Mental Health and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome after Cervical fusion

Posted by Misty123 @leigh123, Oct 10, 2023

Hi everyone
I had a work injury April 22 I had strong burning buzzing pain in my shoulder and right arm, I was diagnosed with shoulder bursitis and given 2 steroid injections was caused no relief, 5 mths after the injury my physio requested an MRI which found bulging disks and cord compression in my cervical spine, Oct 22 I had an epidural nerve root infection in C7 and from that day on my neck was in excruciating pain and I had loss of movement, Feb 23 I had a c6/7 spinal fusion.
Today my pain remains twice as bad as before surgery, only the same burning throbbing pain has also spread down into my thoracic back, right leg and foot causing gait issues and my first 3 toes to raise from the ground with temp and colour changes being present in both my arm and leg.
Neurosurgeon has said surgery was successful regardless of the ongoing pain as there is no longer compression on the spine at that level.

May 23, I was diagnosed with upper quadrant CRPS I have been tried on multiple medications and have done physio and hydrotherapy for 18mths and more recently graded imagery and mirror box therapy with no benefit.
I’m currently waiting for insurance to approve a standalone ketamine infusion.

This week I have started 2 day a week pain course that runs for 1 month, the main features of this course are exercise, mindfulness and acceptance.

My question is, I’m 41 I have been off work for over a year, I have a husband and 4 children at home, how am I supposed to accept this as the new me when the pain and physical limitations affect every aspect of my life?

I feel if I accept this pain as the new me I have given up, surely there has to be more to CRPS than just accepting it and learning to live with the pain?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

@joybid

Leigh, I'm a firm believer that the mind body is the best healer in our medicine chest. I've healed myself many times over the years and I'm an 81 year old mother and grandmother. There are many excellent books on the subject of healing. The one that I think is the most basic and comprehensive and helped me is "The Dynamic Laws of Healing" by Catherine Ponder. Check it out the reviews on Amazon.
Joyce

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Thank you for the book recommendation.

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@rwinney

@kfxston I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how difficult life has been for you through the mourning process of losing a spouse as well as loss of job and health challenges.

I believe most insurance companies now offer coverage for tele-health services including mental health therapies. My therapist and I have Zoom sessions, or we can speak over the phone. It beats depending on someone to drive me places. Have you given thought to tele-health therapies or reached out to your insurance company to check on coverage?

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I do therapy once a fortnight which work insurance covers, more recently it has been twice weekly while I’m participating in the pain management course.

I really find it easier not to talk about it, I have built a wall, I think I’m coping and being strong for my family finding ways to manage then as soon as someone asks how I am doing it upsets me to the point I just fall to pieces.

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@lynno7

What r CRPs?

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Chronic Regional Pain syndrome, it is a neurological condition that causes pain, inflammation and other symptoms out of proportion to the original injury

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