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Posterior C5-7 cervical fusion to fix non fusion

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Posted 1/3/2019 6:09 AM (GMT 0)
Greetings and Happy? New Year my friends,
I am back, and have my pre op tomorrow for my posterior C5-7 reconstruction to fix my non fusion on C4-7 that I had in 2014 and remove bone spurs growing into my spinal cord, along with ones in the foraminal areas. Not really a choice to not have this surgery.

I have a few questions:
First, how can I view my past posts? I wrote a long list of things to prepare before neck surgery once and thought I would revisit it. I have a cane, walker, shower chair, new ice packs, grabber, button down shirts, etc. any suggestions ?
My neurosurgeon said it will be a long and painful recovery, worse than the ACDF. I dread this; how long for the really bad pain? How did you sleep? Did they cut your hair? What can you tell me so I can prepare mentally? If you have a pain pump, how well can they manage your pain with oral meds?
If you are reading this before morning, what should I ask the neurosurgeon?
Thanks for your input.
Taller Now
Posted 1/3/2019 7:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Taller Now, I think the posterior approach was much much worse ( as far as pain and recovery time goes) than the ACDF's! Right after I came home from the hospital after the surgery I went to the hair salon and had my ponytail cut off and got a regular hair cut. As I found I couldn't raise my arms up high enough to take care of my long hair. I also have sleep apnea and I use the fitlife full face mask, and I couldn't use it till I got my staples taken out because of the mask straps pushing and wearing on the staples! (I had 47 staples down the center of the back of my neck from the base of my skull down to close to the beginning of my shoulder blades. They made me keep them in for a full 2 weeks after the surgery.

Taller Now, I had major problems with not only pain but spasms in my neck! It took a long time for it to heal and the pain and spasms to let up. On my surgery they also put in rods and pins on both sides and mine was not near as much as what your having done! Mine was only one level at C3/4.

My advice is have your hair as short and easy to take care of as possible. Even after I got a normal hair cut I still went to the local hair salon to get my hair washed every week for several weeks after the surgery. My adjustable bed and recliner was my best friend! Also recruit lots of help in advance to help you do stuff, keep spouse and family busy doing stuff for you! Don't attempt to do everything yourself no matter how good you feel! It will come back and bite you in the end!! ( I speak from experience on this, as when I had my posterior fusion done it was a few months after my divorce and I had no family close by, so I was more or less alone during and after the surgery, and had to do everything myself! ( I lived in Illinois during that time, and if my memory serves me right.....during that time Straydog used to call me up from Texas to check check on me and give me support) Thank God to Healingwell and this forum! To say the least it was a very very difficult situation that I would not wish on any body! ) I personally think it also made my recovery time longer!! So I personally think the most important thing you can do is make sure you have lots and lots and lots of friends and family close by for support !!

This surgery is not an easy one for the patient, so be extremel gentle with your self! And also be patient, as recovery is a lot longer than with the ACDF! (the amount your having done is so much more than what I had) All I can say is... Good Luck to You! And I really do wish you well! I'll keep you in my prayers! Please keep us informed about how you are doing!

White Beard
Posted 1/3/2019 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
WhiteBeard,
Thanks for your honest reply. The thought of the rods in the back does freak me out a bit. Actually the whole thing has my gut tied up in knots. I will definitely ask about my hair with the surgeon, right now it comes to the base of my neck and is pretty easy to deal with so I hope I don’t have to cut it.

Was there any improvement in a year or so for you? My PM said I will be trading one pain for a new one and didn’t seem hopeful that I would have less pain even after it heals. But did think it would help all of my crazy neurological stuff from walking, to half body tingling and maybe even my bowel control issues.

Thankfully my husband hasn’t left me, although it has been hard since I am not much of a wife. And I also have a daughter who lives nearby and women from the church and neighbors who would help if I ask. I want this to heal properly this time so I plan on taking it easy.

I don’t have a hospital bed because I have never been able to sleep on my back since my last neck surgery. I do have a recliner. But it seems that you would want to lay on your side to avoid touching the back of the neck? I was wondering how even sitting against it would be......

