I’m a few days past my 2 month post-op mark.
Besides the decompression surgery for my brain, I also had a decompression laminectomy.
I’m still in terrible pain on my left side, that continues to worsen.
My doctor was concerned I’m still in pain and scheduled me for an MRI at the end of this week.
But I was wondering if I could get some suggestions from you guys.
Its a terrible stabbing pain. Like someone stuck a knife in there and just left it, so when I turn, it feels like it twists and its awful. I also get random sharp shooting, radiating pain towards my shoulder, and the right side of my neck feels strained for having to over compensation; also over this time the left side of my body has become weak-I can barely lift my coffee cup in the morning, and when I do there’s a nasty, painful pop and grind.
I’ve been referred to pain management because my doctor can’t keep writing me scripts, and as much as I don’t want to be on them, if I don’t take them it’s unbearable. With them it’s tolerable.
(I’ve also been very nauseous and am having cold sweats, if that means anything, or has anything to do with it…)
So any ideas?
Maybe ideas for extra pain relief (OTCs are a joke for this pain)?
I’m worried something went wrong during surgery
And even more worried that my Dr. Wont see anything on the MRI and think I’m making it up.
Hi Kayla, I'm sorry you're not feeling as well as you had hoped. Maybe it would be worth doing a diary for a few days so that when you see your doc to review the MRI results you can say that on that day, this happened, it lasted x long, it affected my ability to do xyz/stopped me being able to do xyz. I've found that when I have pain the docs take me more seriously if I can relate to them how it affects my ability to function ... I figure the reason for this is they know what lifting a coffee cup involves but they can't feel my actual pain ..... so when I had to tell my doc I couldn't wipe after going to the toilet he could actually relate to how he would feel in the same position!
Kayla,
I had the same exeperience. For me it was muscle weakness and pain in my neck. I started physical therapy 4 months post op and that helped. Also nerve damage can take a long time to heal. I read so many places that it takes 12-18 months post op to feel better. I of course didn’t think that would be me. I am now 12 months post op and I honestly have to say I am finally feeling good. I will always have nerve damage to my left side but atleast the pain has lessened. So I can say, if you give it time to heal it does get better. You have many of us who have been there and when you think the pain will never end, don’t give up. I wish I could give you some magic advise that will help in the mean time. Acceptance got me far. Best wishes.
Thank you both for your replies.
I had an MRI done Friday and my NS said he saw nothing abnormal or anything that needed surgical intervention (phew, I’m so done with surgeries lol)
So all he could do was tell me that sometimes that happens as part of the healing process and referred me to pain management. It’s just so severe most days I find it hard to believe there’s nothing wrong and why if it’s part of the healing process, I only feel it on one side.
I hope it doesn’t last too much longer, It’s very painful and limits a lot I can do.
He said he wants me to stay on the current pain medication I’m on because it’s helping but is sending me to pain management because he cannot continue to write me prescriptions.
However the clinic I go to sends me updates/summaries from my visits and he had the nerve to put in there that "the patient is displaying ulterior motives for medication"
How dare he? All I’ve done is be conpletely honest about my meds and I’m scheduled one pain pill per four hours and had gotten permission from him to take an extra pill on the occasion the pain wasn’t being controlled by one, and was honest and would call them and tell them I did so.
So I’m very unhappy with my NS right now for making it seem like I’ve been dishonest for medications, yet he’s had no problem writing me full prescriptions everytime I ran out.
I’m sorry to vent this, but is this something I should call and question/express concern/complain about? I do not want that on my record, I’ve never misused my medications, I’m well aware of the repercussions of doing so and would also cause me to run out early leaving me in pain until I should technically be out.
Any suggestions about this would be helpful. I’m having this feeling he’s like every other doctor who is treating me as an abuser because of my age, and I don’t appreciate it.
Sorry to rant again, would just like some advice on this subject.
It seems that doctors lean towards making those type of comments when they do not see or understand what might be causing pain. That is based on their knowledge-base concerning healing times and what they see on MRI. The perception of pain is a complicated beast indeed. Pain medications do not solve problems - they just tend to mask them. There are a whole variety of issues that could be the source of pain. A good subjective history and assessment would be helpful to narrow the field. These different issues need different knowledge-bases to address them other than writing out a prescription. Well-researched physical therapy, as previously mentioned, could work wonders. If they do not know about cervical motor control or neurodynamics (David Butler), I would suggest looking for someone else. Finding out before booking is easier on the pocket book.
Cervical articular restrictions, weak cervical musculature, poor trapezius muscle innervation/recruitment, poor motor control of neck and shoulder complex, vertebral artery irritation from poor motor control, myofascial restrictions, poor gliding and sliding of nerves, muscle trigger points. I am sure that there are more variables possible. Given your timeline, I am sure that your doctor would say okay to therapy - just no hacks. Personally, I think that it is premature for a pain management approach as you have not mentioned any assessment of your neck and surrounding tissues. Though maybe where your doctor is thinking does a good job of that too.
If you have read this far you may or may not want to continue - sensitive!
When a doctor indicates a behavior that he sees, it is just that - a series of behaviors that are ASSOCIATED with medication abuse. It does not mean that it is happening but is a warning to other medical professionals that there is a concern. I would suggest that you take this as a wake-up call on where you are putting your energies in helping yourself and how you are presenting yourself with medical professionals. Doctors give medications, order tests, perform surgeries, and give referrals. That is about it. When they have exhausted what they have to offer, then it is referral time. You have not mentioned what other approaches you are using to help deal with the pain and to find/cure its source. Obviously, they are not working! What else can you research? Wake-up call ... not a permanent sentence of prescription-use druggy.
Good luck in finding other areas of help. They are just going to have to be active and not passive
Hello Kayla. I sorry your going through so much pain . I'm 3 months post-op and having the same things happening to me . I called my NS and his office makes me seems as if I'm a bother. So after my daily calls, I was able to get a referral for physical therapy. I'm hoping this helps .