Hello, I am considering having ACDF surgery. I would love to know how you are doing. Thank you, Rita
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Hello Rita. I am doing ok. I still have trouble sleeping on my back, my neck hurts after a few hours and I have to move all the time. The recliner is much better then the bed still. I don't have the nerve pain any more, I do get a different nerve pain once in a while on my shoulder blade area, but only last a few seconds, not sure if it due to overworking my shoulders. I just started lifting light weights, and riding my bicycle. I did try jogging a little, but I was scared because I didn't want to jar my head in any direction to quick. Sudden jerks or movements still hurt my neck. Each day is better, but some days it feels I go backwards. The numbness in my hands came back, but not sure if it is the carpal tunnel in my wrist and hands because I have been working pretty hard with my hands quite a bit.. (Turning wrenches, and caulking things).
My throat is still kinda funny. Sometimes if I don't chew my food the right way it feels like it gets stuck on my right side of my throat where the surgery took place. Headaches are almost not there, but when I do get them they are not as bad as they were before the surgery. I did have a headache for about 3 weeks after the surgery that wrapped around my head, but I think that was the side effects of the medication I was taking for the nerves. I stopped taking them and that style of headache went away. Now i think my headaches are from not wearing my CPAP sometimes, and dehydration. I do not know if your situation before surgery is the same as mine, At this time I am glad I had the surgery, because my surgeon said in few years I would have started losing my ability to move my limbs, (paralyzation). The massive migraines are gone for now and that is good. I have also read the scary comments of others and second guess if I should have had this surgery, and I pray that I will be ok. I hope that you can find the solution for yourself. It is a tough decision.
My throat is still kinda funny. Sometimes if I don't chew my food the right way it feels like it gets stuck on my right side of my throat where the surgery took place. Headaches are almost not there, but when I do get them they are not as bad as they were before the surgery. I did have a headache for about 3 weeks after the surgery that wrapped around my head, but I think that was the side effects of the medication I was taking for the nerves. I stopped taking them and that style of headache went away. Now i think my headaches are from not wearing my CPAP sometimes, and dehydration. I do not know if your situation before surgery is the same as mine, At this time I am glad I had the surgery, because my surgeon said in few years I would have started losing my ability to move my limbs, (paralyzation). The massive migraines are gone for now and that is good. I have also read the scary comments of others and second guess if I should have had this surgery, and I pray that I will be ok. I hope that you can find the solution for yourself. It is a tough decision.
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Thank the Lord for this post. I have been told I need the surgery on c6/7 in a few weeks and believed that I would come out with no voice or one too deep to understand, an inability to swallow without feeling I was swallowing a ball at the same time and horrendous pain.
Thank you everyone who has not referred to the above. I am 45 and mine happened through vomiting.
Is there any info on the impact on sexual activity. I won’t ask a specific question in case it offends but if anyone has any sources it would help.
Many thanks
Ken
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I had this done January 2017. I do agree with getting the recliner, mine came with a remote that slowly raised my feet up, and then laid me back gently. It allowed me to get up and down myself from the get go. Also, it was kind of firm, which proved to be exactly what I needed. Too soft would have bent my neck too much. Support is the word to remember, and make sure your head rests on the top cushion, not in a seam. It wasn't expensive, I purchased it at furniture liquidators. I was in so much pain, my daughter who is my size went and picked it out for me. She got the perfect size, it supported me so well, and laid down far enough to allow me sleep. To this day, it's the only chair I can sit in comfortably for any length of time. If you can't go pick it out yourself, send someone of your size to get it for you with these specs mentioned above.
A side table stocked with drinks and snacks is a must. I had trouble with straws honestly, so I got a squeeze bottle for water. Anything that will help you to not move your head too much in the beginning, especially in the hospital. Make sure it squeezes without spraying you no matter what position your in. Even those little blue water bottles from WM will allow you to drink without moving your head too much. Much better than a straw in my opinion. I had one in hospital and my nurse thought it was great.
Another piece of advice I can give, is to go on amazon and order a portable bidet. Its just a squeeze bottle with a crooked nozzle that will allow you to clean yourself in the bathroom. Sorry if its TMI, but trust me you want this. This small purchase allowed me to take care of myself without too much embarrassing help.
These 4 items made my life so much better. I hope this helps someone. Anything to help ease that ungodly pain.
