djl
12-06-2006, 12:17 PM
Hi all,:wave:
Hope all is well.
I am recooping. It has been exactly 1 week since my surgery. I am seeing my doc on friday for my 1-week post op visit.
My arm realy isnt any better. I still get pain and it is still weak, and some tingling at times, but I am sure that it still has to take time to heal before I realy know if it helped at all. I guess the main thing is that the compressing I had on my spinal cord was taken care of. That was the main reason for this surgery to begin with.
Every day I feel better. I am still weak and get real tired fast at times, but I am already getting bored. I want to get out of the house.
I cat stand this neck brace, but was told I will be waring it for at least 6 weeks.:rolleyes:
The majority of my neck is still numb and I cant feel part of the back of my head. When does this go away?? Stll hurts to swallow, but getting better. It hurts my ear too.
Well wanted to give an update. I am gonna get some rest I am tired.
Hope all is doing well with everyone:wave:
Hope all is well.
I am recooping. It has been exactly 1 week since my surgery. I am seeing my doc on friday for my 1-week post op visit.
My arm realy isnt any better. I still get pain and it is still weak, and some tingling at times, but I am sure that it still has to take time to heal before I realy know if it helped at all. I guess the main thing is that the compressing I had on my spinal cord was taken care of. That was the main reason for this surgery to begin with.
Every day I feel better. I am still weak and get real tired fast at times, but I am already getting bored. I want to get out of the house.
I cat stand this neck brace, but was told I will be waring it for at least 6 weeks.:rolleyes:
The majority of my neck is still numb and I cant feel part of the back of my head. When does this go away?? Stll hurts to swallow, but getting better. It hurts my ear too.
Well wanted to give an update. I am gonna get some rest I am tired.
Hope all is doing well with everyone:wave:
Sponsor
SKZ
12-06-2006, 03:17 PM
So glad you wrote to all of us! Keep up the great recuperation and dont over do. Try to think of it as an investment in yourself. That is what I hope I can do after my surgery. Take care!!
bw67
12-06-2006, 07:05 PM
I had difficulty swallowing for a week or so- they said it was irritation due to the anesthesia tube...
Regarding the arm pain, I don't believe the surgery is a quick fix for most people. It takes time for the nerves that have been compressed to heal and get used to their new surroundings...
Be patient, and don't overdo...
good luck
bw
Regarding the arm pain, I don't believe the surgery is a quick fix for most people. It takes time for the nerves that have been compressed to heal and get used to their new surroundings...
Be patient, and don't overdo...
good luck
bw
Laenini
12-07-2006, 06:04 AM
Did you have an ACDF (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion) and if so, what level? When the surgery is done anteriorly (from the front of your neck) you not only get throat irritation from the breathing tube, you also get irritation from them having to hold your esophagus and trachea out of the way while they do the surgery. I had a level C4/5 ACDF on November 15 and it was really just this last week that my throat got better. I ate lots of ice cream, to the point where I put on a few pounds! So you've been fairly warned! :p
djl
12-07-2006, 10:25 AM
Hi all
As to your answer about was it an ACDF, yes. It was I guess a 2 level. C4-C5, C5-C6. I know he took out 2 disks and replaced them. I am seeing my doc friday for my 1 week post op check.
Oh, and yres, alot of ice cream here too.:dizzy: So much for hoping to loose a few pounds:rolleyes:
As to your answer about was it an ACDF, yes. It was I guess a 2 level. C4-C5, C5-C6. I know he took out 2 disks and replaced them. I am seeing my doc friday for my 1 week post op check.
Oh, and yres, alot of ice cream here too.:dizzy: So much for hoping to loose a few pounds:rolleyes:
SpineAZ
12-07-2006, 10:22 PM
djl:
The nerves do take a long time to heal - often there is some relief right after surgery if the nerve is no longer "pinched" but the nerve can take time to recover from this sensation. I had some relief right away but the arm pain and numbness really resolved at month 4 post-op (not to discourage you but I don't want to lie to you either). At my 6 mo post-op I told the doc I had a few episodes of nerve pain reminiscent of pre-op pain. He said this was totally normal as long as the episode is brief - as it's just the nerve recovering and the area around the nerve (muscle and other tissue) recovering. Thus far these episodes have been brief and 1/2 percocet relieves it totally.
