Re: Need Questions for Surgeon

[Guest guest]

At 04:17 PM 12/2/2008, you wrote:

>I had C-4-C7 (back of my neck) replaced Aug 26th 08, because the first

>surgery 07 from the front 2 screws broke. Anyways I am going for

>another follow up and getting a CAT scan. I would like some good

>questions to ask. When I try to do normal things clean the house or

>shopping I still have pain? And during thanksgiving baking I had a

>great deal of pain. I wonder if anyone can help me with good

>questions. For example: Who decides when I can go back to work? How

>much therapy do I need? All you folks with years of history with

>doctors I would appreciate your help. I always forget my questions or

>feel like I am visiting the principle or something...

>

>Thank you, Happy Holidays

>Deb

Hi, I wanted to respond to your question. I have two levels fused in

my neck. In a few weeks it will be 8 years for me. I have never

gotten pain relief, in fact mine hurts more the pre-surgery. Despite

seeing all types of pain management, second opinions etc, I have

never experienced relief or been told what the cause is. all they

can offer is exploratory surgery, which in their words would be about

20% successful. Hopefully mine is not the standard results and most

do get relief. I would ask the Doctor what level of pain relief

should you expect at this point. Is it normal to still experience

pain when doing cooking or housework. Should you be resting your

neck every XX hours. Should you use a special pillow or sleep flat

or on your side? Should I still be on pain medicine or muscle

relaxers etc.Generally it's between you and the Doctor as to when you

go back. I would think your at the end of your convalescing period.

Depending on your work you may need a signed release from the Doc

before you go back. When I go for a doctor visit I always sit down

the night before and write the questions out. I also discuss my neck

/ back issues with my Wife in case she thinks of something I

didn't. It's your right to have the questions answered, and my

Doctor actually appreciates that I come prepared and get right to the

point. Good luck and please let us know how it goes. Dave

[Guest guest]

Dear Deb,

Don't really know what to tell you as I am having no luck. I hurt

my back in March, turns out it was sequestered L1/L2, which caused a

lot of pain and weakness in my right leg. So the surgeon recommended

surgery and that it would be as good as new afterwards - wrong. I

had 2 big fragments on my spinal cord.

It was initially better for a while after the surgery, then got pins

& needles, numbness from my belly button around to my back and down

my right leg. They put me on neurontin and said if it continued they

would order another mri, so by July was worse and lots of pain in my

lower back and muscle pain. Called the nurse then and she never

called me back twice so left it and dealt with it. now it hurts to

sweep my floor and its constant. The neurontin helps but still have

the nerve issues especially with the leg, have a nice limp, horrible

muscle pain and my lower back throbs and pulsates. 2 Weeks ago had

enough and called the nurse again and left another 2 messages to set

up the mri as was getting so much worse, still have not heard back

from her so have made an appointment with the surgeon to make his

nurse do her job. We have no insurance and pay for all of this so

is a waste of money to see him before the mri but what am I supposed

to do.

The neurontin makes me stupid, I forget everything, I've given up

and take the lortab all the time for the pain as OTC stuff is a

waste of time. I'm sick of being in pain, can't even clean, now

work part time, really part time as the body can't last all day,

sitting makes it really bad, can't walk far, driving is really fun.

I'm grumpy and mean especially by the end of the day. My right leg

is really weak, my butt goes numb, there is no muscle reflex in my

knee at all now which can't be good and I gimp around everywhere.

Thanks for letting me vent as have not done so in a very long time

and frankly I'm sick of this. I'm 41 and hate not being able to do

pretty much anything. My husband and kids are great and help a lot

but I'm used to doing things myself and hate asking for help.

[Guest guest]

Dear Deb,

Don't really know what to tell you as I am having no luck. I hurt

my back in March, turns out it was sequestered L1/L2, which caused a

lot of pain and weakness in my right leg. So the surgeon recommended

surgery and that it would be as good as new afterwards - wrong. I

had 2 big fragments on my spinal cord.

It was initially better for a while after the surgery, then got pins

& needles, numbness from my belly button around to my back and down

my right leg. They put me on neurontin and said if it continued they

would order another mri, so by July was worse and lots of pain in my

lower back and muscle pain. Called the nurse then and she never

called me back twice so left it and dealt with it. now it hurts to

sweep my floor and its constant. The neurontin helps but still have

the nerve issues especially with the leg, have a nice limp, horrible

muscle pain and my lower back throbs and pulsates. 2 Weeks ago had

enough and called the nurse again and left another 2 messages to set

up the mri as was getting so much worse, still have not heard back

from her so have made an appointment with the surgeon to make his

nurse do her job. We have no insurance and pay for all of this so

is a waste of money to see him before the mri but what am I supposed

to do.

The neurontin makes me stupid, I forget everything, I've given up

and take the lortab all the time for the pain as OTC stuff is a

waste of time. I'm sick of being in pain, can't even clean, now

work part time, really part time as the body can't last all day,

sitting makes it really bad, can't walk far, driving is really fun.

I'm grumpy and mean especially by the end of the day. My right leg

is really weak, my butt goes numb, there is no muscle reflex in my

knee at all now which can't be good and I gimp around everywhere.

Thanks for letting me vent as have not done so in a very long time

and frankly I'm sick of this. I'm 41 and hate not being able to do

pretty much anything. My husband and kids are great and help a lot

but I'm used to doing things myself and hate asking for help.

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the advice, they come to our town once a week from about 80

miles away so will go there and try that. It's been a bad day and its

to the point where I need to do something.

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the advice, they come to our town once a week from about 80

miles away so will go there and try that. It's been a bad day and its

to the point where I need to do something.

Thanks