Anterior Cervical Discectomy

bluetry35722 · Newbie Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

My mom recently (days ago) had this procedure done and for the first 3 days she was in horrific pain, she is still hurting but is doing much better. She said she felt like she'd swallowed a bag of razors and her neck and between her shoulder blades were super stiff and sore. The best advice I could give is the following: Have a supportive family with you because you will need it. We had to help my mom use the restroom , bathe, eat, put chapstick on her, feed her, etc. She souldnt eat or drink anything for 5 whole days. They had to keep her on an IV with fluids. She still hasnt had a bowel movement. Her mood (of course) is depressed and border line somber. Next, once your loved one receives their RX, get a copy of each RX because the hell we're having right now is some incompetent pharmacy tech lost my moms pain meds RX and now she;s in sheer pain due to this lackey. Be prepared that the doctors dont and wont refill your pain prescrioptions and go to a good hospital. The hospital my mom stayed at was lovely. The best thing if possible is for someone to stay the whole days while you're at the hospital. So far, my mom says she doesnt regret having this procedure but ahe also stated to me that she wont have it done on the other side of her neck. So, be prepared to be in tremendous pain for at least the first 2 to 3 days.

ksf · Supporter Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 281

I had C-5 & 6 done almost 3 years ago. For me it has been a losing battle...but I've also been diagnosed with RSD and Fibromyalgia.
I know that some people have a huge sucess with this surgery, unfortunately some aren't so lucky.
I feel like the only advice I can tell someone that is going to have this surgery is do as much research as you can. My Ortho surgeon did not relay all the side effects I could face with this surgery and that really upset me. He told me I may not get better but he never told me I may be worse off. If I would have known, maybe I would have delayed it. (Easy to say now!!!)
I hate to see anyone facing this surgery to go into it "doom and gloom" because that most definitely will not help you. Have a positive outlook. Do everything the doctor tells you to do...keep your chin up and tell yourself you will be one of the fortunate ones that have sucess with this surgery! Positive attitude!!!
Best of luck to you.

delilahatkins · Newbie Joined: 01 Sep 2008 Posts: 2

I am 10 weeks post op and I am VERY happy. Before my surgery, I couldn't move my left arm, shoulder, neck, or head. I cried every day and was heavily sedated on Lortabs and muscle relaxers. The moment I awoke from surgery, I could tell immediate improvement. My arm didn't hurt as it had for the last 8 weeks.

The pain that I felt for the first week after surgery was terrible; however, weighed against the pain that I felt before surgery, I consider it worth it. My doctor was very understanding and provided pain relief whenever I needed it. Be sure that your doctor is someone that you can trust and feel comfortable with.

I did not have to wear a hard collar. I did have to wear a bone growth stimulator. I only have 2 more weeks to go on that one - thank goodness. It's not bad, just aggravating.

Before surgery, I went through a couple of months of severe pain. I had to quit Tae Kwondo - temporarily. I am now 2 weeks from going back. I feel that I could probably go back now, but don't want to push it.

My experience was wonderful. If I had to go back and do again, I would. I would even do it sooner. My quality of life now is GREAT!

delilahatkins · Newbie Joined: 01 Sep 2008 Posts: 2

I am 10 weeks post op and I am VERY happy. Before my surgery, I couldn't move my left arm, shoulder, neck, or head. I cried every day and was heavily sedated on Lortabs and muscle relaxers. The moment I awoke from surgery, I could tell immediate improvement. My arm didn't hurt as it had for the last 8 weeks.

I was in the hospital for 3 days.

The pain that I felt for the first week after surgery was terrible; however, weighed against the pain that I felt before surgery, I consider it worth it. My doctor was very understanding and provided pain relief whenever I needed it. Be sure that your doctor is someone that you can trust and feel comfortable with.

I did not have to wear a hard collar. I did have to wear a bone growth stimulator. I only have 2 more weeks to go on that one - thank goodness. It's not bad, just aggravating.

Before surgery, I went through a couple of months of severe pain. I had to quit Tae Kwondo - temporarily. I am now 2 weeks from going back. I feel that I could probably go back now, but don't want to push it.

