ACDF C6-7 13 Sep 04 Smoking V.S. the Patch - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Snoshewz · 09-18-2004, 11:05 AM

I know that smoking will cause the fusion in ACDF not to work, because of the chemicals released into the spinal fluid from smoking. Does the patch release the same chemicals? Am I trading one evil for another? I am wearing the collar and adhering to all of the rules as closely as possible. Not smiking has not been that hard for me soooo far. I just dont want to jeopardize the process by using the patch, if it is counterproductive. any advice?

feelbad · 09-19-2004, 08:26 AM

You will run into the same problems with the patch as it is the actual nicotine that causes the problem not other chemicals.Unfortunetly for me, when my NS told me that I needed to stop smoking, he did not tell me why.I just assumed that it had something to do with my lungs(i know that it was part of the reason).so, i figured that if I could try quitting with the patch,i was doing okay.Well, when I went in for my 6 week check and was all proud of myself for quitting and mentioned that i was using the patch since the surgery,it was THEN that he told me about the nicotine being the problem.well, don't you think that this should have been mentioned before?i was really quite angry as I had not even started to fuse yet.I was also taking aleeve for pain which is another no-no(but his nurse told me to switch to over the counter meds at about the two week point and didn't mention this possible problem with NSAIDS then).Just another thing that they failed to mention to me.I would think that at the very least, this NS owes it to his patients to maybe like make up some sort of sheet with all of the things that should be avoided and WHY.i was really bummed out about all of this and did end up not fusing and having to undergo another surgery to place hardware.for the best possible outcome for yourself, please do research on what you should and shouldn't be doing post op.Believe me, it will save you alot of pain and problems later on.Good luck,marcia

Albie · 09-20-2004, 07:04 AM

I'm facing acdf c-3 thru c-7 very soon (actually seeing my NS later today to find out when). 6 weeks ago my NS told me to quit smoking and I asked him about the patch. His response was that I could use it if needed to quit but I would also have to quit the patch before he would do the surgery. I had used the patch somewhat sucsessufully in the past and I'm glad I asked him about it.
Good luck'
Al