Post ACDF C-4 thru C-7 checking in, surgery date August 5th, how I'm doing

Hello guys, it's been a while since I posted. Thought it would be helpful to others if I checked in and wrote about my experience pre-and post ACDF surgery.

I had my surgery the first week of August and it's been barely 2 weeks. My doc was great the nurses were great everybody was wonderful knowing full well that I have issues with major anxiety and panic. I had my surgery so early in the morning that by the time I woke up took my regular meds I was at the hospital all checked in I was barely awake. I recommend this if you had experience a lot of anxiety like I do.

I was given something to help me relax pretty soon after getting settled into the pre-op area.

I only recall waking up feeling alone in the cold room and a woman sitting at what look like a computer possibly she was entering data for my case or several other cases.

I recall uttering these two words repeatedly
Pain
Heat?
Pain!
Heat!?

After my fog started to wear away I realized I was getting on her nerves a little bit and she was telling me I could not have heat (at first I thought she was a very mean woman) later I realized you don't put heat directly on an area that was just operated on. She probably hears a lot of jibber jabber when people are coming to out of surgery.

I spent one night in the hospital and let me tell you what those hospital beds are rigged so that you your body is meant to move every now and then- so just as I would get my head and neck in the perfect position out of pain -Boom! The bed would move and suddenly my lower end would find itself slowly slipping down following the movement of the electronic bed along with this my neck would also move in oh boy was I cussing to myself. So, no sleep in the hospital bed and I was released the next day and sent home boy was I happy to leave!

Oh, my room was located directly across from the main nursing station- the hospital is fairly new -and let me tell you a lot of drama goes down during the night between all the nurses it was both humorous and sometimes annoying LOL

I had a pain pump with Dilaudid I was allowed to push it every six minutes. I started to fall asleep at one point and thought I was choking it was sort of a weird dream and I woke up told the nurse and they said that's a common feeling. Other than that one time feeling is if I couldn't swallow and couldn't actually breathe I have not had any issue swallowing food drinking fluids nothing I've heard a lot of really bad reports from people saying how their swallowing is affected and I've been really lucky in that sense... At first though -for the first probably up to about 3 to 4 days my voice was hoarse my swallowing was a little sore and I felt like there was something stuck in my throat and I need to swallow more often ---trust me it goes away fast and the healing starts right away.


yesterday I had my post op check up, all is going well. My x-ray showed excellent position of the hardware that was installed and inflammation in my neck which is to be expected at this point. Doc started to remove stitches from my throat area and I was such a wimp about it.

Thankfully, our insurance covers one of those really pricey bone fusion stimulators. I was shown how to wear it and I am one hour into it today. Here's to hoping it really helps.

Doc also told me yesterday, to start learning to take a little bit more pain and get off the pain meds as soon as I can. That was a little rough to hear only one week in but I tell you what I have been on pain meds so long I think I need to hear this. So I have one more script for Norco 5–325, when this is up I'm done with pain meds or if I'm even stronger I can get off the pain meds before I'm even finished with them.

Of course we all know in case you didn't know you need to know you can't take NSAIDs for about six weeks after surgery. I cannot ever take NSAIDs because I have Barrett's esophagus. And that takes me back to the pain meds because I cannot take NSAIDs I rely on Tylenol and or actually stronger pain medication.


In four weeks I see my doc again, at that point I hope to get the green light to be able to walk my two little dogs.

My daughter has flown up from Florida for a week and it's been very helpful and so sweet to have around.

I started taking daily walks outside I'm up to 20 minutes at a time it feels really good even though it makes me a little sore.

No driving yet because I have not been able to have a stretch of time where I am not on pain meds. Otherwise, I would be driving without my collar.

Oh one more thing about the collar… I only wore it the first night part of the next day.

It's a hard collar which has two Velcro strips on each side to tighten it. Yesterday during my post op exam doc said don't even use it anymore unless I really feel I need it for some reason. The more I use my own muscles in my back and my neck the better.


So to sum things up I would say that the surgery was definitely worth it. I expect to have different forms of back pain and shoulder pain for the next few weeks but I understand it is related directly to the surgery and it will ebb. I have pretty darn good movement in my neck but I certainly wouldn't want to quickly turn my head one way or the other.

The first few nights and days were the roughest for sure but know that every single hour that goes by your body gets stronger and you start heal and it might be slow but the pain does go away.

If you have anxiety and panic issues like I do -remember to step away from yourself look at the whole situation try not to catastrophize -realize that you tend to see things in black-and-white, so take some deep breaths and say to yourself – all will be fine.

