Pain!

**katybug** · 11-13-2008, 12:32 PM

So the back story here is, DH and I were in a car accident March 30th '08. A gust of wind blew our car off the road and it rolled. DH was fine except for a few cuts, I however, fractured two vertebra (broken neck) and had to have a cervical fusion that same day.

So for almost 7 and a half months I've been in pain. In the beginning it was bearable because I really had no choice. I was out of commission so to speak. My mom took FMLA and helped me, as I was all drugged up and couldn't really do much. Things got better slowly and healed and did physical therapy. I'm able to do most everything I was before the accident (except, say, rugby) and I'm moving forward.

My problem is PAIN. It got better and now I feel like I'm going backwards. My right shoulder has been bothering me since I could take my brace off (around nine weeks after the accident). It is bad enough to interfere with my life. I haven't worked since the accident (except for minor projects around the house).

The thing I hate most about it, is what the pain does to me. I'm grumpy, short with everyone, I don't want to leave my heating pad, let alone the house and I'm still on pain pills and not the OTC kind either.

I can't sit in normal chairs for very long, writing hurts and using the computer hurts (I'm on the couch, on my laptop right now).

I'm SO SICK of it, my surgeon said I would have 6 months of pain, and now I'm almost 2 months past that mark. I'm looking into a few other things, but right now I'm not very encouraged.

I also feel miserable because I hate being the *lame duck* and I want to continue with my life, but I feel like I have can't make plans because I have no idea how I'll feel next month/week/day/hour. DH just finished school and hasn't found a job yet and I want to be supportive, but I find I have to be the one pushing him a little. I feel like I have no say, because really, what am I doing?

I just wanted to vent, I'm just so sick of waking up EVERY DAY in pain. It is breaking my spirit a little.

~KB

**staciah** · 11-13-2008, 01:12 PM

Katybug,

Sorry to hear of your pain. I'm not a nurse and I haven't had a serious injury like yours but I was having problems with my shoulder just recently. I am a very active person so I just couldn't understand what the issue was. I didn't injury it and the pain was terrible that it would bother me sitting at the computer, sitting in the chair, everywhere. I too would sit with the heating pad but It didn't seem to work.
Oneday I was making the bed and remembered I hadn't turned the mattrese over in 3 yrs. We did that and BINGO my shoulder doesn't hurt anymore.

Anyway, Your's is problably due to your accident but I may be worth a try. I hope you feel better soon.

**katybug** · 11-13-2008, 01:27 PM

Ah ha! I'll give it a try! Thanks that might just be it!

(I'll keep you posted)

I'm hoping it is that, and not some *other* injury. Also, no one wants a cervical fusion, trust me, it sticks.

Also, don't get in a rollover, it isn't as fun as advertised.

~KB

**fixer** · 11-13-2008, 04:42 PM

Be careful not to let the pain or meds take away the person you were before. I work real hard to not let my dw know when I hurt. Sometimes that is more exhausting than fighting the pain.

**Buckeye5** · 11-13-2008, 04:48 PM

I am so sorry that this has been going on. My goodness it sounds horrible. Vent away!! How about another doctor's opinion...that might need to be next.

**katybug** · 11-13-2008, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by fixer

Be careful not to let the pain or meds take away the person you were before. I work real hard to not let my dw know when I hurt. Sometimes that is more exhausting than fighting the pain.

I cannot tell you how much that hits home. I don't have any good days, and haven't for almost 8 months. EVERY morning I wake up in pain, I can't even get a good start on the day.

*sigh*

I'm looking into a physiatrist to at least tell me why I'm feeling pain. I don't think it is from the injury or surgery, because that part of me feels ok.

To everyone dealing with constant pain, I feel you, I really do!

~KB

**fixer** · 11-13-2008, 11:25 PM

As bad as if sounds, early on my good days were visiting my neurologists and seeing the people in the waiting room who were in worst shape than me. I think I had a problem with self-pity and this cured it. It will get better. You may achieve a "new" normal. I never got back to where I was but I learned to function at where I am now.

**Goodwin17** · 11-13-2008, 11:35 PM

I just wanted to send you hugs!

I used to work for a neurosurgeon and I've watched cervical fusions being performed before. Did you ever get any relief after the surgery? I'm so sorry for all the pain you're in.

**katybug** · 11-13-2008, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by fixer

You may achieve a "new" normal. I never got back to where I was but I learned to function at where I am now.

Thats my fear.

