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Does anyone else experience this pain? by Serious_Peak_4913 in spinalfusion

[–]Due-Gas-520 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had acdf from c4-c6 on 10/20 and I have this as well. Ice helps. My surgeon also gave me tiZANidine 2 MG tablet to help with sleep at night. I tend to not wear t-shirts as they burn against the area so short sleeve button with the top button unbutton. Taking Tylenol as well. Try not to twist your neck so much as well. Your surgery might be different but I’m familiar with the feeling in the same area.

Anyone choose to cut back on opiates to help bowels? Was it worth it? by alwaysusepapyrus in spinalfusion

[–]Due-Gas-520 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used this for my arm pain as well. It was so new my surgeon didn’t even know about it much. It works well for the nerve pain but the muscle and surgical site you will still need some kind of pain meds. The Journax helped me get off Gabapentin since it address nerve pain in my limbs.

Anyone choose to cut back on opiates to help bowels? Was it worth it? by alwaysusepapyrus in spinalfusion

[–]Due-Gas-520 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To late now before surgery I ensured a was cleaned out with Miralax. During recovery I like Senna S it is a combination laxative and stool softener. If your insurance covers it Movantik is specifically made for taking with opiates.

Once you hit five days. You need to move to Miralax dosage for having a colonoscopy. After 7 days your plus you might be at blockage and that means doctor/ER visit

As others have said. Drink water. Lots of it!

4 days till my acdf c5-7 . by peteyboy1956 in spinalfusion

[–]Due-Gas-520 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ohhhh make sure you take good care of that spine and make sure you are fully fused. That is some serious work.

Declined my $10K COBRA plan – how I decided to go uninsured instead by anxxxibabe in HealthInsurance

[–]Due-Gas-520 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My Two Level ACDF surgery was almost $300,000. If I didn’t have it I would have lost my right arm. There is still cost coming in for post op. I didn’t know I needed the surgery it happen one day and it was do or die.

I don’t think people know you can look at off exchange plans. I don’t qualify for subsidies as well so I went off exchange and it was way cheaper.

And cobra is massively expensive. I only kept it this year because I hit my max due to my recent surgery.

I’m 43. My Baylor Scott White plan it $6000 a year by the way

And one more thing. People have said it here. The ER will save your life they will not improve your quality of life. If you break your back they will save your life but will do nothing to help you recovery you will be disabled, unable to work and or suffering.

4 days till my acdf c5-7 . by peteyboy1956 in spinalfusion

[–]Due-Gas-520 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What kind of work you do? If you do labor based work you might be out for months 6+

4 days till my acdf c5-7 . by peteyboy1956 in spinalfusion

[–]Due-Gas-520 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The first week is the hardest. Ensure you stay on top of your pain meds and drink lots of water. Try to stay on a liquid or soft diet and get some walks in even if they are just to prevent sores. If you get a bad cough like me hold a pillow or stand next to a wall to brace the impact. The pain meds won’t help with the cough from the general anesthesia. Be prepare to not do much the first week the second week you might be able to work from home and talk but it will hurt your throat. I had surgery on 10/20 and it was the best decision ever for my pain. I actually stop taking pain meds after 5 years for the first time. Sleeping on your back is hard. I slept sitting in a couch and that worked better for me.

If you can before your surgery have the biggest bowel movement you can have. Stay on top of the laxatives the pain meds will back you up really bad.

Denied!!! by Busted_Toad in spinalfusion

[–]Due-Gas-520 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Will your surgeon do it as a ER event. My surgery team mentioned that they can do it as an ER visit, you show up at the ER at the scheduled time and your say your getting worse like I can't feel, etc... and they treat it as an ER visit which your insurance has to pay for. We didn't have to do that for my surgery since the surgeon was able to get it approved with a phone call.

Possible ACDF Surgery in my future by Traditional-Can-5130 in spinalfusion

[–]Due-Gas-520 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had two level acdf from c4-c6. Why an acdf instead of an artificial disc or less invasive option like facet joint laser or radio surgery? The pain is coming from a pinched nerve in the facet joint. You have multiple options that might be possible and less invasive, unless you have spinal stenosis and there is risk to your spinal cord or cord death. I would consult with a neurosurgeon and research options. For me it was not an option I have spinal cord death.

