Hello

I am looking for support and suggestions. I am recovering from my 2nd ACDF that was done March 2nd. I had hardware removed from my previous ACDF at C5-C7, cleaned up scar tissue and arthritis and bone fragments, and fused C3-C5. I had great results for 7 years with my 1st ACDF So when I was told I needed another ACDF at C3-C5 I was cautiously optimistic.
This surgery has been So much tougher than I had prepared myself for. Besides waking up from surgery with 2 incisions, I have had the worst trouble swallowing, had horrific trap muscle pain, and troubles with my voice. My arm pain and numbness has been remedied and my chronic migraines were gone.
I have considered the surgery a success, I still do, but now I am having New problems. For the past 2 weeks I have had these strange pains, almost a burning numbness at the base of my skull, strange headaches that feel like they start at the base of my neck and go through to the front of My head and behind my eyes, as well as neck and shoulder pain. I have noticed the range of motion that I had worked up to Since surgery is gone and I'm frustrated and worried. These pains and headaches are not being helped by medication or heat, some days it feels like the only time I'm not hurting is if I'm sleeping. I can prop up with pillows but trying to hold my head up for long periods of time causes extreme pain and headaches. When I wake up in the morning I am stiff but can manage to slowly work It out and stay reasonably comfortable but by the late afternoon the headaches and pain start and quickly escalate to a level that make it hard to do anything. I don't follow up with my surgeon for another 4 weeks, he is 4 hours away as well so I am trying to manage and push through. I have not had any pain in my hands or arms and hope that is a positive But right now I'm praying more levels haven't herniated.