I know about that post op pain for cervical fussion. Both of us seem to have gone through that experience. It was a 10 at times, but now, the pain is less than I could have thought possible. It was worth it, but boy they make us go through alot to get to that point. ginnie

How are you know. Just had the same surgery 12/9/2010. I am 4 weeks out and getting depressed. Still issues with swallowing, very limited rotation and some numbness of the left thumb. I am still glad that I had the surgery, just concerned.

I'm having EXACTLY the same issues as you, been off work for 9 months now waiting to see if I can do without surgery, I will be having my surgery in about a month.

My pre-op appt. with my neurosurgeon is this coming Thursday, he will be fusing C5 & C6 and possibly replacing a disc as well. I have nerves pinched down both my arms and can't use my hands barely any longer. Since I am a graphic designer it has made me loose a lot of work time.

I have degenerative disc disease, as does my father and my aunt (on my Dad's side), all have had successful surgeries for it. My Dad had my same surgery 15 years ago and it was very successful. Although a big lifestyle change is in order to keep the discs above and below the fusion healthy for the rest of your life post-op.

Good luck to you... you can email me anytime to compare notes... keep positive, it's a very hard thing to go through, and very life changing. Try to meditate and eat right so the inability to do things doesn't get you sad.

I'll post more after my surgery when I'm able to type!

Cathie

Cathie, Good luck with everything. I have been having some tingling on my left arm which is making me nervous. Not sure if I am doing too much or I am having a set back of some kind. I have an appt with surgeon in 2 weeks but I may call and speak to him or go in earlier if I can get an appt. Keep me posted on how you are doing. Gail

[Sorry you still have pain after your surgery. I did go to three months of physical therapy. Were you able to do the therapy after your surgery. I have great mobility after fusion of C3-7. ginnie

I am now 5 weeks post op of ACDF of C5-6 C6-7 with plate and screws. Generally I am pain free as long as I do not do anything stupid. I managed to get a 24 hour stomach bug. My neck hurts for 2 days after that. Hope I did not do any damage to my neck when I was worshiping the bowl. If I am typing on the computer for more than a 1/2 hour I get numbness in my shoulder and my left hand gets numb. Not sure why. My surgeon does not believe in PT after the surgery, doesn't want any of the hardware to move. I go back next week. Hope by rotation has increased so that I feel comfortable to drive and the xray shows some fusion.

I had my 2nd appt. with the neurosurgeon last Thursday, he's scheduling an updated MRI (which I'm having tomorrow) to help him decide whether he will be doing a 2 level or a 3 level fusion in my neck. He will be fusing C5/C6 & C6/C7 for sure but he may do one more also. Surgery is in 4 weeks. I'm pretty nervous about it, although I know it's necessary now since I just can't do very much right now with all the pain. It was scary going through all the risks and signing all the pre-op paperwork.

I hope everything everything goes well with your appt too!! Keep me posted.

Cathie

I had my 1st surgery C3 C4 and trimmed C5.This was
in 2006 and it went reasonably good.I still had some
pain but it was so much better that I talked a family
member into having it done.Then in 2008 pain returned
in arm and shoulder and I thought my left eye was
going to pop out.Back to same neurosurgeon and had
surgery C5 C6, he removed old hardware and replaced
with new.After I awoke from surgery I knew something
was wrong,I could not use left arm and pain was still
there.I went to therapy for 3 month and was finally
told to stop.I was left with extreme weakness in left
arm and can't raise it above shoulder. I have little control

of it and pain worse than before.I was left with no
voice and the icing on top was my surgeon was kill
in a plane crash,his own plane.I am currently in
Pain management and in process of deciding on
a spinal stimulator implant . I wish you the best of
luck,but there are risk as I live them now!
MZ33

I had the surgery also, 2 different ones C3C4 first and
C5C6 on 2nd.I can tell you without any hesitation
Wait Wait Wait.There is a reason for you to sign all
the papers, telling you that it may not reduce your pain.
And for so many of us to still have pain and even more
after surgery well ( Here's you sign )!!!!
No surgery is the best surgery on your spine.
Good luck to you on this decision.

Did you ever have your surgery? How are you doing if you did have it? You would be at the 6 week post op point. Hope all is well. Keep us posted.