I really do know what you are going through with not being comfortable. I hope you heal quickly, so you can get back into your own bed and be in no pain again. Sending you prayers and healing vibes your way. ginnie

Glad to hear that all is going as well as can be after your surgery. I had a 2 level 12/2010. I slept in the recliner for almost 6 weeks before I was able to sleep in the bed with a bunch of pillow propping me up. Give yourself time and try and be patient. I know that it is very difficult to be patient and take it slow. Glad to hear that the that your extreme pain is gone. The back and shoulders may take a long time to decrease. They will increase when you do too much. Your body will let you know when you have done to much. Take is slow and let your body heal as best as you can. Walk as much as you can and enjoy the time in the recliner. when you are healthy and back to your "regular" schedule there will be no rest. Enjoy the weekend and feel well.

Rather than getting back to, it may now be a matter of discovering what the new normal is/will be. Health issues aside, I'm finding as I age that "normal" changes along with everything else. Up until about ten years ago, I was a stomach/side sleeper with one arm up under my head (under the pillow), I didn't snore (unless I tried to sleep on my back, which I didn't like anyway) and a flat mattress was fine - even the floor, which I enjoyed napping on with ol' furry butt (the four-legged one).

Nowadays, "normal" is strictly on my back, top half elevated on a foam wedge, with a cpap, in pretty much the same position all night. I've adapted because I've HAD to. No more snuggling/spooning (cpap & wedge), and no more naps on the floor. I miss those naps. I tried it on the recliner with ol' furry butt on my lap, but w/o the cpap, I keep snoring/gasping/choking (apnea) and startling him (and he jumps off, invariably using my groin for a push-off ), and the machine freaks him out. He's a little big for a lapdog anyway....

Doc

Just to add a thought:

I raised the head of my bed by adding a 4"x4" cedar post along the top under the matteress on top of the box springs and then a piece of plywood on top of that to ramp the head of the bed down.

At first I tried 6" bricks but that seemed to high for me.

Basically I made my own fancy adjustable bed (like the ones tempurpedic sells for $4000) for less than $20.. LOL..

Hope your feeling better soon.

J.

That idea of raising your bed like that is a great idea to share! Thanks ginnie

I am a 50 year old male in good health. Last February, I went to the doctor as I was having these strange headaches that I thought were sinus related. To my surprise the doctor said that I had neck problems. The initial X-rays confirmed this diagnosis.

Within a few weeks I started experiencing mild pain in portions of my right hand, wrist and fore arm. This quickly progressed to tingling and occasional numbness in my right thumb and first finger.

Since that time, I have been through physical therapy (it did not help, made the arm hurt worse), X-rays, two MRIs, nerve function study, three spinal epidurals (the third made my arm worse) and an MRI, in which I was injected with a radioactive dye that was absorbed by my bones. All of the studies confirmed the earlier diagnosis of DDD and compression on the brachial (?) nerve root.

I have tried all of the NSAIDS, three months of Neurontin (all that did was make me sleepy during the day) and heat. Right now only heat and lying down bring me any relief from the headaches.

My arm actually improved slightly during December, but since then my shoulder hurts more and the headaches have increased in frequency, intensity and duration. I know have headaches and neck pain every other day.

Fast forward to today and I am looking at having C5-6-7 disk removal and fusion on February 16. The neurologist who did the nerve study said that I was going to need this surgery sooner or later as he felt the sensory issues and motor issues will only progress. My neuro-surgeon felt that I could have the surgery now or anytime in the near future.

Because I fear permanent pain, sensory disturbance and loss of motor function in my right arm (I am right-handed). I have elected to do the surgery now, before things get worse.

My questions are: (1) What was the age that many of you had the surgery?; (2) Did physical therapy help after the surgery?; (3) Are there any concerns, questions to ask, recommendations, or issues to be aware of that you did not anticipate before your surgery?

Thank you in advance for your responses.

Regards,

David

P.S. I have a six year old "active' son and I want to be able to better keep up with him.

