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New member just had a ACDF

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 9/30/2015 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I'm a new member here. I had an ACDF 2 1/2 weeks ago. I was wondering how long one might expect to be on muscle relaxers
Posted 9/30/2015 5:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome to the forum. Are you having some issues with the one your on? It's difficult to set a time limit,every surgeon has his own protocol he's found successful,every one's recovery process seems to as well be similar yet vastly different,some people never are on them at all but if you are having issues it certainly warrants a call to your prescribing Dr. There are different meds that can be used. Mostly its something you and your Dr will decide but honestly I have seen folks continue them even 6 months out but general rules seem to be as long as your in a collar.

Not so easy of a question to answer but hopefully you get what I am saying. Glad you joined us and we have some helpful hints for making pre-op and post op smoother from people who have been there in the CP 101 thread at the top of this page and if you enter Acdf in the search feature up there as well you will find some documented recovery journeys by our members.

Good luck and our motto here is Think fusion!
Posted 9/30/2015 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hello & welcome to the forum. Since they are helping its reasonable to ask the dr for a refill. I am really surprised he didn't give you a refill unless it valium that he has you on. A lot of drs will rx valium right after spine surgery but only keep the patient on it a short time, as they claim it is addicting. However, there are many different ones out there that work well, its finding what one works. After surgery such as yours those neck muscles tend to knot up & things are a little angry inside right now. You may or may not need the muscle relaxers for a while, it all depends on how you feel they work. Every person is different in what they need after spine surgery.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.
Posted 9/30/2015 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your replies. They are helpful. My dr did give a refill after I asked so I guess he must feel pretty comfortable with it. I was on three a day but I am down to two right now. I'll keep evaluating how I'm doing. They make me a little sleepy but nothing too bad. I'm suppose to be weaning off of the collar this week as I feel comfortable. 😗
Posted 9/30/2015 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
You may find you need the muscle relaxers longer than you realize & that's ok. Your dr would much rather you be on those longer than the pain meds. If you will look in CP101 at the top & scroll down there is some info in there you may find very helpful it's tips from several that have had cervical fusions. It's very important to follow the post op instructions to the letter. Where we see folks get in trouble is doing too much too soon & trying to return to work too soon.

We have had several member document their surgery & recovery from this surgery. If you are interested in reading their stories you can use our search feature above & type cervical fusion & you can pull up those threads to read. Take care.
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