u/CaptainObvious_74

Diagnosed with PMR, even though blood markers were normal. Specialist said 10% of people are this way.

Through trial and error, 40mg Prednisone took ALL the pain away within 5 hours. Kept going down to find a starting dose and decided on 5mg twice a day. 5am and 5pm (hasn't affected my sleep at all)

The pain is terrible without Prednisone like all of you. 5mg twice a day takes the pain away about 60%, but I can tolerate it.

Question - Is the pain supposed to go away 100%? Is the dose high enough? Obviously I want the lowest dose possible as it's not good for me.

I've been reading and I thought the pain has to go away to begin tapering down, which is scheduled for 60 days from yesterday for at least a year.

Context - Im trying to get my daughter in a more reliable vehicle as she doesn't live anywhere near home.

Bought the car 2 years ago. Within 60 days the engine and transmission were both replaced by Ford under warranty and I have the receipts. Yes, had coolant intrusion.

Any idea what I could get in a private sale KNOWING both of the expensive issues have been resolved? I've replaced the battery, thermostat, blower motor, both trailing arms, passenger seat switch, and had to redo some headlight wiring so far. All done myself.

Engine and Tranny have about 40k miles on them.

Car has 128k miles

Context - Im trying to get my daughter in a more reliable vehicle as she doesn't live anywhere near home.

Bought the car 2 years ago. Within 60 days the engine and transmission were both replaced by Ford under warranty and I have the receipts. Yes, had coolant intrusion.

Any idea what I could get in a private sale KNOWING both of the expensive issues have been resolved? I've replaced the battery, thermostat, blower motor, both trailing arms, passenger seat switch, and had to redo some headlight wiring so far. All done myself.

Engine and Tranny have about 40k miles on them.

Car has 128k miles

I had ACDF 2 weeks ago. Recovery went well (I wrote a detailed post about it).

However, my upper back was so stiff going down into my traps/shoulders.

I've been doing a lot of research on Google, Reddit, Mayo Clinic and am finding no concensus on neck brace use.

-Everyone who DOES NOT have a plate/screws, absolutely wears the neck brace for the fusion.

-People who DO have plate/screws like me, vary widely with most being out of the brace in a few weeks to some not wearing one at all. My doc didn't really say how long I have to wear it, just that I have my follow up appt 6 weeks from surgery date.

Saturday afternoon I took mine off and haven't put it back on since. My back feels much better, my neck/traps feel much better and turning my head slightly feels good. Sleep is fantastic and In my own bed horizontally.

I'm being very careful and barely turning my head and not picking up anything more than 10lbs, etc.

Went back to work today and drove perfectly fine.

My wife thinks I'm crazy for not wearing it and it's not going to heal and fuse right, but from what I'm reading, the plate keeps it in place.

Yes, I said I've been doing a lot of research, but are you wearing wearing your neck brace?

My daughter moved to SD permanently after college.

Her car is financed in my name, the car is in my name, and so is the insurance. (Yes, she’s on the insurance)

She is getting her DL to establish residency as she’s been there for 4 years already, but we want to title and insure the car in SD as it’s MUCH cheaper all around than where we live.

My question is, is it possible to keep the car and loan in my name and register and Insure the car if I don’t physically live in SD (yet), but she does?

I really don’t want to refinance the car and we have about 18 months left on the loan.

Looking to save money on Registration and Insurance and the car is physically in SD anyway.

Thanks

I wanted to tell everyone my experience from surgery last week.

51 year old male.

Had my surgery scheduled for 1:30pm (no solid food for 24 hours, no liquids after 9:30am same day). Nurse came in and gave me an IV in both arms and she put something in the IV to "prep me for surgery" and I was out cold by the time I even got wheeled out of my prep room. Surgery took about 1.5 hours.

In recovery room for about 2 hours. Woke up and felt like I had a nightmare of a hangover. But, people start talking to you, you realize what happened and start waking up. They gave you Oxycodon, Robaxin (muscle relaxer), Tylenol, and Milk of Magnesia to help with constipation from the Oxy. Note that I woke up pain free! No pain in my back, shooting down my arm and numb fingers.

After 2 hours, got wheeled to my room as they said standard procedure was to do an overnight visit to make sure no bleeding and I can swallow properly, since they moved the esophogas and treachea out of the way and stuck the breathing tube in.

Every 3 hours nurse came in and gave me Oxy and Tylenol. Very important to not let the pain get away from you and to stay in front of it!

I stood up to pee on my own about 7pm finally. The nurse didn't let me go by myself and tied a Gait Belt around me, but I didn't need it. Actually felt pretty good and it felt good to get up and walk around. They ended up activating my bed alarm so I wouldn't just get up and walk around without them knowing.

Did the swallow test with some saltines and peanut butter about 9pm and was sore, but did ok.

Went home about 11am the next morning after eating scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast in the hospital. (thursday) I was surprised they wanted me to try solid foods the next day. Car ride home was totally fine. Didn't really feel many bumps. Again, take your pain meds.

Got comfortable on the couch with my feet up and we ended up buying a used recliner. I slept in that the first night and it sucked. Brace was pushing on the back of my head and could not get comfortable.

Had a protein shake for breakfast. Apple Sauce is your friend too. Already have eaten a box of 24 single serve packets.

Friday night tried the recliner again and gave up. Ended up sleeping on my back then on my side on the couch as was pretty comfortable. I think the trick is to use a hard pillow first, then a soft pillow directly under your head and make sure your neck is level. I've been sleeping this way every night. Will make my way to my own bed tonight. Probably could've done that sooner, but didn't want to disturb my wife.

Saturday woke up and the throat pain all went away at once. Incision pain and swallowing pain, so all that I'm on now is regular Tylenol since Saturday morning. Today is Tuesday at 3:20pm and I haven't taken Tylenol yet today. Had baked chicken for dinner Saturday.

I can put my socks and shoes on fine, can reach into a cabinet fine and started working from home on my laptop yesterday. Just make sure whatever you're doing is eye level with you. I put 2 pillows on my lap so I could see my laptop as the brace, if you're wearing it correctly, should have you looking straight out in front of you. Not down.

I've read MANY people going through difficulty with this surgery and feel bad that my recovery is so easy compared to theirs. I returned my wedge pillow, Crocs, extended picker-upper thing, and some other stuff I bought on Amazon due to the advice on this sub, but didn't end of needing any of it.

My restrictions are that I can't pick up more than 10lbs and obviously turn my head and wear my brace at all times except to shower and eat.

I really want to go back to work in my office this coming Monday. Doc said I can as long as I'm off everything except Tylenol and I can drive safely, but that's gonna be difficult since I can't turn my head, but I'll see how it goes.

I was hesitant to post this as I'm just waiting on the worse to happen as something always goes wrong with me. I don't have my post-op appointment until 6/26.

Reach out with any questions.