Queenie22
08-16-2008, 10:54 PM
Hello everyone. I am new to this board and I am looking for some advice. I am seeing my neuro surgeon this Thursday, I have been told that I will need a level 3 disc fusion surgery. I have been dealing with my pain for 3 years now. I underwent 2 rounds of epidural injections, the last set this year hasn't helped at all. So I have been on pain meds ever since. They are no longer really helping me. My neck pain is bad. I have pain radiating down my shoulders and arms. Right greater than left. But it is bad. I can't sleep at all. The bad thing is I am still recovering from total knee revision surgery in May. So two major surgeries like this so close together scares me! I can handle the knee surgeries as I have had many, but the neck is so new to me I think that is what is terrifying me. Any advice would be so appreciated. I need to know what to expect. What questions to ask my surgeon. and how long is the hospital stay, how long will the surgery take? Etc. Thank you so much. :cool: Susan
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SpineAZ
08-17-2008, 01:21 AM
Queenie:
I have had reconstructive knee surgery and I can tell you that my ACDF (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion) was far less painful than any of my big knee surgeries. If you have an ACDF they go through the front of the neck and thus not through major muscles. I did have a small amount of post-surgical pain but the surgery itself relieved so much of the pain I had that I could easily deal with the surgical recovery pain.
I stayed two nights in the hospital. One to two nights is usually what is required for ACDF. I had the surgery in the morning (around 8) and including time in recovery I was in my room by about 12:30 pm.
I think the key to my recovery was using a post-surgical brace (aspen brace) for 6 weeks and using a bone growth stimulator (external device that hung around my neck to aid in the fusion. Most surgeons operating on more than one cervical level do use the brace. Pre-surgically I really thought the brace would be awful but in actuality it kept me in a good position and prevented me from doing anything to move the wrong way. By day 5 post-surgery I could remove the brace for showering. I showered nearly every day but only washed my hair every 2-3 days in the first few weeks.
I have had reconstructive knee surgery and I can tell you that my ACDF (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion) was far less painful than any of my big knee surgeries. If you have an ACDF they go through the front of the neck and thus not through major muscles. I did have a small amount of post-surgical pain but the surgery itself relieved so much of the pain I had that I could easily deal with the surgical recovery pain.
I stayed two nights in the hospital. One to two nights is usually what is required for ACDF. I had the surgery in the morning (around 8) and including time in recovery I was in my room by about 12:30 pm.
I think the key to my recovery was using a post-surgical brace (aspen brace) for 6 weeks and using a bone growth stimulator (external device that hung around my neck to aid in the fusion. Most surgeons operating on more than one cervical level do use the brace. Pre-surgically I really thought the brace would be awful but in actuality it kept me in a good position and prevented me from doing anything to move the wrong way. By day 5 post-surgery I could remove the brace for showering. I showered nearly every day but only washed my hair every 2-3 days in the first few weeks.
Queenie22
08-20-2008, 09:30 AM
Thank you so much for the advice and sharing with me what you went through. That helps a great deal. I can't wait for tomorrow morning to get here so I can get some answers and feel better about it. Did you have any problems with swallowing or waking up feeling like you couldn't breathe or swallow because of going through the neck?? That worries me. I hate the feeling of not being able to breathe or feeling choked! I just want to hurry up and get this over with. Sleeping is horrible. I wake up in pain every night. What is good pain control for you? I haven't found anything that seems to help. I think because I have been on and off pain meds for years now that it isn't working as well. So any advice on pain control would be great!! If you think of anything else to share with me before tomorrow let me know. Thank you so much!
SpineAZ
08-20-2008, 08:59 PM
I just got home from a transforaminal ESI. How fun...NOT.
I had some minor throat irritation and they gave me cepacol lozenges. My surgery was in the morning but I was able to eat a light meal at dinner with very little discomfort. All I've really used for true pain control is Vicodin or Norco. Norco is a little less potent so I can use that and still work, etc.
I had some minor throat irritation and they gave me cepacol lozenges. My surgery was in the morning but I was able to eat a light meal at dinner with very little discomfort. All I've really used for true pain control is Vicodin or Norco. Norco is a little less potent so I can use that and still work, etc.
Queenie22
08-21-2008, 05:55 PM
That is good. So did you do really well? I saw my neuro surgeon today and he was overwhelmed with how bad my neck is for my age. I am 43. I have already had both knees replaced as well. so he was blown away. He said my neck is bad and that it is that of an 80 yr old. I am having a myelogram next thursday so he can determine if I can get away with just 2 disc fusion instead of 3. He really hates to have to do 3 on me at my age. But with the pain I am having I have no choice. I really liked him a lot! He came reccomended by my ortho surgeon. so we will see what the test show. have you had it done???
Queenie22
08-21-2008, 05:55 PM
That is good. So did you do really well? I saw my neuro surgeon today and he was overwhelmed with how bad my neck is for my age. I am 43. I have already had both knees replaced as well. so he was blown away. He said my neck is bad and that it is that of an 80 yr old. I am having a myelogram next thursday so he can determine if I can get away with just 2 disc fusion instead of 3. He really hates to have to do 3 on me at my age. But with the pain I am having I have no choice. I really liked him a lot! He came reccomended by my ortho surgeon. so we will see what the test show. have you had it done???
lburgess1989
08-25-2008, 12:20 PM
That is good. So did you do really well? I saw my neuro surgeon today and he was overwhelmed with how bad my neck is for my age. I am 43. I have already had both knees replaced as well. so he was blown away. He said my neck is bad and that it is that of an 80 yr old. I am having a myelogram next thursday so he can determine if I can get away with just 2 disc fusion instead of 3. He really hates to have to do 3 on me at my age. But with the pain I am having I have no choice. I really liked him a lot! He came reccomended by my ortho surgeon. so we will see what the test show. have you had it done???
