sassy61
12-17-2008, 03:21 PM
hey i am new too,i'm supposed to have a ACDF at levels c4-c7 and now i am kinda scared to have it done. my neuro saids i have to have it done as soon as possible.will it be worse after surgery? this nerve pain is driving me crazy.i have to take a sleeping pill every night/and want to every day cause i dont want to deal with this pain..........................sassy61
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12-18-2008, 02:22 AM
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tt8tori
02-03-2009, 04:31 AM
Hey just wondering if you ever had the surgery. I just had mine in dec and I was so scared I waited till the last possible min for the surgery. I read so many post on here I got scared, but I have to say.. find the right doctor and the right hospital for you. I went to cedar sinai and saw Dr Leo Hunt. I walked out the next day and had lunch and I didnt have to wear a collar. I had two level c6=7 and Im 6 weeks out and feel totally normal. I dont lift anything heavy yet and dont want to try but doing every day things. As anyone I had pain the night after the surgery and ached the first week but it was more me being nervious but I slept next to my husband and slept with ease for the first time in a long time .. dont be nervious and its easier than I thought so I hope that encourages you.
nochange
02-03-2009, 05:11 AM
hello sassy. i'm also suffering from chronic neck pain for 3 years already and taking sleeping pills also and lyrica to help sleeping. did your doctor tell you you won't need to use sleeping pills after the surgery done?. did the doctor tell you you won't feel pain after it?. let me know.
sassy61
02-04-2009, 07:41 PM
thank you for asking, and no i havent had surgey yet.i have to have a clearance from a lung specialist first (they saw scar tissue and grandulomas)on right lung! what next? my pain is really bad some times,this has really affected my legs, im just scared that its gonna be to late. my pcp is not helping at all. i dont have pain meds or muscle relaxers and i am totally wore out from not getting the right amount of sleep. i just have to take it one day at a time..its really hard cause pcp doesnt know the pain i am in and family either. i am only able to walk to bathroom and back to couch ,cant pick up anything now,it hurts to even pick up a coffee cup, and now i have been having fainty spells and it scares me to death. i know this is all from my back and neck and nerves. can you give me some good out of all this? i will try to get back to the board to see if you have been back on here. its really hard and painful to sit up and be on computer. gotta go .i am so happy your surgery went well i just hope mine does when i do have it /will let you know when o.k. sammy61
sassy61
02-04-2009, 07:50 PM
hi nochange,yes doctor said i would need sleeping pills after surgey and yes i will be in alot of pain after. he said because of the shape my spine is in and the botched up job the last neuro did on my lumbar 2/5/2008 i will always be in pain and many surgerys to come. i hope your surgery fixes you and you will be alright.he also told me most fusions don't always take, but im hoping ours does. so keep us posted on your surgery o.k. sassy61
tt8tori
02-05-2009, 04:16 AM
hey sassy
I remember when I first got injured, I felt like you. I couldnt sleep, walk, couldnt get dressed, I couldnt use my left arm at all... couldnt even lift it up.
Sharp pain in my shoulder, numbness in my hand, tingling everywhere, neck pain that was unbearable. For the first 6 months I dont remember sleeping once, and I was delirious... between the pain, not sleeping and no relief, I couldnt even think straight. Every specialist I went to told me I had to have surgery and made me a test subject for different medication which didnt work and I didnt want to mess up my liver anymore so I finally stopped it all and went to a alternative medicine doctor who does chiropractic. I tried everything before and within a month with him I could use my arm a little. But I was on tons of suppliments and went 6 days a week. Then I got ambien.. Ambien is my friend..lol.. I could sleep through the night. Pain meds and muscle relaxers didnt work for me either. I did a lot of massage therapy which was awesome but temporary. Ambien helped me sleep and gave my body a bit of relief. After surgery I am on pain meds but Im down to one a day and that cuz I over do it. I feel so good I forget I had surgery and then my body reminds me to take it easy. Im still on ambien but starting to only take half of one and hopefully be off of them. If your doctor wont prescribe them you can take valerian and melatonin both known to help you sleep. Once you get a good amount of sleep you will feel clear minded again and your body wont hurt as much...cuz your body will get the time it needs to do a little recovery. but not sleeping is aggravating your symptoms more.