This forum of wonderful people is a blessing. Thanks for your quick reply.
Hugs, TN



TN, I edited my name out of your post, it was WhiteBeard that responded to you, lol.

Post Edited By Moderator (straydog) : 1/3/2019 3:16:58 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/3/2019 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
How did pain control go with your pain pump? I worry they won’t be able to control it since they have to be careful and not OD me.
Posted 1/3/2019 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, TallerNow. I was just thinking about you today! I was wondering how you were doing since I had not seen a post from you in a while. I am so sorry you have to face a big surgery and a big recovery. If it needs to be done it needs to be done. You will get through it. You can change your name to BetterNow after a few months! Sending you lots of positive wishes.
Posted 1/3/2019 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
TN, I did fix your post, WhiteBeard is the one that responded about the posterior surgery. I was hoping he would weigh in about this particular surgery since he has the experience with it.

I am thinking he did not have the pain pump implanted when he had surgery. I should have looked at his signature line for the dates of surgery & when his pump was implanted.

I do sort of remember your PM dr not being very supportive of this surgery. To be honest, while I can appreciate his specialty of treatment, I don't think he should be be speaking out of his realm of treatment.

WhiteBeard usually comes here late in the evening so hopefully he will be checking in later tonight. I am keeping this short, I have been dealing with a virus for the past 5 days. Take care.
Posted 1/4/2019 7:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi TN, Yes the surgery did help and relieved my symptoms but the recovery was very long and painful. I personally don't agree with your PM doctor! Yes you might be exchanging one type of pain for another at first, ( during your recovery period) but at least for me in the long run the surgery did relieve allot of the pain I was having! And yes, it did take a long time before I could tolerate anything pressing on the back of my neck, and those first couple of weeks with all those staples in was especially bad! But the surgery did what it was suppose to do! In the end I'm glade I had it done! I would think for you, if it will relieve even some of your neurological problems and deficits it would be more than worth it have the surgery!!! The idea of having rods and pins in your neck or back might seem freaky to you, but the thought of having all those disc spaces not fused an thus not stable to me would be terrifying!!! Especially with the neurological problems you said you were having!

TN the reason I sleep in an adjustable bed or a recliner is I just can not lay flat. I have multiple herniated Thoracic disc that none of the doctors will touch plus some bad lumbar disc. Also I can only lay or sleep on my side for 20 or 30 minutes and then both my arms and hands go numb and burn like fire, and I wake up from the pain, then I go and raise the head of my bed up and sleep in the fowlers position again! Usually on any given night I go back and forth raising and lowering the head of my bed going from having the bed flat and me laying on my side to going to the reclining or fowlers position at least 2 or 3 or 4 times during each night, (every couple hours) so I never really sleep more than a few hours at a time straight through!

TN it doesn't sound like you really much choice about getting your surgery do you?? With the neurological problems you said you have, it sounds like the surgery from a health and quality of life standpoint is just simply a must!

TN You'll probably have a long tough road of recovery ahead of you, but just keep focused on the end goal and I'm sure you'll find it all worth it in the end! I'll keep you and your husband and all your family in my prayers!!!

Peace be with you!

White Beard
Posted 4/6/2019 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi again!
Sooooo, I was scheduled to have my posterior C5-7 fusion and C6 laminectomy on January 21st but three days before my insurance denied it. So I have spent the past three months in appeal processes with them and at last the conceded (sort of, but that’s another story) and I am scheduled to have surgery this Wednesday on the 10th of April. But now it has been so long and my symptoms are much worse that I have an mri and ct scan scheduled for Monday and the neurosurgeon (who I have really come to respect) may have to change up the the surgery based on new information. We will see.