I had cervical fusion on 3 discs 5 years ago. It does help with the pain associated with the ruptured bulging discs, however I believe that I have new problems associated with the whole situation. I am now experiencing what I feel are seizures at night and lightheaded and weird feeling during the day. I can turn my head certain ways and I feel like I am going to pass out.
Surgery is worth getting rid of the pain but be aware that new issues may and probably will come up that I believe will be directly linked to cervical issues.
Best of Luck!!!
I had cervical fusion on 3 discs 5 years ago. It does help with the pain associated with the ruptured bulging discs, however I believe that I have new problems associated with the whole situation. I am now experiencing what I feel are seizures at night and lightheaded and weird feeling during the day. I can turn my head certain ways and I feel like I am going to pass out.
Surgery is worth getting rid of the pain but be aware that new issues may and probably will come up that I believe will be directly linked to cervical issues.
Best of Luck!!!
Janatee
08-25-2008, 03:10 PM
Hello Queenie22.. I am 54 years old, and Aug 07 I had a 4 level ACDF and a Corpectomy. This is where they remove a whole vertebra and replace it with a cage and more hardware. My neck too was very, very bad. I had this done in Augusta , Ga. My doctors were wonderful. When I woke up, the only pain I was having came from my shoulders. I found out this was because they tapped my shoulders down. This of course went away fast with the meds, and the next day I was not in any pain. I wore what they call an Aspen hard collar, and I adjusted very well. I did EVERYTHING I was told to do, and not to do. I spent 2 and half months in that thing, but it was worth it. After 11 months, my throat was finally back to normal. Not to scare you, but my throat just felt like it was slightly swollen, and I noticed that I had to take very small bites of food so I could get them down. In time this will go away. My neck problems were not effecting my arms or upper body, mine were causing me not to walk right... In about 10% of the neck cases, this can cause problems to your lower body, like the legs. I had to get something done, or I could have been in a wheelchair in the future.
You just have to put your mind in the mindset that you will do great, and each day you will get better. I kept a journal of my days, and when I go back and read them , I see how each day I was getting better... Its a long journey, and a very serious operation. But in time you will feel much better. Is your neck problems causing you problems with your arms, hands upper body? Well, if you need anymore info that I can help you with, feel free to ask. Good luck. You'll make it. PS: the doctors used my own bone to fuse me back together! Janatee:angel:
You just have to put your mind in the mindset that you will do great, and each day you will get better. I kept a journal of my days, and when I go back and read them , I see how each day I was getting better... Its a long journey, and a very serious operation. But in time you will feel much better. Is your neck problems causing you problems with your arms, hands upper body? Well, if you need anymore info that I can help you with, feel free to ask. Good luck. You'll make it. PS: the doctors used my own bone to fuse me back together! Janatee:angel:
Queenie22
08-26-2008, 10:42 AM
Thanks so much for your advice. It is good to get some good news with this surgery!! Yes, I have severe arm pain, my right greater than my left. It is from my shoulders to just below my elbows. It is really bad. I can't lift milk from the fridge, can't twist to open a bottle, or open sliding glass door without pain. So mine is bad. The back of my neck just at the mid back kills me! Sometimes throbs with pain. I am on pain meds around the clock. I am so anxious to get this done so I can feel better. I just had total knee revision surgery in May, so I just had a very major complicated surgery, lost a lot of blood, and now I am facing another serious major surgery just 4 months after that one. so I hope that my body will hold up okay! I am really scared. My older brother just had two levels done yesterday in California. He was doing really well last night. So that is encouraging. We have the same disc! He had one done about 10 years ago. I have had osteoarthritis really bad in both knees, they have both been replaced with revisions on each. So I have been through it. I feel that this surgery will be a peice of cake compared to the total knee. I am having my surgery at the Northside Forsyth Hospital in Cumming. My knee ortho is at that hospital as well. I live in Marietta, Ga. So let me ask you this, how long after surgery would you have been able to sit at the computer and type?? I work from home doing medical transcription, so I can work at my own pace, but how soon after do you think I could do some typing??? I really need to know.
Thank you so much for all the advice and encouragement. It helps a lot. Anything else you can tell me let me know. I am having a myelogram on Thursday to see if he can get away with only doing two and not 3. As he doesn't want to have to do 3 if he can help it. Have you had one done?? I am scared of it too! Thanks so much and have a good day! Susan
Thank you so much for all the advice and encouragement. It helps a lot. Anything else you can tell me let me know. I am having a myelogram on Thursday to see if he can get away with only doing two and not 3. As he doesn't want to have to do 3 if he can help it. Have you had one done?? I am scared of it too! Thanks so much and have a good day! Susan
jcman01
08-26-2008, 11:46 AM
I guess everyone has different experiences. I had a 3-level on 6/24. I am 51 years old. I had immediate pain relief. I was back at work as a programmer within a week, and swimming in 4.
I would recommend that you consider using a neckbrace if you're going to do computer work so early. My neck got sore after about an hour.
I would recommend that you consider using a neckbrace if you're going to do computer work so early. My neck got sore after about an hour.
no1joedeb
09-09-2008, 05:07 PM
Queenie, Best of luck through your surgery. ***REMOVED*** My thoughts and prayers are with you! Deb