rwjwith
12-28-2008, 02:08 PM
I am scheduled to have a c4-c7 laminaplasty on Jan. 15. I was diagnosed two years ago and have seen four neurosurgeons in two HMO'S. This seems to be my best choice to help my condition. Tell me did you feel a lot of pain immediately after? Is your neck range of motion is pretty limited still?. Thanks again.
Sponsor
captnanny
12-29-2008, 06:13 AM
Hi,
I just had one but I am only ten days out of surgery so I am in pain. The hard collar is painful. I had c-2- c-6, maybe the same ones your having I still can't remember. They did it posterior. I had an acdf 18 months ago and the screws came loose as well as a synovial cyst. I do feel something is changing in my neck. I know that most of this pain is post op. I don't have the cracking sounds, I can tell the neck is not numb anymore. But to be honest I am only a little out of the surgery. Mine was very invasive they said I would experience a lot of pain for 2-4 weeks but my moblity will not be affected and the pain will ease up. I can already say that I feel like I can move my head more than I could, only I'm in a hard collar and don't want to do anything stupid. I just feel a difference.
Sorry I couldn't tell you more, check back often as when you have yours I will be exactly one month out of mine. I had mine dec 18.
I just had one but I am only ten days out of surgery so I am in pain. The hard collar is painful. I had c-2- c-6, maybe the same ones your having I still can't remember. They did it posterior. I had an acdf 18 months ago and the screws came loose as well as a synovial cyst. I do feel something is changing in my neck. I know that most of this pain is post op. I don't have the cracking sounds, I can tell the neck is not numb anymore. But to be honest I am only a little out of the surgery. Mine was very invasive they said I would experience a lot of pain for 2-4 weeks but my moblity will not be affected and the pain will ease up. I can already say that I feel like I can move my head more than I could, only I'm in a hard collar and don't want to do anything stupid. I just feel a difference.
Sorry I couldn't tell you more, check back often as when you have yours I will be exactly one month out of mine. I had mine dec 18.
rwjwith
12-29-2008, 06:45 PM
Thanks for your post captnanny. I appreciate the info. I am glad to hear you feel this Laminaplasty has helped you, sorry to hear about the pain. I have had no previous surgeries and was told i would have to wear only a soft collar but I know it will be rough initially. I hope you continue to feel better.
sunshine221
12-30-2008, 01:11 AM
I had a laminectomy C4-c7 - no collar after surgery. I had some difficulty due to them cutting the large muscles but by and large I had no major problems. I was on the computer almost as soon as I got home and working from home after a few days.
Good luck
Sunshine
Good luck
Sunshine
captnanny
12-30-2008, 03:24 AM
Sunshine how did you do it. I may be limiting myself too much. I had a four level fusion/laminectomy, plus a cyst removed. I have a hard collar, it's been 11 days and I am still in pain. Not just ok pain but big pain at times. They did tell me that I could take the collar off for a while and when I'm laying down. One thing I haven't been doing is walking a lot. That was important I think. I just can't imagine you working after a week.
bobs300
01-05-2009, 02:43 AM
I had C4-C7 Laminaplasty done December 1. I am still off work. I was in hospital 4 days. I won't sugar coat it. The first 2 days I was in a lot of pain, and the morphine did not help me. It wasn't until 3rd week I started feeling OK and getting out of the house. After 5 weeks I am almost back to normal. Back of neck has scar tissue forming and causing tightness there, so my range of motion is limited due to that. My doctor said I never needed a collar, only if I wanted one. I used one the first night to sleep and in the car going home and back to the doctor at 15 day check, that's all. I get xrays in two weeks to check the hardware. I used to get severe headaches almost every day, and numbness in both arms and hands. My symptoms are 75 % gone so it was worth it.
sunshine221
01-05-2009, 10:13 PM
I guess my recovery was a combination of "luck" and necessity. Yes for the first few days I had trouble lifting my arms and my husband had to help me shower and dress. I was in the hospital two days. I own my business so I somewhat planned the surgery around payrolls. So I had to do that two weeks post surgery and being "the boss" I was able to lay down and rest my nect (lay flat on my back) for a while at the office. If I remember it was at least six to eight weeks until I could drive comfortably. But I took very little pain medicine. I still have some C5-C6 stenosis so my surgery/recovery was not 100% but I'm significantly better than before surgery.
Keep positive attitudes!!
Gloria
Keep positive attitudes!!
