getting better all the time
 

I am 8 months Post. C3-7. Horrible first three weeks. lots of pain. At 4 weeks I started to get better. Hang in there, I do believe you will get better in time. It was worth the suffering to get the relief I have. Hope your surgery turns out to be worth it too. Keep taking the meds, and sleep as much as you can. I had a wedge, and lots of differnet pillows to get me in a better position. Keep trying to be positive, I know it is tough to go through. ginnie

11 weeks post acdf
 

Hi, I HAVE JUST JOINED AND HAVE READ POSTS BETWEEN YOU AND cATHIE AND AM FEELIG A BIT BETTER, KNOWING THAT WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH IS NORMAL, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MY VOICE AND SOME SWALLOWING ISSUES. I have not been doing a lot of walking, but will start today. Sounds like it helps. You really do not know what to expect and there is a lot more to the surgery and recovery than they tell you. 6 weeks and all will be better, doesn't even begin to tell the story. My voice is embarrassing, i sound like Minnie Mouse with bronchitis!!!Doesn't hurt, but cannot carry on a conversation, and then it just disappears. It is really weak and almost like a shortness of breathe. Now a lot of mucus and feels like a cold, just what i need. I hope that you all continue to improve, and i am so happy that i found this site, at least i can talk to someone that has been there and done that. I have not seen anyone with voice problems, is it just me. Thank you. Gramato3

Re: hello gramato
 

[Lay low, and rest alot. It does take alot of recovery time. Much more than what they tell you, you are right. I spent three weeks in bed pretty much from C3-7 fusion. My thoat was effected also. I hope you continue to recover with as little pain as possible. ginnie

Hi there,

I'm now at 8 months post op, and although I still have some issues and pain, I'm much better then I was. The recovery was (and still is) very slow, and much more difficult then any doctor's let you believe. I had a little bit of trouble with my voice, and quite a bit with swallowing, still have difficulty swallowing large vitamins or pills, but my voice has completely recovered. Hopefully with some rest and time yours will also.

Walking helps, but do it slowly, I over did things in the beginning, got heck from nurses later when I hurt more because of walking too much. Start with short walks, no more then 15 mins, then SLOWLY increase to where you feel comfortable. You will hurt later, not during the walk. Pace yourself, those nerves are inflammed and angry for a long time, bouncy will make things worse.

Hope you heal quickly and painlessly.... I'm still going down that road myself.
Take care!!
Cathie

gramato3
 

I am glad that you feel a bit better after reading the posts. Believe it or not there is no real "normal". Everyone heals at a different rate and has varying amount of pain. Much of the difference occurs because we have all had surgery at different points in our lives. Some have a low tolerance for pain while others have a higher. I was told 24 -48 hours in the hospital. I was in for 5-6 days due to swelling and swallowing issues. I had to go n oral steroids to decrease the swelling. In the hospital, I just laughed at the nurse when she replied can I help you after I pressed the buzzer. She figured out that she needed to come to the room. Then when I requested pain meds, she came with a pill. I told her that I needed a shot and couldn't swallow. It took a while, but they came with the shot and it took a few days then I moved to crushed pills in applesauce. By the time I left I could swallow with sorbet a small pill. My surgery was 12/9/2011 so it was hard being able to take a walk outside due to the snow and cold. I did try to walk in the house. I thought I would go back to work in 6-8 weeks. I went back on 2/14/2011 for a week and then had a week off. I was totally exhausted afterwards. Just remember, everyday is a new day. Hopefully you are not in the pain that caused you to have the surgery. I had ACDF C5-6 6-7. I was finally doing really well this past summer and beginning to have my life again. I was ready and excited to start work as a teacher. Then on Sept 2nd I was rear ended. September was tough but October was a bit better. I am still suffering from sever whiplash. Going to PT 2-3x a week. I am still getting muscle spasms (pins and needles across my neck, shoulders) and major knots all over. My lower back is also sore which I never had. I just had a new cervical MRI done, waiting for the results. Hope you have a better day. :)