Question for those of you who have been through a posterior fusion: do you remember how you were doing eight weeks post op? My husband had made plans last year to see our daughter in England in June. So I will be on my own for twelve days eight weeks after my surgery. Do you think I will be okay? I have my other daughter and friends nearby to help if I need something. Thoughts?
Posted 4/6/2019 5:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Taller Now, You sure have had a time of it haven't you!!!!! You know everyone is so different Taller Now, but although you might still have some possible pain and discomfort issues, I would definitely think you should be able to manage by your self for awhile after being 8 weeks post-op! When I got my posterior fusion done at C3/4 with the rods and pins put in, when I was discharged I was sent to a rehab/nursing home facility because I lived alone and the Doctors didn't think it was wise for me to be alone right after having the surgery. I went from the hospital to the nursing facility on a Monday afternoon, ( and for reasons that I won't rehash again now) I checked my self out less than 2 days later Wednesday morning and went home! I was alone and back on my own and although it was sometimes a bit rough (that might be a bit of an understatement LOL!! ) but I survived and did alright and in the end made out fine! So I would think by being 8 weeks out post-op you should do okay. But as I said everyone is different and my opinion is just based on my personal experiences!

Anyway I do wish you well Taller Now! Good Luck to You!

White Beard
Posted 4/6/2019 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks much! I am pretty tough and push through a lot of things now. I couldn’t remember how I was doing post op from my previous neck surgery, so your input helps. I am sorry you had to be alone after yours, and recall it was a difficult time for you. Chronic pain puts a terrible strain on marriage. I am grateful that my husband has stuck around. I am not much of a wife these days, something more like a needy roommate. And the stress of my situation has made things hard. I hope that this surgery will allow me to live a bit more. I know I will never be pain free, but my current situation is bad. I can’t even enjoy a short trip, or an evening with friends. A trip to Costco sends me to bed for three days. I know you understand.
Take care, TN
Posted 4/6/2019 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi TN...it's great to hear from you. I wondered how you were doing. Best wishes. You will be recovering which is always a little more tolerable than waiting.
Posted 4/6/2019 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Darla! And yes it will be good to be on the other side of this.
Posted 4/16/2019 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
To finish this thread. If you have a nonunion or psuedoarthrosis after a fusion and your pain is bad after activity. Get it fixed. I wish I hadn’t been so afraid. I could have been better a long time ago. I have a new thread started as post op, but want to encourage anyone in a similar situation that it is worth it already, just six days post op. Even with my complicated bones etc.
Posted 4/16/2019 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
TallerNow:
It is genuinely heartwarming to hear that your cervical surgery last week was a success reigning in your cervogenic headaches and debilitating pain. After years of suffering, you have well-earned a resolution to your pain. Amen.

I know that we had planned on meeting for coffee this past summer, but that our plans were interrupted due to health limitations.

With your cervical pain and intense headaches now in better control, I hope that you can begin to partake in life in ways that you were unable to before. Refinding familiar activities and passions that you once enjoyed and that had to be placed on hold when pain became consuming.

Take it easy. Do not overdue. Your body and your sense of self may, in some ways, feel unfamiliar to you now that your internal world is quieter.

Know that you have the wishes of everyone here for continued healing and diminishing of pain.
A Good Story ending is something that we can all celebrate and cheer.
Karen
Posted 4/17/2019 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Karen,
I do hope we can meet one day. I have not forgotten you but each time I go to my pain doctor (near you) it isn’t possible for me to do much more. But perhaps that will change and we can meet at the Starbucks on I think 21st and Lovejoy? Or perhaps you have other ideas?

Today is probably my worst pain since home. The expected muscle spasms etc. have kicked in, but I know this will heal and I should be in a better place six months from now. My sweet dogs lay on each side of me, patiently watching over me. Do you still have my email?

I hope you are doing okay and can enjoy the spring flowers.
Best, TN
Posted 4/18/2019 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
TallerNow:
It is a bright moment, indeed, that your recent surgery has brought you meaningful relief of pain. I know that you went into the surgery with uncertainty and concern. It is thrilling to hear that you are doing as well as you are. Keep snuggling with your pups. Wet nose canine kisses are the best medicine.

I am not doing as well. My health issues continue to diminish me. It is what it is. I will not be able to meet in NW Portland for coffee or a visit as we once planned.