Goodwin, actually the fracture didn't hurt nearly as bad as the post-surgery did. I wouldn't have guessed in a million years I had broken/fractured anything!

I've got a couple of things to try before resigning myself to my new *normal*. Right now I'm ok, just running at half-steam and I feel like I should be at least closer to normal. It was only a 1 level fusion!

Fixer, what happened to you?

Katybug

**fixer** · 11-13-2008, 11:52 PM

I was diagnosed with complicated migraines very late in life. I was in the hospital for quite awhile since they look just like a stroke. My speech slurs and one side of my body becomes useless. I have had every neurological test imaginable. Now, when all I have is a headache, it is a pretty good day. The hardest part for me was realizing that this was the way it was going to be. I went from a very healthy 40 year old to an old 41 year old in a space of 2 weeks. The worst part was seeing the look of concern on dw face every time I had a bad episode. That was worse than the actual problem. Worrying her hurt me more than anything physical ever could.

**wanderinggrandma** · 11-14-2008, 12:00 AM

I'm sorry you are suffering and chronic pain is suffering. I have had chronic neck pain with migraines from a couple of car accidents 20 years ago. I would have headaches that lasted for days along with the neck pain. I tried all of the meds they pushed at me. They didn't take the pain away and the side affects just added to the misery.

A friend referred me to a LMT a few years ago, who uses neuromuscular therapy, cranio-sacral therapy, myofascial release and accupressure points. I'm sure there is more, but I can't remember all of it. He has been a life saver!!! I will never be 100 percent, but I'm sooooo much better and able to do things I had thought I wouldn't be able to ever do again. It took over a year of 2 visits a week to get here, and I go in for "tune-ups" when I feel I'm sliding backwards.

I would also get a second or third opinion from different neurologists. Make sure there isn't something else that needs treatment before trying an alternative healing method, but be proactive and keep trying.

I use the disposable heat packs that stick to your skin, (I can't remember the exact name) especially when I fly and they are great. They last 6 or 7 hours and are portable unlike your heating pad.

You may also want to try seeing a pain management doctor. I sure hope you get some relief soon.

**katybug** · 11-14-2008, 01:14 AM

Thanks so much wanderinggrandma. I do take pain relievers and they do not take away all the pain, but get it to a tolerable level and that is all I'm asking.

I gotta say though, when I was taking meds right after the surgery, I seriously happy. That was some good stuff! Although I don't see how people can *take drugs* it was an interesting experience, but I wouldn't like to be that why *on purpose* kwim?

~KB

**katybug** · 11-14-2008, 01:19 AM

Originally Posted by fixer

I went from a very healthy 40 year old to an old 41 year old in a space of 2 weeks.

I cannot tell you how much I understand that statement. Except I'm only 26, I was really hoping for a few more good years, KWIM?

Are you still working? How has it effected your life? (Except what you've already stated,

) I only ask because I like to hear how other people are coping, because I'm sure I could do a more classy job then I am.

My mom kept commenting in the beginning I was taking it really well (not like I had much of a choice

) it occurred to me recently that I was some pretty serious, mood-altering drugs. I think that helped a little.

~KB (Who does not promote recreational drug use)

**fixer** · 11-14-2008, 09:30 AM

I still work although I changes jobs. I am now self-employed which allows me flexibility in my work schedule. My problem was managed by finally finding the right medication. I have been able to decrease the amount in the past 4 years to almost nothing. I use the term "new normal" to help me understand that sometimes things change. I ended up with the best diagnosis I could have. Some of the things they thought I had early on were a death sentence. I wish it had never happened, but I also realize it could be so much worse.

**shellyrhds** · 11-14-2008, 09:35 AM

I had an L-4, L-5 laminectomy (lumbar region of back) at age 30. I am now 34 and have been taking pain medication 24/7 for the past year. Up until last year, I was pretty good with just ignoring the pain, but because I have stenosis of the spine and more bulging discs with degenerative disc disease, the pain levels have worsened. I went to see a neurosurgeon at the advise of my regular doctor. He said there wasn't anything surgery could do for me. Honestly, if there had been a way out of the surgery originally, I think I would have done it, but the ruptured discs were actually causing nerve damage. So I just try to function the best that I can. My Dh is very understanding, but I feel an enormous amount of guilt because I can't work, and I can't do a lot of the things that I used to do with him as far as weekends hiking, outdoor activities, etc. The worst part of being in pain all the time is that after awhile it just wear you down! Mentally, it is very, very tiring! Best of luck to you and know that you're not the only one dealing with this, if that's any comfort to you!!