Hi all. Had surgery Monday. Not felt awful but Day 3 I’ve felt like gagging all day long, think must be throat? That sound normal? Also arm still a bit numb/achey and headache through back of head still there. Anyone have experience of this taking time to settle/go? I am looking for hope! Really worried about right sided neck/headache. This is why I had surgery.
This surgery came as a complete surprise to me, Ihad no idea my spine was this bad, but apparently according 3 separate doctors my spine is so bad I needed it soon. I never had any neck pain, my pain presented mostly in my glutes and numbness in hands. I'm told if I don't have this surgery. If I get in an accident or trip and fall hard, well, the outcome of that would be very bad for me.
I tried to prepare the best as I could, got at bedside lamp with remote, a bedside comode, grabbers, throat lozenges, and numbing throat spray, smoothies, yogurts. I have an assortment of pillows, but really don't know if I'll need a wedge pillow or not. I do have a recliner in my home, but it's in the middle of my open concept home. Every time I search on here, I hear mostly horror stories of post surgery pain. I am terrified of the pain, not being able to swallow and not being able to even get liquids down. Surgery is tomorrow 7 am, a 3+ hour surgery. I am so scared, do any of you have tips, and good outcomes, I know, many people that posts on these subreddits only have horror stories, that scare me even more. Just the thought of going through my neck makes me squeamy.. How are you all able to swallow anything, and sleep, the surgeon describes it as mild discomfort, but most of the people here, describe it as horrible pain. My anxiety is so high, haven't been able to sleep the past two nights.
I just want to take a moment and thank the wonderful citizens of Reddit. I have ACDF C5-7 tomorrow (after Harrington rods T5-L1 many decades ago). I really appreciate everyone that has taken the time to share their experience(s),helpful tips, etc. as a patient and/or caregiver. Over the last few months, I’ve been able to read, educate myself, and prepare thanks to y’all. It’s been an emotional roller coaster, but this too shall pass. 🙌 I have a wonderful family that’s taking care of me, a brilliant surgeon and team, and a whole lotta people praying for me.
Hi all. I’m 42, and am now 10 weeks post double disc replacement surgery in London. I found it pretty helpful searching on here before making a decision, so here’s my experience
2022, playing football, my neck goes. Pain runs down my shoulder and arm. I think it’s muscular so try to exercise through it. It comes and goes in flare ups. Eventually, a round of golf sends me seriously south. I get scans and am diagnosed with spinal spondylosis. My neurosurgeon gives me an injection, I take the next 6 months off any real exercise. After that, I take up Padel and return to the gym. I enjoy nearly 3 years of pain free living. Only thing I have to stop is running. Then, in February this year, I do a HIIT class, and I feel it go again.
This time I see a Orthopaedic Surgeon. Injections don’t work this time, and so in July I had a double disc replacement (C4/5 and C5/6). I had experienced severe pain for 5 months, hugely impacting my quality of life, and I needed a fix.
The surgery went smoothly. I was in hospital for one night. The initial discomfort wasn’t too severe. I was able to eat a full English the morning after (albeit it with some difficulty). I took a week off before returning to work
immediately post surgery, like others have documented, you notice the nerve pain is gone (albeit you are still pretty tanked on painkillers). in the weeks post-surgery, the biggest change for me was new neck pain. All the muscles and tendons move around and the pain was quite substantial, mostly at night trying to sleep. After about 2-3 weeks, I did get some residual pain from my nerve pain back in my shoulder/arm. This was mainly in the mornings, and improved as I loosened up and got mobile throughout the day. I was able to undertake all normal daily activities pretty much from the outset post surgery
After 6 weeks, I began physio. I followed my physios exercise plan to the book, and bought the new cervical pillow he recommended. The results have been excellent. I am now back in the gym, doing light exercise. I am hoping to return to the sports I love in the coming weeks
My only regret is not going back to see my original neurosurgeon for a second opinion, as he had totally ruled out surgery when I saw him back in early 2023. All in all, so far, so good
I had ACDR at c5-6 3 weeks ago. I have had an elevated resting heart rate everyday since and I’m wondering if anyone has experienced the same thing? I’ve had scheduled in-home physical therapy appts where they won’t work with me because my heart rate won’t go down. I was sent to the ER a week ago and my resting heart was 145, but it seems to hover at 115 with higher spikes. They did an ekg, ct scan of my neck and ct scan with contrast of my chest, along with tons of blood tests. Everything was normal and I don’t have any blood clots. I did read that they move the vagus nerve over for surgery and if it’s irritated then it can cause an increased heart rate. I definitely feel swelling/like there’s something stuck in my throat still. I just would really like to not have a stroke or something. I’m waiting on next steps from my pcp, but I’m just wondering if anyone experienced the same.
Side note: I found out that my jugular vein is not in a normal place and the surgeon was very adamant that any surgeons going forward need to be told this. Makes me wonder if they accidentally almost cut it or something. I guess it’s toward the front of my neck and less protected.