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: 268

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.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy

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