Advise of post op symptoms Anterior Cervical Decompression

Melindafm · Newbie Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Posts: 7

It has been 4 weeks since my 2 level acdf on 11/30/2006. I went to the doctor for checkup on 12/22/06. He said I could remove hard collar which I have been weaning myself off of. I have been using soft collar to do this and not sleeping in a collar at night. I mainly wear soft collar out in public around people. I have also been given a bone stimulator to wear 4 times per day. It is more comfortable to wear with soft collar on (pads neck). My neck is still very soar down left side (surgery side) and a little bit on right side. My neck is also stiff. The nerve pain comes and goes. The doctor prescribed Lyrica but I did not like the way it made me feel. I am doing very good I think. I don't take pain meds at all anymore. I take half of muscle relaxer most nights with a Tylenol PM to make me sleep. That is the main problem I have right now is sleeping a full nights sleep. I try to walk and stay active in the day but still am not able to sleep. Anyone have any ideas when sleep will last more than 2 or 3 hours without waking up?

sadie49 · Newbie Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Posts: 4

Can you not have it redone or something?

sadie49 · Newbie Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Posts: 4

"To many problems to list, and no way to correct them with today's technology. I still would have had the surgery as I couldn't live like I was, just needed to have a better surgeon who knew what to do, correctly. Good luck to anyone else having the surgery, chances are you'll be fine. However, maybe you'll end up just like me."

Is there no chance of having it redone? I had mine 2 years ago, same day and month. I've been so much better, but am starting to have sharp pains up my neck.

gbh2000 · Newbie Joined: 19 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

I had a "Prestige" disc replacement four days ago in Canada.

Prior to the surgery, I had a year of pain and numbness in one arm, which had relented somewhat in the weeks prior to the surgery. I controlled symptoms with Korean accupuncture and intense massage therapy.

Immediately after the surgery, I felt I had been hit by a bus and couldn't imagine ever feeling good again. Even with morphine, I found swallowing very painful, but not impossible. I would take in some liquid, prepare myself, then a quick swallow followed by intense pain. However, by the second day, I was eating turkey and broccoli in the hospital, and walked down to the snack bar on the second evening to buy a cookie. All in all, recovery has been much more rapid than I would have expected, particulary given my intense pain the first day. Yesterday was a good day, and my brace was off, I was eating lasagna, walking around chatting on the phone. Today is not so good. Lots of pain and some nausia. I am using only percocet to control my pain, and find I more or less depend on it every four hours still now. I am having problems with constapation as a result.

If I can help you make your decision or give you more information, write me directly: glennbrad@gmail.com

Good luck with whatever you chose.

Guest · Guest

I had a "Prestige" disc replacement four days ago in Canada.

Prior to the surgery, I had a year of pain and numbness in one arm, which had relented somewhat in the weeks prior to the surgery. I controlled symptoms with Korean accupuncture and intense massage therapy.

Immediately after the surgery, I felt I had been hit by a bus and couldn't imagine ever feeling good again. Even with morphine, I found swallowing very painful, but not impossible. I would take in some liquid, prepare myself, then a quick swallow followed by intense pain. However, by the second day, I was eating turkey and broccoli in the hospital, and walked down to the snack bar on the second evening to buy a cookie. All in all, recovery has been much more rapid than I would have expected, particulary given my intense pain the first day. Yesterday was a good day, and my brace was off, I was eating lasagna, walking around chatting on the phone. Today is not so good. Lots of pain and some nausia. I am using only percocet to control my pain, and find I more or less depend on it every four hours still now. I am having problems with constapation as a result.

If I can help you make your decision or give you more information, write me directly: ******
Good luck with whatever you chose. Brad

**edited by moderator**

Guest · Guest

Hi all....I had my surgery on Dec.5, 2006 and everything seems to be going well. My swallowing is improving daily and pain at my incision site(neck) is minimal. I had a bone graft from my left hip and that does cause some discomfort but it's not unbearable. My question is how long were most of you off work, my injury occured from lifting at my job and they called my three weeks post op to ask about my return date. I work at a school with a medically fragile child and some special needs children in kindergarten, which means lifting, pulling etc. Oh incidentally I had C5 C6 C7 repaired. I'm afraid my surgeon will say go back to work and this will result in an injury again....he's an awesome surgeron but I don't know how supportive he will be with my return to work plan. Another question I had was in regards to physiotherapy....has anyone found this beneficial? Thanks everyone

Guest · Guest

39 yo female, had fusion with titanium plate (c-4,5,6) 4-28-2003. Surgery went great! Now, for the past month, all of my fingertips are nu

BluEyezJen · Newbie Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 1

Hi. My neck problems all started in 5-2002 when I was hit by a semi-truck. Initially, my c-5/6 was herniated and the bones were in pieces. I had my first fusion 8-2003. The 1st year post op was wonderful. Then, the pain returned. I had to get my c-6/7 fused as well in 5-2005. This last time, I started to experience a horrible pain on the left side of my neck on the side and towards the back and the pain went down my arm. I woke up one day and had paralysis in my left arm. I went to my surgeon, had the test done, and sure enough, I am not post-op 2 weeks from my c-4/5 ACDF. My surgeon took out all the old metal in my neck. He fused my disc this time with a plate called a "Mestique plate." Its been 12 days since my surgery, and I am now experiencing the pains I had prior to the surgery again and I am scared as hell. I still have a hard time swallowing food... and I am always in pain. So, for those of you going through neck surgerys, your not alone, I feel your pain. [/b]

Guest · Guest

I am scheduled for surgery on Wednesday, 8/15 and I am scared to death. I am divorced and 43 years old, but with alot of help from my friends, I pray I will survive this. I would love to hear from someone post -op as well. My surgeon did not mention the swallowing issue at all ! Geez. Was this a nightmare or worth it? My goal is to get my life back and not take meds for pain in the future. Most of the blogs I have read state that you are all still on pain meds??? Was this worth it? Help .... I am freaked completely out!!!!

Jill M

EDDIE RAWLINS · Newbie Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 1

Swallowing is a problem after my fusion with titanium plate. Singing is a major problem. My voice is so weak. I was a singer before, and now I can only sing for a few minutes. Sometimes I lose my voice entirely. My throat feels irritated all the time. ALL THE TIME!! My vocal chords were damaged during surgery as was my left eye. That was in Dec of 03. I have been through five eye surgeries and am legally blind in left eye although I can see images and colors; I cannot read anything or watch tv with left eye alone. Perplexing when unable to judge distance because of poor depth perception. My neck and back still give trouble every day. I cannot lift groceries without pain. I came off all painkillers in 03 due to horror stories of addiction. I can walk and am happy to be able to do anything, so I am not complaining, just telling it like it is. I was very active before, riding horses, motorcycles, tennis, playing ball, and in extremely good shape. I fell a short distance from a ladder onto concrete, in 02 breaking my left arm and injuring my neck. I finally went to a neurosurgeon in 03 who found major problems in my neck. Have this operation only as a last resort. Expect problems, but hopefully not lasting ones. And by the way I chose a well known and respected surgeon in a major hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Sometimes things just don't work out as planned. I am medically disabled due to physical limitations. This is not the way I planned to end my career. Social Security disability is not enough to pay the bills, so thank God my wife and I saved all our lives.
I have adjusted well considering the situation, and so can you if outcome is not as you would initially like. I would complain, but what good would that do? No one likes a complainer, and besides,when I look around, sadly there is always someone in worse shape than me.

Advise of post op symptoms Anterior Cervical Decompression

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