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Posted 4/10/2018 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone,

I had a four-level ACDF on March 1, 2018. I have pretty much weaned myself off of Hydrocodone and am only taking Baclofen prn. The problem is - I have absolutely no energy, no stamina and am fighting depression. I take multivitamins and Prozac every day.

I am back to work three days/week, but only good for about five hours then I have to go home and take a good nap. I normally am active, happy and enjoy going out with my friends for dinner -- not now. I can't. I wake up tired, I go to bed tired, and frankly, it's depressing. I need to know if this is common or not.

Is this normal five weeks out of a four-level ACDF? I would appreciate any feedback from folks who have been there. Thank you!

Parateach
Posted 4/10/2018 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hello & welcome to the forum. I am not surprised at all that you are struggling. You are still pretty much fresh from surgery & already working. I don't know if the return to work was your idea or the drs, but you jumped the gun far too soon. You had a big surgery & it takes a minimum of a good year to completely heal. By this I mean, this is when you will know how successful your surgery result is. I am not saying you should be off for a year, but just a few weeks is not enough time to let the healing process begin. Things may look healed on the outside but they are not healed on the inside. What type of work do you do? You need to listen to your body, it will tell when you are over doing things. The exhaustion is your body telling you to slow down.

I know a lot of people think the sooner they jump back into their pre-surgery life the quicker things will heal. When it comes to spine surgery it does not work that way at all. This is why it is so important to allow ample time to heal. Is there a chance you can take a just a few more weeks off? I know it will depend on many variables whether this is possible or not. I wish you would have found us before surgery so we could have shared some good tips with you.

If you will look at the top here in Chronic Pain 101, there towards the very end of the thread is a lot of information given by members that has had this surgery. I am sure you will find some things in there that will help you out.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing.
Posted 4/10/2018 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Straydog,

Thank you for your prompt reply. Going back to work part-time was my fabulous idea - boredom got the best of me. As a paramedic of nearly 20 years, I should have known better, but we paramedics can be a bit stubborn. Fortunately, I am no longer on an ambulance but now instructing.

I wish I would have found you earlier, too. My neurosurgeon was not opposed to me returning to work part-time; he stated it was up to me and how I felt. Now I am second-guessing myself and wondering if I made the right decision, as I do not want to inhibit the healing process nor go through this again!

I will look at the Chronic Pain threads as you suggested. Once again, thank you for your advice!

-Parateach
Posted 4/10/2018 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
On top of Susie's advice, Baclofen can make you tired and sleepy too. I couldn't even tolerate 1/2 the smallest pill. It knocked me out the whole day.
Posted 4/11/2018 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
I think if it's possible I would try to get a little more time off to let things calm down. When having this much work done things are really irritated & its a pretty traumatic surgery. Muscle spasms are also a cause of pain. I know Alcie could not tolerate Baclofen along with many other medications she has tried over the years. However, with that said the make up of Baclofen is completely different than regular muscle relaxers such as Flexeril as an example. Baclofen works on the central nervous system. I have been on 60mg a day for years & have had no issues. So please, do not let Alcie's comment deter you from taking Baclofen. Your biggest issue is returning back to work too soon.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.
Posted 4/11/2018 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
I definitely agree with Straydog I think you would have been much better off if you would have given yourself more time off to heal. Also maybe going back into the work setting a bit more gradually? I was in the military in Alaska when I had my first ACDF done and they started me off at 2 hours a day for a. Week or two then increased it to 4 hours a day, for a while then six hours, and so on till I was back full time.

Also I don't think Baclofen is usually the type of antispasmodic that is taken on a prn basis, usually it is given on a regular schedule to maintain a constant therapeutic level in your body. It is also usually given in a small dosage and gradually increased over time to an effective level. I have been on 30 mgs every 8 hours for years to help control my muscle spasms. I have found it to be a real Godsend for me!

Anyway you've had allot done so I urge you to be careful, and patient, and let your body heal! Be Gentle with yourself and don't overdue it! It will definitely pay off in the long run! Good luck to you! Oh yeah and Welcome to HealingWell Chronic Pain Forum!!

White Beard
Posted 4/20/2018 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your advise! I am FINALLY feeling much better after six weeks. Even though I still have tightness in and around my shoulder blades and lower neck, I have more stamina now and the dark cloud of depression has dissipated! Follow-up with neurosurgeon on the 26th of this month.

The only small concern I have now is hearing my neck pop or crack occasionally when I lean forward. Hope that is normal.

Take care,
Parateach
Posted 4/21/2018 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
So glad to read that you are feeling better. I don't think you were aware of the impact this surgery. Even at 6 weeks out you are still in the healing process. The best thing I can say is listen to your body. You may want to try some ice packs on your shoulders, more than likely you have some inflammation going on in there. I think the popping thing you are talking about is ok. As more time goes by & I mean months things should keep getting better & better.

Take care.
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