Angie wrote:
I am having ACDF surgery on August 13, 2012. The posts are very helpful. I usually do very well with surgery and recovery afterward but I have never had this type of surgery but after 24 years of on and off pain I am ready for it. I am 47 and over the past several months the pain has been constant. I guess I don't rebound like I used to when I was younger. I did get a second opinion and was basically told by both doctors that there were therapies that would help but nothing would fix it permanently but the surgery. I guess I will have time on my hands after, so I will post on how things are going.
I am having a dual ACDF on my C4-5 & C5-6. It is a bit scary, but I think the risk far outweighs the pain and weakness. I can't wait to get this over with and get my life back!
I am awaiting insurance approval for 3 level fusion(c3-c6) I am in so much pain. Hate this! I have to wait until @ least the 29th of this month so my boss can go to the beach with her boyfriend! truthfully, Im really worried I will lose my job over this. getting so depressed and scared. Im 41 years old. healthy was extremely actice until this. I just want to get it over with so I can get back to NORMAl....
Im checking infor surgery tomorrow morning @ 5:30 am. Please pray for me... nervous
I am 3 weeks post my surgery and doing very well. While I was in the hospital I used the pain meds and for the next 4 days at home but they were upsetting my stomach so I quite taking them 4 days post surgery. I didn't have any pain even though I quit taking the meds and my stomach felt better. It was tough getting comfortable sleeping, but I managed to stay in my bed without any fancy pillows. I did feel like someone had their hand around my trachia for the first 2 weeks but it wasn't painful. I also quit wearing my neck brace as soon as I got home. It was uncomfortable and hot. I do wear it in the car though. Now for the bad side... I think it sent me into early menopause! I have had hot flashes since the surgery which has been worse than anything from the surgery! I see my doctor on the 11th and am going to ask him about it. It does seem to be subsiding some though it he past couple of days. That is what wakes me up at night! I still don't have my energy level back and still have some pain (burning) in by middle back but I am sure that will subside over time. Oh, and I have indigestion since the surgery. So we will see how things are going in a month or so.
im 8 days out. no more pain down my arm but numbnes and tingling in both hands now. Still better than they pain.... First few days were brutal Im not going to sugar coat it. They way sore throat ummmm not exactly its like there is a disconnect between your mouth and throat and EVERTHING gets stuck in that area and you CHOKE and choke and choke. still do on bread etc Im like a cow I have to chew attempt to swallow choke it back up and try again.I have a lot of pain in back of neck and shoulders and constant headache. Collar 23/7 off for shower etc then on. ITs going to get better already is somewhat. But just likechildbirth, you can read amillion things about others experiences but never really understand until you have done it yourslef.
i amgoi ng to have the same surgery , I want to know when I can return to work, I have a physical job, I lift a lot .
I just wanted to post my experience with a 3 level fusion (c5-7) with hip bone marrow used to replace discs. I literally woke up from surgery feeling tremendously better already. I had severe left arm and shoulder pain prior and that was totally gone. The first couple of days were tough because swallowing hurt a whole lot and my hip was in a good amount of pain, however I knew that was expected and would get better with time. Each day I felt ten times better than the prior day and I actually went back to work just 7 days after surgery and felt fine. My job is basically a desk job and requires no lifting, so this would be different for everyone. Right now it's 10 days after surgery and I'm going on long walks with my kids and can't wait to start physical therapy so I can really get back to living normal. Im posting this not to rub it in, but to show people who haven't had the surgery yet that everyone recovers differently and that you don't have to write off 6 weeks of your life, or for some people they take 12 weeks off. That was a big factor for me before the surgery and almost kept me from getting it done. Just posting my experience with this surgery.
Holy cow went back to read my first couple posts. I have sooo many typos. Lol! I was pretty out of it. So Ive had a couple set backs, still some swollowing problems, still some pain in back of neck and shoulders but getting better now daily. Still havent started back @ work still numbness and tingling in both hand and arms up to elbows but its been a month so I expect to keep getting better.