Help-2 Weeks Post-Op ACDF and NAUSEUS - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Ricki · 05-22-2004, 07:05 PM

I had C5-C6 ACDF with donor bone and hardware 12 days ago and I am nauseas all the time, less so when I lay still. I still have some pain and the lump in my throat but I am really worried about the nausea. Has anyone else had this?

Before my surgery, I had numbness and pain in arms, neck pain, migraine headaches and nausea. The doctors didn't think the herniation/piched nerve caused the nausea but all kinds of tests revealed no other causes. When I put on a soft collar two weeks prior to the surgery and it extended my neck, the nausea went away and the doctors conceded that it may be connected. I thought it would go away immediately post-surgery and it has not. I am scared that it won't get better. It's so hard to live like this.

Thanks to everyone for your posts. These boards have helped me so much.

Ricki · 05-23-2004, 08:18 AM

I know he will tell me it's not related. That's what he said before the surgery. When the soft collar helped, he didn't say much. Then, when I was nauseus after the surgery (they kept me overnight for it) he said it was a pre-existing condition.

secondfiddle · 05-23-2004, 10:40 AM

Are you taking the meds you were prescribed post-op, or trying to cut down on them? When I started to wean myself off, I found myself having more and more dizziness with nausea. I went back on the meds - particularly the Soma (muscle relaxant) - and the dizziness and most of the nausea subsided. I still occasionally have waves of nausea, but they don't last too long. Good luck - and call your doc!

Ricki · 05-23-2004, 11:25 AM

Thank you both. Interesting. I have been taking very little in the way of meds. All they gave me was Darvocet, no muscle relaxers, and I do without it most of the time. How long since your surgeries? I will call the doctor on Monday.

secondfiddle · 05-24-2004, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricki

Thank you both. Interesting. I have been taking very little in the way of meds. All they gave me was Darvocet, no muscle relaxers, and I do without it most of the time. How long since your surgeries? I will call the doctor on Monday.

I am 5 weeks post-op ACDF C5/6. The Soma he prescribed said to take it 4 times a day. The Darvocet was prescribed "as needed for pain." So, the Soma was not just for me to take as needed - it was intended to be taken regularly. The theory (for me) was that the muscle relaxants were causing the dizziness/nausea - as well as pain - and I should keep taking them. I see my doctor Tuesday for follow-up and will ask him how long I should continue.