Newbie - 3 Level Cervical ADR

[lisibug]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and just had a 3 level cervical ADR performed by Dr. Bertagnoli 2-1/2 weeks ago at C3-4, C4-5 and C6-7, using the Prodisc prostheses. I had a one level fusion performed at C5-6 2-1/2 years ago. I was pretty skeptical about how well I was "supposed" to do afterwards, because I know how it feels to heal from a fusion. However, I'm doing amazingly well! I seem to have a particular problem with both surgeries of being 'sick' right after the surgeries, but it lasted only the day after the surgery with the ADR. That evening I was able to start walking around on my own and after that just got stronger and stronger. We went to Germany for the surgery and then London and got home on Easter Sunday. I'm able to do little chores around the house, then rest, take short walks, then rest, etc. I am still on meds, but my pain is very minimal with meds. I don't have any more radicular pain into the arms/hands/fingers - only when I bend my elbows, some tingling because I have compressed ulnar nerves bilaterally (which obviously has nothing to do with my neck). I also had very severe headaches all of the time, which are better, too. I'm very happy that I'm doing so well post-operatively and am just really hoping that long term I will do well, too. I have suffered quite badly for a lot of years and am really hoping that this surgery will bring long term relief. I know that many of you are the same and I very much wish you all long term relief, too.

[123dietdrpepper]

Welcome to the boards! It sounds like your surgery was very successful and I pray that you continue to heal well.

FYI - You are more than welcome to post on this board but you will find that the back problems board has more posts for the thoracic and lumbar areas. If you go to the spinal cord disorders board on this site, you will find that board has more cervical patients.

Good luck and may you have many pain free days ahead.

[DesertBloom]

Hi lisibug: Wow, it sounds like you're doing great for 2 1/2 weeks post op. I don't know much about ADR's but have heard the procedures they do in Germany are really superb. Did you have a hard time with the trip-coming from and going to CA?

I've had lumbar fusions so I know that's different than what you had, but again it sounds like you're doing great!!!

Are the headaches part of the normal post-op recovery? I hope you have something to help that.

If your progress is any indication, it sounds like you should get excellent relief from the surgery. How do they handle post-op appts. do you see someone in CA?

Keep up the good work, it sounds like you're well on your way to a full recovery.

[lisibug]

My uncle and Dr. Bertagnoli's office both highly suggested I fly business class - something I've never done before. Thankfully, we had a ton of airmiles that paid for almost the entire thing. Okay - now I absolutely LOVE business class and am spoiled rotten. I researched which airlines offer seats that go flat like a bed in business class and British Airways was one of them, which partnered with the company we had the airmiles with - so that worked out really well. So basically, I was tremendously comfortable, drinking champagne, lying down and sleeping in the bed when I wanted to, having wonderful meals, etc., while the rest of my family was sitting in economy with their knees up around their ears! Regarding the headaches - these were severe prior to surgery. I think that now, they are a result of the muscular spasm in my upper back, trapezii, shoulders, i.e. tension headaches and are mild. Prior to surgery, I took specific headache meds daily (as well as a ton of other meds) including fioricet and Imitrex - I haven't had any fioricet or Imitrex since the surgery - am just on Vicodin (and other meds I have to wean off of at some point - Neurontin, etc.), which didn't work well for the headaches prior to surgery. Thank you for your kind wishes - I sure hope I heal up well long term, too. I am thrilled with how I'm feeling now and am very surprised. It's very different to how I felt after the fusion. However, Dr. Bertagnoli's office did say that how I felt was unusual - most people do feel more post-operative pain than me. Don't know why I am so fortunate - I think a lot of people have been praying for me for so long and God dumped the answers on me all at once!

Originally Posted by DesertBloom

Hi lisibug: Wow, it sounds like you're doing great for 2 1/2 weeks post op. I don't know much about ADR's but have heard the procedures they do in Germany are really superb. Did you have a hard time with the trip-coming from and going to CA?

I've had lumbar fusions so I know that's different than what you had, but again it sounds like you're doing great!!!

Are the headaches part of the normal post-op recovery? I hope you have something to help that.

If your progress is any indication, it sounds like you should get excellent relief from the surgery. How do they handle post-op appts. do you see someone in CA?

Keep up the good work, it sounds like you're well on your way to a full recovery.

[lisibug]

Thank you for your kind wishes - and the info about the spinal cord injury heading - I will look there, too. I did have a brief look - wasn't quite sure where I should be looking. Thank you!