New issues/pain after ACDF surgery
 

I am so glad I found this forum as I am much worse now than before my most recent surgery. My story... I had a disc herniation 6 years ago at C6/C7 and the resulting ACDF using my own bone was very successful. The pain and numbness I had in my left arm was almost immediately relieved. Awesome!

About 2.5 years ago I started having walking balance type issues. Just a lack of confidence in my gait. About 6 months later, I started getting extremely cold burning spots (softball size) in the same spot on my right arm/elbow forearm and right calf. The doctor sent me to a neurologist who did physical therapy and ultimately an MRI (brain and spine with dye) which revealed another herniation with pressure on the spine at C5/C6. In the mean time, a warm spot developed on my left calf and numb/warm spot on my left back shoulder. The diagnosis was cervical spondylitis with myelopathy.

I had surgery approx. 3 1/2months ago with an artificial disc at C5/C6 (successful according to surgeon and xrays) but my symptoms are sometimes even worse now. Furthermore, I now have some left leg pain here and there but pronounced pain in left shoulder/arm/hand. In addition, some occasional twitching on left arm and hand clumsiness at times.

I expected the surgery to be the answer like the first but I have so much anxiety now. I wondered if the cervical issue was not the real problem or did they botch something. Of course the Internet convinced me that I had ALS or MS. I recently visited the neurologist and she did another MRI revealing that the new disc was not pressing on the spine, some basic neuro tests again, reflex (no real reflex in arms, slight hyper in right knee #3 on right knee and #2 on left knee, Babinski (normal), standing and walking tests, strength tests, and ultimately stated that I did not have MS or ALS as I worried about. She is fairly positive its related to my cervical issues and recent surgery. She states that I just went through a major surgery and I need to give my body and spine time to heal. The problem is that I did not have left arm/hand issues before the surgery. Anyone else have a similar experience?

I sure hope she is right as I cant really do much at this time due to the pain and anxiety.

Hi Scooter!
 

A belated 'Welcome' to you! :rolleyes:
The lack of responses in no way means you are being ignored :hug:, rather, it's possible that the people who have seen your post simply don't have any feedback to offer, OR the spinal forum does tend to go through some quiet spells now and then.

I am so sorry for the pain, frustration and anxiety you are going through right now. I am certainly one to know that pain/anxiety feed off of each other like leeches and that pain flares can shoot out the roof. I've been battling anxiety for years. Thankfully I have medication to help control that now, but still get breakthroughs which can be hard to get under control.

I hope that you can get some clear answers very soon.
Despite the forum here being a bit slow, there is a lot of good info to sort through. As I read through the posts others have shared, it's very clear that we are not alone in this!

Caring,
Rae
:grouphug:

Hello Scooter14,

I am sorry I can't help with questions regarding your spinal issues, but I too wanted to say... Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

I also hope you find some answers soon.

take care.

I could have written your post myself. I would not wish this on anyone but it relieves me to know I'm not alone. I hope you are doing better and would love to know what happens. My first acdf was c5-c7 in August 2010. My last was April 2014, c4-c5. I am 45 and cannot be upright more than a couple of hours now. I just had a nuclear med bone scan the other day. All other imaging showed normal for post acdf. The herniation was originally pressing on the right side of the nerve root at c5. When I awoke from surgery, I knew immediately there was something different with the left side of my body. I now have severe pain numbness tingling the cold burning sensation in my left side. It includes my arm my leg my neck my back my skull. It has progressively gotten worse since the surgery.I have been to the emergency room multiple times because sometimes it actually feels like I'm having a stroke. I would be grateful for any information you obtain from your doctors and I will be happy to share with you mine.

Hello brilliantlycrazy, :)

Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups!

I'm very sorry to read that you're in so much pain.

Hopefully scooter will see your message and respond, as you seem to have some things in common post surgery.

I'm sure you will find great support and the information that you need here,
take care.

p.s. you could also post over on
Chronic Pain Forum
"Whatever the cause, support for managing long term or intractable pain."

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