7 weeks post-op posterior cervical spine surgery

Cathie - sorry I missed these earlier!! I hope the new meds provide some relief. Totally spaced on no web addresses being allowed. Go to FB and search for back/neck pain support and that closed group should pop up. Then request to join and I'm the admin so I can then approve it!!

I did get some news today finally - my surgery is scheduled for 7/12. I'll know the actually time probably at my preop on 7/10. My Dad has a dr's appt (they live in AZ) on the 10th, so they'll be able to drive up on the 11th and hopefully they'll be able to stay for at least a week to help! I'm a bit nervous but also relieved that there's a definite chance for some relief even though I know that in the short-term it involves more pain!

I really want to see your info so hopefully you can find the group on FB. Let me know if you can't and we'll figure something else out!!!

Thanks for the links! I have found some things online but it has been really hard to find on just these procedures with no fusion plus anything about what the recovery is like!

One other thing - if you hover over my 'pic' in the upper left of my post - it will pop up with an option to "send a message" to me. For some reason it doesn't pop up on yours so I can't send you a private message. Try that!! Then it's a private message and we can give more specific FB info!!

Hi SwedishFish, Glad you finally have a date. Also that your parents will be there, esp with the kids. Makes everything run much smoother. I tried to get on your link, and then found a page of back/neck pain support. What state am I looking for? Did you see my post about Dr. Soo from StJohn Providence? They didn't block it thankfully. I found that by going into Google, and requesting Mayfield Head holder and sugita head holder, they explained in detail what they do, complete with pictures. There's a whole page that you can click on. I saw there are several posts tonight, so will open them up when this post is sent. I hope you are ok with this waiting, honestly, the surgery was not the hard part, it was the post op pain from the holes in head. You are very informed now, so hopefully you can anticipate that. Wish I had known! Ok going to see what you wrote on the others.....Cathie

I'm not logged in so that's most likely the problem. I'm still a guest. Tried to log in, but must have messed that up when I first tried!!

Hi SwedishFish, I am now logged in from my FB name. They won't let me post until I've sent 5 messages!! I did see your photo though. Mine is a lighthouse. Have a question for you: does the post we put on here show up on Facebook?? Cathie 8:35pm

I'm replying to post op and recovery. Post-op pain from head, holes had been drilled on both sides, above ears, and two at temple, one on each side. Once you view the head holder sites, you'll understand what I've said here. They knocked me out after realizing I couldn't respond to the dr asking where the pain was, and it WAS a great deal of pain. I could hear them, but not see. The nurse said later that I was allowed to wake up too soon. Not everyone will have that problem. After waking up, I was allowed to get dressed, but my husband had to help with everything as I was very drousy. The wheelchair ride to car was equally fun!! I was too sedated to get out of it and almost fell. Luckily the attendant grabbed me. Home time: that evening there was no pain as the back of head was numb. I slept in my bed, with a soft pillow and didi sleep after I found a comfortable spot. The next morning, early, was totally uncontrolled absolutely horrible OMG PAIN!!!!! They changed my meds and was advised to go to ER if the pain didn't subside after a few hours. It did, somewhat, but it took about a week to get the pain and meds working right. Lots of adjustments. I was too dizzy to do anything for myself the first 2-3 days, including washing hair and body., which hubby had to do. I used a seat in tub and he used our hand held shower- head to rinse hair and body. Had to have help getting in and out of tub. I started doing small stuff around house as I felt able. Made some lunches, some light dinners. I WAS TIRED. It was major surgery and it wears you out. As to the neck, no lifting even a gallon of milk or you will feel the pain, they say nothing over 5 lbs. and it's true.. No bending down, no turning head suddenly, no twisting, no head up and down as if nodding yes, There is some pain for awhile, but depending on drugs, you should be ok. Oh, and absolutely NO stairs!!!!!!! Nothing that would put any pressure on neck, either. You'll have to keep something over the hospital bandage when showering, like a big bandage, or have someone tape plastic over the area. Check the area making sure it's dry. If it gets damp, just pat the original bandage dry. No rubbing. The hosp bandage will eventually fall off. Car rides are limited to 50 miles, I think it said, but you might not care to go that far. Groceries: I went to the store, but lifted nothing.... That's really important.....No housework, dishes, just sit back and relax,. Seriously!
It has been almost 3 months and if it hadn't been for the craters, potholes in roads, it would be no pain and I could get back on bike and travel.......As for collar, the surgeon said I could wear it or not. I have a soft collar and for about a month or so wore it whenever my neck felt fatigued. Sometimes, after allowed back on bike, I'd wear it just for stability. It does take time for the energy level to return..For me, and since my neck is unstable from the gazebo landing on it, I will have to undergo this surgery every 5-6 years as the bone spurs will grow back. Possibly a anterior fusion for some of the surgeries. Since I'll be 63 soon, that comes to 3 or 4 more surgeries in my lifetime. I hope this info will be of help, SwedishFish. Make sure to ask your surgeon ANY and All questions you might have, as it's YOUR body. You are now fully aware, so he'll know you want ALL info. Pls do get on Google and see the head holders as they are most informative. Again, it's not scary when you know EXACTLY what to expect. Take care, Cathie

