Multilevel ACDF Tomorrow AM

Well...tomorrow AM is it. It feels like I'm taking a huge dive into the unknown and my nerves are on high alert.

Has anyone else had myelopathy and chronic vertigo associated with their cervical issues? How did you feel immediately post op? How long before you noticed any changes? I know it won't be immediate if things reverse and there's just no way to know but I wonder if I will feel/move/walk any different upon waking. (Aside from surgical site pain.)

Hi CreatureLover, you having so much more done than what I had, but I will tell you that both my ACDF's ( first one at C6/7 and second one at C5/6) both of them gave me immediate relief of my symptoms. I had severe arm and hand pain. My third fusion was posterior at C3/4 and I was having severe headaches going from the upper portion of the back of my neck up the back of my head. Surgery also corrected that problem. Really the worst surgical pain was from the Posterior fusion. The pain from the surgery of the ACDF's was minimal, especially the second one, as I had donor cadaver bone and brackets for that one. The first one they took the bone for fusion from my right pelvis and that caused pretty severe pain in the top of my hip for awhile.

Abilene would probably be the best one to talk with you about this as she had just about the same thing as your having done I believe.

Anyway I do wish you well! May Gods Peace be with YOU!

White Beard

Healing thoughts for you going in and for a uneventful and speedy recovery. If there is someone who you can have message one of us please have them do so. Otherwise you can let us know as soon as you can,Susie and I have e-mail addresses listed in our profiles.

I am shocked to see a post from you so soon. You are not home, are you? Hope you are able to sleep it off!! Vomiting and hiccups--just the thought of that brings back memories of being afraid of that happening but it did not for me. Pain and spasms are to be expected--hope you have a muscle relaxer and good pain med. Do Not Push Yourself! You have just had major surgery and it takes a lot of time to recover. It will only take longer if you rush it. A good recovery is what we all want for you, so take good care of yourself and take it very slow and easy.

Very glad to read they may have your meds straightened out. Nothing worse than having bad issues right after surgery. Rest all you can, it will take a lot of rest to get you healing. Remember stay on top of the pain by taking your meds on a schedule when you get home.

Take care.

Thank you guys (and girls) for the prayers, well wishes and advice. I've used SO much of it and although it was a particularly rough 24 hours post op, I'm slowly adjusting each day here at home and trying to rest. The alarms on my phone have been paramount to stay on a good med schedule and remember what to take when. Sleeping in this hard collar has been quite frustrating and it's just impossible to get comfortable, I'm currently using 6 different pillows tucked and propped various ways in a recliner. (I just have to keep the recliner popped open as it's too hard to close on my own or I have my girlfriend close it.) Pudding cups and Ensure are pretty much the best things ever at the moment, with ice cream coming in 2nd. ;)

Hi CreatureLover Yes that alarm clock on the cell phone is a nifty little device isn't it! Hang in there, little by little, day by day, it will get better! Just don't be in any hurry to do any thing, main thing now is to let your body rest and heal and fuse!

Keeping you in my prayers!

White Beard