cadillacstan
11-08-2003, 12:49 PM
Hello......
I had acdf surgery of C-5 C-6, 5 days ago and must admit I'm feeling pretty fine, throat pain is remitting and neck appears to be healing. My symptoms that brought me to surgery were numbness in fingers and through out my body, feelings of cold/wetness in feet and legs, and weakness and fatigue which caused some difficulties in walking. I never experienced excruciating pain as many people on this board seemed to.
At this point I still have numbness and feeling of coldness, though I think I am walking better. It's difficult to totally assess where my presurgical symptoms are, as I am taking Percocet for pain on a regular basis. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who had similar symptoms and what the recovery process was like following the surgery. Did symptoms gradually reduce or did it happen all of a sudden ?
Thanks and Good Health to All
I had acdf surgery of C-5 C-6, 5 days ago and must admit I'm feeling pretty fine, throat pain is remitting and neck appears to be healing. My symptoms that brought me to surgery were numbness in fingers and through out my body, feelings of cold/wetness in feet and legs, and weakness and fatigue which caused some difficulties in walking. I never experienced excruciating pain as many people on this board seemed to.
At this point I still have numbness and feeling of coldness, though I think I am walking better. It's difficult to totally assess where my presurgical symptoms are, as I am taking Percocet for pain on a regular basis. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who had similar symptoms and what the recovery process was like following the surgery. Did symptoms gradually reduce or did it happen all of a sudden ?
Thanks and Good Health to All
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Beeyes
11-08-2003, 04:26 PM
Hi
I am 5 weeks post op and the numbness in my hands is about 95% gone..sometimes 100%. I also had stinging in my right hand..that also is slowly going away. There were days where it got better, and by the end of the day felt worse. It can take a few months to a year for the numbness to go away, so be patient. I started to feel improvement after about 2 weeks. Depending how long you had the symptoms, sometimes it can be permanent. I had surgury about 5 weeks after initial numbness. Nerves heal pretty slowly. I once was told an inch per month...dont know how true that is!
BS
Hello......
I had acdf surgery of C-5 C-6, 5 days ago and must admit I'm feeling pretty fine, throat pain is remitting and neck appears to be healing. My symptoms that brought me to surgery were numbness in fingers and through out my body, feelings of cold/wetness in feet and legs, and weakness and fatigue which caused some difficulties in walking. I never experienced excruciating pain as many people on this board seemed to.
At this point I still have numbness and feeling of coldness, though I think I am walking better. It's difficult to totally assess where my presurgical symptoms are, as I am taking Percocet for pain on a regular basis. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who had similar symptoms and what the recovery process was like following the surgery. Did symptoms gradually reduce or did it happen all of a sudden ?
Thanks and Good Health to All
I am 5 weeks post op and the numbness in my hands is about 95% gone..sometimes 100%. I also had stinging in my right hand..that also is slowly going away. There were days where it got better, and by the end of the day felt worse. It can take a few months to a year for the numbness to go away, so be patient. I started to feel improvement after about 2 weeks. Depending how long you had the symptoms, sometimes it can be permanent. I had surgury about 5 weeks after initial numbness. Nerves heal pretty slowly. I once was told an inch per month...dont know how true that is!
BS
Hello......
I had acdf surgery of C-5 C-6, 5 days ago and must admit I'm feeling pretty fine, throat pain is remitting and neck appears to be healing. My symptoms that brought me to surgery were numbness in fingers and through out my body, feelings of cold/wetness in feet and legs, and weakness and fatigue which caused some difficulties in walking. I never experienced excruciating pain as many people on this board seemed to.
At this point I still have numbness and feeling of coldness, though I think I am walking better. It's difficult to totally assess where my presurgical symptoms are, as I am taking Percocet for pain on a regular basis. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who had similar symptoms and what the recovery process was like following the surgery. Did symptoms gradually reduce or did it happen all of a sudden ?
