Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Milwaukee, WI
Cervical Fusion And Anti-inflammatories Posted: 12-27-07 22:44pm
I had a C5-6 discectomy and fusion almost
3 weeks ago. I was instructed not to take
anti-inflammatories for 6 months. I am in
so much pain from osteoarthritis I can
hardly move. I have it in my knees, hips,
hands, feet, ankles, shoulders, neck,
lower back. I think the only joints not
affected are my elbows. And I'm not that
old either - only 54. But I feel (and
walk) like I'm 80. I look older than my
husband and my son (15) jokingly called me
grandma
I have been looking up information on some
of the OA remedies I've tried in the past.
I thought maybe I could take glucosmine
and celadrin, however the description of
celadrin refers to anti-inflammotory
properties. I don't want to compromise
the fusion process but I don't think I can
last another 5 months with the arthritis
pain either. Does anybody know whether
the anti-inflammatory effects of celadrin
comes close to what would be in typical
NSAIDS (Naproxen, Ibuprophen, Celebrex,
Vioxx, etc.)?
So far I'm living on Tylenol during the
day so I can work - I went back on a
part-time basis yesterday - and Oxycodone
at night. I wish I could say it's helping
with the OA pain, but it's not. I'm also
taking plain glucosamine but haven't
noticed any change. Right now my neck is
the least of my problems with regard to
pain.
Mewsishun
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RichT
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 910
Thanks: 21
Thanked:0
Posted: 12-28-07 15:05pm
Hello Mewsishun,
I did some researching on the internet
regarding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs and spine fusions. Every web site
that I checked out said that non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs should not be used
for 4-6 months after a spinal fusion. To
use such medications after a fusion
surgery greatly puts the success of the
fusion at great risk.
Okay, I thought, what about the use of
steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
after fusion surgery? When I did a bit of
internet research I was surprised not to
find anything on the subject. The only
info that was coming up was the same
non-steroidal anrti-inflammatory
drugs/spine fusion info.
May I suggest that you speak to your
doctor about the terrible pain you are
having because of the osteroartritis and
not being able to take the non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory medications. Ask him if
perhaps there are other medications that
you could take which would take care of
your arthritic pain and yet not negatively
affect the fusion process in your back.
I wish you the best. Do stay in touch and
let us know what you find out from your
doctor if you would be so kind to do so.
RichT
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mewsishun
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posted: 12-28-07 18:05pm
Thanks for the reply, Rich. My first
post-op visit is next Thursday. I'm
definitely going to bring up OA pain and
how to manage it. I'll be sure to post
what I learn. I'm probably not the only
one with this problem and if I can help
anyone else it will give my pain some
purpose.
Mewsishun
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RichT
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 910
Thanks: 21
Thanked:0
Posted: 12-28-07 18:42pm
Hello Mewsishun,
I REALLY like your perspective. "if I can
help anyone else it will give my pain some
purpose." You are my kind of person. You
are able to see beyond yourself.
WONDERFUL!!!!!
I will look with anticipation to your
"update" after your post-op visit with
your doctor.
RichT
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mewsishun
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posted: 01-03-08 14:25pm
Hello Rich,
This is what I learned today. The studies
which link fusion failure to
anti-inflammatories have all been ANIMAL
studies. There really has been nothing
with human beings, but doctors have taken
the cautious approach and advise against
the use of anti-inflammatories for 4-6
months. Also COX-2 inhibitors (i.e.
Celebrex) apparently have little effect on
fusion.
That said, my doctor gave the go-ahead for
using glucosamine/Celadrin combinations
(i.e. ReVivex Plus). Also in 3 weeks I
can use Glucosatrin (it's a Market America
product that has natural COX-2 inhibitors
as well as other ant-inflammatory
properties). He said with anything
involving bone healing, the first 6-7
weeks are the most critical. While it
takes 4-6 months for fusion to complete,
the majority of the process occurs in the
frst 6-7 weeks.
I go back to the doctor the first week of
February. Between now and then I have
some neck exercises to do in order to
regain more motion. He doesn't think I'll
need PT. I get to "therapize" myself.
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RichT
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 910
Thanks: 21
Thanked:0
Posted: 01-04-08 20:43pm
Hello Mewsishun,
Thanks for sharing.
Yes, regarding the "animal studies", that
is the same as i have read. It IS a very
difficult "task" to translate findings
from animal studies into the effects the
same thing may have on humans. AND yet,
it is far better to err on the side of
caution than to use humans in experiments.
Oh yes, and humans do become involved in
"experiments". Not many options
sometimes.
It seems your doctor is progressing on a
very thoroughly thought out path for you.
I hope all will go well.
By the way, did your doctor ever say
anything about the use of steroidal
anti-inflamitories?