Gloria
rwjwith
01-06-2009, 11:39 AM
Thank you for your information on your experience. I sounds like the first days will be rough but the procedure will help arrest the major issues of the spinal cord compression. I am happy to hear to both are progressing after 5 o 6 weeks. Bob300, you said your range of motion is still limited, is that mainly up and down or side to side? Thanks again.
rwjwith
01-23-2009, 11:40 AM
I had my Laminaplasty, c5 to c7 on Jan. 15. There is no exaggeration in saying that the first three days were really an ordeal. Barely able to move and intense pain despite morphine. I was actually in the hospital for 5 days! Despite the problems of the first days I am now day by day feeling stronger although it still feels like I have a steel ring around my lower neck and have about 80% movement. I was told to wear a hard Miami J collar for the first two weeks which I am doing. They told me my muscles were very massive and that caused more than average pain initially. Still on vicoden 5/500 at least 7 to 8 a day but they said the procedure went well so I am hoping to progress rapidly from now on.
captnanny
01-24-2009, 06:52 AM
Rwj,
I am back. I have been away from the board for awhile but still reading. I usually have most of my pain in the morning when I check the boards. They are like my morning meditation, and medication. I am now about five weeks out maybe a little less. The pain has decreased a bit but when I do the normal day to day things like sweep, drive or just do something for long periods of time the pain skyrockets. Not as bad as the first three days but bad for almost five weeks out. The key for me is to just keep following the doctors orders, I think I am on the same amount of vicodan as you are, they said some are on more so consider ourselves lucky. I also need to relax and lay flat when I'm in pain, I have been trying to do that but sometimes I can't stop myself when I'm doing something that can wait. Make any sense.
The one thing I need to start doing is walking on the treadmill. They said walking will help everything all around. I just can't get myself on it. It's actually right next to me as I type.
Are you and everyone else walking after surgery?
I am back. I have been away from the board for awhile but still reading. I usually have most of my pain in the morning when I check the boards. They are like my morning meditation, and medication. I am now about five weeks out maybe a little less. The pain has decreased a bit but when I do the normal day to day things like sweep, drive or just do something for long periods of time the pain skyrockets. Not as bad as the first three days but bad for almost five weeks out. The key for me is to just keep following the doctors orders, I think I am on the same amount of vicodan as you are, they said some are on more so consider ourselves lucky. I also need to relax and lay flat when I'm in pain, I have been trying to do that but sometimes I can't stop myself when I'm doing something that can wait. Make any sense.
The one thing I need to start doing is walking on the treadmill. They said walking will help everything all around. I just can't get myself on it. It's actually right next to me as I type.
Are you and everyone else walking after surgery?
rwjwith
01-24-2009, 04:21 PM
Thanks for the reply. I am 9 days out of the surgery and the only walking I am really doing is around my apartment. the pain lets me know pretty quick to sit in my recliner or lay down. Hopefully thinks will loosen up at the two week period and I can get on my stationary exercise bike and start walking outside. Hope you feel better soon.
BOBERS47
01-31-2009, 12:07 AM
thanks for the reply. I am 9 days out of the surgery and the only walking i am really doing is around my apartment. The pain lets me know pretty quick to sit in my recliner or lay down. Hopefully thinks will loosen up at the two week period and i can get on my stationary exercise bike and start walking outside. Hope you feel better soon.
lol, what would cervical stenosis patients do without their recliners. My husband had the surgery on 3 vertabrae. He has perminent damage to his spinal cord now. (myelopathy) as far as his recovery it hasnt be so good. Hes having another surgery. They have told him. " with the myelopathy, its going to only get so good" he can't stand, walk, etc for more than an hour if that long. Its been 4 months since his surgery. He also has, scapula winging, so that has its own set of problems. I guess it all depends if there is any damage to the spinal cord how well your recovery will go.
lol, what would cervical stenosis patients do without their recliners. My husband had the surgery on 3 vertabrae. He has perminent damage to his spinal cord now. (myelopathy) as far as his recovery it hasnt be so good. Hes having another surgery. They have told him. " with the myelopathy, its going to only get so good" he can't stand, walk, etc for more than an hour if that long. Its been 4 months since his surgery. He also has, scapula winging, so that has its own set of problems. I guess it all depends if there is any damage to the spinal cord how well your recovery will go.
BOBERS47
01-31-2009, 12:15 AM
rwj,
i am back. I have been away from the board for awhile but still reading. I usually have most of my pain in the morning when i check the boards. They are like my morning meditation, and medication. I am now about five weeks out maybe a little less. The pain has decreased a bit but when i do the normal day to day things like sweep, drive or just do something for long periods of time the pain skyrockets. Not as bad as the first three days but bad for almost five weeks out. The key for me is to just keep following the doctors orders, i think i am on the same amount of vicodan as you are, they said some are on more so consider ourselves lucky. I also need to relax and lay flat when i'm in pain, i have been trying to do that but sometimes i can't stop myself when i'm doing something that can wait. Make any sense.
