A BAD PAIN DAY

 

Today's pain is the same area and intensity as my December 5th post. Right side lumbar nerve spot. 

Do you get aggravated quicker by little things when in this state? I suppose you do. How could you not?

I won't say more because I'd regret it. 

I've tried gabapentin a few times over the years and am thinking about it again. Last time I brought it up with my doctor I was told it would be a problem with serotonin drugs. Not true but one better not argue with the doctor who controls the primary pain Rx.

Something will move a tiny bit and I'll get some relief. You know the deal.

The nerve from my thyroidectomy in the back of my neck has gone intermittent, thank goodness. I wrap my neck always with a folded up t-shirt for neck firmness or wear the hard neck brace but I think whatever hit that nerve during dissection of lymph nodes is healing, getting less inflamed. Something positive in the whole circus of my physical body, anyway.

A NEW STRIP OF NERVE PAIN IN MY NECK FOLLOWING A MAJOR SURGERY

 

It's been a while since I posted about chronic pain. My lumbar nerve pain continues unabated, temporary relief only from a prescription med, TENS unit, ice packs, braces/supports, NSAIDS, massager device.

Since my last post, I got diagnosed with thyroid medullary cancer, a bad type, and had surgery for a total thyroidectomy with dissection of a large neck area to remove lots of lymph nodes from ear to ear, and extending from the top of my sternum to under my chin.

The gravity was a surprise, and a six-hour surgery is an ass-kicker, I can state. 

Something good happened in surgery. The aggravating pain from a neck side muscle since my last neck fusion is GONE. The guy dissected lots of tissue and I think he released or cut whatever little muscle fibers were causing me daily muscle pain in my left neck side with extension to headache. GONE.

Thank you.

However, a nerve behind my right ear extending down about 4 inches vertically has been on fire since the surgery. Some nerve got injured, a nerve that attaches to my hairline and is tender as a baby's butt--in a bad way. This nerve strip hurts like the devil! Dammit.

Today--I'm adding to this post Jan 2, 2026--I went to the radiation oncologist to get my face/neck mask made to use for radiation treatments that begin in a week. I am troubled by the misery to come--pain, rashes, dysphagia, tissue damage in the area to be irradiated. No choice. 

Getting fed up!