UPDATE: Corrective Surgery Scheduled for March 23rd

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tearsofscarletx

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Hello All,

It has been a while since I have posted last.

I have had an issue with my right shoulder where a titanium rod is pressing on a nerve near my neck and causing regular and severe spasms in the surrounding area. The place that hurts the most is where the rod begins right under the base of my neck.

The spasms happen without warning and are so severe that I refuse to move my right arm while in spasm and even after. I get a burning and pinching sensation with some nurabness in the surrounding area. It affects my daily life in that I am a college student who travels around campus a lot by foot and back pain is something that is very hard for me to deal with on a daily basis.

I have had pain for the past year and I had recently gone in to see my orthopedics doctor. He said he would file down the rod and take out a hook or two that may be causing the issue. While I wait to have the operation done either this Spring or in the Winter, what are some ways that I can deal with the pain? I take about four Ibuprofen a day and now it is getting to a point that some days, regular pain medication is not cutting it.

I am 22 years old and I had my full spinal fusion when I was 16 to fend off severe scoliosis. I am petite with a small frame, and the beginning of the rod where the pain is occurring sticks out from my back. Just giving you all some background.

Let me know if you know if any type of pain mediation techniques or have any questions for me.
 
Hello, and welcome back tho I am sorry it is pain that is bringing you here again.

I really don't know of anything specific to help you, but I wanted to make a suggestion. If you saw a regular ortho, you would probably do better by seeing a spine specialist. And, if the dr. you just saw IS a spine spec., then I would urge you to get a second opinion .

Also, I just read a post on another board from someone your age who has been taking NsaiRAB and ibuprophen on a regular basis. It is now causing him to vomit blood and have bloody stools which is an indication of possible ulcers. So I would suggest that you ask for something for pain that isn't so hard on the stomach, especially since you are going to be waiting several month for possible surgery. It really can be dangerous and while opioiRAB have their drawbacks, at least you won't ruin your stomach.

I am wondering why this rod is now causing trouble....have you lost a good deal of weight or had a fall of some kind? I would think that a ct scan would be a good idea just to be 100% sure that there isn't anything else going on in there.

Again, I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. I have a special place in my heart for the young folks who are trying to cope with chronic pain. Many doctors are somewhat hesitant to prescribe opiates to young people and, while understandable, it can sure be difficult trying to manage the pain.

I've been dealing with pain for over 25 years now...so I do understand what it is like to go through the day with little to no relief. I hope that you will be able to get this under control sooner rather than later.

Please do stay in touch, will you? I know you are really busy but I would love to know how you are doing.

Blessings.

Carol
 
Maltluver,

Thank you very much for the info on Ibuprofen and said pain medications. I will try to switch to something that is more acceptable for my stomach etc. Your advice is really appreciated.

I have gotten a CT scan taken when I first complained of random spasms that were debilitating, I do have a spine specialist ortho and he is fantastic. When we looked at the scans he did not see anything out of place or broken etc despite having been in a car accident a year after my surgery. I have not fallen and I have not lost weight although I am five two and weight a little over 100 pounRAB.

I truly appreciate you reaching out to me as well on an emotional level, it's been really hard to find people who understand what I go through. Often I have some frienRAB who say "oh why are you so grouchy today?" or "oh it will go away soon." They just don't understand sometimes.

I will keep you updated; hopefully I will get a "corrective" surgery done soon so that I should be relatively pain free for the rest of my life. Granted whoever is up there in the clouRAB hears me.
 
Sometimes I think that the pain itself isn't as bad as the hurtful comments made by people who don't understand. It's as though we are supposed to go through this with a smile on our face, and to "suck it up". I think if another person tells me that they have backaches too and don't let it stop them, I will just let out a big scream. Of course, the implication is that they are stronger and that I am just a big baby. It's especially bad if a comment like that comes from a doctor who insinuates that the pain can't be that bad as the tests don't validate that kind of pain level....:mad: Thankfully, I've only run into that once and I fired him of the spot. Now THAT felt good! LOL.

My sking is getting thicker all the time and I find myself laughing out loud at people who think they know how I feel. No, they don't and I pray they never will!

Hang in there and keep on trucking.