I found the neck collar to be bothersome also and at times felt like it was causing some head/neck pain and numbness (I could just tell it was a different kind of pain/numbness).
You will find yourself tired as you are probably not getting the best rest even when you are sleeping due to pain meds altering your sleep patterns and that darn collar interfering with getting comfortable enough to really relax and rest. Take the naps when you can.
The nerves do take a long time to heal - often there is some relief right after surgery if the nerve is no longer "pinched" but the nerve can take time to recover from this sensation. I had some relief right away but the arm pain and numbness really resolved at month 4 post-op (not to discourage you but I don't want to lie to you either). At my 6 mo post-op I told the doc I had a few episodes of nerve pain reminiscent of pre-op pain. He said this was totally normal as long as the episode is brief - as it's just the nerve recovering and the area around the nerve (muscle and other tissue) recovering. Thus far these episodes have been brief and 1/2 percocet relieves it totally.
I found the neck collar to be bothersome also and at times felt like it was causing some head/neck pain and numbness (I could just tell it was a different kind of pain/numbness).
You will find yourself tired as you are probably not getting the best rest even when you are sleeping due to pain meds altering your sleep patterns and that darn collar interfering with getting comfortable enough to really relax and rest. Take the naps when you can.
whackedback
12-07-2006, 10:33 PM
djl-
Don't give up yet. I had a 3 level ACDF C4/5/6/7 and I was worse off after the surgery than before. My left arm was useless because of all the steroids that were pumped into it. I looked like Popeye.
It took a few months before I felt anywhere close to getting arm strength back, but it did finally happen.
As for the nerve pain, ask your doc/surgeon to prescribe Topomax. It has helped me a lot in the past. Skip Neurontin, it's bad news.
wb
PS. Screw the diet!! Go for scrambled eggs and Yoplait Go-gurts (after they've been in the freezer overnight). You need to get your body the fuel it needs so it can heal. And don't worry about sleeping 18+ hours a day at first. Part of that is the meds.
Don't give up yet. I had a 3 level ACDF C4/5/6/7 and I was worse off after the surgery than before. My left arm was useless because of all the steroids that were pumped into it. I looked like Popeye.
It took a few months before I felt anywhere close to getting arm strength back, but it did finally happen.
As for the nerve pain, ask your doc/surgeon to prescribe Topomax. It has helped me a lot in the past. Skip Neurontin, it's bad news.
wb
PS. Screw the diet!! Go for scrambled eggs and Yoplait Go-gurts (after they've been in the freezer overnight). You need to get your body the fuel it needs so it can heal. And don't worry about sleeping 18+ hours a day at first. Part of that is the meds.
djl
12-08-2006, 12:17 AM
Hi all
I do see my doc tomorrow. I will also ask about the other nerve med that you mentioned as well instead of me taking the Nurontin.
My neck and back is killing me today, but I think I over did it. I am getting bored, and when I get bored I tend to push myself. My own stupididity.
I am real happy to have found this board. You all are a wonderful help to me !!!:D
One other good thing about this surgery...I havent had a ciggerette in over a week!!
I do see my doc tomorrow. I will also ask about the other nerve med that you mentioned as well instead of me taking the Nurontin.
My neck and back is killing me today, but I think I over did it. I am getting bored, and when I get bored I tend to push myself. My own stupididity.
I am real happy to have found this board. You all are a wonderful help to me !!!:D
One other good thing about this surgery...I havent had a ciggerette in over a week!!
bw67
12-09-2006, 09:34 PM
as far as I'm concerned, the fact that you haven't smoked is worth the surgery in itself!!
I lost a grandfather to lung cancer from smoking and my wife lost her dad to it...
And, sadly- the nurse at the doctor's office where my surgery was performed-who has been INCREDIBLE in providing me info and helping me get through this whole process- lost her sister last week to lung cancer from smoking as well...
do everything in your power to take advantage of this opportunity and not smoke ever again!!
happy holidays, take care, continued good luck in your recovery
BW
I lost a grandfather to lung cancer from smoking and my wife lost her dad to it...
And, sadly- the nurse at the doctor's office where my surgery was performed-who has been INCREDIBLE in providing me info and helping me get through this whole process- lost her sister last week to lung cancer from smoking as well...
do everything in your power to take advantage of this opportunity and not smoke ever again!!
happy holidays, take care, continued good luck in your recovery
BW