ACDF Surgery in 2 weeks
 

Hello, I am new to the forum. Hoping I can get some answers and fears put aside.
I will be going in for a level 2 discectomy and fusion on Oct. 19th. The pain I have been experiencing for the last 2 months has been excruciating. Finally had an MRI done and talked to a Neurosurgeon this week. Need surgery due to spinal cord being compromised. He said he would do a discectomy on c3,c4,c5,c6 and by next year I will need c2,c3 done as well. I asked why not do it now while he is in there, his response was my muscle spasm are so bad, that my neck would not handle a 3 level at this time. I am wondering what to expect during and after the surgery? I know everyone is different, but to know some experiences might help me feel less freaked out. Thanks and sorry for the long post.

Okay, now only 4 days till my procedure. Was wondering if anyone could answer some of my questions?

First you need to know that surgery is for MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. Surgery is NOT for pain. Chances are good that you will have the same pain or worse after surgery. If the doctor told you he can relieve your pain, you'd better run, because he cannot. You MIGHT get al little relief at first, but the pain WILL return . Also after spinal surgery, the levels above and below the surgery site will fail because they have to take on more of the load. Undoubtedly that's why he's doing C2=3, not because of muscle spasms. He'll also probably have to do C6-7 by that time too, but maybe not. It might take longer, who knows.

Talk to him before surgery about POST surgery medication to make sure yuu have something that will take care of the pain because yuu WILL hurt. i doubt that Vicodin will cover it, and that's usually what they give you for the first 3-4 days. :rolleyes: Also, youi will probably need someone to help you for the first couple of days at least. You're not going to feel like doing much. Make sure you have some meals frozen so that you or your family doesn't have to cook. Put thiings you're gong to need within reach, because you're not going to be able to "look up" to find them, or reach for them.
You won't be doing any vacuuming or cleaning so forget that. :eek:

I've probably forgotten a dozen or more things, but hopefully others will chime in with more. I wish you the best of luck and I hope you'll let us know how you do afterwards! Take care and God bless. Hugs, Lee

What I say is just personal opinion, not a professional opinion but based on lots of personal experience as a patient. I would not want more than three levels worked at one time unless mulitple surgeons advised it. With that in mind, I would get a second opinion before going forward with the second surgery.

I had three cervical surgeries. The main problem was nerve compression and I went through all the less invassive protocals first. The first surgery was a complete success and almost eliminated pain after four-six months. This was in 1985 and the surgeon would not let me have any pain meds after the tenth day post op. He said I was "fixed" and didn't need pain meds. (two level disc/lam) I had tylenol for pain and did manage to get some muscle relaxers from him at the ten day appt after asking him to physically examine my neck and shoulders which were a big bundle of knots. Ten years later I needed a revision due to an abundance of scar tissue and spurring and a new level that had a bad nerve compression. That second surgery was a failure as the bone implant slipped. That revision was a total success. The nerve pain was eliminated immediately. This was a different surgeon who kept me in reasonable pain meds and muscle relaxers for three to four months as needed. I would do it again. This was 12 years ago. I have a little arthritic change, which is no surprise, but it is nothing that moist heat and muscle rub doesn't fix.

Ask for detailed "at home" care details and refuse to sign discharge papers until you get them. To begin with, don't lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk. Forget housework until your first post op appt. Don't be surprised if there is swelling in the throat and there is difficulty swallowing. Keep the food soft and chase it with lots of water. Push pops really feel good when the the throat is sore and swollen. I trust you have help at home. Stock up on frozen entrees if you haven't cooked ahead and frozen. I found Stouffers entrees a real life saver when I got tired of the soups and stews I prepared and froze ahead. After two weeks, I was ready for a soft crust pizza. At that stage, it sure tasted good.

Put a fold up table by your bed or where you will be hanging out. On it place a bunch of plastic baskets to organize the things you need. You will want one for meds, one for sleepware, toilettries, books and magazines. Fix a basket for what is important for you. Oh, you want one for snacks like puddings, jello etc. When I have major surgery, I have several six packs of generic Ensure on hand in case my appetite is off but I need to keep the nutrition up. I prefer ice cold French vanilla. Drink Drink Drink.

