wore my neck brace for the first four days after my

surg.-which I think was a crazy idea.

Another question I had for others in this group-

Does depression set in for people dealing with all of these

medical/pain issues?

I'll be the big 40 in Feb. and I just want to move on with my life.

I'm grateful for the people that take time to write and try to help

others with these kind of medical issues.

P.S. I slept in my Lazy Boy chair for the first two weeks after my

surg..

>

> >Hello!

> >My first post to this group. Six weeks ago I had two disc's removed

> >from my neck, bone put in instead of disc and then a metal plate

> >screwed in. Just wondering when other people might have felt back

to

> >normal? I still have pain everyday-different kind of pain than

before

> >the surg..

>

>

> This is not meant to scare you, it is just MY experience. I had 4

levels

> fused on my Lumbar in May of 2000, Then I went back in December

2000 for 2

> levels fused in my neck. When I came out of anesthesia I felt

worse than

> pre surgery. They were trying to relieve pain in my neck and my

right

> shoulder blade. It was worse than the lumbar, because I could get

somewhat

> comfortable with my lower back, but your neck is holding up a 12lb

weight

> (avg) and I just couldn't get it comfortable. I was self

employed. I was

> supposed to be off work 6-10 weeks, but was back in 2 because of

necessity.

> For me the pain has never gone away and now after Really trying to

work for

> 5 years, I had to close my business and apply for SSI. I've been

to three

> Neurosurgeons, 5 pain management specialist, 4 different PT

practices,

> Acupuncture, trigger point injections, several healing services. It

just

> hasn't helped. For perspective I'm now 46, I was 40 when this all

started

> and I have had 3 lower back surgeries since 1982, and one neck

> surgery. I've had all the tests under the sun, and they can't find

the

> source of the pain. The best they can offer is exploratory surgery

to look

> around inside. I've been on pain management meds since May of

2000. Now I

> want to offer some hope, this is me, there is a very good chance

this is

> not your case, I'm just telling you to let you know I understand.

>

> The first thing you need to do is to get rest. Sleep deprivation

feeds the

> pain, and pain feeds the sleep deprivation. One thing that does

work for

> me for pain is I sleep with an Ice pack wrapped in a dish towel

Every

> Night. I also take something to help me sleep about 1.5 hours

before I

> expect to be sleeping. Then give into the fact that you will need

to rest

> other times of the day, when you can get it. I sit in a Lazy_Boy -

Chair

> (the best gift my Wife ever bought me, with a bone shaped pillow

supporting

> my neck. This helps with pain and the just raw fatigue of holding

my head

> up. Did you go back to work at 3 weeks because you had to, or was

that all

> the down time the Doctor prescribed? First thing is I would ask

the

> Doctor for something to get you the rest you need when you can get

> it. Sorry I didn't see other replies, and I do know what your

going

> through. That's why I'm writing this at 3:30 am. Lots of wisdom

and

> experience in this group so ask away.

>

> Dave in Reading , PA

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for writing! I went back to work after three weeks because my

doctor told me that I could be back to work in a week-WHAT A JOKE!

Even at three weeks I was so tired and on so many meds. I should have

taken at least five weeks off. I went back to work part time. Today

has been six weeks since my surg.. My husband now acts like I had

ttwo teeth pulled and to get on with my life. I think the stress in

my life has not helped my recovery. I guess that could be a topic for

another group, but I really wonder how stress can counter-act the

healing process. I had such problems with muscle spasms after the

surg.. I have meds for spasms. Also wanted to mention to Dave that I

had a very hard time in the recovery room. I woke up in TEARS from so

much pain. I ended up in ICU for THREE days. My throat swelled up so

much that I could not even swollow water. I was fitted for a brace

before my surg.. I was told to wear it for at least three weeks. One

day after I got home from the hospital, I ended back in the ER due to

possible blood clots. When I got to the hospital they checked for

blood clots via ultra sound. No blood clots were found, however my

neck was having some kind of reation to either the liquid skin used

on my cut or I was having a reation to the foam on my brace. The ER

doc called the nero doc and he told her to have me stop wearing the

brace. So, I only wore my neck brace for the first four days after my

surg.-which I think was a crazy idea.

