Hello everyone.
I am new to posting on this site but I have been on here many times reading everyone’s thoughts and feelings at the topic on hand.
First I want to thank everyone who has posted in the past. This site has helped me cope with what I am dealing with.
So my story. I am a 31 year old woman who is very active and independent. This creats a problem with me as I am dealing with these "issues". You see I have lots going on with my neck. I have degenerative disc disease that has added to the pain of my two prior cervical fractures (One when I was a child and the other a few years back). The most recent fracture was in January of 2006. Ever since my accident (I fell...at home. Go figure) I now have the constant reminder that I have a neck! I feel that a neck should just be there pointing you in the direction in life you want to go. But that isn't the case for me so now I am faced with going under the knife soon. I am scheduled to have the surgery (ACDF of my c5/6) on March 30th. I am scheduled but am also on call with the hospital in case someone cancels or can't make it to town. (The joys of traveling in Alaska this time of year) Anyways, I have been on here reading peoples stories on how they (you all) have been dealing with your neck issues. Everyone is different which has helped since that covers a lot of issues.
My issues are annoying to say the least. My neck is messed up from c2-c7 but the major problems are with 5/6. I have pretty much everything wrong with it. Protrusion, stenosia, bulging, and degenerating discs. With turn makes me in constant pain. Besides the pain I have numbness, joint aching and clicking, loss of strength, a cold "tooth ache" feeling in my forearm and that damn tingling feeling with my three fingers on my right hand. When I am inflamed I seem to get blurred vision and I have a hard time speaking. This is due to one of my discs pushing into my spinal cord. I also have the joys of my neck "locking" up on me. That always seems to put me in the ER for hours and then weeks of major aching. I can't look to the right all the way and it is VERY painful to put my chin to my chest as well as look up. I don't sleep very well at all too. I get that thick "warm" stiff feeling and the wonderful little sharp pains that shoot up my arm to my neck. I can't seem to sleep comfortably anymore and when I do go to sleep I have to lay on my back with my head looking left. This is not my sleeping position so I wake up at the minimum of 3x a night with both arms (but mostly my right) "asleep". It is like a dead leg but WAY more annoying and painful. I think that is about it for pain.
So that is my physical issues but the ones I can't seem to deal with is the emotionally issues. I am not a touchy feely kind of girl and not emotional at all...until the past three months. I am very sensitive and this is foreign to me! I feel like a sissy la la and get more upset with myself for feeling that way which in turns makes me feel worse. **SHEESH**
Anyways, I put off getting the surgery until I moved from my home town on an island to outside of Anchorage. I needed to be closer to my neurosurgeon and where I can receive PT after the surgery. These things are not available on the island, obviously. So I am living here and I feel stuck. I can't get a job until I recover (I feel that isn't fair to my employer to have me start work and then be like, "Oh, I won't be in for sometime since I am getting an ACDF"). The terrible thing is being on call. Wondering if they are going to call that day. It is also difficult to stay out of my head. I am a thinker and as I am trying to go to sleep I keep visioning a scalpel cutting my neck! Nice I know. **SIGHS** This site has helped me realize I am not alone which I feel most of the time. Living in a strange city, with no job. Trying to stay busy and not get depressed or have the anxiety take over me. The truth is I am scared. I want it over with but also I don't wanna get cut. I am hoping for the best and doing what I can to research the procedure and post op stuff. I am looking for advice. Simple things weigh no me. Things like post surgery do and don'ts. Am I going to be as independent as I am now and be able to do normal things like the dishes and bathe? How I am going to take care of my lab without being able to walk him? What foods should get before I go in? Even stupid things like how should I do my hair (I have long curly hair) for the surgery? Am I going to need someone around to help me and make sure I am okay for the first few days after surgery? What meds are the best to take (I hate taking pills, especially ones that make me feel not like me)? How long is going to take to recover so I can apply for jobs? What should I tell my boyfriend to expect? This is just a few things that I think about randomly through out the day. I just want to be ready for anything. I want to do my part in my healing because I don't want to have limitations down the road. I want to heal so I can run more marathons. Play basketball again and go fishing and hunting without hurting. I am young and just want to be able to do the things I love with the ones I love.
So, what I would like is for anyone who has any thoughts or can recommend anything I should or shouldn't do to please tell me!! I need to settle my mind and be prepared. Thank you in advance and I look forward to your replies.
Cheers,
Vena
I am new to posting on this site but I have been on here many times reading everyone’s thoughts and feelings at the topic on hand.
