On Sept.29, last Saturday afternoon I had anterior C5/6 disc fusion with cadaver, with plate and screws. When my pain medication wears off, I experience very bad pain on the left side. It is at the base of my skull where it indents, and down my neck and into my left shoulder. I was wondering if anyone experienced this and that this is normal. At this point I am not sure what the normal pains are, and that side is very sore and why I need the pain medication. I still feel it when medicated but, not so intense.My surgeon is a great surgeon but not so post op informative, thank goodness for this sight. My discharge notes from hospital were regular activity and my only restriction was no heavy lifting. So, it was quite vague. Any help on my 5 days post op would be great.
Thank you, Kim

My guess is that things will be a whole lot different at 4 weeks! I had a C5-6 fusion with PEEK cage and had a whole lot of complaints in the first week or two but by 1 month, felt really pretty good as far as my neck was concerned.

Those are pretty vague discharge orders at best. Don't lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk until you see the surgeon for your post op appt. and discuss how much you can lift then. Don't be concerned if your throat is tender and feels swollen inside for a while. If solid foods make you choke, stick with the soft things and chase it with lots of water. Push pops are great for a tender, swollen throat. Walking is great. Don't do it alone for a week or two. Start out nice and easy, as tollerated, and then increase. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Forget any heavy housework until the surgeon says it is ok. NO FLOORS right now. It might be a good idea to have someone monitor your showering for another week. Drink drink drink. If the bed is uncomfortable, try a recliner and find a position that feels good. No sleeping on your stomach. Continue to log roll to change position in the bed or get up. Take care. Best wishes. Each experience differs because the amount of work that had to be done varries from patient to patient.

I would say you're doing pretty good for such a short time post op. When I had regular lumbar surgery, I was a wreck for a month! Mine was not minimallly invasive tho - it was open surgery. So keep up the good work and like Dubious said, by a month or so, you should be feeling pretty darn good.

Best of luck and keep us posted. Hugs, Lee

Thank you so much to everyone

Will you please tell me why the surgeons always "gutted" us? LOL!! I also want to know why the final step before closing is to drop in a grenade. Have a great day tomorrow. Hugz and prayers.

Was THAT what he dropped in there??? I often wondered! And he said he only forgot a sponge.

Ahhh the fun of surgery. Think I'll make another appointment!

I was wondering when it would be safe to start moving my neck around after my surgery? I can move it around a little anyways but, should I push on moving it more? Thank you

[You don't have to move around yet alot. I was mighty careful for about four weeks, then started some real PT. That was a good experience, and helped to get my mobility back. The pain from the 29th is yet tender I know. This is going to take a few more weeks to subside. Keep taking the pain meds. and sleep alot. Try not to worry just yet. There is some real pain the first three weeks. ginnie

I seem to be doing more than I should be then..lol. I can just about do anything cautiously
with minimal pain.I was so used to unbearable before my surgery.I just don't want to ruin anything. I am down to one Percocet in the morning,and good for the day.I have a hard time staying down.I feel great(knock on wood). I just don't want my feeling good to turn with my not resting as much as I guess I should.I figured if I am able to do stuff,then do it..lol.
Thank you Ginnie...I will try to rest more