Welcome to Neuro Talk. There are alot of people here who can answer some of your quesions and concerns. I just happen to be on of the greeters on the site who also has your condition. I was 56 for the first spinal fusion. I had no choice in the decision, as there was a risk of being paralzed. So I had C6-7 done. This Failed as not all the issues in my neck were told to me or resolved at time of this first fusion. Second and third opinions, I should have done. My pain specialist in 2010 discovered through a ketamine infusion just what my spine looked like. He directed me to the best neruo surgeon in my are. I was re-fused C3-7. I have no regrets from doing this last surgery even though I was terrified. That is why I joined this forum. Yes, I was allowed PT at four weeks out. I thought it was too early as I was still in pain, but the PT helped me alot. They never pushed beyond what I was able to do. The pain in my shoulders and arms is gone. I take a low dose of pain killer still, as I have other degenerative disorders. My spine is in pretty good shape. This can be a very successful kind of surgery, but should only be done as a last resort. Please seek out more than one opinion, as I didn't do that, and I paid price for my lack of knowledge. I didn't question my first neurologist enough as my pain was so great I just wanted to have something done about it. That was one of the lessons I learned the hard way. I do wish you all the best in this. You will need some time and TLC while you recover. I wore a soft collar for about 3 months, but did not have to sleep in it. If there are any other questions you think I might be able to answer I am here for you. Have a good superball sunday. ginnie

Hi Dricher, Good luck with your upcomming ACDF surgery. I am 43, and not as active as I should be. I have other issues as well...LOL. I did PT before my surgery, that just aggrovated my condition. I will be going to PT after 4 weeks, I am 3 weeks postop now. I also went to the chiropractor a few times a week before my surgery, this did help with the arm pain. I did this conventional treatment for 9 months with little improvement. This is why my doc suggested doing the surgery. I can happily say that I am glad I had it done. I am in some pain now, but it is so much better than it was before the surgery. When I woke up in recovery, the arm pain was GONE. I am in a soft cervical collar for 6 weeks, no driving yet. I do still have some weakness in the arm, as well as numbness in 3 fingers. I do hope this goes away with some PT. I only had one level done, and my doc told me the recovery should be around 8 weeks or so. Just make sure you listen to all the restrictions, and don't do too much too fast. I did this a few times, and was in some extreme pain afterwords !!! The only place I can get comfortable is in my recliner. You will need plenty of rest after your surgery. Also make sure your doc gives you meds that control your pain as well as a muscle relaxer, and maybe even sleeping pills. All of these meds really help you heal better. Take care, Karen

Hi David,

1.) Given your general good health and parental aspirations, unless there's some other factor that makes surgery a greater than average risk for you, I don't think age should be of concern.
2.) Except in rare cases, rehabilitation (physical therapy, exercise) can help patients recover from spine surgery as quickly and completely as possible.
I can't think of a reason why anyone wouldn't at least try postoperative physical therapy.

3.) Those issues constitute a significant portion of the discussions on this forum. One good way is to make use of the Search functions, which can be found on and just beneath the blue bars across the forum screens. Also,
Google: questions to ask before surgery
Google: questions to ask before spine surgery
Google: questions to ask before neck surgery
Google: failed neck surgery syndrome
Google: arachnoiditis

Surgery can fix physical/mechanical damage; it cannot fix already damaged nerves, and it may not alleviate pain.

Get multiple opinions.

Best Wishes,

Doc

I am VERY stiff and sore today. Doc's assistant called earlier and said I could wean myself out of the soft collar. He wanted me to try and go a few hours doing my normal daily activities without it today. I am 4 weeks post op today. My chest, neck, upper back, and across my shoulders are in spasms right now !!! This is the most pain I have been in since my surgery !!! I did call the office, they said to take a muscle relaxer, put the collar back on, and it is normal to feel some pain. As the muscles are getting used to holding up the weight of my head again. I think I over did it again....when will I ever learn.