Recovery period ACDF c4/5 and c6/7, Posterior c4-to t1 laminectomy/fusion

Always trust your gut feeling. Never felt comfortable with that guy. When they don't answer your questions, something is not right.
Thanks Claire.

Staying as positive as I can. Just ready for something to be done, and recuperate. Thanks Nancy

Good for you Vernita. Always listen to your gut and with a serious surgery like this, you deserve to have your questions answered in detail. Rufous

Susie, Rufous, Dixie6, thank you all for your comments.
After my 25 years experience of passing the instruments during the surgery, knowing many surgeons and anesthesiologists, I knew this guy was not someone to be seeing. Regardless at the time I started seeing him I needed some one to start treating me. Don't always go with who your primary care Dr recommends. All the guys I worked with have retired and moved, except the one, and he is just too far away.

Hope to see the new surgeon very soon, taking my records today to him.
It is so sad in this day and age with all the medical research, they can't find something that works for chronic pain. And the pain medicine abuse has ruined it for the people who really need it.
Definitely do no harm is important to all of us.

I really enjoy hearing from everyone. Just hard to know what to say, my expertise was never in the recovery phase, so I am at a loss for words.

Good health and less pain to all.

Thanks Susie, I have been reading a lot and getting great information.
I have dropped off my records for the new surgeon to review, they will call me to schedule an appointment after the review. So looks like another few weeks probably before I am seen. What a slow process. And I want to get this over so badly. Must have patience.
Hope everyone is having better days.

Thanks ForeverBroken.
Yes, I am worried sick about the surgery and recovery. The lack of anyone around to help is a concern.
Sounds like I will be getting a recliner and hope that works out. Do not know if insurance could help me get a hospital bed.
Being disabled with very limited income causes several problems in having the things you need to make life easier.
I am worried about my shoulders, had frozen shoulders before and that isn't much fun.
I hope you find relief of your discomfort, and improve greatly. Thanks for sharing.

Vernita, talk to your new dr about having a hospital bed rented for a period of time. Your insurance or Medicare, whichever you have should pay for a rental. His office will have to make the arrangements on your behalf. Medicare will pay for a rental, this falls under durable medical equipment I believe.

Take care.

Hi everyone!
I was glancing through and saw so many awesome people that helped me through my tough few months post C4-7 ACDF. I am 10 months post op. Definitely doing better than even a couple of months ago. The bone fuser worked and I am fused enough to go to PT (was at 8 months). So yes, think fusion and it will happen! PT has helped me with my range of motion. I have lost about 50% but it is not too bad. Driving still sucks especially in traffic. I am still not working full time since my pain still escalates by the end of the day, but then I have spinal issues at many levels that contributes to that issue. I still take pain meds, but not much. And as much or sometimes more for my lumbar issues as my neck. There are good days and bad but more good days. I am active, doing yard work, walking my puppy, working out. I think being active helps, even if it hurts. I met a guy with a similar surgery this week and he said he feels better now at two years out than at one year but still has bad phases but overall better. My neurosurgeon said about two years my PT said longer. The pain I still get from my neck surgery is mostly just in my upper back and from muscle spasm. If I lay down it gets better. People who know me say I move better, people who don't ask me if my neck hurts....but I am not paralyzed nor having the mind blowing cervicogenic headaches I once had nor the severe chronic neck pain. I feel like both my neck and lumbar pain (several ruptured disks etc) aRe managed with medication fairly well. Best wishes to you all❤️TN

Thanks Vernita. I could not have PT until I was fused enough and that took 8 months post surgery. It is pretty basic and I do most of it at home now, just checking in with PT on progress once every three weeks. I too love epidurals and the relief they provide. I hope to get one for my lumbar spine soon. Taking neurontin all the time makes my brain slow, but without it my pain is too high (nerve pain in my legs and I think it also helps my neck pain). When I do light yard work I cannot move for a few days, but like you I love it so much. I wish you the best and as many low pain days as possible.

Vernita, and yes take your time finding a surgeon you trust. I had a hack do my low back (L5/S1) and now they talk of needing a fusion there in the future. I wish I could go back and change that situation but I was so desperate that I was willing to let anyone ease my pain but what a bad idea. Whereas I researched my neurosurgeon for my neck and trust him, and he did a great job with a bad situation. And it is shameful that doctors cannot manage chronic pain better and that it is getting harder now to get medication we need. Prayers your way🙏

Hello everyone. I haven't had anything to report.
Today I got my appointment setup with my new neurosurgeon, see him Friday. So I hope to know something soon.
Here's hoping everyone is having a comfortable week.

Oh Vernita, I'm SO happy to hear this news! I have been thinking about you and will send good thoughts and prayers for a very successful surgery and a comfortable, fast recovery. Hugs!