My experience was wonderful. If I had to go back and do again, I would. I would even do it sooner. My quality of life now is GREAT!

I would recommend it to anyone needing it. Good Luck!

Guest · Guest

I spent the last 2 years worrying about this operation. Managed work with painkillers muscle relaxents and antiinflamatories till January this year. Since then my neck has continually went into spasms with no warning. Have had to take loads a time of wotk stopped going out socializing ETC.

Decided enough was enough had the surgery on 13.08.08. Was out of hospital in 2 days. Have very little pain. Been able to sleep in my bed since the day i arrived home.
Can even manage the stairs.
All in all i feel loads better. Still wearing a hard collar when mobile and a soft one at night.

Stop wearing them this Friday.

Only moving into week 3 but feel really well.

Guest · Guest

i have been experiencing a lot of weird feeling since i had my c4 c5 fusion to be honest i am scared to death i get cold lashes tightening in my hands and almost like a pulse that runs threw my entire body. i am only 19 and i am 6 weeks post op i just want to know if anyone else as had these problems or if i am just crazy

Fridays mom · Newbie Joined: 13 Sep 2008 Posts: 1

I had surgery in 7/05 - discectomy and fusion of c4-c7. The surgery went well, had a long recovery period, but was able to return to my job as a labor and delivery nurse.

I now have herniated discs at c2/3 and c 3/4 with spinal cord compression. I have been through the epidural steroid injection series with temporary minimal relief, physical therapy, facet injections, trigger point injections and of course the pain meds, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, and oral steroids. I have pain deep in my neck, between my shoulder blades and also in my right superior shoulder that goes up to my jaw, ear and back of my skull. I also have constant tingling with occasional numbness in superior right shoulder up to my jaw and ear. When I lean or bend I feel like my head is going to pop off from pressure. I wish I could just carry my head in my arms sometimes because my neck feels so tired of this fight.

At this point I have gone for a second opinion and other than learning to live with this, my only option that has been given to me is another surgery - posterior cervical fusion of the 2 new herniations with the other three. My neurosurgeon is very qualified and I do like him and trust him. I was told however by the second opinion (neurosurgeon at a major tertiary care hospital) that if I have this surgery that another will follow as the stress will just keep moving on to the next disc. He said that the last surgery will be to fuse my skull to my spine.

The picture has been painted so bleak for my future if I have this surgery as far as mobility and quality of life. I have a future that includes being active - I am only 45 years old. My husband and I have lake property that we have planned to build our dream home on and all the tasks that go with it. I love my job and am not ready to lose it.

I obviously have a million questions/fears, but I am wondering if there is anyone who has had 5 discs fused and how much mobility they still have? How do they function and have they had any new problem since then?
I would appreciate any feedback.

BigBenFan07 · Posted: 09/29/08 - 13:50 Post subject: C6-C7 surgery recovery

I am 3 weeks out from a C6-7 discectomy and fusion with instrumentation. Though I don't have the pinched nerve pain I had before surgery I do suffer from muscle spasms and pain in the neck and shoulders and sometimes even through the muscles of the ribcage. The headaches are astounding. I am a little concerned as I do hear stories of the pain just being gone right away. My time in the hospital was a miserable two days. I would advise those looking at the surgery to not only look into the doctor, but hospital also. My recommendation would be to have a friend or family member present as much as possible. If not, a patient advocate and full knowledge of your doctors orders is recommended. I found out later that other items were available for pain that were not offered and as some make you nauseous, I would put down that you have nausea with anesthesia no matter what. It's weird, the first two weeks were easier than the third. Maybe I am pushing too hard. I am also experiencing dizziness and mild nausea and at only 106lbs. to start, I really don't need to lose weight, but my taste is affected, my teeth hurt and the sight of certain foods, like raw meat produces an immediate gag reflex. I am crying quite a bit worrying that all of this will not be worth it, but my sister had the disc above done 5 years ago and says she has no regrets. I am, admittedly, a worrier.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy

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