As far as your doctor telling you that most fusions dont work.. I would consider another doctor. I heard that too, but technology is so advanced now you need to find one who isnt stuck in his old ways. Im telling you I heard stories before I got mine, I waited 6 years for that very reason..went to many top surgeons and the answer was always the same like yours.. but then I found Dr Hunt and he was amazing. Everyone I met will say the same and I've ask people in the waiting room and everyone from lumbar to cervical, and all are having amazing recovery. I had another great surgeon working with me in chicago but went to california to cedar sinai just to see If I could get a different answer but The answer for surgery was the same, but him taking me in to see other patients and talk to him and see their recovery changed my mind and I got the surgery done with him. so talk to as many surgeons as you can.... its going to make a huge difference.
I hope this helps at all.. Im still in shock about how good I feel and kinda mad I waited so long... lol but glad I found the right doctor.
I remember when I first got injured, I felt like you. I couldnt sleep, walk, couldnt get dressed, I couldnt use my left arm at all... couldnt even lift it up.
Sharp pain in my shoulder, numbness in my hand, tingling everywhere, neck pain that was unbearable. For the first 6 months I dont remember sleeping once, and I was delirious... between the pain, not sleeping and no relief, I couldnt even think straight. Every specialist I went to told me I had to have surgery and made me a test subject for different medication which didnt work and I didnt want to mess up my liver anymore so I finally stopped it all and went to a alternative medicine doctor who does chiropractic. I tried everything before and within a month with him I could use my arm a little. But I was on tons of suppliments and went 6 days a week. Then I got ambien.. Ambien is my friend..lol.. I could sleep through the night. Pain meds and muscle relaxers didnt work for me either. I did a lot of massage therapy which was awesome but temporary. Ambien helped me sleep and gave my body a bit of relief. After surgery I am on pain meds but Im down to one a day and that cuz I over do it. I feel so good I forget I had surgery and then my body reminds me to take it easy. Im still on ambien but starting to only take half of one and hopefully be off of them. If your doctor wont prescribe them you can take valerian and melatonin both known to help you sleep. Once you get a good amount of sleep you will feel clear minded again and your body wont hurt as much...cuz your body will get the time it needs to do a little recovery. but not sleeping is aggravating your symptoms more.
As far as your doctor telling you that most fusions dont work.. I would consider another doctor. I heard that too, but technology is so advanced now you need to find one who isnt stuck in his old ways. Im telling you I heard stories before I got mine, I waited 6 years for that very reason..went to many top surgeons and the answer was always the same like yours.. but then I found Dr Hunt and he was amazing. Everyone I met will say the same and I've ask people in the waiting room and everyone from lumbar to cervical, and all are having amazing recovery. I had another great surgeon working with me in chicago but went to california to cedar sinai just to see If I could get a different answer but The answer for surgery was the same, but him taking me in to see other patients and talk to him and see their recovery changed my mind and I got the surgery done with him. so talk to as many surgeons as you can.... its going to make a huge difference.
I hope this helps at all.. Im still in shock about how good I feel and kinda mad I waited so long... lol but glad I found the right doctor.
sammyo1
02-05-2009, 09:39 AM
Hey there, just wanted to let you know I have read some great success stories with fusions. Everyone is different & for me I had so much going on in there combined with my condition being over looked & misdiagnosed for such a long time. I felt I should say something as if you have read any of my posts it may sound discouraging but I sure would not want anyone being discouraged due to my situation which I know is pretty complicated.
My surgeon also has informed me he has a good success rate & that is encouraging to. Like with everything it all starts with having a good surgeon. My surgeon took every precaution he could & just from asking on the boards I knew that. He explained why he did what he did & also told me he knew not every surgeon did the same.
From everything I have read & heard the most important thing post op is to do everything your told during recovery. Even if your feeling great dont be tempted. In fact I met someone recently on the back board who cervical fusion first & now lumbar, the cervical was a success & the lumbar is going great. I hope this helps, I know my story is not real encouraging but thats just me.
