Neck fusion recovery

What is facet injections? is it steroids?

I need neck fusion but Drs wont do it, but I have had low bak fusion and nothing worked for me but radio oblation ive had it on the neck too but not as effective as lowback especially for stopping leg and feet pain. cNeed neck surgery but saared and DRs dont want to do it even though I am dangeroulsy close to paralizis. Using Biofreeze and methacbonal

I am having neck sugery on Oct 8, 2012  I am having 3 dics replaced with bone and nerve damage fixed that effects both arms and hands.  I am scared to death,  How do you prepare yourself mentally for a surgery like this?

I made sure that I had everything I could done ahead of time. I had laundry caught up and dinners frozen or simple preparation stuff here for my husband and child for the period I was recovering. I had it extra easy, because my mother stayed with me for three days after the hospital release, and then a few days later we left to go for a week vacation in Pigeon Forge, so I wasn't expected to do anything but relax. I was very surprised at how much easier it was than I had expected. The worst part was actually coming off of the anesthesia. Be sure you move slowly and carefully, and good luck!

Thanks lunchdiva,

I've been doing research on-line for what to expect after surgery, is this a good thing or a bad thing, my husband seems to think it isn't good. But he is not the one having the surgery I am.  I want to be prepared for the worst, which I hope is not going to be the case.  I am so nervous I find myself crying a lot when I am alone.  I am afaird of the worst, I have two children 21 and 17 and I'm not  ready to leave them anytime soon.  Did you find yourself second guessing your decision to have the surgery? I have been living with neck, arm and hand pain since 2000 and have done everything from p/t, injections, have had my nerves burned and pain management and nothing has worked.  Basiscally my surgeon told me the question I have to ask myself is how much pain I can live with. Without pain meds it's hard to get through a day, so it basically took me a year to make my decision.  Was the pain in your shoulders, arms and hands extremely painful after surgery? I expect for there to be a lot of pain in my neck, but I don't know how much to expect or how it will affect everywhere else. My dr told me that I won't be able to drive until I can move my neck from side to side.  I was thinking at least a couple of weeks, but after seeing your post I guess I should prepare myself for at least the minimum of a month.  Were you able to at least get around the house or be left alone at home after the first week? I have so many questions? Talking to someone who has gone through this would help me so much. I really hope that my quality of life does change for the better.

I got around better than I expected immediately. The pain I had was the incision site itself and my throat for a few days, but the severe shoulder arm and hand pains have not been present since the surgery AT ALL. I was scared to death up until they put the anesthesia in my IV, and the last thing I remember is the room spinning, looking at my husband and saying Wow, this &*^%* is fast! 2 hours later I was out of surgery and ordering lunch. My insurance only approved 23 hrs. in the hospital, so I too was worried about after going home. But honestly the only pain I had was in my neck, and I was more worried about overdoing it because the pain meds made that next to nothing. I spent the night in the hospital, then my mom stayed with me from Sunday til Wed. evening, and after that I had a friend checking in daily for the following two days until my husband came home. Don't panic, this has become a very routine surgery. I went to Carolina Spine, and I was able to ask several questions of the staff before the day of surgery. I would do it again, so far. I'm still not approved to go back to work due to lifting requirements, but if I worked in an office job I would've been able to return two weeks ago. Couldn't drive for a month. Just move slowly and be smart and you'll be fine..

Thanks again lunchdiva for your quick responses to my questions. I was wondering if you would be willing to e-mail me directly. I need a strong support person and I'm not finding it at home. My husband is not one for drs and I am making myself nuts by continuing to reseach related topics on-line. You have set my mind at ease with your comments. Here is my e-mail _[removed]_. I hope you feel comfortable e-mailing me directly as I am making myself so nerverous about my up coming surgery Thanks so much hope to hear from you

Hi Lunchdiva, ahve a question did you have bone taken from your hip and if so do you feel as if it delayed your recovery? What I hate now is that I won't see my surgeon until Oct 5 which is the Friday before my surgery. I have been writting questions down in a note pad as I think of them this way I am prepared for my appt. It always seems that after my appt with the dr I think of a ton of questions I wished i asked. I'm glad I came accrossed this website as it is helpful to hear what other people have to say about their own experiences.

Hi,

I had surgery and I am feeling the same way, How are you feeling now? Good as new? I hope so, Please let me know

I was scared to death also!! When they give you the "calm yourself down shot " you really are calm. After surgery have a lot of help and lots of ice to swallow. Also have extra pillows to lay under your arms. (elevate your elbows helps tremensous). You will feel better than before and it's worth it.

hey 'wrestlingman'...curious how your recovery has been? i see you start light weight training around 8 weeks. how have you progressed? has your left arm & pectoral come back? appreciate the info, thank you.

i had c 4-5 neck fusion 2 weeks ago i am out of the hard brace but went to walgreens to buy a soft brace for 18.00. i tryed to sleep one night without the brace on and boy i woke up in such pain in my neck cause i like to sleep on my side and my neck was tilted and i have to wear a neck stimulator 4 hours a day it is haevy around my neck and also cause shoulder pain, i didnt sleep well for the first two weekds i had the brace on now i sleep with the soft collar on and boy what a differnce i amnow sleeeping 15 hours a day catching up on sleep and i feel so much better i go 5-6 hours a day without the brce on the staples are out and the incision is healing so nicely try the soft brace it help for sleeping annette

Hi all.  I am due to have fusion on C5/6/7 and I have pain and numbness in my left arm/hand.  I also have fuzzing across my shoulders. Does anyone else have this and does it go?? 

The pain in my neck is excruciating and Im hoping that the surgery will relieve the tension.  I am 43 and I look like a 70yr old as im starting to hang my head down.

I hope you all start feeling better soon, and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your experiences

 

I had my neck fusion on 10/8/12 and I am doing amazing. I got myself all worked up and expected the worse. Physically I am doing wonderful I can move my neck from side to side without any problem, but because I still have the huge bandage on my neck it makes it difficult to move my head up and down. I get to shower on Friday and replace the bandage with a plain bandaid. Because I am feeling so good I have to stop myself from doing light things around the house. Being that the pain meds mask your pain you thing you can get ack to your normal everyday life. Let me tell you NO not a good idea. So I will relax for the next 10 days as the Dr. order. I am so happy with how I am feeling!!

Thank you for this info. I have read your prev posts and I must say, for someone who was petrified, your doing really well. Lets hope im the same!!