Thanks and Good Health to All
stircrazy
11-10-2003, 12:42 AM
Dear Cadillacstan,
I am 3 weeks post op and am feeling quite well. The numbness in my left arm and shoulder is about 95% back to normal and comes and goes. A week before surgery my shoulder and neck would hurt so bad, especially to cough, laugh, or sneeze, those symptoms were gone immediately after surgery. Also before surgery, to look up made me feel like there was a string attached from my head to my elbow pulling on my arm, that feeling also subsided immediatley after surgery. My biggest complaint has not been pain, but just the fact that I couldn't get comfortable for the first two weeks. I had to be so careful about keeping my head straight. But now since I can move side to side, everything is easier. 3 weeks later I am turning my head side to side but not up and down until MRI comes back to see if fusion has taken place. I'm just so thankful this has turned out as well as it has, I really have no complaints-I have my arms and legs and am all fixed up, it could've been a lot worse.
I am 3 weeks post op and am feeling quite well. The numbness in my left arm and shoulder is about 95% back to normal and comes and goes. A week before surgery my shoulder and neck would hurt so bad, especially to cough, laugh, or sneeze, those symptoms were gone immediately after surgery. Also before surgery, to look up made me feel like there was a string attached from my head to my elbow pulling on my arm, that feeling also subsided immediatley after surgery. My biggest complaint has not been pain, but just the fact that I couldn't get comfortable for the first two weeks. I had to be so careful about keeping my head straight. But now since I can move side to side, everything is easier. 3 weeks later I am turning my head side to side but not up and down until MRI comes back to see if fusion has taken place. I'm just so thankful this has turned out as well as it has, I really have no complaints-I have my arms and legs and am all fixed up, it could've been a lot worse.
JonInTampa
11-10-2003, 12:48 PM
I'm 13 months post surgery and still getting gradually better.
Just wanted to give you another "data point".
I've been told by specialists that significant nerve recovery can occur a year and a half after the nerve compression is removed.
Just wanted to give you another "data point".
I've been told by specialists that significant nerve recovery can occur a year and a half after the nerve compression is removed.
cadillacstan
11-10-2003, 12:57 PM
Thankyou both for your responses....As I sit here a week past surgery I am feeling very optimistic about my recovery. It appears that return of function will be gradual and it is easier to be patient following the surgery than before. My symptoms began 5 months prior to the surgery with delays attributable to waiting for tests and diagnosis, and then waiting longer for appointments with Neurosurgeons and getting a Second Opinion, which I am grateful for as the second opinion recommended a less radical treatment (one disc removed instead of two).
I will be venturing out of the home for the first time today and look forward to having a new lease on life.......
Be Well, Stan
I will be venturing out of the home for the first time today and look forward to having a new lease on life.......
Be Well, Stan
Deborah2003
11-14-2003, 09:35 PM
I had my surgery in September 2003. I am still having problems with my right hand falling asleep when I drive or write or use a shovel when gardening... It is not as bad as before the surgery as my entire hand would go to sleep.. its more like the inside of my ring finger then it spreads to my whole finger, my pinkie, and my middle finger and then eventually to my palm and wrist. Currently my thumb and forefinger do NOT fall asleep where as before surgery they were the first to fall asleep.
My OSS sent me to a hand surgeon to rule out carpal tunnel as a secondary problem. Next week I will undergo a nerve study.. (it sounds horrible) They didn't do one before my surgery because my two discs were so herniated it was obvious I had a major problem.
The hand surgeon said its a bit early for complete nerve recovery but understood that the OSS wanted to rule out that he missed something. so pending the results of my nerve study next week.. I may have:
nerves that have not healed
nerve damage
carpal tunnel requiring surgery (oh joy joy)
My OSS sent me to a hand surgeon to rule out carpal tunnel as a secondary problem. Next week I will undergo a nerve study.. (it sounds horrible) They didn't do one before my surgery because my two discs were so herniated it was obvious I had a major problem.
The hand surgeon said its a bit early for complete nerve recovery but understood that the OSS wanted to rule out that he missed something. so pending the results of my nerve study next week.. I may have:
nerves that have not healed
nerve damage
carpal tunnel requiring surgery (oh joy joy)
cadillacstan
11-15-2003, 08:29 PM
Hi Deborah,
Thanks for your reply...As I sit with 2 weeks closing in post op I am a little less optimistic about the final results as weakness and numbness throughout my body still persist. I have stopped the Percocet prescribed post surgery and switched to Tylenol to try and get a better feel of what my symptoms actually are. I meet with my NS for the first time after surgery in about 2 weeks and hopefully will have begun feeling better by then. I guess it's a day by day thing. Hope your test goes well.