hi i had my surgery on may 24th went back to work on the 29th yes lots of pain i developed a lump on the 5th day it started the size of a walnut went to the size of an orange moved my trackia forward had trouble breathing at work so i went to see my doc he put me on steroids and all is back to normal no more pain today its 27 days fron my sgy no more pain pills no more pain i feel 100%better than befor im so thankful to god that we have such good doctors dr.sasso indiana spine group is the best

i had that same pain it felt loke my arms wanted to explode and it got worse as the day went by now its completly gone so it will get better good luck

Hi Michael, realise its a year later, but did you have any relief from the pain at all. MY husband had very similar to you about 3 weeks ago and it seems like the spasms are ramping back up again.
Cheers
Jules

Hi Michael,
Sorry if I posted this twice. Can you tell me whether you had relief from the pain you were experiencing. My husband had similar to you with no fusion at C7, but the pain after now 3 weeks seems to be ramping up again with spasms every day.

Your thoughts would be appreciated on how you were after so many weeks, months.

Cheers
Jules

Going to have a foraminotomy soon. Were you able to do things for yourself at all the first few days post op? I'm so nervous about the pain afterwards. The surgery itself doesn't scare me so much. Yet, that is.

Hi, After the surgery, My Father is having almost the same problem since last 10 months after the surgery. I visited the doctors and they prescribe medicines. I would be highly obliged if you can discuss with me. I mail ID is _[removed]_

hi my mom had a cervical spine neck surgery in the month of august.. the operation is successful but she is not able to walk, she has lost her enrgy, doc told her it will take time to recover. hw long it takes ?

I just Had My second Cervical Procedure Done on 9/7/12, this one was Posterior. The first was anterior.

first one was a discectomy of c4-c-5 and fusation of c-4 ,c-5 & c-6. This was caused by a Surfing accident on 12-9-09 at Oceanside pier,ca. the surgery was on June 6,2010. Everything went great the pain was instantly gone when i awoke,except for the pain of the accual operation(incision site and a little Muscle soreness.

second one was a posterior, on C-4 & c-5 thyis one has been a little harder to deal with the Muscle pain is a little bit more acute. I'm Hoping to be back in the water on 1-1-13. THIS ONE WAS ALSO A SURFING accident at County line. the date of the surgery was 9-7-12.

My surgeon was Dr. Todd Gravori of Encino, Both times and he's Great although him and my wife want me to give up Surfing. All other symtoms are good.

I've surfed for over 50 yrs. mbeen married 42yrs boy if she leaves me over surfing i'm gonna miss her. HA,Ha,

Hope,everyone has as good a recovery as i Did.

john Hawthorne