A side table stocked with drinks and snacks is a must. I had trouble with straws honestly, so I got a squeeze bottle for water. Anything that will help you to not move your head too much in the beginning, especially in the hospital. Make sure it squeezes without spraying you no matter what position your in. Even those little blue water bottles from WM will allow you to drink without moving your head too much. Much better than a straw in my opinion. I had one in hospital and my nurse thought it was great.
Another piece of advice I can give, is to go on amazon and order a portable bidet. Its just a squeeze bottle with a crooked nozzle that will allow you to clean yourself in the bathroom. Sorry if its TMI, but trust me you want this. This small purchase allowed me to take care of myself without too much embarrassing help.
These 4 items made my life so much better. I hope this helps someone. Anything to help ease that ungodly pain.
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We are expecting my husband to have ACDF surgery sometime in the next month. He is 67 years old and has a number of medical problems, the biggest being Rheumatoid Arthritis. Due to the RA he had both knees replaced when he was 54, and within 3 years after that both hips replaced. His last surgery was in 2008 when he was more active than he is able to be now. So we are both quite anxious about this surgery, but trying to prepare. I have years of experience taking care of him now so "this isn't our first rodeo" so to speak, but it's the first with some of these risks like having trouble swallowing for the rest of his life. Larry also has Osteoporosis and I am wondering how that will impact the outcome and healing of the graft, which will from a cadaver, not his hip. I had been thinking of getting him a recliner for a while and now with this surgery think it's critical; any suggestions about brands that are good quality? Good suggestions here, so helpful to connect with others who've been down the road and survived.
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Hope your surgery goes well. I will be having ACDF surgery in March went to cosco and they have a leather recliner that looks nice.
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Hello all, I had c3-c7 ACDF July 2017, and must say it was the easiest operation and stuff thereafter. NO PAIN whatsoever, was able to drive after 6 weeks and sleeping with the hard brace the most comfortable. VERY important to get the best surgeons, as was proved in my case.
Good luck
Wylie
Good luck
Wylie
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That is great, glad to hear it. We talked to the surgeon on Friday and after seeing just how bad Larry's Osteoporosis is he has decided to do a Laminoplasty instead, going through the back. Will be in the hospital a few more days and the recovery will take a little longer BUT he will not have to wear a collar, and won't have the sore throat and other issues related to moving the Trachea as in a ACDF. Will have to look in the "laminoplasty" section on this site to see what others have experienced
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I wish I’d come across this site yesterday as I cancelled my surgery for today as I was and still am absolutely petrified in case I end up worse than what I am now and have permanent paralysis, everything I’ve read always seems to end up with worst case scenario and has literally scared me something stupid I could never find anything positive about the operation,
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Im facing ACDF for C-4 to T-1 and yes . Im terrified. I had a formainotomy (bone removal) in 2015 that went well and was hoping for that again but apparently destabilizing the joints is an issue ...I hate the idea of metal in my neck Id rather just have some bone removed but I guess its not an option. Thanks for posting this. Its good to hear of good outcomes from this invasive procedure. One thing I know is that I cannot go on like this....the pain is really bad.
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How did the laminoplasty work out? I am going for acdf on c3 and c4 and am terrified, I have Crohns disease.
Thanks
DM
Thanks
DM
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Hello. I am having the C4-7 ACDF Dec 10th. Thank you for the post. Not sure how long ago it ws, but it was hopeful!
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I just had C3-C5 ACDF 3.5 weeks ago. Prior to surgery I had bilateral numbness from shoulder to fingertips as well as myelomalacia. Apparently that’s the buzz word for survey :/ My left arm is considerably worse post op. My left palm is burning I can’t even touch the kitchen counter it’s that sensitive. My right arm isn’t numb except my thumb, index and middle finger. It feels like electric impulses are leaving my fingertips like a superhero shooting electricity. I am done with the hard brace and wear the soft collar sparingly. Unfortunately I cannot sleep in a recliner, I’m not a back sleeper and since my throat is still beat up I feel like I’m choking so I sleep upright on the couch. It’s the worst 3.5 weeks I’ve ever experienced. I use a heating pad all day long in between my shoulder blades for some comfort. I’ve been waking a mile a day to keep myself active. Any other help would be appreciated. Thx :)
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