C5-c6 post op acdf

I haven't been thru that surgery, but I have any lumbar and cervical problems.  I can't imagine what it must be like for you having this pain and trying to take care of your kids.  I would recommend two things:

1) See another neurosurgeon and get get his opinion on what's going on with the continued pain.

2). See a pain doctor who specializes in chronic pain.  They have been a godsend for me.  I had no relief from chiropractor, acupuncture and PT.  They can give you an epidural injection to reduce inflammation and help with the pain.  

Has your current neurosurgeon talked about you seeing a pain doctor (since he has taken you off of pain meds) to help with your pain?

carol

Hi there. I have been through this at C6/7, and it's bloody hard work. Mine was 3 years ago and, like you, was necessary otherwise paralysis in my left hand and arm. I am left with residual pain and issues, but not the agony I had before. Unfortunately I have residual nerve damage. I was told that the arm pain would getter better, but they couldn't guarantee my shoulder would. I still also get 'fuzzy fingers' but again, not as bad as before.

4 weeks in is VERY early. It took me months really, and my neurosurgeon said it would be 12-18 months before I reached whatever my 'new' 100% was going to be; he was right. You shouldn't be off all meds now at all - it's a bloody difficult recovery enough as it is, both in terms of pain and exhaustion. Get a second opinion, as help with pain is very important. As is walkibg lots, NOT lifting anything, PT as recommended, no smoking etc. I was off for 9 weeks then did a 12 week phased return to work as I just couldn't manage the commute plus a full day without being in agony and crying all the time. The phasing helped hugely. I still try not to lift anything too heavy, don't drive for long periods etc. I've learnt to adapt.

Please don't worry, you will start to feel better, even if it doesn't seem that way now. Pain is very very depressing and takes its toll, but bit by bit you'll get there even though it takes a long time. You need all the help and support you can get. I still have amytryptiline now for nerve pain, plus ad hoc tramadol/ diazepam when I can't manage ok paracetamol or have muscle spasms. These are not frequent though. I am still under the care of a spine specialist too, for non-surgical support around pain.

Best wishes and lots of luck

Tammy

Ps. Your leg shouldn't be affected in any way by your neck except muscular, if you're potentially holding yourself funny etc. See what another surgeon says and get a good Physio - they make all the difference.

I have had l4/l5 discectomy decompression as my cord was been compressed. It's still early days I didn't get much relief till 3 months post op and even then there's a lot of scare tissue and brushing. I've got to do it all again next month having spaces fitted. Try arnica tablet s they help you heal from inside. Herbal shop.

I am so sorry to hear that your surgery was unsuccessful. I too had an accident in 2001.  I had a box truck back up over the front of my car.  As a result I had horrible pain and weakness  in legs and also my head felt to heavy for my neck to hold.  I had numbness and tingling in my right arm and fingers.  I walked around a lot holding my left arm up as it seemed to help the circulation.  For 22 months I lay in bed.  I was given muscle relaxors and pain pills but nothing helped.  When I told the Dr. the meds weren't helping he assumed I wanted stronger meds.  I really wanted an MRI.  They took me off all meds except for 5 mg. of methadone and promised to order a test.  After about 6 months of this I called and was told my insurance rejected the MRI.  Come to find out the Dr. Office had not subitted it correctly.  I called my Insurance and told them they could either approve an MRI at a Scanning facility or I would go to the ER and they could approve it there, or I was going to kill myself and have my husband sue all of them post mordem.  They told me to go to my Primary and have him request it.  I had been at a PM center to begin with.  Anyway, a few days later I had the test and was called my my Dr. He said I had crused vertebre at C 4-5-6.  I also had to have immediate surgery as it was pressing on my spinal cord. I was so scared of this surgery because I had heard some people praise it and other curse it.  Fortunately for me mine turned out wonderful.  I have almost 100 percent range of motion in my neck.  Did you smoke before the surgery?  I ask this because I did and my Dr. had me wear a bone growth stimulator for about 6 months during my recovery.  Several times a day.  I wonder if this helped the bones to fuse better.  It's only been 6 weeks. Keep up the therapy and I hope you too will have a successful outcome.  Are you taking any meds for the pain? Also, I had Lumbar L4/5 S-1.  It was not successful.  It was in 08 and I suffer every day with it.  I guess a lot of it depends on the Dr. who does the surgery.  I had two different Doctors and I wish the first one had done the second surgery.  I will keep you in my prayers.

So sorry to hear about your accident.  Youve been through so much.  Are you planning to sue FedEx?  I would if I were you.  

I had my L4 L5 fused Nov. 15 after suffering for over 5 years going from one doctor to another. The recovery from surgery is painful & it takes a few months to hopefully be pain free.  6 weeks is still too soon....wishing you all of the best.

Hiya I started having shoulder/arm pain numb fingers down my right side about 2 months ago,pain was 11/10 no pain relief meant about 6 weeks of no sleep and trying to get appointments to see neurosurgeon which I saw Sept 7th got my mri results which showed bulging discs c5/c6 and c6/c7 with severe nerve pinching so only option given was surgery on Sept 14th double disc disection and fusion,3 hr operation spent 1 night in hospital and and now building up my walking day by day,no lifting over a kg for 6 weeks but should be good after that slow and steady has to be done and I know not everybody can do it as other things going on around in lives but now I have no pain slight numbness in 2 fingers which could take 6 months to go away,I've had a fusion in my foot about 5 yrs ago and that took 11 months to fully recover from but did exactly what consultant told me to do and that worked 100%,Also at moment I'm on no pain relief and don't think I will need any either but slowly building up my shoulder and neck muscles with light exercises,hopefully it get easier for you as time goes by and there is light at end of the tunnel cheers Cameron