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ACDF surgery 3 weeks out 3 level

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Posted 8/14/2019 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I am new here and just need to relate with others about what I am going through
in hopes it may help me deal with uncertain
ties and concerns I am having about my
surgery and help others to deal with them
As well
I had a 3 level ACDF which incorporated a prior single level fusion from about 20 years ago.So in essence , C2-C6,
With screws
and plates/ cage.
I’m close to three weeks out from surgery
I am concerned about lots , mainly some
pain when I am trying , lol to sleep
Also, I have arthritis , and have been off Metx for about 4 weeks prior to surgery.
I am afraid to start the Metx again in fear of having a non union , or failure to fuse.
Rheumatologist says start it now!
But my surgeon wanted me to wait six weeks!
I am wearing my bone stimulator 4 hours daily eating well, swallowing issues just about gone now , voice is normal again.
I am able to drive now , which has helped with the depression I was feeling,
Have muscle spasms in neck and shoulders The pain I was having is largely gone until I try to lie down or to sleep,
Positioning is difficult , neck muscles on right side stiff and sore , had right side surgical approach. All this is mostly on right side.
Any advise or encouragement would be greatly appreciated . I am hoping for the best , but getting discouraged somewhat.
Wanting to stop taking pain meds , but still having to in the evenings and at night to help me sleep.
My heart goes out to anyone going through
all of this as at least I know now I am not alone here! Thanks !, ... Toothy
Posted 8/14/2019 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Toothy, welcome to the community. Let me start off with you are only 3 weeks out so give yourself a break. I have chalked up 7 back surgeries and they get worse each time. It is common to have issues after these kinds of surgery. It can take up to a year for your body to heal. Some heal faster than others but time is needed. The best thing is don't rush things and try not to get depressed when you don't feel things are progressing as fast as you hoped. I had 1 surgery in 2017 and 3 in 2018, I am still healing. I have a new issue but the surgeons are saying it is too risky for another surgery so I am trying to be patient. As per sleep, it is difficult for many of us. We tend to deflect during the day but it catches up to us at night. I take meds to help me sleep as that is important for healing. Everyone's body has its own journey and you have to be attentive to what you can handle and what you can do to get relief. As per the difference between doctors and when to start the meds again, I would listen to the surgeon. If needed, you could ask the surgeon if they have any suggestions to help in this area. If anything goes wrong during the healing you certainly want the surgeon on your side. It is not easy waiting for the pain to stop but look for small victories and stay positive.
Posted 8/14/2019 12:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks fatherjohn;
I understand being impatient , and I
appreciate very much your response,
Yes you are right about things cropping up during the day., I start
off the day feeling like a truck hit me lol.
Then after several cups of coffee I
Feel pretty good,
I am trying to drive a little each day
To get back with it.
I started some , very light physical therapy , ultrasound on muscles that are stiff and massages , can’t tell much yet only been twice.
I think I am going to tough it out on the arthritis pain for three more weeks before starting back on Metx
You are right on the surgeon is on my side I want a successful fusion.
Late afternoon evening and at night
is my tough time.
Maybe I tried to stop pain meds
too soon.
Ok on looking for little victories !
I’m thankful I seem to be healing well and have my voice back , and am swallowing much better.
I guess my nerves were pretty beat up and I understand they heal slowly.
With much appreciation for your
kind response and encouragement,
,..........Toothy
Posted 8/14/2019 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Toothy, I echo what Fatherjohn stated. However, I am surprised the surgeon is letting you drive this soon after surgery. Usually the surgeons like to keep patients out of vehicles for 6 weeks, unless it's for medical appts. The last thing a patient needs is an accident right after surgery. Can you get out & walk some in your neighborhood?

A lot of our members sleep in recliners for a bit after surgery. They find beds to difficult to get in & out of bed & the same issues you are having. Good sleep is important to healing. Also, are you using ice packs, if not give them a try. This is another go to our members has discussed here. Heat can often aggravate an area that is already inflamed & irritated, this is why ice packs works better. I do hope that you are taking muscle relaxers on a schedule, you are still fresh from surgery, probably not what you want to hear, but it's true. Once you have healed well down the road you may require a muscle relaxer prn, depends on the activity level.

Lower your expectations of yourself, you only get one shot at healing the right way. Listen to your body, it will tell you when you are over doing things. Trying to push through things does not make you heal any faster, it will work against you.

I would listen to the surgeon about the Mtx for the reasons listed by FJ. Are you saying the surgeon has already started you on some light PT?

