I had ACDF surgery on 12-13-07. My symptoms before surgery were severe headaches, pain radiating from my neck down my right arm extending to my index finger and thumb, and muscle spasms in my right and left shoulders. Now after surgery I have muscle spasms and neck pain from the titainium plates and screws. Its no where as bad as what I had before, I will never as of yet regret the surgery. My question to anyone who has had this surgery is how long were you prescribed pain meds afterwards. As of today its 3 weeks after the surgery and I called for a refill of my vicodin, my doctor personally called me back and wanted to know why it still hurts!!!! After reading all your replies it looks to me that its normal to have this pain, part of healing. He is calling me in some ultracet and skelaxin, hes not thrilled at all over the pain med STILL as he stated. Is 3 weeks the going rate for expected pain relief from these guys? Just curious what your experience with this situation may be.