Keep in mind alot of people who go through this & have success resume there lives & may not be on the boards much or at all. Those of us that struggle are on here more for support. good luck & god bless, Sammy
My surgeon also has informed me he has a good success rate & that is encouraging to. Like with everything it all starts with having a good surgeon. My surgeon took every precaution he could & just from asking on the boards I knew that. He explained why he did what he did & also told me he knew not every surgeon did the same.
From everything I have read & heard the most important thing post op is to do everything your told during recovery. Even if your feeling great dont be tempted. In fact I met someone recently on the back board who cervical fusion first & now lumbar, the cervical was a success & the lumbar is going great. I hope this helps, I know my story is not real encouraging but thats just me.
Keep in mind alot of people who go through this & have success resume there lives & may not be on the boards much or at all. Those of us that struggle are on here more for support. good luck & god bless, Sammy
sassy61
02-06-2009, 02:41 AM
THIS IS TO ALL WHO HAVE RESPONDED TO MY THREAD. i cant sit for very long yhe pain is to bad and it is all thru my body,im trying to keep my head held up yall have encouraged me more than you know by reaging the good experiances you have had -i'm thinking,-uh.-maybe i can have it too.just think positive.i may be down, but i will come back up. i will just have to learn to deal alot more,right. my new neuro is taking all precautions now, i go to LSU on the 12 of FEB. for the clearance on my right lung and then my surgery,(i hope) i am ready to get this over with,get on with my life (what ever the outcome us) i am so tired and my body is so worn and i was on ambien but it stopped working,now i stay awake for 3 to 4 days and im so worn out i just cant go on i just fall out for about half a day im gonna ask doc about ambien cr never tried it somethings gotta work, im just a mess right now - will it get better .gotta go LOL//BLESSINGS AND PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL ////// SASSYWILL TRY TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH HELP OF MY SISTER (MY HELPER):wave::wave::wave:
tt8tori
02-06-2009, 09:07 PM
:angel:
Hey sassy
It does get better. I went from really bad to tolerable to ok.. then back to really bad in a 6 year period. But I wish I would have done the surgery earlier. If I would have known my recovery would be easier than living with the pain, I would have done it so much earlier and not have been so nervious and scared. As far as ambien not working.. yeah, that happened to me too.. I switched to zanex for a while.. its for anxiety but it will put you to sleep, but It also made me have a harder time getting up in the morning. However, when the ambien doesnt work...just get off it for a couple weeks and then it will work again. Hot hot hot baths seems to work as well.. Kneipp makes one with valerian in it and its really relaxing. You also might want to take some DSF (destress formuala) or any vitamin herb that will help you with stress and stress on your lympatics. The stress on your body clogs your lympatics and they need to drain...You just gotta find whats going to work until you get the surgery.
take care
Hey sassy
It does get better. I went from really bad to tolerable to ok.. then back to really bad in a 6 year period. But I wish I would have done the surgery earlier. If I would have known my recovery would be easier than living with the pain, I would have done it so much earlier and not have been so nervious and scared. As far as ambien not working.. yeah, that happened to me too.. I switched to zanex for a while.. its for anxiety but it will put you to sleep, but It also made me have a harder time getting up in the morning. However, when the ambien doesnt work...just get off it for a couple weeks and then it will work again. Hot hot hot baths seems to work as well.. Kneipp makes one with valerian in it and its really relaxing. You also might want to take some DSF (destress formuala) or any vitamin herb that will help you with stress and stress on your lympatics. The stress on your body clogs your lympatics and they need to drain...You just gotta find whats going to work until you get the surgery.
take care
SpineAZ
02-10-2009, 02:04 AM
The ACDF was actually one of the least painful procedures I had done and even post-op was relatively low in the pain scale. When I woke up the horrible nerve pain was gone and that's probably why the incision and surgery pain was so easy to tolerate. Nerve pain is so intense and all encompassing. Whereas surgical or incision pain is more fleeting and seems to improve hour by hour.