Another question I had for others in this group-

Does depression set in for people dealing with all of these

medical/pain issues?

I'll be the big 40 in Feb. and I just want to move on with my life.

I'm grateful for the people that take time to write and try to help

others with these kind of medical issues.

P.S. I slept in my Lazy Boy chair for the first two weeks after my

surg..

>

> >Hello!

> >My first post to this group. Six weeks ago I had two disc's removed

> >from my neck, bone put in instead of disc and then a metal plate

> >screwed in. Just wondering when other people might have felt back

to

> >normal? I still have pain everyday-different kind of pain than

before

> >the surg..

>

>

> This is not meant to scare you, it is just MY experience. I had 4

levels

> fused on my Lumbar in May of 2000, Then I went back in December

2000 for 2

> levels fused in my neck. When I came out of anesthesia I felt

worse than

> pre surgery. They were trying to relieve pain in my neck and my

right

> shoulder blade. It was worse than the lumbar, because I could get

somewhat

> comfortable with my lower back, but your neck is holding up a 12lb

weight

> (avg) and I just couldn't get it comfortable. I was self

employed. I was

> supposed to be off work 6-10 weeks, but was back in 2 because of

necessity.

> For me the pain has never gone away and now after Really trying to

work for

> 5 years, I had to close my business and apply for SSI. I've been

to three

> Neurosurgeons, 5 pain management specialist, 4 different PT

practices,

> Acupuncture, trigger point injections, several healing services. It

just

> hasn't helped. For perspective I'm now 46, I was 40 when this all

started

> and I have had 3 lower back surgeries since 1982, and one neck

> surgery. I've had all the tests under the sun, and they can't find

the

> source of the pain. The best they can offer is exploratory surgery

to look

> around inside. I've been on pain management meds since May of

2000. Now I

> want to offer some hope, this is me, there is a very good chance

this is

> not your case, I'm just telling you to let you know I understand.

>

> The first thing you need to do is to get rest. Sleep deprivation

feeds the

> pain, and pain feeds the sleep deprivation. One thing that does

work for

> me for pain is I sleep with an Ice pack wrapped in a dish towel

Every

> Night. I also take something to help me sleep about 1.5 hours

before I

> expect to be sleeping. Then give into the fact that you will need

to rest

> other times of the day, when you can get it. I sit in a Lazy_Boy -

Chair

> (the best gift my Wife ever bought me, with a bone shaped pillow

supporting

> my neck. This helps with pain and the just raw fatigue of holding

my head

> up. Did you go back to work at 3 weeks because you had to, or was

that all

> the down time the Doctor prescribed? First thing is I would ask

the

> Doctor for something to get you the rest you need when you can get

> it. Sorry I didn't see other replies, and I do know what your

going

> through. That's why I'm writing this at 3:30 am. Lots of wisdom

and

> experience in this group so ask away.

>

> Dave in Reading , PA

>

[Guest guest]

Wsuz. ME too!!!! I am WORN DOWN TO A FRAZZLE ...exhausted from all

the years of pain. Hope you feel better.!!!!! i was thinking of

trying a PT but I don't know? Either???Love cindy(grasshopperx)

>

> Hello!

> My first post to this group. Six weeks ago I had two disc's removed

> from my neck, bone put in instead of disc and then a metal plate

> screwed in. Just wondering when other people might have felt back

to

> normal? I still have pain everyday-different kind of pain than

before

> the surg.. I'm so sick of dealing with this pain. I feel like no

one

> else really understands than people that have been through it.

> My doc says that I can start p.t.. I wonder if p.t. really helps

after

> surg.? Before my surg., p.t. made my pain A LOT worse.

> I went back to work

> part-time three weeks after my surg. Now I'm at the six week after

> surg. and I still feel SO TIRED! Over-doing it seems to come fast

for

> me at this point.

