I had the c2c7 spinal surgery on 7/15/14 was terrible pain afterwards. kept me for 4days and released me with no antibiotics.so in 2wks after my surgery I ended up with staff that turned to mrsa/orsa so I had to go back and have the infection removed which has set me back more that is one painful infection an im on vancramycin for 8wks in my iv at home .I get around good but still have lots of pain in my left shoulder and a knot on my left side of it that continuously hurts... im on all kinds of meds and yes they ease the pain some but as I said never stops...my left arm an leg are both smaller than the right side.i don't have much use in my left arm and it stays numb...but im also ate up with arthritis and corporal tunnel..was planning on have the corporal tunnel surgery on both my hands so after this painful surgery and the infection which now makes me a mrsa carrier I am debating on these surgerys and just live with the tingling as long as I can stand it .... don't want that bad infecton ever again ..it 5wks today that I had this surgery hope it works like it is supposed to I am usually pretty good handling my pain but not this neck OMG it was terrible ...
Hello Folks, I am looking to talk to those with a fusion of c1 or 2-7. I was a fool t allow a fusion of c4-c6 in 95. And only allowed them to add C7 into the mix a couple years ago hoping it would stabilize C2 and C3 because the idiots would not listen to me about C2 and C3. It didn't help. Fact C2 and C3 and possibly C1 are even more unstable to the point of fearing any more falls. Please contact me.
Signed: irritated agitated frustrated and annoyed
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I had an anterior fusion of C3-C7 in 2003 at the age of 42. Follow the directions the doctor gives you religiously. My physical therapists were not dumb and an important part of my recovery process. Don't Rush the process it takes as long as it takes and this is a huge surgery that most don't understand (the least understanding in my case were those with a 1 or 2 level fusion). The pain is chronic, in my case anyway, but this surgery gave me back the quality of my life. The pain is very manageable now. I used hiking sticks for my all my walks post surgery and still use them when hiking or walking on uneven ground. A great recommendation from my excellent PT. Your center of balance will forever be different post-surgery, so you have to learn how to accommodate for that. Once I figured that out, it has made things easier. You won't ever again be able to look down the same way when you walk. You'll have the downward visibility of someone who is 7 or 8 months pregnant. Going upstairs is okay, but going down is particularly challenging, especially if they are stairs you aren't familiar with. Use handrails always and I go down a bit sideways. I can see down better that way, you'll make your own accomodations; you just need to be aware and manage accordingly. Walking is critical to recovery and I started going on walks outdoors a couple days after surgery. At first, I made sure to have someone with me to make sure I had someone to steady me and help me up curbs. I didn't know about using hiking poles back then (I like the ones with shock absorbers because of my fusions). I usually use a soft brace even now when I go on an airplane or a long car drive (just don't over use them once you are healed). I also my sure I have good lumbar suppot. Again post-healing, I really have success with Thermacare) and a have a great variety of reusable gel packs I keep in the freezer. Elasto-Gel is my favorite. It stays soft and it's lasted for 5 years+ and is going strong. It can be microwaved, but I haven't tried that. I like to make sure I always have one in the freezer. I discovered a great reuseable microwaveable heating pack for my neck a couple weeks a go. It provides moist heat--ThermalOn. I can't take NSAIDs or Austin, but I have success using Arnica pellets and creams (check with your doctor-I'm just saying they work for me). I get them at a few places, Super Supplements is very helpful. Invest in a good pillow--always. Learn how to properly pick things up. I also use Accupuncture and essentials oils to help manage pain. I do use prescription pain killers as needed, but very cautiously. I use things to keep my brain distracted like Sudoku, crossword puzzles, reading to overload my brain with things, so pain doesn't have as much room to hangout in there. Your attitude is important and there are people with bigger problems than this. I'm always grateful to have been born at a time when they can do things like this. I also had micro-disectomy on L5-S1 in 2008. What is my reward for all this? As I mentioned, quality of life. I work full-time. I was an active engaged single mom to my son when he lived at home, even doing lots of Scouting activities. I've travel heavily for work and fun, taken my son on my own tent camping numerous times, went hiking into the Grand Canyon (well part way down and back up). and regularly into the Cascade Mountains (longest one 7 miles RT, 2910 Ft elevation), drove a motorcycle for the 1st time (a 950 Honda Shadow, I'm a 5'3" woman), paragliding off a mountain, zip lining in Maui, bicycling (up to a 23 mile trip), gardening, Disney World rides (although it's an excellent excuse when you don't want to go on one), etc. This is not to boast. This is just let you know that there are those of us who do have active lives in spite of this. I'm not an athlete by any means by the way. I just like to do things, so I do. I do know that I need to pace things and after painting a room all day, I'm probably going to hurt some the next day or even need a day in bed. Fine with me, it's well worth it. Faithand a good attitude are vital. I'll be praying for you. We are in a special club. :-)
How are you feeling now? I need to have C3-C4 fused in two weeks. I have had C4-C7 done already. I feel this surgery will help with the pain. Since its been a while for you how are you?
i was a 23 year letter carrier veteran till i had C-2 thruC-7 anterior /posterior fusion in 2005.I am on disability ever since and i have custody of my 3 childrenI have to lay down at least 70% of each day because the pain is so excrutiating when i hold my head up.I was going to have a pain pump installed but because i have 4 titanium plates 7 inches long which start below my shoulders it was to risky so they won't do it.I'm lucky i have my 3 kids that help me out a lot my quality of life is so bad i wander all the time if i can keep going on.Now knowing somebody else is going through the same situation it helps me
I had a c2-c7 fusion November 2014, and still have pain each and every day as of May 2015 and no sign of improvement. Physical therapy has helped me regain strength in my left arm, still at 50% of right arm. I have a pain doctor that gives me the drugs I ask for, but little else. I couldn't work at this point if I wanted to. At 66, before this I was healthy, could walk, could lift things, could use my fingers of both hands. Now forget that. Be prepared all for a long, long recovery.
I was in a car accident 20 years ago, right at that time I felt pain in my neck. Since being young, 29 years old, I just ignored it, Then when I started hitting my 40's, the pain was getting too much. I have had epideral injections, then had transforaminal injections, which pinpoint the disc area, that was such a relief. The only problem they only lasted 3-4 weeks at a time. I have had 5 different cervical fusions over a 9 year period. I am fused from C3-T1. I feel great. I had one surgeon do C5-C6, then the next year C6-C7. Two years later I had C7-T1. Then apprx 4 years later after injections and physical therapy, I eventually could not handle the pain, I had C-4-C5 in Oct 2014. Which improved, but I was still in alot of pain, the Doctor was telling me the pain is not the other disc. I knew it was. I finally went to a different Doctor, Dr Templin in New Lenox, IL, he fused me C3-C4. Believe me, I have gone to about 20 or more Orthopedic and Nuero Surgeons and Pain Doctors. Alot of different opinions of what to do, from the disc is not the issue to a few other options for surgery. I was concerned about having an additional fusion and that not resolving the issue and losing more motion in my neck. I did the surgery in March 2015, all surgeries were through the front. Although I needed physical therapy to loosen up the muscles, I am now pain free. I am so happy I can now go back to work and live a normal life. What I would say is, you know your body, and if you had disc pain many times b4, you pretty much know then it probably the disc. Also, my body deteriorated due to being in so much pain b4 and not being able to work out. Now after two months after surgery, I can now begin working out again.