Fiona_Jo_324

Fusion/instrumentation - C5-C7


Hi everyone!! I just had a 12 week follow-up visit with my Doctor and all and all the appointment went well. I'm actually doing pretty well, feeling more strength in my left hand (still a little pain at times), but having my strength back has always been a BIG concern of mine.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I had a set-back in that the stomach flu (kids back in school) hit our family BIG time and it seemed to hit me the hardest. I was vomiting to the point that even a sip of water had me back to the toilet, and needless to say I became very weak and lost lots of weight AND of course the vomiting hurt my neck like crazy. Every time I had to vomit, I cried because the pain was so bad in my neck and jaw line. Hindsight being 20/20 I probably should have gone to the hospital, but I couldn't imagine leaving my house at that point.

Long story short it took along time for my neck to feel as good as it had been feeling. So, that was a bit of a setback. Another setback was that I slept on my neck wrong (don't ask me how), but I ended up on my stomach (never sleep on my stomach) and woke up with my neck completely twisted around and AGAIN, couldn't move my neck for a couple days and I had really strange neurological symptoms that scared me to death. This time my Neurologist (who I also just saw) said I DEFINITELY should have gone to the hospital and he was even on call. But, you all know I don't like hospitals- every surgery I'm released early and would have with my last surgery if I didn't get an infection.

Anyway, I'm feeling MUCH better and I was able to recover at home and my neck is still stiff, but doesn't hurt as bad and the weird symptoms have passed and my ENERGY is back.

My major concern now is I had my 12 week follow-up and I'm still not showing signs of fusing.
-What could this mean?
- Is it too early to be concerned??
- Will I suddenly just start fusing?

Since my last appointment I've been wearing the Cervical-Stim - four hours a day and I thought for SURE that I would show signs of fusing, but so far I'm not. I will have another appointment in 6 weeks, will the fusing suddenly start in the next 6 weeks?

I was a little disappointed. What are other's experiences with fusing. My concerns also stem from the fact that after the lumbar fusion, I had started fusing by the first follow-up appointment!

Really, I would just like other people's experiences with cervical fusing.
- Is it slower than lumbar?
-When did you start fusing?
-What happens if you don't fuse?

Thanks!

~ Fiona

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080807-Cervical-Stim~071707-ACDF-C5-C7 w/instrumentation/bone graft~'07/06 Lumber instrum. removed 05/04-Fusion(DDD/Collapsed Disc L5-S1)08/99-Microdisectomy(Herniated Disc) ~Lupus/EDS,Migraine