Hope this is readable, I used my voice app for the most part. :)

Hi Think Haapy,
I had C4-7 surgery and am at 10+ weeks. Advice, wear the collar and do not over do it ! I also was very relieved to feel so good after my surgery, but you will pay later for too much neck movement. I have 8 screws and a large plate, I wear a hard collar 24/7 still. Like you I enjoyed the relief of nerve pain and then over did it. The past 3 weeks my pain in my shoulders and neck has been increasing. I go to have X-rays next week to see how I am fusing. My point is you don't want to not fuse. If you move too much you will not fuse. I use the motto "think fusion" 🌀
I also wear a bone fuser 4 hours a day. But the fact that you are supposed to wear one tells me your doctor wants to make sure you fuse. And the fact that you have a hard collar also. C4-7 has a 65% chance of successful fusion. Those that don't fuse fall into 3 categories: Smoker, Osteoporosis (me), and Too much movement post surgery.
I still take 2-4 norco a day, but at 6 weeks maybe 1 and more for my sciatica than neck. I am very happy that you are doing well and it sounds like you had a successful surgery like I did. So finish it out and fuse the bone.
Think fusion 🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀 😃

Just a couple more thoughts:
Avoid situations where you could fall (that would be awful) and too much driving since the vibration of the car slows fusion.
And if you find yourself with shoulder pain support your arms with pillows or putting hands in pocket etc. (friend who had same surgery gave me that tip and it helps).
Thinking fusion 🌀 for you 😄

Taller Now- I don't smoke or drink. I have that lump, doc called it's The
Love hump of the back....I think it's also called widows hump...I'm 51- and so far haven't driven myself because I won't drive on meds. Oh but you are spot on, riding as passenger of car feels like crape!

Abilene, I wish we could afford that fancy zero gravity ugly chair!

Had an unexpected high vet bill last month...oy.

Post Edited (ThinkHappy) : 8/17/2014 6:35:12 AM (GMT-6)

P.S. It is not nerves walking, it is nerves waking back up! Nerves that were previously pinched or irritated and those that were affected during surgery wake back up and that is some of the sensations you have. I have them too. My whole throat / neck is numb so it should be interesting when those nerves wake up.

Hi Think Happy:

I read all the posts. It is nice to hear that your recovery is going well. You both have good tips for each other.

I have not had surgery on my neck. I have read many posts about surgery and chronic pain. I am living with chronic pain. I get brain zaps mostly when I am sitting and perhaps falling asleep. I used to get it in a Physio in a heated pool. We would be doing some exercise and I would start to fall asleep. I would get to the point where I was almost going under and then I would get a brain zap and I woke up and was able to finish the class.

Husband and I had a car accident yesterday. No fractures. I had chest pain and had it checked out at ER. Heart was checked and I had an x-ray done. Bad bruise on my left breast. Moving slow today and am using ice.

Living with Chronic Pain for 12 years. Surgery has not been provided as an option. Live in Canada. I have posted on other sites as I have multiple problems.

I have a few Tramadol left but was told to take Tylenol if I need to.

Wish you well with your road to recovery.

Loring


Osteoarthritis in multiple joints, including neck, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Pain, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., hard of hearing...

Yes I do feel pretty good most of the time. I still can't do everything I would like to do, at least not all in the same day. My turning point was just after 7 months. It's still possible for me to get the "I have to get down NOW" feeling but not as often and recovery is much shorter now. I'm learning to live with my 80% range of motion that is my new normal. Remember I have one fusion higher than you and posterior surgery, so that's my result.

I am having more right upper arm pain now. I think it may be the same pain I had while in PT. I assume it comes from my shoulder so I plan to go get PT opinion soon.

I found that wearing the neck brace in certain places after it was no longer necessary was good. My dr suggested I wear it in crowds or anywhere I might get bumped, so I did wear it to church longer. It helped to warn those who might hug too tightly. I still prefer to sit in a booth at restaurants. It feels more supportive and there is less chance of being bumped from behind.

I'll be eager to hear all updates.

Think fusion!

Hi guys, checking in.

Latest challenge- sneezing!

Don't do it, just don't holy shiitake!

I will make separate post later. But yes, I was told that because I did wear my collar as the doctor said, I now have the difficult transition to soft collar. But the only reason I had that much restriction is when the neurosurgeon put the screws in, my bone was soft. But I just had my 11 week X-ray and all is normal and fusing so I only have to wear hard collar in the car or activity where I may fall or strain my neck. He said I can drive after I have been wearing my soft collar for awhile and regained motion. My long vertical scar is barely noticeable.

I think recovery has something to do with age and health. I am healthy but 56 years old and won't heal like I was 30.

I know what you mean about sneezing. I couldn't imagine getting sick in our condition. Can you imagine vomiting? Stay well!

Abilene, I have the same problem. I cannot move my head from side to side. He told me no more than 30 degrees each way for now. But I have lost all muscle. I have a long skinny neck! So happy to be out of the hard collar!!

Maybe we should take some of our doctors advice but mix it in with common sense and listening to our bodies. The whole point of collars is to help heal from the surgery, to start fusing our necks, but also slowly regain motion and strength without compromising the former. And if it feels good then do it! 😄

My doctor told me that I followed his orders on wearing the collar too much....I had told him I would be a good patient and follow his directions to maximize my recovery only to find out I think they make recommendations and expect us to listen to our bodies and if necessary even call their office when we find what they recommend doesn't work for us. My lesson learned for sure!

Hello Sweet Sunshine & welcome to the chronic pain forum. It sounds like you have some experience in the surgery areas & having chronic pain too.

Sunshine, we do ask all new members to make their own separate intro post so that all members will see it & be able to give you a proper hello & welcome aboard.

To start a new post, look to the left & click Post New Topic, type in a heading and start typing away. We look forward to getting to know you.