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2 days post acdd c5-6 and c6-7

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Posted 5/2/2014 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
hi this is my first time ever using forum. Also first time I've ever been in recovery from ANY surgery. Question re arm pain from severely herniated disc and bone spurs. Had acdf on wed, so 2 days ago. For 4 months had bad nerve pain down right arm all way into hand/index finger. Tried PT, and 3 esi shots over 4 mo period. Only got slightly better then worse until I got 2opinion and neurosurgeon says no other choice but surgery two-level. Pt won't cure. So I'm very happy I had it done. Ns has 35 yes exp. Doing acdf so I trust him and his advice. So far my symptoms have not improved at all. Taking percocet and flexiril. QUestion for ppl who had acdf warm pain from pressed nerve::; How many weeks did it take for arm pain to go away?...post Op Dr visit in 1o day. ANy ADVIcE WElCOmE!!!!!!!!!!!
Thx!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 5/2/2014 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hello acdf & welcome to the forum. We have a few people here at the forum that recently had cervical fusions done, so hopefully you will be hearing from them.

You asked about the arm pain going away, the problem is everyone heals differently & with nerves being involved they have to heal on their own. Time is your healing factor here. I know, that is not what you probably want to hear. Since you just had your surgery it is too soon to have any kind of expectation. Normally folks feel better at the 4-6 week mark.

Try to keep your post-op pain under good control. Do not let the pain start to escalate before taking a pain pill, then its harder to get the pain back down. We see lots of folks complain of muscle spasms after this surgery so be sure to stay with those too. Be kind to yourself for awhile & not rush things. When people rush things after surgery they pay for it dearly. Do what the dr said to do & nothing more.

Take care.
Posted 5/3/2014 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
toughlady what has your surgeon said about you still having pain. For the most part I had instant relief from my arm pain as soon as I woke up from the surgery. I had a C6/7 ACDF and the many years later another ACDF at C5/6. Both times the severe arm pain was gone right after the surgery. But I have heard others say it took them some time for it to go away! Could be you still have some inflammation going on causing pressure on your nerve roots. I would definitely be talking with your surgeon or his nurse or his surgical assistant about it. Just to make sure there is nothing else going on!

Please make sure you follow you post-op instructions to the Tee! Be kind and gentle with yourself and above all be patient and don't be in a hurry to do all the normal things you used to! You don't want to strain yourself or put any undo stress on your fusions. It just isn't worth it!

Oh yes one more thing! Welcome to Healing Well Chronic Pain Forum! Sorry you have had to have the surgery and in pain, but your now definitely among people who truly understand what your going through and experiencing. We do more than sympathize we can empathize with you! When your here on this forum your part of our family, and we listen and support each other! So Welcome aboard!!

White Beard
Posted 5/3/2014 10:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi tough lady and welcome.

I had 3 level (c4,5-c 6,7) acdf back in January. Although each heals differently, pending on severity of condition, I will chime in on my experience. I too had some immediate relief after surgery. Pain reduced and improved hand grip. However, 3 months later I still have numbness and pain down both arms into my hands. Seems to magnify if I try too much activity or if I have my head positioned a certain way. Will be discussing this with surgeon in two weeks. I was pretty bad going in, so I am sure nerves need to regenerate.

Following post- op instructions is important. The more I sat with head and shoulders still, the better I felt. If I push it, I pay a price. I was in cervical collar for 6 weeks (7x24) and electromagnetic collar 4 hrs a day. Lots of dairy and calcium pills to promote fusion.

Good luck with recovery, hope your relief is around the corner.
Posted 5/3/2014 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
I just had my fusion done Tuesday morning, so 4 days post op for me. The pain I had before surgery is gone, still have a little numbness in my thumb but nothing compared to what I had before. The only pain I have now is surgical pain and still a little bit hard to swallow but that seems to be getting better each day. The first day home I think I overdid it with things just because I had been in pain for so long and felt so much better! I went to visit my dad, went to the store, went out to eat, etc...I than spent yesterday laying on the love seat and in bed because I felt so sore. So trying my hardest not to overdo it and to just relax. I hope your pain goes away soon!
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