Hello all,
After surgery I wanted to give my support of others going through the same thing as I because it is such a scary time for patients going through a ACDF.
I was doing pretty good in my own recovery except for some pretty hairy nerve and muscle spasms.
Then one day it wouldn't stop, it just kept getting worse and worse and my right shoulder got so weak I couldn't raise it, then I couldn't move it because the pain was so intense.
It all finally peaked so badly that my husband had to take me to the ER for some pain relief.
They gave me a shot of dilaudid that did take the edge off and gave me some Robaxin to relax my muscles as they said I was stiff. LOL, I guess I was because I realized my shoulders were up to my ears. LOL
I saw my surgeon yesterday. They took more x rays of my cervical spine as well as a lot of x rays of my shoulder. All looked good.
He seems to think this was due to my Rheumatoid Arthritis. Because of the body trying to fuse I am unable to take my Enbrel for my RA and won't be able to for another two months.
I am not so sure it was my RA. But in any case I am doing better now. WHEW!
Anyway when I feel a bit better I'll be back to lend my support of others going through this type of major surgery. That said, I don't think my experience with this surgery is typical because of my existing health problems makes recovery a bit more difficult.
