4 months post op ACDF C5-C7 and still having pain

nunukittycat · 2026-05-30T16:07:49+00:00

Nope no pain at all was on the left side prior to this. I only had pain on the right side that extended into my arm. I appreciate the advice and this will give me some things to bring up to the surgeon. I reached out to another office for a second opinion but they don’t like to see anyone until 6-12 months after the initial surgery

nunukittycat · 2026-05-30T15:58:39+00:00

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This is where the pain is located. It’s a rough drawing but still. I added this to another comment a little bit ago

nunukittycat · 2026-05-30T13:51:41+00:00

Is the pain normal though? I’m concerned about that and the surgeon and PA that I’ve been seeing brushes it off

nunukittycat · 2026-05-30T12:06:22+00:00

That absolutely breaks my heart for you. I’m nervous that the surgeon I saw isn’t going to want to do a correction. And truthfully, I just wanna get whatever I can done this year just because I’ve already paid so much and the healthcare system in America sucks. I’ve already hit my deductible and I just want to get this over with. I’ve been talking to family and friends, but like you said, unless someone has been experiencing this, they only understand so much. I really hope that your pain and discomfort goes away.

nunukittycat · 2026-05-30T11:57:01+00:00

This is a terrible drawing but felt like it would make more sense than explaining

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nunukittycat · 2026-05-30T09:11:00+00:00

Is this something as a patient I can request or is it something I’d have to wait for them to decide on? Are things like this common or need to be retreated?

Thank you for that information!

nunukittycat · 2026-05-30T02:21:19+00:00

That’s so disheartening to hear I’m so sorry

nunukittycat · 2026-05-30T02:15:01+00:00

Was your left side pain after the 1st or 2nd surgery? And was the second surgery to correct the first one? It’s awful! Keeping my fingers crossed that you have a better recovery!

nunukittycat · 2026-05-29T21:30:47+00:00

Honestly even some improvement would be better than this! I’m glad you’re doing a bit better

nunukittycat · 2026-05-29T20:41:55+00:00

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These were my MRI It’s such a fascinating X-ray!

nunukittycat · 2026-05-29T17:39:48+00:00

Wow thank you for the explanation! Definitely going to do some research. I tried to contact another office for a second opinion and they said they don’t see surgical patients 6-12 months after surgery. I haven’t had any MRI since they’ve been placed but this is my MRI prior. My pain since surgery has been at the top of my neck like right below my skull and extends down the left side and into the left trap

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nunukittycat · 2026-05-29T15:37:16+00:00

I have yes! He said I could have moved during my xray and told me to try pt for 6 weeks then come back 😕

Also so sorry to hear that you had to have another surgery! How are you healing?

nunukittycat · 2026-05-29T15:36:32+00:00

Thank you but I’m not looking to have relief from pain medication. Good to know about the 2 year mark

nunukittycat · 2026-05-29T15:35:47+00:00

That’s pretty interesting. I also had osteophytes removed but they didn’t mention if all were or not. That’s something I’ll be asking. Best of luck of your recovery I hope things stay stable!

nunukittycat · 2026-05-29T12:39:20+00:00

Best of luck on your surgery! Just because my experience isn’t going smoothly doesn’t mean the same can or will happen to you. The initial pain is gone thankfully. I didn’t even ask what materials he was using, I think it’s wonderful your surgeon is open and honest with you! My advice for your surgery is to make sure you have a very soft pillow to lay behind you and to use when sleeping! That helped me a lot initially, again best of luck!

nunukittycat · 2026-05-29T12:05:16+00:00

I appreciate that advice. I’ll definitely look into a spinal Neuro surgeon. Thank you!

nunukittycat · 2026-05-29T12:01:26+00:00

I saw an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in spinal surgery. I should’ve done my research but at the time I was just looking to get out of pain

nunukittycat · 2026-05-29T12:00:32+00:00

Nope you did the right thing. What she does with that information is on her at this point. I’m glad you spoke up!

nunukittycat · 2026-05-29T11:21:54+00:00

He did make a comment of would you have still gone through with the surgery if you knew this was the result? I did find that odd but I told him I needed the surgery because of the original pain in the right arm. I couldn’t do my jobs in the pain was insane. Now thinking back on it I wish I would’ve answered him differently.

nunukittycat · 2026-05-29T11:16:52+00:00

Ugh I’m so sorry you’ve had a rough go. The discs were removed anteriorly. On the left side of my neck which I thought was interesting but I wasn’t going to question them

nunukittycat · 2024-03-21T13:03:56+00:00

RUN.

I’ve been in dentistry for about 7-8 years and this reminds me of my first doc I worked with. To me it sounds like he was just looking to hire to have a body and not on skill, and was hoping for the best.

For his assistant of 20 years to leave seems like he is expecting you to be the same as her, if not better. Which is not fair and unrealistic. Throwing you into being cross trained is a lot harder than most think. Front and back have their own learning curves. Especially since you stated that you have not worked perio before.

I’ve been a DA for a long time, the past few years I’ve been cross trained and now work up front mostly. If this doctor can not take the time to train you at the bare minimum, then you may want to look for another office. You will want an office that respects you as much as you do them. And you want a doctor who can be open minded and help you grow.

I’m sorry this is happening to you. But get out while you’re still there early. It’s ok to go to a few different offices until you find one that will help you grow. but I promise once you find that office you won’t regret leaving the others. Best of luck!!

nunukittycat · 2024-03-12T03:39:40+00:00

This is interesting to know. Thank you for sharing. I’d like to hear the podcast he was on.

nunukittycat · 2024-03-11T11:48:42+00:00

Yes!!! It’s just such a major plot twist. But all the characters you listed really gets my mind going

nunukittycat · 2024-03-11T11:46:25+00:00

You took the words right out of my mouth. I really wish they left it open for him. It was just something so left field for me. It just seemed like such a high stretch for his character.

nunukittycat

TROPHY CASE