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Can Severe (electric shock-like) Pain be a sign of Regeneration?
Hello, I'm writing here on my sister’s behalf in an attempt to find some reasonably solid answers to the question posed in the title of this discussion.
I have been able to find tantalizing clues online that suggest that peripheral nerve regeneration can be accompanied by tingling and pain, but nothing that seems particular to my sister's circumstances. What follows is an attempt to frame the question more specifically, and to ask if such a supposition even makes sense in my sister's case.
In a nutshell, and based on a variety of symptoms and an MRI, she was diagnosed with Cervical Myelopathy - I'm not sure about any further specifics, i.e. which numbered vertebrae are involved. She has had two surgeries. The 1st was by a spine surgeon who implanted a bone graft, and the second was by a neurosurgeon who removed the bone graft (while condemning that approach in no uncertain terms) and proceeded to fuse certain vertebrae - again, I'm not sure which ones. Subsequent to the second surgery she was in a neck brace for several months and unable to take any steroids or OTC pain relief meds as they can inhibit bone growth. Once she was able to remove the neck brace, and based on an evaluation of her progress, she was told that this abstention from steroids, et. was to continue for at least another 6 months.
Around the middle of month three and after considerable improvement of many the more painful symptoms, she suddenly started experiencing what she described as unbelievably painful electric shocks in the ulnar region of her left hand - pain that, at it's worst she said was comparable to child birth contractions. In response she was given prednisone. Five days after an initial round the pain returned and she was given a second round. She just had an emg done which did not show anything that would account for the severe pain. She has other appointments scheduled for this week, but thus far no one has advanced a workable theory to account for these pains, or put them into perspective - much less how to mitigate them going forward.
Numbness (etc., in her left hand), and loss of function in the pinkie & middle fingers, and to a similar, but slightly lesser extent on her ring finger were some of the initial symptoms prior to diagnosis, and have progressed significantly since then. But the excruciating pain in the left hand is completely new & unprecedented.
So, given the above, and based on the collective experience of this group, I’m asking if the supposition embedded in the title question (“Can Severe (electric shock-like) Pain be a sign of Regeneration?”) could actually be a positive consequence of the second surgery, or largely an exercise in wishful thinking?
I would greatly appreciate any wisdom (anecdotal or otherwise) on the subject that anyone would care to offer!
And finally … My sincere thanks (and apologies) to anyone who has had the patience to read this all the way to the end!!
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@jgraber Your response is really helpful. I am with a good neurologist who is trying to see what sort of nerve damage we are dealing with. So I have a nerve biopsy on Friday to see what can be learned from that. I have lost muscle already, but am keeping up with leg and upper body exercises to maintain the strength that I have. So far, Tylenol and Gabapentin are making pain manageable. The “comet” pain goes through my foot or leg fast, although it takes my breath away.
I appreciate your wise husband and neurologist with their advice should I need stronger medications for pain, and I connect with your working on accepting a “new normal.”
My numbness has spread to my hands. I’m hoping it is from leaning on the walker, and not a spread of neuropathy. So far, I can still grasp things and type. My best coping mechanism is to keep in the day, and do what I to make it a good one. I have good help with that, as do you. I am glad to be in touch with you here. @efgh1020
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2 ReactionsThis is the first time in 20 years I’ve talked to other people dealing with this horrific nerve pain. This means the world to me. Thank you. I love your analogy of “comet” pain. I completely get that. I have severe nerve pain that happens throughout my body now but it seems like the area speaking loudest is what I feel. Doctors ask what area is the worse and that is hard to answer because it changes. Sometimes I feel like a knife is stabbing into the rectum, shooting pains from the hip region down my legs, severe bearing down pain over sacrum like back labor, deep aching, horrible leg pain, feet pain, hands on fire and pain up my arms, strong vibration sensations in both hands simultaneously, Feeling that I’m wearing tight gloves and socks when I’m not, neck pain shooting over my head, painful scalp area on the right side of head with shooting pain and very tender to touch, migraines, upper right abdominal pain, intolerance to cold and hot temperature (cold air feels very painful and I overheat easily and I’m way past menopause), etc.
@jgraber This is tough to read, but tougher for you to endure and deal with. You write like the nurse you are, with specificity as to where your pain is around your body. That has to help your neurologist figure out relief for you. Beyond that, we need more research into neuropathy and the pain it causes.
“Tight socks” applies to the tightness and strangling at the ankles I can feel when sitting too long. Sensitivity to cold and heat? Check.
This Mayo site definitely gives us the comfort and awareness that we are not alone in dealing with a complicated, misunderstood, painful and disabling disease. We can be in this together, and that is a help. Thanks for your response.
Thank you! That helps me tremendously and your comments made me smile. I guess misery really does like company!! I hope you are having a good day. I know some days are better for me or maybe some hours are better.
I sometimes feel like I am wearing a sock with a tight band on my calf. It’s summer no socks.
@jgraber I know about good days and good hours! Yesterday was a good day with beautiful early evening hours outside watching birds and dragon flies in a clear sky.
By the way, there is also a group at Mayo Connect for chronic pain. In looking over some of the topics, you may find that helpful as well. I decided to add it to my reading here. I hope this is a good day or good hour for you.
@efgh1020
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1 Reaction@dianecostella I need to wear knee-high compression stockings and feel them when I’m not wearing them. Who needs that?!#%! @efgh1020
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1 Reaction@jgraber here is the Chronic Pain group page that shows all of the discussions in the group mentioned by @efgh1020
Chronic Pain Group - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/pain/
@johnbishop Thanks, John! efgh1020
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1 ReactionThank you, I will check out the chronic pain group.