The one thing i need to start doing is walking on the treadmill. They said walking will help everything all around. I just can't get myself on it. It's actually right next to me as i type.
Are you and everyone else walking after surgery?
my husband was walking right away. He didnt have the plate put in the front of his neck ( doctor gave him his choice of front or back of his neck) i know there are a few more restrictions when they put the plate in after surgery. His orders were.." do nothing till i see you again, in a month" he did walk to the bathroom and bed. I'll tell ya...i made him get a new recliner when all this started. Only time he was in awful pain was lying flat too. He said..." the best investment hes ever made was that chair" i'm sure its all about taking all pressure off the spine. His best time is in the morning...after hes laid flat all nite. As the day goes on, it builds to intolerable. Sometimes i just cry for him. Hes only 53 and this has all but ruined his life. Bless his heart. We just do the best we can. He still trys hard to keep moving, but the pain usually dictates how much he can do...but so far...he hasnt given up. He pushes forward.
i am back. I have been away from the board for awhile but still reading. I usually have most of my pain in the morning when i check the boards. They are like my morning meditation, and medication. I am now about five weeks out maybe a little less. The pain has decreased a bit but when i do the normal day to day things like sweep, drive or just do something for long periods of time the pain skyrockets. Not as bad as the first three days but bad for almost five weeks out. The key for me is to just keep following the doctors orders, i think i am on the same amount of vicodan as you are, they said some are on more so consider ourselves lucky. I also need to relax and lay flat when i'm in pain, i have been trying to do that but sometimes i can't stop myself when i'm doing something that can wait. Make any sense.
The one thing i need to start doing is walking on the treadmill. They said walking will help everything all around. I just can't get myself on it. It's actually right next to me as i type.
Are you and everyone else walking after surgery?
my husband was walking right away. He didnt have the plate put in the front of his neck ( doctor gave him his choice of front or back of his neck) i know there are a few more restrictions when they put the plate in after surgery. His orders were.." do nothing till i see you again, in a month" he did walk to the bathroom and bed. I'll tell ya...i made him get a new recliner when all this started. Only time he was in awful pain was lying flat too. He said..." the best investment hes ever made was that chair" i'm sure its all about taking all pressure off the spine. His best time is in the morning...after hes laid flat all nite. As the day goes on, it builds to intolerable. Sometimes i just cry for him. Hes only 53 and this has all but ruined his life. Bless his heart. We just do the best we can. He still trys hard to keep moving, but the pain usually dictates how much he can do...but so far...he hasnt given up. He pushes forward.
BOBERS47
01-31-2009, 12:21 AM
i had my laminaplasty, c5 to c7 on jan. 15. There is no exaggeration in saying that the first three days were really an ordeal. Barely able to move and intense pain despite morphine. I was actually in the hospital for 5 days! Despite the problems of the first days i am now day by day feeling stronger although it still feels like i have a steel ring around my lower neck and have about 80% movement. I was told to wear a hard miami j collar for the first two weeks which i am doing. They told me my muscles were very massive and that caused more than average pain initially. Still on vicoden 5/500 at least 7 to 8 a day but they said the procedure went well so i am hoping to progress rapidly from now on.
the surgeon gave my husband a choice going thru the back or front of the neck. The difference being, removing vertabrae or not and having to have the plate. After reading about people pain level going thru the front....we're glad he picked the back of the neck. Shaving bone. And he has no range of motion in his neck limitations. Has this affected your legs? Do you have the scapula winging also?
the surgeon gave my husband a choice going thru the back or front of the neck. The difference being, removing vertabrae or not and having to have the plate. After reading about people pain level going thru the front....we're glad he picked the back of the neck. Shaving bone. And he has no range of motion in his neck limitations. Has this affected your legs? Do you have the scapula winging also?
captnanny
01-31-2009, 12:01 PM
My doctors went through the back as well and took out some bone. I have a lot of limiits on my mobility. I don't have scapula winging but I do have more nerve firings in my left wrist and left thumb. That was not there before the surgery. Doc's say only time will tell if that will get better. The thing that aggravates me the most is the pain in the neck and shoulder area. I sometimes feel like my legs are shaky and like I will not be able to walk to where I am going.
As far as the pain is going, it was getting better until physical therapy tried to start movements. She lifted my head with her hands and turned it to the left and right. That was Tuesday and once on Friday, my pain level skyrocketed. So I am frustrated as this is becoming a really slow process and I'm an impatient person. Just venting and sharing.
As far as the pain is going, it was getting better until physical therapy tried to start movements. She lifted my head with her hands and turned it to the left and right. That was Tuesday and once on Friday, my pain level skyrocketed. So I am frustrated as this is becoming a really slow process and I'm an impatient person. Just venting and sharing.