ACDF day 10
 

Hello - I had fusion surgery of C3-C4, C5-6 on November 17th. I know it has been less than 2 weeks, but I'm feeling very vulnerable, like I will break in half. I wear my collar at all times except eating and showering. My pain is manageable with meds, but I get so scared that the bone won't fuse. Has anyone else felt this way? Does this fear do away? Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share their experiences.

Hi

I am new to this forum and was just reading the posts and saw yours. I had the same surgery as you except it was c2 c3. I am about 30 days out. ifelt like you at first when they told me I could sleep without my neckbrace I didn't want to for a while. Eventually I did sleep without and started to look forward to bed time to take it off. Hopefully by now you are feeling more confortable. Feel free to contact me if you would like to talk.

Cindra

LB & Cindra,

I am kind of there now.

I had Laminectomy and fusion of L4-L5. Mine was done minimally invasive (miss). They went through my back. I am a month and a half out and I can relate in that I also feel vulnerable. I am driving already and I get nervous when someone gets too close behind me. Or if I turn wrong sleeping.

I feel more confident with my brace. I will be needing surgery on my neck in a year or two. Surgeon said fusion is needed there too.

I say don't be afraid to tell your Dr what you are feeling. My dr has great nurses in his office that I can call and talk to anytime. They reassure me of my concerns.
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But I still have concerns like you do. My feelings are of guilt. I am mad at myself that I didn't take better care of my body. My previous job did my back and neck in pretty bad. I have found resources on the internet. They explain in detail what is happening with the body while healing. Spine-health.com is a good site for info about what your body is doing while your rehabbing. It helps me to visualize what is going on.

I am so glad that we have this site to vent and share with others going through the same thing. May your concerns be few and know that if we do what the Dr tells us to do, that we will be ok.

God Bless and here is a group hug for you both