It is a hard thing to give up what you love doing, especially your career, but I think it happens to us all in one way or another, and we just have to move on.

Notice how your boss was well aware of your pain situation, so you can feel that you are legitimately disabled at the moment, and that they understand.

It will take you a while to adjust, but eventually you will be able to focus on getting better.

A bit less stress from not having to work in pain should also be a big plus.

But do give yourself plenty of time to adjust and look into further treatments.

Hi all,

I am still waiting for the results of my cat scan I had Monday, I have emailed my doctors and still waiting for a answer. I hate not knowing if A: is there something they can see and fix or B: my biggest fear is nothing wrong I have to live with the kind of pain.
Please don't let it be B:, I am having a hard time staying in today, my head wants to run and go places I don't need to go. They have me taking Norco and Zanaflex every six hours, the Norco really makes me sleepy and goofy for a couple of hours, but it does not help with the pain if I turn my head. I hope my spine doctor will email me with the results tomorrow, I don't see the NS until Oct. 13th.
This does not change anything but I do feel better just venting to you all.

Rick

My spine doctor emailed me and said the cat scan was "normal alignment of the fusion, no significant stenosis, does show some arthritis", said my surgeon will also look at it and give me his final report.
This is my worse nightmare, being told there's nothing they can do and I have to live with this pain. What do I do now? I am facing working in severe pain and taking heavy pain pills or seeing about getting permanent disability?
I am feeling really what the !!!!! did they do to me and why don't they understand how I feel, no hope, lost and really mad. If it is the road to disability what BS does it take to get it? Or does anyone have any ideas to ask for more medical advise keeping in mind I have Kaiser Ins.

Rick

I can't believe what happen this evening, I ran into my NS who did my neck surgery. He found me to apologize for what happen in July when his PA did the exam and didn't let me see the surgeon, he wants to see me next week to do a detail exam and find out what is really wrong with my neck. I couldn't believe a NS would say he is sorry and offer to see me at his office next week Friday even though it is outside of current Ins. he said it would be at no charge and when he finds what's wrong we can go through my current Ins.
I was so grateful this is going to happen, I have had a lot of friends praying for me and all of a sudden this happen. I don't know what the end will be but I am not willing to give up hope and will keep fighting.
Rick

Hi Rick,
I have been following your story. I relate to pain after my ACDF C5-6 and a revision, did nothing! It stinks to be in pain all the time. I'm just brushed off and told that they do not know why I'm still in the same pain as before.

That is amazing that you were able to speak with your surgeon. Did you run into him at the clinic or ?

I hope we both get some answers soon.
Dee

i am running into the same road block with doctors - blaming the muscles for my pain. Curious as to the explanation they give you as to why it cannot be structural.

pfm

I was at a 12 step meeting I do, my doctor was there with his wife and saw me, it was just a God thing he did not know I was going to be there. When he came up to me and I was shock to see him and more shock when he said what he said. I am really looking forward to having him be so active in finding out what's wrong with my neck. He had told me of all the neck surgeries he has done my neck was on of the hardest due to my bones being weak and the number of bone spurs I had that he had to clip and file down, the surgery took six hours. He is also a research doctor, his tone was I will find what's wrong. I feel great just having some hope someone has listen to me and is willing to go after a solution and not just dismiss my pain.
Too many of the other other doctors kept saying it was muscle and simply would not look at other possible reasons.
Can't wait until Friday.
Rick

I saw the neurosurgeon this morning who operated on my neck last Dec. He is sure he can find what is causing my neck pain. He has ordered additional x-rays, bone scan and I will see him in two weeks. He is going to check to make sure I have fused, no broken screws, plate or if I blew C3, all of which he can fix. If nothing shows than he is going after the deep muscle or ligaments as a possible problem. He feels he can find the problem in a few weeks or 2-3 months. I felt good he was so positive he will find what's wrong.
Now I just have to be patient and leave it in God's hands.

Rick

Excellent news Rick. I am sure you will find some answers and eventually settle into a resonable treatment plan.

I just don't understand when a dr tells a patient there is nothing they can do.

Keep us posted.

Julie

Well I saw my surgeon again this morning, he asked how much worse is my neck pain compared to before they surgery, I said it is twice as bad, he was shocked he has never had anyone with more pain after surgery. He is ordering new MRI, CT, X-rays and bone scan. He said it could be A:fusion did take a on level B: Loose hardware C: blown above or below the work that was done in Dec. D: My neck is worn out due to my weak neck. He is convince he will find the problem. I will see him in a couple of weeks after these new test are done to compare the ones I did this summer.
I am still hopeful he will find out what is wrong, I will be 60 next month and never felt I was getting old but this year has proven me wrong.
Rick

I had a 5 level laminoplasty (C3-C7) in Nov. 2008. I was born with a narrow spinal canal. Since then I have had severe neck pain and spasms, severe headaches and weakness in my left arm. I was able to go on LTD from work and am still on it for now but my surgeon refuses to sign any more paper work because he says everything from his stand point is fine.
He doesn't know why I am having pain nor does he care. I have lost my job because I am a respiratory therapist and can not perform CPR or do anything else my job requires. I have pain all the time to which I have to lay down. My pain levels are usually an 8-10 have had an MRI, CT and EMG.
I am went to see a neurologist and she didn't even know what a laminoplasty was so that was a big help. She just said it sounded like muscle pain.
I am at the end of my rope and am looking for other MDs in other cities. I live in Texas. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Live here too. That neurologist never heard of a laminoplasty?!!! - how scary is that?! My surgeon doesn't care for his patients either after he slices them open. Just doesn't care. As long as the incision healed, you're on your own. Pitiful. According to my family doc, the muscle pain is the worst part of the whole ordeal & could take a very long time for them to settle, unwind, etc... He gave me Zanaflex & they help - expensive though. Going on 6 mos post op posterior cerv. foram. 2 levels, 4" cut. Very sore prob another year or 2. I use a heating pad throughout the day to increases the blood flow to promote healing. Just have find comfort in any way you can - it takes a very long time to heal damaged muscles. And soooo painful!!!

The test shows C6 has collapsed and maybe C5, he feels C3 needs to be repaired now also and recommends I have a 360 front and back surgery which they would put plates on both front and back on my neck. My NS cannot do this so he is sending my to San Jose to a orthopedic spine surgeon, I got my appointment yesterday for Nov. 12th. I am glad this is coming to an end after 8 months of jumping through hoops with insurance, doctors, pt, pills, test, shots ect. But the main thing they do see the problem and it can be fix.

Rick