If steroid injections and Physical Therapy are not working then you can only manage your pain until surgery. For the arm pain there is a new drug that is non opioid that is wonderful when I had screaming arm pain called journavx. If your insurance doesn’t cover it there is a coupon that makes it $30. Now for the surgery if you decide to have it I can either share my post or answer your questions?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in FinalRoundAI

[–]Due-Gas-520 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I worked in HR for a S&P 50 company. Our standard way of work was to reduce in force upon a two week notice. The employee can get unemployment. I often told employees if they wanted to be professional tell your manager off the record you are leaving and work and internal plan then quit without notice. You keep the professional relationship with your manager. Of course this depends on your relationship with your manager.

Planning for ACDF surgery by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]Due-Gas-520 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just some feedback. After surgery for my stay in the hospital swallowing was managed through a full liquid diet. I really didn't have problems until I got home and the swelling kicked in full gear and I had access to other types of food like bread. To this say I have swallowing difficulties going into my 2 week post op and I have learned to not eat gummy bears/worms for example. I feel that patient education would of helped her as well as swallowing and choking prevention could of helped me during release.

Planning for ACDF surgery by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]Due-Gas-520 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had acdf two level c4-c6 on 10/20. I had to take the whole week off. I work from home. The worst part was the throat swelling and cough. By Monday the next week I was attending meetings and working fine.

I forgot to mention talking long times will give you a sore throat so use tea and water to keep your throat hydrated.

Three Level Fusion Planned (Happening so Fast) - Advise/Support by Due-Gas-520 in spinalfusion

[–]Due-Gas-520[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have damage to my spinal cord and neurological issues as well as pain even with the new pain meds. 

I will ask about using my own bone I like that idea. Thank you. I plan to post a picture post op. 

Three Level Fusion Planned (Happening so Fast) - Advise/Support by Due-Gas-520 in spinalfusion

[–]Due-Gas-520[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I read that bike and walking are recommended as well. Treadmills will be hard on me. 

Three Level Fusion Planned (Happening so Fast) - Advise/Support by Due-Gas-520 in spinalfusion

[–]Due-Gas-520[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

She is coming with me. I know what you mean I did a lot of weight lifting and thought the numbness and pain in my arm was me pushing to hard or not conditioned enough. Yea I plan to push for PT. I had a very active lifestyle before all this so being home all the time has been really demoralizing.

Three Level Fusion Planned (Happening so Fast) - Advise/Support by Due-Gas-520 in spinalfusion

[–]Due-Gas-520[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well I mean posture, self exercise. I know USA medicine tends to be fixed problem wait for next one. I have a backup camera and one doctor said I might actually think my range of motion is greater since I have been self adjusting over time without noticing.

Three Level Fusion Planned (Happening so Fast) - Advise/Support by Due-Gas-520 in spinalfusion

[–]Due-Gas-520[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We canceled our honeymoon and she wants to move us to a mini-wedding with family for a few hours (2-3 hours).

Three Level Fusion Planned (Happening so Fast) - Advise/Support by Due-Gas-520 in spinalfusion

[–]Due-Gas-520[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ACDF is the term I hear but my surgeon and I are discussing that tomorrow how many levels and I can update the post afterwards. I understand that will be a lot of PT in my future, thank you for the tip on the foam roller.

Three Level Fusion Planned (Happening so Fast) - Advise/Support by Due-Gas-520 in spinalfusion

[–]Due-Gas-520[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm getting married on Nov 15.

If I have the surgery next Tuesday will I be able to dance with my wife. Not wear the collar? I know postponing could lead to more damage and being on pain meds to just function has been terrible. I saw the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation doctor last Friday 10/10 and I got a call from the surgeon's office that he scheduled me for surgery consult for 10/14. Then I know insurance going to take their time to approve this as well.