B
BrittleBones
Guest
I normally hang out on the chronic pain board, but this is really the place where I know I'll get some answers to my questions. I underwent a spinal decompression and fusion from T3-T5 almost 2 weeks ago. I had vertebral fractures at T-3,T4 and the bones were compressing my spinal cord resulting in loss of bladder control, nurabness and tingling in my lower extremities and nurabness around my entire chest through to my back. I also had pretty severe pain in my upper left thigh region. Anyway, the surgery was supposedly a success. But ever since the first second that I woke from the anesthesia I have been in excruciating and crushing chest pain that circles my entire upper body. It feels as though an elephant is sitting on my chest and I can't breathe deeply or move without increased pain. Someone on another board commented that this is a common scenario post-operatively for thoracic fusions but I'd like confirmation from anybody else who has undergone this procedure. When will the pain start to lift? Is there ever a case where the pain doesn't go away? I have regained most bladder control and I can now use my left leg without it dragging behind me, so I know that things are better in many ways, but to have to trade things off for more intense and severe pain is not what I was expecting. Does anybody out there have experience with a similar surgery? Any suggestions? Please help. Thanks so much - K'Mac