Sleep where it is most comfortable. I am in a recliner for about two weeks after spinal surgery. You can keep adjusting your position with greater ease. Have lots of pillows on hand and stick them them where ever it helps. I keep several between my knees when on my side to keep the spine properly aligned. I haven't had spinal surgery for six years and I am still shoving pillows everywhere. :D My problems are now lower lumbar and I sleep where ever I am most comfortable.

Way too many surgeons do not prepare their patients properly for what will be going on at home and how long it will last. The post op challenges vary from patient to patient, depending on how invassive the surgery was. DO NOT feel guilty if you aren't progressing as fast as you think you should or according to an unrealistic schedule you might be given from the surgeon.

Shower bench for several weeks. It is not unusual to get light headed in a nice warm shower. Rent a gizmo to raise the toilett seat for a few weeks. It makes it easier to get up and down. Six years later, I still use mine. ;)

Use the search function up in the blue line above and you will find more good ideas. I am just rambling off the top of my head. Best wishes for a smooth surgery and recover. Hugz and prayers.

Lee
 

Why are you always five minutes ahead of me when responding? I still maintain we are twins seperated at birth. BTW, I too, am 63. Have a great day, Sweetie.

ACDF Surgery C5-7
 

Hi, I am also new to the forum...but I had ACDF surgery in the summer of 2011 levels C5-7. As of today, I feel a lot better than I did before the surgery. I had a permanent headache for a year w/ migraines that were so debilitating. I only get the migraines once in a while now, caused by over doing it. I have really severe shoulder spams which lead up into my neck causing the migraines. I'm not going to lie, that you need to have a high tolerance for pain for a few days. It's uncomfortable and very difficult to sleep especially laying down. I slept in a recliner for a month or so, just easier. But I promise it does get better as you heal. I went back to my full time job about 8 weeks after the surgery and also have a husband and son and they help out a great deal w/ lifting things etc. You need the support.
Now, I've been diagnosed w/ Spondylothesis and will require future surgery again, very painful, I think this is worse than my neck. Only 42 yrs old and all these problems. But I wish you luck and will try to answer any of your questions if you come back again.
Best Wishes and speedy recovery

[QUOTE=Leesa;923014]First you need to know that surgery is for MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. Surgery is NOT for pain. Chances are good that you will have the same pain or worse after surgery. If the doctor told you he can relieve your pain, you'd better run, because he cannot. You MIGHT get al little relief at first, but the pain WILL return . Also after spinal surgery, the levels above and below the surgery site will fail because they have to take on more of the load. Undoubtedly that's why he's doing C2=3, not because of muscle spasms. He'll also probably have to do C6-7 by that time too, but maybe not. It might take longer, who knows.

Talk to him before surgery about POST surgery medication to make sure yuu have something that will take care of the pain because yuu WILL hurt. i doubt that Vicodin will cover it, and that's usually what they give you for the first 3-4 days. :rolleyes: Also, youi will probably need someone to help you for the first couple of days at least. You're not going to feel like doing much. Make sure you have some meals frozen so that you or your family doesn't have to cook. Put thiings you're gong to need within reach, because you're not going to be able to "look up" to find them, or reach for them.
You won't be doing any vacuuming or cleaning so forget that. :eek:

Thanks for the advice Leesa!

Hi Chrissyanne, thanks for the uplifting note. I was diagnosed with severe left C5 and C6 radic with herniated foraminal disc at left C5/C6 and severe spondylosis with severe foraminal narrowing left C4/C5 and joint derangement NEC at C2/C3.

He is doing the ACDF on C4/C5, C5/C6 but wants to hold off on C2/C3 until next year. I really don't want to go through this again and at that time he said he would have to do a laminectomy from posterior. :mad: Not too happy about that.

I have exhausted all my sources, by starting out with Chiropractor, did electrial stimulation, BioFreeze, Ice, Heat, Traction in P.T. and portable traction unit for at home, TENS, Prendisone 2 med pack doses, muscle relaxors, Ibuprofen, Tylenol etc....

I will just be glad to hopefully get full feeling back in my left arm and that the headaches behind my left eye will get better.

Friday is the day so I will keep you posted. Thanks.

Spine95
 

I've just been following you around, and jump ahead of you when I see you're interested. ;)