ArcAngel
08-25-2008, 07:45 PM
Hi my new friends!
I posted previous about my situation (search arcangel) and the pain.. well now I have something extraordinary (at least for me) to report and I hope it helps others (You).
My NS (Neurosurgeon) did not prescribe a collar and not knowing better I went along with it (he did a great job with the surgery). I blew through my pain medicine in 9 days (120 pills of codeine) and suffered after. I had muscle spasm's (he did not prescribe relaxants) and electric shocks down my back and arm (right arm). It was excruciating.
I then called my surgeon who prescribed muscle relaxants and a sleep aid. It helped a little, but I was still in pain and paranoid about any type of impact, bump etc. to my back neck, Well.... after reading these boards, I bought a soft cervical collar at Walgreen's for 16 bucks, wore it all day and SLEPT IN IT .. guess what? Yes.. the next day, no pain at all.. at least not until I took it off for 2 hours at work. It was a nominal pinge .. but I put it back on and everything was good. It really was! Today (Monday), I went to work and was great.. no pain .. engaging etc. To be careful.. I only worked half a day (7 a.m. until 1 p.m). I HAVE NOT HAD A PAIN PILL SINCE 10 A.M.
So, what am I trying to say..... wear a soft cervical collar after surgery .. for me comfortable to wear while sleeping and during the day .. I consider it armor for my neck! What have you got to lose?
And let me tell you.. I seriously was considering using the blow up traction devices, massage (read the boards see how good that is) and anything else..
God Bless
I posted previous about my situation (search arcangel) and the pain.. well now I have something extraordinary (at least for me) to report and I hope it helps others (You).
My NS (Neurosurgeon) did not prescribe a collar and not knowing better I went along with it (he did a great job with the surgery). I blew through my pain medicine in 9 days (120 pills of codeine) and suffered after. I had muscle spasm's (he did not prescribe relaxants) and electric shocks down my back and arm (right arm). It was excruciating.
I then called my surgeon who prescribed muscle relaxants and a sleep aid. It helped a little, but I was still in pain and paranoid about any type of impact, bump etc. to my back neck, Well.... after reading these boards, I bought a soft cervical collar at Walgreen's for 16 bucks, wore it all day and SLEPT IN IT .. guess what? Yes.. the next day, no pain at all.. at least not until I took it off for 2 hours at work. It was a nominal pinge .. but I put it back on and everything was good. It really was! Today (Monday), I went to work and was great.. no pain .. engaging etc. To be careful.. I only worked half a day (7 a.m. until 1 p.m). I HAVE NOT HAD A PAIN PILL SINCE 10 A.M.
So, what am I trying to say..... wear a soft cervical collar after surgery .. for me comfortable to wear while sleeping and during the day .. I consider it armor for my neck! What have you got to lose?
And let me tell you.. I seriously was considering using the blow up traction devices, massage (read the boards see how good that is) and anything else..
God Bless
Sponsor
MisfitCharlie
09-02-2008, 10:53 AM
ArcAngle,
Thanks for the heads up :jester: ,
I'm headed in for a C 4 5 c 6 7 ,acdf two weeks from today (if i don't chicken out) My Dr. plans on a hard collar for 3 months then a soft one. Since I hate things around my neck (have to stretch the collars of shirts or I feel like I'm being choked) I'm having a hard time with the collar issue I figured if it freaked me to much i would just take it off and be careful ...
but after reading your post and with the pain i feel already and as my kids now say "weebles wobble and Mom does fall down" I don't think I'll risk it.
So happy your doing better,
Misfit
Thanks for the heads up :jester: ,
I'm headed in for a C 4 5 c 6 7 ,acdf two weeks from today (if i don't chicken out) My Dr. plans on a hard collar for 3 months then a soft one. Since I hate things around my neck (have to stretch the collars of shirts or I feel like I'm being choked) I'm having a hard time with the collar issue I figured if it freaked me to much i would just take it off and be careful ...
but after reading your post and with the pain i feel already and as my kids now say "weebles wobble and Mom does fall down" I don't think I'll risk it.
So happy your doing better,
Misfit
SpineAZ
09-03-2008, 12:01 AM
Misfit:
I'm the same way in that I don't like turtleneck shirts, neck constriction, etc. I had an Aspen collar for 6 weeks post-ACDF and it was much more comfortable than any shirt collar. It held my neck in position but was not right up against my neck - there was a little room between my actual neck and the brace. the closest contact was at my chin.
I'm the same way in that I don't like turtleneck shirts, neck constriction, etc. I had an Aspen collar for 6 weeks post-ACDF and it was much more comfortable than any shirt collar. It held my neck in position but was not right up against my neck - there was a little room between my actual neck and the brace. the closest contact was at my chin.