Regards, Stan
I had my surgery in September 2003. I am still having problems with my right hand falling asleep when I drive or write or use a shovel when gardening... It is not as bad as before the surgery as my entire hand would go to sleep.. its more like the inside of my ring finger then it spreads to my whole finger, my pinkie, and my middle finger and then eventually to my palm and wrist. Currently my thumb and forefinger do NOT fall asleep where as before surgery they were the first to fall asleep.
My OSS sent me to a hand surgeon to rule out carpal tunnel as a secondary problem. Next week I will undergo a nerve study.. (it sounds horrible) They didn't do one before my surgery because my two discs were so herniated it was obvious I had a major problem.
The hand surgeon said its a bit early for complete nerve recovery but understood that the OSS wanted to rule out that he missed something. so pending the results of my nerve study next week.. I may have:
nerves that have not healed
nerve damage
carpal tunnel requiring surgery (oh joy joy)
Thanks for your reply...As I sit with 2 weeks closing in post op I am a little less optimistic about the final results as weakness and numbness throughout my body still persist. I have stopped the Percocet prescribed post surgery and switched to Tylenol to try and get a better feel of what my symptoms actually are. I meet with my NS for the first time after surgery in about 2 weeks and hopefully will have begun feeling better by then. I guess it's a day by day thing. Hope your test goes well.
Regards, Stan
I had my surgery in September 2003. I am still having problems with my right hand falling asleep when I drive or write or use a shovel when gardening... It is not as bad as before the surgery as my entire hand would go to sleep.. its more like the inside of my ring finger then it spreads to my whole finger, my pinkie, and my middle finger and then eventually to my palm and wrist. Currently my thumb and forefinger do NOT fall asleep where as before surgery they were the first to fall asleep.
My OSS sent me to a hand surgeon to rule out carpal tunnel as a secondary problem. Next week I will undergo a nerve study.. (it sounds horrible) They didn't do one before my surgery because my two discs were so herniated it was obvious I had a major problem.
The hand surgeon said its a bit early for complete nerve recovery but understood that the OSS wanted to rule out that he missed something. so pending the results of my nerve study next week.. I may have:
nerves that have not healed
nerve damage
carpal tunnel requiring surgery (oh joy joy)
nero
11-16-2003, 08:12 PM
Hey cadillacstan,
It is really hard to assess... i am six days post op and until starting to wean a bit of meds re; percocet I thought my hip pain was insignificant, especially next to my throat pain. Then a got breakthrough pain because of the med ingestion change i made in the hip incision and wow.... I could hardly wait to take my pill.
So its pretty hard to evaluate until the meds are at least slightly out of your system. I am on 1 perc every 12 hours with T3 every four and find the percocet needed to be every 8 if i was to not take the tylenol (unless i over did it- which I had been)
But the pre op symptoms seem radically diminished like the l'hermittia - pins and needles and shocks to my body if i laughed, cried or othewise from a c5-6 ruputered sequestered disc with major spinal chord compression. In fact my dr said i would notice a radical difference in those symptoms compared to most as i had the worst spinal chord compression possible.... so...
Try not to get anxious> I am finding some symptoms are gone that were intolerable and now I have new little goodies but lets face it you are not going to get away with nil considering what they have just done to you... just be comparative I think and determine in your mind what was really worse or is worse and so far for me its the hell I lived for three years from the disc floating around vs what they just did to me.
Good luck ... you're a soldier in our brave little army .. Nero
It is really hard to assess... i am six days post op and until starting to wean a bit of meds re; percocet I thought my hip pain was insignificant, especially next to my throat pain. Then a got breakthrough pain because of the med ingestion change i made in the hip incision and wow.... I could hardly wait to take my pill.
So its pretty hard to evaluate until the meds are at least slightly out of your system. I am on 1 perc every 12 hours with T3 every four and find the percocet needed to be every 8 if i was to not take the tylenol (unless i over did it- which I had been)
But the pre op symptoms seem radically diminished like the l'hermittia - pins and needles and shocks to my body if i laughed, cried or othewise from a c5-6 ruputered sequestered disc with major spinal chord compression. In fact my dr said i would notice a radical difference in those symptoms compared to most as i had the worst spinal chord compression possible.... so...
