topic Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms in Wellness

Anxious about a return of symptoms

smoochy — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 16:32:22 GMT

had neck surgery Aug 28, disc removal and fusion. It relieved my terrible pain immediately. Around Thanksgiving, I noticed painful twinges in my shoulder. Has become much worse, sharp throbbing pain from neck to shoulder and down my arm to my hand. Tingly fingers. Every day and during the night. All signs that the surgery has failed. Yes I consulted Dr Google. Maybe a bad idea eh. 😏 I have appt tomorrow morning w my surgeon. Very afraid that he will see something on xray that will necessitate revision surgery.
has this happened to you or someone you know? Tell me.

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

mrshckynut — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 16:37:03 GMT

@smoochy wish you the best outcome from your doctor 🙏

mrshckynut

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

Kachina624 — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 16:40:50 GMT

@smoochy. A very scary possibility, I'm sure. We'll keep our fingers crossed for a good outcome. Let us know what the doctor says.

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

Goodie2shoes — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 16:47:15 GMT

I don't know anyone that's had that problem but I do pray that everything is ok when you see the MD tomorrow. Keep us posted !

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

LTT1 — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:05:01 GMT

@Goodie2shoes @smoochy @Kachina624 @mrshckynut

Yes...I second this!❤️‍🩹

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

SportyShorty07 — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:06:00 GMT

@smoochy I'm thinking good thoughts for you and your upcoming appointment tomorrow. I commend you for staying on top of your symptoms and advocating for yourself by scheduling an appointment. You're doing the right thing and you're in good hands. I hope that you relax and do fun things today to keep your mind at ease for your appointment tomorrow. We're here for you on the forums, Smoochy 💗.

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

AuntMame — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:15:26 GMT

Hi, Smoochy. I wouldn't freak out just yet. I had similar pain about a year ago, having had neck surgery and disc removal many years ago. I was really in agony. There was nothing wrong except that I had pinched a nerve in my neck probably from turning my neck brusquely while driving. My doctor sent me to PT, which really don't help a whole lot. I was in pain about 2-3 months before it resolved. I haven't had pain since.

So sit tight. Talk to your doc. Your pain might resolve as mine did without any further intervention. One's neck is delicate and those pinched nerves can take a long time to recover from stress.

Sending cyber-hugs your way! And hopes for a speedy recovery.

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

smoochy — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:15:56 GMT

thanks for the good wishes you guys. I hesitate to post about medical things at the risk of seeming attention seeking or dramatic. Issues are popping up continually, guess that's what happens in your seventies. I always feel calmer after the immediate support I get from you, and as well I like to provide that to other nervous nellies. (As mom used to say)
I will def com back with a report tomorrow.

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

smoochy — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:19:11 GMT

@AuntMame wrote:
Hi, Smoochy. I wouldn't freak out just yet. I had similar pain about a year ago, having had neck surgery and disc removal many years ago. I was really in agony. There was nothing wrong except that I had pinched a nerve in my neck probably from turning my neck brusquely while driving. My doctor sent me to PT, which really don't help a whole lot. I was in pain about 2-3 months before it resolved. I haven't had pain since.

So sit tight. Talk to your doc. Your pain might resolve as mine did without any further intervention. . One's neck is delicate and those pinched nerves can take a long time to recover from stress.

Sending cyber-hugs your way! And hopes for a speedy recovery.

I tend to agree about PT. Good for certain things, less effective for others. Your situation sounds similar. How fortunate that it resolved on its own. Maybe I'll have that same outcome with meds or something.

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

AuntMame — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:27:56 GMT

One of the things the PT gal explained, and this made sense, is that there's a whole bunch of nerves streaming out from the vertebrae in one's neck. It's like an old-fashioned telephone switch panel up there. It's easy for one of the nerves to get squashed when the spinal vertebrae are rocking back and forth, and sometimes realligning themselves after surgery.

My pain was easily managed with ibuprofen and Tylenol. I was in agony for a couple months...then, zap, I felt fine.

It's great that you were able to get in to see a surgeon tomorrow.

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

DrakesMomma — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 18:17:34 GMT

I've had 2 fusions in my lower back. Try icing your back around the surgical site. A little above, a little below. 20 minutes at a time. I know with it being winter it won't be a barrel of fun but it may help. Sending you really good thoughts.

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

Zhills — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 18:26:21 GMT

@smoochy So sorry to hear this. Hope it is just a passing phase and will go away on it's own.

Prayers for you.

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

smoochy — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 19:22:21 GMT

@Zhills wrote:
@smoochy So sorry to hear this. Hope it is just a passing phase and will go away on it's own.

Prayers for you.

Thank you. Oh by the way, in another thread you asked where I live and I think I forgot to answer. I'm in north Lakeland, just about twenty miles southeast of you 🥰

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

Zhills — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 19:40:35 GMT

@smoochy wrote:
@Zhills wrote:
@smoochy So sorry to hear this. Hope it is just a passing phase and will go away on it's own.

Prayers for you.
Thank you. Oh by the way, in another thread you asked where I live and I think I forgot to answer. I'm in north Lakeland, just about twenty miles southeast of you 🥰

Know the area well! Lived in Lakeland a looong time! Grew up in Eaton Park, played in Munn Park while parents shopped! Later, worked at GTE (Verizon).

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

Terrywu — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 22:14:12 GMT

Wishing you good news when you meet with surgeon and sending a little prayer also.

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

foxywoods — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 23:22:08 GMT

@smoochy

Hope your surgeon can reassure you . stay off google. takes time for the nerves to "marry" recovery was slow, had residual VERY intense annd freaky spasms in my right wrist and hand for almost a year post-op. numb fingers. Got super-intense. Surgeon could not address post-op beyond 6 months. Stated - go see Neurology. residual effects sort of spontaneously improved when I traveled out of state to assist my realtive.Why? change of environment, change in sitting position, bed, firmer mattress. chnage in activities.

C-3 - C-6 fusion, laminectomy,cage

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

Puggywuggy — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 01:32:33 GMT

@smoochy Just chiming in to add my well wishes for tomorrow! ❤️

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

Hopein24 — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 04:52:46 GMT

It could be that the area of surgery, is now developing scar tissue, thereby pressing on a sensitive nerve and causing your symptoms. If it is, they can give you steroids, ( yes I know steroids are a necessary evil in medicine) and if that decreases your swelling/symptoms, then it is inflammation and scar tissue at the surgical point. Wishing you the best!

Re: Anxious about a return of symptoms

Still Raining — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 16:20:22 GMT

Sending all my healing thoughts. Hoping for good news after your visit.