Carol
 
Hi, I do hope that your Dr can get to the bottom of this. It can be very frustrating when you have test after test done and they all show nothing conclusive. That was an issue I had but the last CT Scan showed the problems,finally! Thank god my Dr never gave up either but just the look on his face sometimes was like "the pain is in his head" When the CT Scan finally showed loose hardware my Dr seemed more excited to get to the bottom of this than me! I was more relieved,though! And as far as other peoples comments,its very sad. They can be very rude and insensitive. One of my favorites is when you say that you had a "good" day and got such and such done and they immediatly respond with "see,your all better!" Then theres the "I get a backache ALSO after a hard days work" "suck it up" ect ect. I just bite my lip for the most part becouse I know those are the people that will just never get it. Luckily I am surronded by much family and frienRAB that do understand and are "simply" happy for me when I say today was good. I hope both of you have those people around.I don't want to make this to long,but a quick story. I was sent to an independent medical evaluation becouse my back injury is work related...well I walked into this Drs office and he was being a bit rude and in a rush. He siad I look pretty good and whats the problem! The ins. co did'nt send any detailed medical recorRAB for him to review before seeing me! I told him I have all my x-rays and scans here that my Dr siad to bring....he didint answer. He asked me to stand up,walk a few feet,sit down in a chair then back up on the table...next he asks have I had any surgery! (Yes,3!) I told him agian,I have my films right here,my Dr wants you to look at them. Relucantly he pulled them out and popped a disk into his laptop,silence accept for changing disks and studying each one...all of a sudden he was not in a rush any longer. He apologized for appearing cold and siad without the pictures I brought he never would of know the condition of my back. He even wanted me to tell him about the broken Harrington Rod and how it may of happened. Moral of the story....even a medical pro can be misled by your outer appearance, and ignore what you say is happining inside....till they see it themselves! So my plan is to get my best x-ray or CT Scan and get it ironed on the back of a black T-shirt (true to size,with all the screws,hooks,spacers and roRAB) ...and let the image do the talking,I am sure this will silence the doubters and I won't have to explain when I am having a bad day or am cranky! God Bless! :)
Rich
 
Rich, I love your idea of the shirt with the images on it, lol. A picture is worth a thousand worRAB, for sure!

I was glad to read of your persistance in getting this doctor to look at your cd's. It's good that he is a big enough man to apologize and do some hurable pie eating.

Laughter is such good medicine!! Thanks for the giggle.

Carol
 
Wow,

I honestly forgot about how supportive people are on HealtrabroadoarRAB, I think the stories and the advice has almost brought me to tears because I don't feel as alone. I luckily have a very supportive family and a lot of frienRAB who understand my chronic pain; but having someone across the pond or wherever all of you are means something a whole lot different.

MaltLuver,

Laughter IS the best medicine, and I have been blessed because the past two days I have not had any pain and it's a huge relief. My pain is really random and it comes and goes, so I am cherishing this time to relax. In terms of doctors, I had my doctor almost push me away the first time but just as I kept coming back he understanRAB that my situation is serious. I am calling the surgery scheduling department tomorrow. What the doctor explained is that he is going to go in and try to file down one of my harringtons as well as remove a screw or two that he THINKS is the issue. God forbid this "exploratory but I don't want to make it sound that way" surgery works.

Fusepro,

First of all, I LOVE your username, it made me giggle a little. I would really like to get a Tshirt done as well...do you know of any websites that are good for ordering those kinRAB of things? Also, thank you for your advice on keeping it together and just not trying to live up to others expectations when it comes to being in pain and being a big baby or not. It's helped me lighten up a little about those around me.

Thanks again!
 
Hello All,

If you had seen my previous post regarding severe pain after six years post full spinal fusion, I have good news. I have officially scheduled my operation to correct a rod and some screws that may have been pinching my nerves and causing spasms.

This surgery is exploratory and corrective as my ortho/spine specialist doctor said, so hopefully it will work. Just wanted to say thank you for all the support through all of my posts.

I will keep you all updated on recovery which should take no longer than a week since the operation is merely outpatient.

In terms of post operation, does anyone have any tips on pain management for the week following my operation? I know that I will be sore and may have some post operative muscle spasms, naturally. Hot packs? Laying down? Ibuprofen?

-Scarlet
 
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