Try not to get anxious> I am finding some symptoms are gone that were intolerable and now I have new little goodies but lets face it you are not going to get away with nil considering what they have just done to you... just be comparative I think and determine in your mind what was really worse or is worse and so far for me its the hell I lived for three years from the disc floating around vs what they just did to me.
Good luck ... you're a soldier in our brave little army .. Nero
cadillacstan
11-17-2003, 03:57 PM
Thanks for the reply, Nero........
I'm feeling a bit more optimistic today, the weather is less gloomy, and I've managed to wean myself off of the Percocet which has resulted in removal of constipating effects......I think the idea of looking at the small gains is most appropriate. This approach was overshadowed by the sheer joy of "surviving" the surgery and attending to the new regimen following the surgery ie. new meds, new restrictions etc. however as most humans, I always want something more which in this case is complete absence of any neurological problems....right now !!!!
I am striving to get back to basics.....take walks as directed to in the hospital and try not to do too much too soon until I meet with the NS and get his OK. My Nurse (wife) returned to work today so that is another adjustment but hopefully one towards normalcy. I was able to drive to the grocery today which is another "achievement".
My discomfort is not real bad on 2 Tylenols every 5-6 hours, numbness remains in hands & legs, no sharp pains......Hey cadillacstan,
It is really hard to assess... i am six days post op and until starting to wean a bit of meds re; percocet I thought my hip pain was insignificant, especially next to my throat pain. Then a got breakthrough pain because of the med ingestion change i made in the hip incision and wow.... I could hardly wait to take my pill.
So its pretty hard to evaluate until the meds are at least slightly out of your system. I am on 1 perc every 12 hours with T3 every four and find the percocet needed to be every 8 if i was to not take the tylenol (unless i over did it- which I had been)
But the pre op symptoms seem radically diminished like the l'hermittia - pins and needles and shocks to my body if i laughed, cried or othewise from a c5-6 ruputered sequestered disc with major spinal chord compression. In fact my dr said i would notice a radical difference in those symptoms compared to most as i had the worst spinal chord compression possible.... so...
Try not to get anxious> I am finding some symptoms are gone that were intolerable and now I have new little goodies but lets face it you are not going to get away with nil considering what they have just done to you... just be comparative I think and determine in your mind what was really worse or is worse and so far for me its the hell I lived for three years from the disc floating around vs what they just did to me.
Good luck ... you're a soldier in our brave little army .. Nero
I'm feeling a bit more optimistic today, the weather is less gloomy, and I've managed to wean myself off of the Percocet which has resulted in removal of constipating effects......I think the idea of looking at the small gains is most appropriate. This approach was overshadowed by the sheer joy of "surviving" the surgery and attending to the new regimen following the surgery ie. new meds, new restrictions etc. however as most humans, I always want something more which in this case is complete absence of any neurological problems....right now !!!!
I am striving to get back to basics.....take walks as directed to in the hospital and try not to do too much too soon until I meet with the NS and get his OK. My Nurse (wife) returned to work today so that is another adjustment but hopefully one towards normalcy. I was able to drive to the grocery today which is another "achievement".
My discomfort is not real bad on 2 Tylenols every 5-6 hours, numbness remains in hands & legs, no sharp pains......Hey cadillacstan,
It is really hard to assess... i am six days post op and until starting to wean a bit of meds re; percocet I thought my hip pain was insignificant, especially next to my throat pain. Then a got breakthrough pain because of the med ingestion change i made in the hip incision and wow.... I could hardly wait to take my pill.
So its pretty hard to evaluate until the meds are at least slightly out of your system. I am on 1 perc every 12 hours with T3 every four and find the percocet needed to be every 8 if i was to not take the tylenol (unless i over did it- which I had been)
But the pre op symptoms seem radically diminished like the l'hermittia - pins and needles and shocks to my body if i laughed, cried or othewise from a c5-6 ruputered sequestered disc with major spinal chord compression. In fact my dr said i would notice a radical difference in those symptoms compared to most as i had the worst spinal chord compression possible.... so...
Try not to get anxious> I am finding some symptoms are gone that were intolerable and now I have new little goodies but lets face it you are not going to get away with nil considering what they have just done to you... just be comparative I think and determine in your mind what was really worse or is worse and so far for me its the hell I lived for three years from the disc floating around vs what they just did to me.
Good luck ... you're a soldier in our brave little army .. Nero