I will continue to cheer for you from the sidelines.
Karen
Posted 4/19/2019 6:12 AM (GMT 0)
Karen,
If I get better where I can go into Portland on my own, is there a chance I could come to see you where you live? If you are worsening I know it must be lonely and difficult. No hurry, but I would love to visit with you and perhaps bring you a treat that you can’t get in your situation. Think it over and and let me know if there is anything that I can do for you.
TN
Posted 4/19/2019 10:36 AM (GMT 0)
Karen sending warm thoughts.

TN so glad to hear of your positive outcome! Be careful about stopping the pain meds prematurely...These days they are not so easy to get again as you are farther from the surgery date. But I am so very glad you are doing well!!
Posted 4/19/2019 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you. I know how to make sure I have some for a future bad day, but like to reduce them when I can. Not sure if I said this here or in my other post but my surgery was not totally successful and in fact they wanted to go back in the next morning but after discussing it we decided to wait and see. My bones are so soft the neurosurgeon couldn’t anchor the rods where he wanted. In some places not much bone is left. So he put rods and screws in C5-7 on the right side successfully. On the left he was able to get a screw in at C6 and one at T1 where he had to put a smaller screw in, the left side is where my bones are very soft. The screw at T1 went through the vertebrate and after X-ray and CT they determined it is on the nerves (I think C7) which explains my new severe numbness in my left hand and left arm ache. We are hoping that I will fuse (I didn’t last time) and the doctor did everything to make sure I will (and I will be getting a bone fuser soon too). If the neurological issues from the screw hitting the nerves gets worse and I am fused then they will go in and remove the hardware. If not......??? He also cleaned up a lot of arthritis but an upper C spine surgery may also be in my future given my knarly facet joints.
Posted 4/20/2019 9:31 AM (GMT 0)
My mother, who is almost 80 but a fitness fanatic has the same problem with the bones. Surgeries requiring hardware seem to be ongoing. She just started the twice a year shot for the bones. I can't imagine hearing they want to go back in the next morning!
Posted 4/24/2019 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
My husband asked if in a month (6 weeks post op) if I want to get away for a trip. It was so sweet of him. But I told him no as it is two hours away and I am not ready. I can’t imagine being in a hotel bed, the risk and pain of being in a car. It seems premature. He seemed deflated when I said not yet. Am I being overly afraid?
Posted 4/24/2019 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Taller Now I struggle with the issue you just raised. I know all of my surgical, medical, pain-related problems affect my husband, obviously. I know he wants to get out and do more and I know it will be difficult and definitely not comfortable. I force myself to take a trip each year. I never really want to and it always is for him that I do it. I think you should set something up...a month is too soon probably but if you actually plan and book something he can look forward to it might help. Maybe ask your Dr and then book something?
Posted 4/24/2019 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Yep, I agree. He goes to see our daughter overseas in a few weeks and I think he thought it would make me feel better before he leaves me on my own. But I will enjoy the short duration of solitude while he is gone. But perhaps when he is back and I sense the need for him to get away we will do a trip. I am like you, I have no desire to go anywhere. It is never worth it. The hotel beds, the food out, the nowhere to sit comfortably etc. I was fortunate enough to travel plenty in my healthy years and I have no desire to leave our lovely home that sits on acreage. A piece of heaven.

I am grateful that my husband has stood by me through all of my health issues. And he is taking such good care of me post op and even keeping the house super clean. So a sacrifice on my part when I am more healed is the least I can do for him.

Have you ever told your husband you don’t want to go anywhere?
Posted 4/24/2019 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
I could not agree more in everything you said. Glad I am not the only one who prefers everything to the pain and discomfort of travel at this point.

I have told my husband no as to car travel... just can't. His favorite thing is to get in the car and find something. I also gently have discouraged visiting his sister at the top of a mountain. Car travel is no if I can help it and driving on mountain passes will kill me!

I try and follow up any discussion with plans for a yearly cruise. That's already really tough for me

How are you doing?
Posted 4/24/2019 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Taller Now I think we share thoughts in food and weight possibly. I also really try and stay light for back issues but the food with travel is not appealing to me. Is that the case?
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