Re: agree with Dr. Smith
 

I totally agree with Dr.Smith. If you can call and arrange some kind of help those first few days at home, it will make your life much better. being alone those first few days is not a good idea. Call the hospital as Dr. Smith suggested and get a caregiver of some kind in. As far as what to bring? Bring easy in and out of cloths for when you go home. At home have an in and out of easy nightie, or PJ's, For me I needed a pillow that is inclined on an angle and that was better for me while in bed. It is called a wedge, bath bed and beyond stores carry them, and so do local medical supply places. There are also moist toweletts at walgreens for personal care so you don't have to take a bath or shower for a day or so. Just wipe cloths that are very nice. There is also a none soap shampoo you just put on your hair and towell dry if you want you hair washed. This is the kind of thing you will need help for. Also your meals are a concern. You will not feel at all like cooking and not maybe even eating. Have some comfort food in the fridge. I had tapiocia pudding, and steal cut oatmeal ready for me. soft foods in particular. Apple sauce,etc.
I also had greek yogurt. You may not have much of an appetite, but nutrition will be important and so will fluids bedside at home. Prepare as much as you can. Soup was also good when I was not hungry. Let me know how you are doing with these ideas. ginnie

did you lose your voice
 

I keep putting off my surgery because my surgeon tells me that I could have vocal damage for good or become horse for good. I am afraid of that because I am a Minister of Music and a Music Ed major in college and my voice is my instrument. He said because this surgery would be my second one. I had this done bout 5 years ago.

Have you gotten multiple opinions? Some surgeons specialize in one particular procedure; others don't. Depending on your individual case, there may be alternative procedures that would not put your vocal chords at as much risk.

Doc

Acdf c5-7 surgery
 

I just had ACDF surgery on C5-7. Before the surgery my pain was in my right forearm starting just below the elbow and winding around my thumb. I could not even pick up a pen or hold anything without major pain. I have degenerative discs disease that runs in my family. My surgery was 6 days ago and I'm still having the exact pain I had before the surgery. My thumb and side of my wrist is killing me. Am I wanting results too fast? I did have numbness and tingling when I moved my neck a certain way before and that is better, but my neck and shoulder never hurt like it does now. It seems like my symptoms are worse. I am taking Lortab and Tizanidine, but it seems like the last couple of days it's not working as well. I have been taking Lortab since March, so maybe it's not working anymore??? Please help......

ACDF Surgery C5 - C7
 

I had been having neck pain on and off for 14 yrs (tests done,but nothing found till later)and right shoulder pain and numbness that ran all the way down to hand and first 3 fingers for over a yr. After many tests, they found deg.disc disease, herniation,spinal stenosis, my nerve roots between c5, c6, & c7 were being completely crushed.I have been on a medical since Jan 2012 and have gone through every non- surgical option. (Physical therapy, chiropractic, traction, nerve block shots, trigger point shots, etc.) I was not thrilled at the aspect of surgery but knew that it was my only option before permanent nerve damage.

Anyways, I had surgery 5 days ago. Went well and I was discharged after 24 hrs. My surgeon gave me a soft collar to wear and told me it was not necessary to wear it if I didn't want to, that with all the hardware in my neck nothing was going to go anywhere, and that most people just wore it to feel more stable. I have gone both ways, in car and sleeping I'm keeping brace on, but if just watching Tv I will take it off for a bit. Since my surgery, my right arm feels great, still a lil tingling, but no more " please rip my arm off" pain. However the pain in my neck has been pretty bad. It's tender to the touch, which I expect, but we're talking just a light touch hurts. I feel like Im having spasms across the top of both my shoulder blades and when they flare up they break thru my pain meds and I'm on both a pain patch and pain pills( both are pretty strong ones) Ice helps but only some. The other issue I'm having is, that last inch or two drop to the pillow and then again lifting off a pillow. I know Im supposed to roll in and out of bed, and I do, but even doing that, if your pillow is not in exact spot you need or if hair or clothes get caught up and feels funny, then you still end up having to lift your head up a bit and it is here that I feel like my neck is gonna just give out on me. Like my head is just too heavy. Have been using hand to support. Maybe this is all normal....I don't know as this is my first and hopefully my last cervical surgery. I keep trying to tell myself that I had a lot of work done. and that its going to take time, but at same time I was so nervous about the surgery in the first place, that all of this new pain is scaring me even more so.
Anyone have any advise or calming words of wisdom? lol

Had the same surgery March 2011. I still experience pain in my neck although arm pain is significantly less. My Neuro Surgeon was very clear about collar; wear it every day 7x24 for 3 months with the exception of a break during showering. Mine was a hard collar (Aspen). I took his advise and wore it every day.

Of course you are a bit of a mess five days out from surgery. You were dealing with pain for 14 years before you broke down and had the repair. Heaven knows how long he was rooting around in there. I think most of these guys take a course on how to say, "what do you mean, that you still hurt. I fixed you!!!" The first time I had a cervie repair (two levels), I saw the surgeon at 10 days post op and was told all I needed was tylenol xtra strength. After considerable begging, I got a muscle relaxer with no refill. I went straight from there to my primary doc who had referred me and he gave me a script for a decent pain pill and said he would call the surgeon and discuss the matter.

Your recovery will be a little slow but steady. Once in a while you will have a day or two where you seem to go backwards. That is normal and don't be surprised. I have had three cervical surgeries and pretty much lived on jello, yogart and Ensure for the first two weeks before I felt like eating real food. Besides, I was alone with no help. No lifting. The housework will wait if you don't have help. Hang in there.

I am also 5 days out of surgery
 

Wowzers this has been quite a roller coaster these last few days! It hurts ALL THE TIME!!! very few things relieve it the pain in left arm is pretty much gone however pins and needles nerve is not only left side but right as well. Arms and handsfirst 2 fingers and thumbs cant eat or drink qwithout choking ugh

Dear Beachbaby, and new surgery folks
 

Yes being super sore after that surgery is normal. This goes on for some time, but should lessen day by day. Get an elevated pillow in foam, going from flat to about 5 inches. Won't hurt to lay down. I also slept in my colar the first few nights. Spasms do happen, across shoulder blades too. Ask you doctor for Soma compound in addition to your pain medication and that should help. Sleep as much as you all can. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I had C6-7 then 6 years later C3-7. I am two years post and doing pretty good. I hope you all get this good kind of result. ginnie:hug:

Hi Namcamyo
 

See if you are or could be a candadate for orthoscopic correction. Your vocal cords won't be in danger. Get a few more opinions. I wouldn't want you to loose your voice. I never sang well, but after C3-7 I am a frog. ginnie:o:hug: