ACDF help

countyfan
countyfan Member Posts: 21
edited 25. Jan 2013, 15:18 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi All,
I need some specific advice on the matter of having an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion at C5/6. I have tried everything else the specialists had to offer (Physio, exercise, steroid painkilling injections etc) but have had to finally admit defeat and agree to their first suggestion of having the op. Unfortunately the waiting list is over a year and my symptoms are getting rapidly worse (Numbness and tingling of hands & face) but culminating in a fall from a kick stool at work on Monday, which the GP suggests was due to impaired nerve signalling to the brain causing dizziness.
Do any others on this forum have experience of similar symptoms or have had this operation? The GP did agree to write to the consultant and plead my case as she said the longer I wait, the more possibility there is of permanent and irreparable nerve damage. I shouldn't have put it off for so long in the first place but wanted to try all other possibilities first. :(

Comments

  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Countyfan

    I haven't had exactly the same operation but I have had the c4/c5 discs fused only last year. Dec.2011

    The reason for my fusion (I have RA) was not so much any tingling sensations but the fact that the discs were almost touching my spinal cord.
    I was very nervous as almost anyone on here would tell you but I can say I am glad I have had it done.
    My operation was done from the front (I don't know about yours :? ) and the throat was clamped to one side so that they could get to the discs.
    I had a very sore throat when I came round and the voice was very hoarse.
    I also found it very hard to swallow for a few days. (I had it done on the 17th Dec, but was wolfing christmas dinner down and chocs :wink: )

    I also found it hard to sleep on a night as I slept on my back and I am a side person, but I did manage some sleep, so don't worry.

    Just becareful when you come out of hospital, no heavy lifting or housework that is a strain. Atleast until after your 3 month check up.
    (I had to be held down by a good few friends on here to keep me from doing things :lol: )
    Honestly, I was sensible and I think it has paid off.


    One year on....
    The discs are still very sensitive when my back is being washed or even when they are touched when dressing but....it is stable now and no longer a threat to the cord.

    I still have an operation pending for the odontoid peg C1 but for this I am still being monitored. (another story :roll: )

    I wish you well and hope that what I have said re-assures you and that you now know a little of what to expect.
    I also hope that you don't have to wait a year, that it is done quite soon

    Take care
    Love Juliepf x
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Countyfan

    I have had a C5 Vertebrectomy and C4 - 6 cervical fusion. This was done in the supine position with a Mayfield frame attached to the head. (copied from letter) :wink:

    This was done in September 2011. I did not get back all that had been affected by the cord compression so do not have as many spoons to use daily as someone else of my age. I have improved to date and no longer fall when outside which did frighten me. I have had two total knee replacements so did not like my knees banging down onto pavements besides feeling utterly stupid at the time. I still tend to trip when out but have not fallen for ages.

    The surgeon laid the cards on the table and explained it all to me before the op. So I knew already that I may not recover fully to how I was. He thought it had been going on for years and so do I on reflection.

    I actually walked 5 miles on new years day with my hubby and was so proud of myself as I had not done anything like that since my op. I find it hard work but nevertheless I did it. My hands became problematic before the op and have not come back to how they used to be. It can take upto 18 months for things to probably get as good as they will get, or so I was told. It was like that for me.

    I wish you well with your op and hope it happens for you sooner than later.

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • countyfan
    countyfan Member Posts: 21
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Julie & Elna,

    Thanks so much for your replies. I am getting to the end of my tether with neck problems now, so any (even however slight) improvement will be worth me having the operation. Mine will be from the front too (Doc said anteriorly, from the front of my neck, is a lot less dangerous than trying to work near the spine from the back) I have also got cord compression, which is getting noticeably worse on an almost daily basis, so I am just worried that if I have to wait too much longer, there might be some damage which will not repair itself!

    Will keep you informed and maybe asking for more detailed help and advice when I'm actually given a date for op :wink:
  • countyfan
    countyfan Member Posts: 21
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just thought I'd update this post as I have now had the letter from hospital giving me the date for this op! It's going to be on 9th March so not too long now. Unfortunately, this last week things became all too much for me and I lost consciousness at work, which resulted in a trip to A&E. The GP has signed me off for a fortnight, stating stress related causes, so the boss now thinks that I'm skiving, knowing the op is coming up. Nothing could be further from the truth, as I have used up precious paid sick leave time, which I could have done with taking after the op. Now I;m off though, I dread the though of going back before my op. Any one know the sort of recovery times needed after this op? :?:
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi there,

    So sorry to hear that you had to go to A&E. At least you have some time away from work now. Good news about the op though, being in March. Hang on in there. :)

    I appreciate it is difficult with an unsympathetic boss,(I have had at least one of them in my working life :roll: ) but in the end you are the important one and you must put yourself first now and after the operation too.

    It depends what kind of job you do for starters as to when you may be ready to return. I can only speak for myself. I had to wear a brace for a number of weeks all day and later on, leave it off in the home but wear when out. (Got some stares and it made people ask what I had done!). I did have to take it easy for quite a while, ie no lifting heavy things ie hoovering.

    You can ask all these questions of yours at the pre assessment appt I expect or could you phone the surgeons secretary for answers?

    Do not hesitate to ask any questions, I will be pleased to try to help you from my own experiences.

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • countyfan
    countyfan Member Posts: 21
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Elna,

    Thanks so much for your speedy reply. I have all sorts of pre-op appointments coming up (Which is partly why I don't want to have to go back to work before the op and have to juggle around to satisfy Boss' idea of time allowed for appointments) As I am having the op done in a local private hospital but under the NHS consultant I see- have to have consenting appointment and another MRI on neck (That was another story, his secretary said to me 'Oh you had an MRI done in September 2012?' But that was on my lower back, I replied - to which she said 'Yes?'- but the operation is going to be on my NECK!) It's OK though, as when I confirmed my pre-op appointment with the actual hospital, they do know it's the neck that my consultant will be operating on!
    I know its a very individual thing, as to how long people take to heal and recover. I'm just worried that I will try to go back too soon-if I have longer off now-as the paid sick leave will end only 5 weeks after the op!

    Anyway, will let you know how I get on and just wanted to say Thanks for your By-line message at the end of your posts. It cheered me up , as coming back from town (Had to go to bank and sort out transferring funds once wages were in) I gave a lift to a poor old chap, who lives at the top of the hill near me, who was struggling up the icy road with two great big bags of shopping. He told me his wife had just had a knee replacement and was frightened to go out in all the snow. I really felt that I Had been of some practical help to them.

    Thanks again for the advice and encouragement.

    Jane x
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jane

    You have indeed done a very good turn to one of your neighbours today and it probably gave you a little glow, like it does me and yes, it does lift one's spirits when one is able to help someone else and makes one feel useful.

    Try not to worry, difficult though I know. :roll: :wink: This op is so important to you and you must be a good girl and listen to your body and "what the medics say you should, should not do. In the end, your boss will not be there for you, if you know what I mean, so make sure you feel fairly confident about returning to work. Perhaps you could have a kind of phased return to work if necessary which would show that you are not "taking advantage", mean business but are being sensible so you do not need more time off at a later date, due to rushing back to an "impatient boss".

    Anyway, that is too far in the future to dwell on too much at the moment, more important is that you are feeling in the best of health as possible before you go in for the op and take it from there. You know I shall be here looking out for you and I am sure Julie will too once she sees you have posted. She does not call in so often these days.

    Actually I shall let her know as we correspond every now and again. :)

    Gentle hugs
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jane

    I have just written a long reply to you and took that long that when I pressed send it had disappeared :x

    So I will now keep this short :lol: I am sorry to read about a&e and that your boss isn't too sympathetic towards you :(

    Unlike Elna my surgeon didn't want me to have a collar but I asked for one to wear ( a soft one) while n the car, in my wheel chair and on my scooter. I found this did help as it stopped my neck from being jolted and made me feel secure.

    I had my op done in a private hospial but on the NHS. I had it done on a saturday afternoon and was home on sunday late morning :shock: :lol:
    I was actually glad of this as my husband then hd a week off work to help me.

    I wish you well, I expect you are a little nervous, I was ,but, you will be fine :wink:

    Elna very kindly told me that you had posted again as I haven't been around lately.

    Take care
    Love julie.........hope this message doesn't disappear :lol::lol: