ER or no? 4 week post-OP two level ACDF surgery

Good heavens. Sounds to me like you may need to go back to ER. If not check in with Dr in the morning.
I never have any luck with ER's either.

You should call your doctor and try to get seen. You also might want to buy another BP cuff as they can sometimes be bad. If you get bad results with a new BP cuff then maybe look for a cardiologists and get an echocardiogram done to be on the safe side...
You can also go to your pcp and get a bloodwork test called hs- crp as this checks for inflammation .
Sometimes back pain has other causes, go and get seen by your doctor and ask about the hs crp blood test...and see if they get a high bp...if your doctors are not getting a high bp then get another bp cuff for your home...
Cal, your doctor to get seen, keep us posted..

Hi Teach.

The pain radiating from the neck may be what I have, which is a problem is in the neck. Was the 2-level in the neck? What was the reason for the surgery? I had it cured on one side with an epidural injection, but years later it's cropped up on the other side and isn't responding to facet joint injections.

I get Autonomic Dysreflexia events: BP goes way up, heart rate goes way down, triggered by any sort of pain, like constipation or tight clothing. I went to the ER a week or so ago after struggling to get BP down for 2 hours, and then having it drop by itself before they got around to checking it. ER people don't know what it is, decided I was having panic. (I have less panic than almost anybody.) This is pretty common when there has been damage to spinal nerves above mid thoracic.

BP can jump around from minute to minute when you're having AD attacks. Is there any good reason for difference between arms?

If you're having an AD attack you have to sit up to get the blood down to your legs so you don't stroke out. I'm not surprised you had dizziness with such a high BP. My neurosurgeon sent me home with a paper on AD after my ACDF. When it started up weeks later I knew what it was.

I feel crap, crap, crappy. I never got an answer for what sent me to the ER, that just sent me home around 8. They said they didn't doubt the pain I felt, but my heart and brain were fine so....so I went home with no answers.

Saturday, I did a walk with coworkers. I jogged the first 45 seconds to avoid getting ran over then walked the rest. I quit! My fingers were so swollen during the walk, I couldn't clench my fist. I made it 2.11 miles and sat down. The cardiologist approved the walk but my body did not.

TMI, but my cycle started about a week early and lasted eight days! They told me to tell my surgeon but I was not comfortable so I made an appt with my OB/gyn who said it was the heparin shots they gave me. The shots left a bruise on my stomach and a ball underneath that is still there. He also felt my neck and is requesting bloodwork and an ultrasound of my thyroid. This visit took place today, 4/24.

I returned to work Monday, April 20th, four weeks and six days post-OP. I had a two level ACDF fusion between c4-c7. I have to look to see exactly which ones.




The kids were so excited to see me, and I them! By 10:00, I knew I screwed up and lost my cape. I never realized how much I moved while teaching. I stood up, a lot! I teach elementary so I have to watch them constantly, so my shoulders were on fire from all the turning to look at them It felt like swords had been jammed into my neck. I called my doctor but got no response. I made it through the day but it had to take the kids out for recess the last hour and a half. My throat felt tight from talking and I never raised my voice. The principal told me to just let them play and not teach to make it through. I told both classes I would be out at least another week.

The next day, the doctor's nurse called and told me to pick up my paperwork that put me out until 5/4. That's it. No questions on how I was, nothing. "He's going to give you two more weeks." That's it. I am a bit frustrated that I have been hospitalized and to the ER and they can't see me until next week and then only with the PA.

I had a lovely call with my workers comp case manager today where she is requesting the last ten years worth if doctors I have seen. They are trying to see if there is history enough to stop paying on my claim. They are also trying to see if my two ER visits have to be paid by them or my own personal insurance. I guess because any person would just love getting admitted to deal with shots and blood draws every four hours and crappy food! I'm beyond frustrated. My ankles, knees, hips, elbows, wrists, and neck hurt. If it bends, it aches. My feet are swollen. I am in pain and nobody cares! I feel like after the surgery, I no longer matter to them.

Post Edited (Teachitrt) : 4/26/2015 1:15:53 AM (GMT-6)

You jogged and did a walk just a few short weeks post op from neck surgery??????? Then returned to work and spent the day turning your head and neck???? It's no wonder that everything swelled up and became more painful.
While you may have been cardiogically cleared ,meaning that your heart was okay to walk, doesn't mean that your neck surgeon would have cleared either the jogging for any length of time ,or turning your head as much as you describe.
You can undo the surgery and put the fusion at risk by doing stuff like this.

What memories you have stirred. I recall the blatant anger I had after the surgeon convinced me that doing both knees at the same time was the only way to go, one post op, one pt session, one recovery period and up and running 6 weeks sooner than doing one healing then doing the other. What a liar! ! How did I ever fall for such BS? How family and friends thought like he did and hey he fixed you so it must be the pills I like or sitting around watching soaps all day, or maybe it was the green stuff growing on the kitchen sink full of dishes, whatever it was about my life at that time that anyone could possibly think I enjoyed that was keeping me from getting back to the living. The truth of the matter was simply he did lie and no one ever knows how someone's going to heal. Had the truth been told all the assurance I had was that I would get better at some point as long as I didn't rush my own body and allowed it to heal in its own time. Patience is paramount to healing and be kind to yourself.

So sorry you are in pain. ICE is what still works the best for me. I'm sure you have used that but just wanted to say it.

Venting allowed, whenever you need to.

Pleasant update. I went to ER Wednesday night due to pain and elevated blood pressure. I had gone to fire station for them to check it and drove to ER from there. It was awkward. They did not give me a pain killer because I drove myself there. There was no heart or brain scare so no need to repeat. Dr sat and talked with me and told me to take Hydrocodone, Neurontin, and Tramadol at same time while wearing a Lidocaine patch. Then she said I could take Ibuprofen which I know they said not to as it impedes bone growth.two hours later, they let me go home as there was nothing they could do. I have since started taking predinisilone and feel much better. I return to work Monday, a little nervous to be honest.

Glad that everything checked out with the brain & heart. Kudos to the ER dr.. Just remember to take things slow & easy & listen to your body. Overdoing is easy to do but very difficult to undo. This is why we try to caution everyone after having surgery. Take care.

For the love of God woman, you are doing far too much for where you are in recovery! Someone needs to tell you, like someone told me. Whatever you were told about this surgery was just to get your mind to jump the gap and ok the cutting. Now you need to understand that this is a much more serious thing than you were lead to believe. I had a 3 level, but if you want to read my thread, it is a blog of sorts, and I am 16 months out. I don't mean to be mean, but please do some looking around on here. You can't be doing what you are doing and expect to feel anything less than excruciating pain. . .I think I accidentally jogged a couple of steps within my first 6 months. Your bones will not be healed for a year. Women also have higher rates of non-unions than men. Based on those facts, would you advise yourself to be doing what you are? Please tell me you aren't smoking.

You also are not supposed to have prednisone and definitely not an epidural. Those are the bones you are trying to get to heal and your release paperwork should include steroids in the list of no-nos. I am sure they will help with pain and inflammation. I wanted some pretty badly at one point. But the bones need to heal, that is the priority.

Again, I apologize if I come off a bit rough. I hope it is useful info and not meant to be mean.

My opinion . . . Use of oral prednisone (or other corticosteroid) for short-term duration (2-3 weeks) at a reasonable dose (20 mg or less) use should be OK.

As with many medications, weighing the risks/benefits is important.

Prednisone will reduce the inflammation and swelling you are experiencing. Prolonged inflammation can lead to excessive scar tissue and delayed healing.

I was scared for you just reading the events, day by day.

I know that dealing with some WC companies can be darn near impossible without the word "attorney" attached. It shouldn't be that way, but sometimes it is. I'm so sorry this has been your experience to date. I consider myself fortunate to have a team that truly cares about my wellness. They've gone the distance with me and I'm so grateful. But that doesn't seem to be what's happening here. It might be time to ask for a new case manager or to simply contact an attorney. It shouldn't be happening like this for you.

Taking a leave of absence, returning to the one compassionate physician to get an extension on the time off work, talking to the pain medicine physician...someone has to see the problem that's happening here. I know being in front of the kiddos and having them concerned has to just add to the stress you're under--certainly your employer doesn't want that happening. Physically, you don't need that adding to the issues.

*sigh* I agree with the others who are urging you to back off the physical activities. My physician said it clearly following back surgery and again when I had surgery on a nonunion femur--you have one chance to heal. Decide if those other things are worth it. Your bones will take a year at minimum. You can support on the sidelines.
It's worth it to back off and to give your body a chance to heal. You're worth it. Even IF a physician says it's okay, it's equally okay for you to pamper yourself for a good while....and I don't mean 2 weeks. ;-)

People that work in education and social services look for the good. We expect the world (or at the very least our friends/coworkers) to be caring and compassionate and concerned about us. Many of them are and DO. But they can only know what they know. When we paste our smiles on and try to act as if it's all good, they'll treat us as if it is. When they don't see the injury, they don't see it. When we show up to participate in some marathon, they think we're up to being there. They will respond as we condition them to. I say this as someone who conditioned people's responses and then wondered why they didn't get it! LOL. And yup....in social work! If we're more understanding, it's because so many of us have been there and done that. Mine was fighting to return to work cuz I felt bad for everyone who was affected by my absence. On crutches, in a brace....and experiencing uncontrolled pain from nerve damage, I had a lot of emotional moments as a result. And I suddenly had an employer who was concerned with my performance?! (Mighta helped had I simply told the truth and taken more time to heal/get the help I needed.) I don't know that people don't care, but I can see how they might be confused about how you're really doing, know what I mean?
Taking time that isn't covered by WC might not be feasible. I was a single mom in social work...LOL...I know all about the economics involved. But asking for a WC nurse, asking for a change in case managers, contacting an attorney, speaking to your surgeon/PM physician, even approaching your employer about your concerns--all of those are things within the realm of do-able. You have ONE chance to heal from this. And you need to remember there are your own children who need you functional as their mom. You need to take care of you so you can be.
*hugs* Praying for less painful days and more peace.
Let us know how things are progressing, please?