First I want to thank everyone who has posted in the past. This site has helped me cope with what I am dealing with.
So my story. I am a 31 year old woman who is very active and independent. This creats a problem with me as I am dealing with these "issues". You see I have lots going on with my neck. I have degenerative disc disease that has added to the pain of my two prior cervical fractures (One when I was a child and the other a few years back). The most recent fracture was in January of 2006. Ever since my accident (I fell...at home. Go figure) I now have the constant reminder that I have a neck! I feel that a neck should just be there pointing you in the direction in life you want to go. But that isn't the case for me so now I am faced with going under the knife soon. I am scheduled to have the surgery (ACDF of my c5/6) on March 30th. I am scheduled but am also on call with the hospital in case someone cancels or can't make it to town. (The joys of traveling in Alaska this time of year) Anyways, I have been on here reading peoples stories on how they (you all) have been dealing with your neck issues. Everyone is different which has helped since that covers a lot of issues.
My issues are annoying to say the least. My neck is messed up from c2-c7 but the major problems are with 5/6. I have pretty much everything wrong with it. Protrusion, stenosia, bulging, and degenerating discs. With turn makes me in constant pain. Besides the pain I have numbness, joint aching and clicking, loss of strength, a cold "tooth ache" feeling in my forearm and that damn tingling feeling with my three fingers on my right hand. When I am inflamed I seem to get blurred vision and I have a hard time speaking. This is due to one of my discs pushing into my spinal cord. I also have the joys of my neck "locking" up on me. That always seems to put me in the ER for hours and then weeks of major aching. I can't look to the right all the way and it is VERY painful to put my chin to my chest as well as look up. I don't sleep very well at all too. I get that thick "warm" stiff feeling and the wonderful little sharp pains that shoot up my arm to my neck. I can't seem to sleep comfortably anymore and when I do go to sleep I have to lay on my back with my head looking left. This is not my sleeping position so I wake up at the minimum of 3x a night with both arms (but mostly my right) "asleep". It is like a dead leg but WAY more annoying and painful. I think that is about it for pain.
So that is my physical issues but the ones I can't seem to deal with is the emotionally issues. I am not a touchy feely kind of girl and not emotional at all...until the past three months. I am very sensitive and this is foreign to me! I feel like a sissy la la and get more upset with myself for feeling that way which in turns makes me feel worse. **SHEESH**
Anyways, I put off getting the surgery until I moved from my home town on an island to outside of Anchorage. I needed to be closer to my neurosurgeon and where I can receive PT after the surgery. These things are not available on the island, obviously. So I am living here and I feel stuck. I can't get a job until I recover (I feel that isn't fair to my employer to have me start work and then be like, "Oh, I won't be in for sometime since I am getting an ACDF"). The terrible thing is being on call. Wondering if they are going to call that day. It is also difficult to stay out of my head. I am a thinker and as I am trying to go to sleep I keep visioning a scalpel cutting my neck! Nice I know. **SIGHS** This site has helped me realize I am not alone which I feel most of the time. Living in a strange city, with no job. Trying to stay busy and not get depressed or have the anxiety take over me. The truth is I am scared. I want it over with but also I don't wanna get cut. I am hoping for the best and doing what I can to research the procedure and post op stuff. I am looking for advice. Simple things weigh no me. Things like post surgery do and don'ts. Am I going to be as independent as I am now and be able to do normal things like the dishes and bathe? How I am going to take care of my lab without being able to walk him? What foods should get before I go in? Even stupid things like how should I do my hair (I have long curly hair) for the surgery? Am I going to need someone around to help me and make sure I am okay for the first few days after surgery? What meds are the best to take (I hate taking pills, especially ones that make me feel not like me)? How long is going to take to recover so I can apply for jobs? What should I tell my boyfriend to expect? This is just a few things that I think about randomly through out the day. I just want to be ready for anything. I want to do my part in my healing because I don't want to have limitations down the road. I want to heal so I can run more marathons. Play basketball again and go fishing and hunting without hurting. I am young and just want to be able to do the things I love with the ones I love.
So, what I would like is for anyone who has any thoughts or can recommend anything I should or shouldn't do to please tell me!! I need to settle my mind and be prepared. Thank you in advance and I look forward to your replies.
Cheers,
Vena
Have you tried therapeutic massage? This can help relieve muscle spasm in your neck allowing you to sleep better. A warm bath before bedtime can also be helpful. A neck brace may help prevent further injury. Heat packs can be placed strategically where they are needed.