Welcome S.Leah2014.

Hello S.Leah2014,

Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

All the best with your recovery.

If you've not found it already, here is the link to the
Spinal Disorders & Back Pain Forum

Hi I am a new member here. I just went through these 2 procedures Sept. 4. I had already had C4 - 5 & C6 - 7 fused in 2 different operations years ago. I went to the dr just to make sure there was nothing that could be done for my neck as all other drs have said I had to live with the pain and possible falling and breaking my neck or worse. So I was really shocked to learn after dr looked at mri and examined me that he wanted to not only fuse C5 - 6 (which to me wouldn't have been a big deal) but he wanted to put rods in the back of my neck from C4 - T1. He said without the rods I was at risk of breaking my neck or worse. So I had the surgery done. The day of the surgery got off to a really bad start. My son in law ran over my dog. He is fine, but at the time I didn't know. So needless to say I was a total wreck until I learnt he was ok. Then the operation was delayed 4 hours. I sat there most of the time without the comfort of my family waiting. Finally was sent into surgery. I don't remember waking up in recovery as with the 2 previous operations. I hardly remember the first night, some of the second day. I was suppose to go home in 3 days. But developed a fever of 103 on the 3rd day. Had to stay in the hospital 5 days. I remember the pain was terrible the first days. I can't remember the 1st week that I was home. This really irks me that I can't remember some days in the hospital and the first week home. Anyway I am post op 5 weeks. I am wearing the hard collar. Will get to wean off it in 1 week. Can't wait!! I would love to hear how your surgery went!! And maybe talk to you more about the surgeries. I have no one to talk to here. None of my family or friends has ever had to go through anything like this before. (Which I am truly thankful that they haven't!!!) So they really can't relate to what I have gone through. I pray that your surgery was a success & you have recovered from it!!!

I have had the same. For me it turned out good. Several real hard weeks in recovery and lots of PT after. I had a good support team. Someone at home to help me to the bath, eat, all of it for a week or two.
Make sure your pain specialist and your surgeon are on the same page. If you are taking medicine at home, make sure they recognize the dose you are on, and can add to that after your surgery.
I was blessed, as this second fusion as you are going to have C3-7 turned out very very good for me. I hope you get the very best result. It will be OK. All of us here on NT are here to support you. I came here for the very same reason. Keep in touch and let us know how it goes. ginnie

Welcome Puppykat.

Puppykat,

Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. As you can see we have a great number and caring fellow members here, where you have find a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

Hi Puppykat,
Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

We have a
Spinal Disorders & Back Pain Forum

You've been some tough surgery by the sound of it.

Wishing you a speedy recovery from this last one and I hope you will check in at the Spinal Forum.

take care.

Hi there,

I need a 2 level ACDF. I have arm pain, left thumb numbness, biceps are hard, formatms need trigger release both arms.i do now have flattening of spinal chord at C5-C6 level. How are you now? Do you still have arm pain? Do you have shoulder blade pain or muscle spasms in your neck?

I had a posterior C2-C4 laminectomy and a C1-C5 fusion due to multiple infections (osteomyelitis, meningitis, epidural abscesses, cerebellar abscesses). The reason mine was posterior was due to the brain abscesses as they had to due an incision and drainage and wash-out and removal of part of my cerebellum, which required a crainectomy, so it had to be posterior.

I'm much better now, but my recovery was difficult. I had to re-learn how to walk, speak, swallow again (I also had central pontine myelinolysis), was in the hospital for 4 months, followed by a rehab hospital for almost 3 more. I was on narcotics for 9 months following discharge and finally stopped them cold turkey one day (absolutely DON'T do that) due to the side effects.

I still have daily headaches and neck pain, but I only had the infection for a couple weeks before I went into the hospital, so I can't compare it with prior pain (I had some headaches due to a traumatic brain injury, but nothing like now, and no neck pain).

I hope you get relief with your procedures. Your MRI does sound pretty impressive (not in a good way).

I'm pretty well educated in all that's involved. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to try and help.

Good luck.