MESSAGE to those preparing for ACDF surgery

Im having acdf surgery on monday!....I have been doing so much reasearch and before I came to this site I was miserable that it might be not good....so many bad stories. And here I see sucess stories....im still nervous to say the least.!...c6-7 as far as I know and neurosurgeon said she thought this was best option looking at mri two years ago (not with her then) and one few days ago....she said it was considerably worse than before and . She would answer any other questions b4 surgery monday.... im by myself and thats the scariest part as far as recovery and I have animals that I care for. Im looking to friends to help while im in hospital with animals. My fiance travel for his job and he wont be here till yhe following Sat.. but looking at recovery it looks a bit more than what I thought....was lookin at previous post bout the reclyner and pillow and bendy straw!...thanks soooo much....I cant say enough that these posts helped. And anything further I would appreciate? Im afraid bout bone graph not fusing? Plate? Will I feel it and does the hard swallowing thing go away after a bit?...that might give me panic attack....im sooo wired just worrying bout this! did anyone ever consider the other type CADR SURGERY? THANKS FOR LISTENING AND ANY THING YOU HAVE TO HELP PLEASE LET ME KNOW

Just wanted to say thanks for your post. I have my surgery coming up in two weeks and I'm so scared. You made me feel better and thanks for the advice!!!! God Bless

I'm fortunate in that my doctor has told me that I may indeed still be in pain and require more surgery in the future. I deal with small and expensive electronics as a major job function, so the dropsies caused by my particular issue are unacceptable. I'm scared of the surgery, but I know this will make it so I can be functional again.

I also have just had ACDF spinal surgery. I am going into my fifth week. I echo the advise in a previous post. You must have a recliner or a couch that reclines between the hard collar and the trouble swallowing ( not everyone has this but I did) you will do much better in a reclining position trying to sleep plus trying to get on and off bed without twisting, etc. I had a very sore throat and trouble swallowing for about three weeks( not everyone does) but soft foods and things like milkshakes and protein drinks are very helpful! Yes, must have bendy straws because of limited movement of head if in a hard collar. I had to get pill crusher for hard pills, vitamins, etc. because they are very hard to swallow. My pain and numbness that I had before surgery were gone when I woke up from surgery! I pray when I go back for six weeks follow up that I have started my fusion and can get rid of HARD COLLAR even if I have to wear soft one for awhile! I read so much negative comments I too was very apprehensive about surgery but did not have much choice since I had a five level surgery! Hope this is helpful!

I'm a very active 39yrs old male. One day after surfing I had terrible pain going down my right arm, through my elbow and down into my hand. I went 8 weeks without sleeping and I lost 50% of my tricep strength and medial aspect of my pectoralis within one week of symptoms arriving. I was a mess. I got an MRI and reluctantly went to a neurosurgeon and was diagnosed with cervical disc herniations at three different levels. The 1st neurosurgeon "offered" me a two level ACDF. I asked him "how many patients recovery from something like this without surgery?" He said "he was unaware of anyone recovering from symptoms like mine." I said I wanted to hold off on surgery and just see how things go. A few weeks later, my pain was almost gone by the 8th week, I spoke to a different neurosurgeon. He told me "an ACDF wouldn't do me any good if I wasn't in pain and it wouldn't assist in my regaining strength in my right arm any sooner, if it ever came back." He recommended I just take it easy for 3 months once the pain is completely gone out of my arm. He said I was like a diabetic...herniated cervical discs can be managed with lifestyle modifications. He told me that once I had one cervical surgery, I would probably need several neck surgeries throughout my life. I've been pain free for more than a month now. I used to easily do 100 push-ups. 3 weeks ago I could do 10 push-ups. Now, I can do 30 push-ups. I've complete changed up my workout routine. I exercise my core more than anything else, I pay very close attention to my posture and I always include neck strengthening in my routine. I understand why people have neck surgery. I was miserable for 8 weeks. I'm still much weaker on my right side than I was before I injured my neck. However, I'm pain free and I'm slowly gaining strength. In 3 weeks I'll be back in the water surfing. I read several posts on different discussion boards and it made a difference to me. Hopefully someone can relate to my scenario and it helps them decide whether or not to have surgery...Good luck.

I just had this surgery a week and three days ago....and everything that was written in this article is spot on! I read and viewed you tube videos from people who have had this surgery and it scared me so badly I put it off for a year and almost convenience myself to cancel at the last minute. Right after my surgery when in recovery I only complained of my shoulders and back and that is normal because of the position they have to put your body in for the surgery. Over a week later the muscle spams, in those areas, are my worst complaint. I feel like such a fool for listening to those people on you tube.....I was scared for nothing and Im glad I had it done. I do still have to watch what I eat but it's not that bad....mash potatoes, soup, eggs and Italian ice has been the best for me. I hope this response helps people needing this surgery!

Thank you for this post. My acdf surgery is in two days. I have been very anxious about it but you have put me at ease.

I a so glad I came upon your post
I am having ACDF surgery on Monday Feb 15
Thanks for your advice

I agree with you. Before the surgery I read nothing but horrible, negative experiences. I had a two level acdf in December 2015. For three and a half weeks I was in quite a bit of pain, mainly muscular I later realized. At four weeks, fantastic, I actually had to stop myself doing things because I felt so well. No collar, no plates or screws. I too think the people that have the good results just don't post them, they are just getting on with their lives, the same as me. I do hope this helps someone.

How are you doing now? I have long standing neck issues with moderate to severe facet issues, stenosis in the foramen, reverse lordosis and spurs and disc creating a mass effect touching but not displacing the spinal chord. I am scheduled for a C-5 C6. C6 C7 ACDF this Wednesday. I have pain n my shoulders extending into my upper right arm. I also have reduced strength in my dominant upper right extremities. I am still able to function reasonably well. I get intermittent loss of coordination on my right hand. I recently started to notice somewhat reduced sensation in my upper right arm. I have some brisk reflexes and mild balance problems. The thought of an ACDF terrifies me

Thank you so much for your post! I will be having my acdf c5-c6 next week. Good to hear a positive story. Never thought of the bendy straws -great advice. Than you so much :-)

I convinced myself that this was just a minor surgery. Seems like I was fooling myself to avoid being terrified. The morning of the surgery on the way to the hospital is when it really hit me that this was going to be more than I had bargained on. I am now 3 days post surgery and do have some pain, but getting rid of the numbness and tingling in my arms and hands convinced me that this was the correct procedure. The pain meds do help, now if I can just come up with a good way to sleep. The recliner helps but the angle of my neck is a bit bothersome. But to anyone else contemplating this procedure I say get a good surgeon and go for it!

Thank you! I just had my ACDF done 4 days ago and feel really good! Also like you, I'm scared to death reading all these posts... Just want to get on with my life and will work hard on my back- and neck strengthening to prevent any further ijnury. Your post was just what I needed!

I'm looking for a good referral if your willing to offer any suggestions.

We are also strucked same probleC3-C6 for my father @75years age . Any recommendations please?