> Please send any words of wisdom.

> Kind Regards to all of the other people who suffer from chronic

pain.

> WSuz

>

[Guest guest]

Wsuz. ME too!!!! I am WORN DOWN TO A FRAZZLE ...exhausted from all

the years of pain. Hope you feel better.!!!!! i was thinking of

trying a PT but I don't know? Either???Love cindy(grasshopperx)

>

> Hello!

> My first post to this group. Six weeks ago I had two disc's removed

> from my neck, bone put in instead of disc and then a metal plate

> screwed in. Just wondering when other people might have felt back

to

> normal? I still have pain everyday-different kind of pain than

before

> the surg.. I'm so sick of dealing with this pain. I feel like no

one

> else really understands than people that have been through it.

> My doc says that I can start p.t.. I wonder if p.t. really helps

after

> surg.? Before my surg., p.t. made my pain A LOT worse.

> I went back to work

> part-time three weeks after my surg. Now I'm at the six week after

> surg. and I still feel SO TIRED! Over-doing it seems to come fast

for

> me at this point.

> Please send any words of wisdom.

> Kind Regards to all of the other people who suffer from chronic

pain.

> WSuz

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Well what I can tell you from a back and neck fusion is YES you

need to take LOTS of time to recover. Pushing yourself too soon will

only delay the healing process. My dr told me 6 months for my back

to fuse no plates just screws in the two disc levels to seperate

them now. Even after 6 months I still feel the pain and weakness and

wonder if my back will ever get better. I know lots of people act

like I should be ALL WELL and nothing should bother me now HA!!!!

Well some people are that lucky but not me and not lots of people

in this group. Yes stress and depression are part of living with

chronic pain. Stress is something you need to try and deal with as

it will only make you feel worse. Taking time out to do something

that will relax you is a good idea. Meditation, yoga whatever helps

you unwind and get relaxed. Depression depends on the person I

think, it hits some of us harder than others. But thats also

something you should deal with if it is bothering you, talk to your

dr about it asap. Having a great support group around you makes all

of it easier but many of us do not have that, hence this group to

try and help out. I hope some of this helps you and you are feeling

a little better now. Best wishes. Sharon Group Owner

>

> Hi Dave,

> Thanks for writing! I went back to work after three weeks because

my

> doctor told me that I could be back to work in a week-WHAT A JOKE!

> Even at three weeks I was so tired and on so many meds. I should

have

> taken at least five weeks off. I went back to work part time.

Today

> has been six weeks since my surg.. My husband now acts like I had

> ttwo teeth pulled and to get on with my life. I think the stress

in

> my life has not helped my recovery. I guess that could be a topic

for

> another group, but I really wonder how stress can counter-act the

> healing process. I had such problems with muscle spasms after the

> surg.. I have meds for spasms. Also wanted to mention to Dave that

I

> had a very hard time in the recovery room. I woke up in TEARS from

so

> much pain. I ended up in ICU for THREE days. My throat swelled up

so

> much that I could not even swollow water. I was fitted for a brace

> before my surg.. I was told to wear it for at least three weeks.

One

> day after I got home from the hospital, I ended back in the ER due

to

> possible blood clots. When I got to the hospital they checked for

> blood clots via ultra sound. No blood clots were found, however my

> neck was having some kind of reation to either the liquid skin

used

> on my cut or I was having a reation to the foam on my brace. The

ER

> doc called the nero doc and he told her to have me stop wearing

the

> brace. So, I only wore my neck brace for the first four days after

my

> surg.-which I think was a crazy idea.

> Another question I had for others in this group-

> Does depression set in for people dealing with all of these

> medical/pain issues?

> I'll be the big 40 in Feb. and I just want to move on with my life.

> I'm grateful for the people that take time to write and try to

help

> others with these kind of medical issues.

> P.S. I slept in my Lazy Boy chair for the first two weeks after my

> surg..

>

>

>