Take care.
Posted 8/14/2019 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Some people stop the pain meds . Again, take it easy and take it slowtoo soon as they are afraid they will be labeled as an addict or they don't like the side effects. Most of us don't like taking the pain meds but for some it ends up as a way of life. All 7 of my surgeries have been declared failed. I have been on pain meds forever but I work at trying to keep them at the lowest dose possible. The problem with getting behind on the pain is it is hard to catch up. It is wise that you are taking the PT slow. I am amazed you are starting at 3 weeks. On my first surgeries, I will admit I tried to push too soon and paid the price. My last surgeries last year I spent 2 months in the hospital and then several months on bed rest at home. It drove me crazy. Again, take it easy and take it slow. Blessings.
Posted 8/14/2019 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks straydog and again fatherjohn!
God Bless You both!
I am taking your advice , and just got back from the PT, where we discussed what not to do and what to do at this early stage of the game.
All they are doing is ultrasound on the tense muscles, and gentle massage of the stiff muscles.
I asked my wife to drive me as she had the day off work.
I admit I started driving a little soon
but they told me it was ok. Just
On a limited basis.
Also my couch has a reclining segment on it and I am going to try that for sleeping tonight.
I appreciate the advice and am
going to start a walking routine
, yes my neighborhood is a good one for that.
With much appreciation,..... Toothy
Posted 8/15/2019 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everybody;
Just a follow up post on this thread.
I am starting to notice increased range of motion without nerve pain , left to right but with muscle soreness.
I had waited so long to have this surgery that I had literally stopped trying to turn my head left or right
much at all. The ultrasound therapy seems to be helping. I think these muscles had atrophied and they are having to work again but very stiff.
Therapy told me to slowly turn head left to right and back holding a few seconds each time No looking up or down yet.
I suffer from fatigue a lot .
I have found that I do fairly well up til about noon then feel exhausted .
Today marks 21 days since my surgery .
When the fatigue hits me I get depressed , sometimes a little goofy
or dizzy feeling , muscle spasms
Neck muscle pain.
I gave in to using pain meds again ,
but just in evening, at lowest dose possible.
Sleeping in recliner when possible
easier than bed.Thanks again for the advice.
I hope drinking coffee is ok I seem to benefit from it a lot, so I drink 3 or 4
over the span of a day. Mostly early in the morning.
This is a hellish thing to go through ,
The healing process is very slow.
Some days are starting to be ok now though , but it can go to hell in a heartbeat if I try to do to much , especially in this summer heat, lol.
I pray for all suffering from a chronic disorder , and my heart goes out to others who are experiencing this challenge!
I can see that the time for recovery is up to my body and not my mind , lol
Wishing all of you the best,
Thanks again for all advice and your support!
,.........Toothy
Posted 8/16/2019 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
Are you on a muscle relaxer? Have you tried ice packs?

My first thought is if you are crashing at noon every day, perhaps your activities are the culprit. If you are over doing things in that short time frame you may need to cut back some. Healing from surgery isn't a sprint, it can be more like a marathon the first several months.

Many people have some lingering effects from anesthesia for awhile, some of what you describe could be related to that, especially the depression feeling & fatigue.

As far as the pain medication goes, don't concern yourself with them, the surgeon is not going to keep you on them very long. The CDC warned surgeons a few years ago to be very sparing with pain medication for post op care.

I was a big coffee drinker for years. It eventually started causing stomach problems. I now drink 2 cups in the morning & that's it. I don't miss the caffeine crashes at all. Rather than drinking so much, try a protein snack instead, good nutrition is essential to healing.

Time & patience is your best friend right now. Your goal needs to be allowing yourself to heal properly so that you can do things later without a lot of issues. While things may look healed on the outside, the inside is a completely different ballgame.

Nerves heal on their own, there is no set time limit for them to heal. Surgeons tend to not go into depth with patients before surgery as to what to expect after surgery, especially with the healing process. They lean towards what the books said while in school. We see that here over & over.
Posted 9/18/2019 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everybody,
Well I am now at almost eight weeks out
from my 3 level Acdf surgery.
I wanted to post a follow up for the benefit of all who face this challenge, and I assure
you , being patient , and giving yourself time to heal , is the most important thing you can do. It’s difficult because we all
want quick results but this surgery is not like that!
I no longer have pain, and am not taking any pain meds and haven’t taken them in
almost a month.
I have worn the bone stimulator each day and am continuing to do so.
I had problems with dizziness , headaches
In the back of my neck , imbalance,
and general fatigue and malaise.
Most all of these feelings are gone now.
I am driving and doing most of the activities I engaged in prior to the surgery
I am enjoying being alive and well and feeling much like my old self again.
I had worried about losing my range of motion with a fusion and cage covering three levels.C2-3,3-4,5-6,.
However much to my amazement my range of motion has actually increased, and the wonderful thing is it is smooth and with no pain.
I am still in PT and have lifting restrictions
30 pounds.
I believe the thing that has helped the most though with my recovery , besides the passage of time , is exercise In the form of walking , stretching and range of motion movement.
I had a particularly difficult and painful first month following my surgery , due to my having RA and having to stop the meds
For 6 weeks. I suffered miserably.
Many thanks to all who provided support and you helped me to have hope and hang in there.
It’s hard not to get discouraged , and in my case even depressed with our circumstances , maybe this is part of what we endure.
As I am continuing this journey I just want to assure you that it does get much much better
I know I am far from being completely healed , but I definitely would get this surgery and glad I got it as I am getting my life back. I am thankful to God and all who prayed for me and offered me support and encouragement.
Above all I believe after getting this surgery
we should learn how to protect ourselves from further injury. Be cautious lifting and
engage in aerobic types of sports and activities.Walking is about the best I think .
For me it’s going at least three miles
three or four times a week. Don’t lay on a couch , get a recliner, even if you must borrow one, as you will need it for about 4 to 6 weeks.it is still a little difficult for me to get and stay comfortable in my bed , but I am getting there. Sleep is very important for your healing..
Staying home alone is not good for us , try to get out as soon as allowable and get around your friends , even if it’s tough at first , they love you and you will see that it helps a lot.
I know I am probably leaving a lot out, but this is getting lengthy, .
Thanks and God bless you all as we continue on this journey.,...... Toothy
Posted 9/19/2019 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
Toothy, very glad to read your update & that you are doing so well. More importantly, you have figured out it's a lengthy process to heal from this surgery.

As more weeks & months tick by you will continue to progress. Keep up the good work.
Posted 12/16/2019 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
Toothy....I have found the improvements (small or big) is measurement monthly vs. daily. I have a lot of the same issues as you do. Keep up the good fight. Any secondary issues thus far?
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