2 Level ACDF Expriences.

I had 1 level C5/c6 4 wks ago. I'll be honest the first 7-10 days after I struggled with severe nerve pain and lived on morphine, codine and lyrica But I did have a lot of pain daily for 10 months prior so was prepared as I was warned it might not settle immediately after surgery.

I found a heat and ice pack very useful and also a v shaped cushion as I slept sat up the first few days. Make sure you have help on hand the first few days at least. I am struggling following the no bending, lifting etc as I have 3 young children and I totally underestimated how much I would struggle after so getting support in place is a must. Due to also having a shoulder problem and possible fibromyalgia I ended up being given a neck collar to wear to help take the strain off my neck muscles but it's not common practice to issue everyone with one so I've been told.

4 wks on and my neck is feeling much better and I'm having weekly physio. Good luck . I hope you have a good recovery.

I'm 50 yrs old just had my very first surgery ever on June 15, 2018, so I was super nervous also I was very confused myself on what to do after surgery so my recommendations are get a nice body pillow to lean on while you lay down and to sit back on, a ice pack that has the gel so it will form to your body, I also wore my binder quite often, also after about 3 weeks I now wear a smaller back brace while I start doing more physical things. I'm at the point now where lifestyle changes are a must like how your posture, how you sleep, excersise, bend, etc... I'm going to a class my rep. For Boston scientific on July 25 to talk to people that have and that may have the stimulator implanted. I'm still searching for many answers myself. I've learned a lot about living with this by trial & error. I'm an exterminator so life a huge challenge to able to carry backpacks and do heavy lifting at times, but I can say for sure at this point I'm grateful that my pain is less but still there and before I said yes to the surgery I excepted what could and would happen and committed to my choice to have it done. Really the first 3 days was 100% mental for me and that's where my biggest challenge was nowhere to turn to for answers online, friends, family even called the Boston scientific help line, which was really all medical stuff, not someone who has went through back surgery and can tell me how they where or did cope with it. I wish you all the best and if you want to ask any questions I'm more than happy to give my personal experiences while I'm going through my own journey. I'm not really a sugar coaster kinda person I'm real with this while thing because it's not something that should be taken lightly.