ACDF SURGERY: 16 months post ACDF SURGERY C4-C7
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- čas přidán 26. 06. 2024
- UPDATE:
12.15.21:
So I guess I spoke to soon. Last night all of a sudden both hands went fully numb while in bed and the left hand fully went numb (vs just the last 3 fingers) and had nerve zaps.
Enter panic attack
Thought it would pass but as of now (noon) the spread of numbness is still there. The zaps calmed down and the right hand Is also calmer with less numbness Left hand - The back of my hand Is still very numb
I’m going to wait another day before calling the doctor.
So disheartening. Of course anxiety/panic sets in. Unsure what to do or what my options are bc I really can’t be ok w the laminectomy option at this time. It’s been almost a year since the thing w the box happened.
This is what I get for exercising (riding bike and walking- nothing crazy)
I’ll keep you all posted.
😭
Some Aids that have helped:
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Trigger Point Cane: amzn.to/3PzWp9K
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“I’m not going to repeat myself” but then continue to repeat myself haha
Sorry. Was a bit frustrated from recording this a few time.
My phone quit on me and cut me off. I’m not making another one til I can free up space or get a new phone. I have iPhone 11 - open to recommendations on phone and storage space 😂 .
Overall- I’m good.
What else you wanna know ?
I’m going to go through all the past questions etc and wrote them down and will make a video addressing them all :)
Xoxo
So I guess I spoke to soon. Last night all of a sudden both hands went numb while in bed and the left hand fully went numb w the zaps. Thought it would pass but as of now (noon) the spread of numbness is still there. I’m going to wait another day before calling the doctor.
So disheartening. Of course anxiety/panic sets in. Unsure what to do or what my options are bc I really can’t be ok w the laminectomy. It’s been almost a year since the thing w the box happened.
This is what I get for exercising (riding bike and walking- nothing crazy)
I’ll keep you all posted.
😭
How you doing since ??
Hope you feeling better, this symptoms that l feel are so wired l feel lol my hole bory has nerb shots , do you still have this symptoms all the way to your foot 🦶???
Hello Kim and happy new year. Sorry to hear the problems have returned regarding the numbness and sensativaty again both hands. I hope it resolves itself soon x
Well I had my operation just before Christmas at a hectic time of the year due to covid etc. I eventually had ACDF on 3 levels and my surgeon luckily only had to enter my spine through the front of my.neck.
I Wokeup after surgery feeling no pain what so ever in my neck but I had excruciating pain in both arms and hands felt the worst they had ever been with hyper sensativaty numbness and feeling like they where going to explode. A few hours had passed and lots of morphine given then I was rushed for a CT scan just to make sure 1 the new disks, plate and screws where OK and 2 no abnormal blood clotting or excess build up around that area and on my spinal cord. All looked OK on the scan and my neck drain was working fine. But I suffered for 3 days with terrible pain in both hands and couldn't drink or feed myself. My mobility was not great either for the first day or two and needed help walking around.the ward I was in. Day 4 I was much better and off the morphine and able to hobble by myself unaided to the toilet. My hands had calmed down quite a lot by then also. Due to the covid situation over here in the UK there has been staffing problems at all hospitals and I guess the medical staff deemed it better if I recovered at home incase of infection etc.
I have been home a few days now, still in pain but barable. My mobility is getting much much better the past day or two but I'm still careful moving around the house and on the stairs. But.. I still have big issues with my hands and awful pain and tingling sensations alday and weakness in my right arm and hand. I contacted my surgeons secretary who passed on my message to my surgeon who replied with.. I had a big surgical operation in a very sensative area around my spinal cord and will take time to recover and settle down. I am to rest up as much as possible but keep mobile every 1/2hr or so and do lite exercises on my neck for now, but to consult my gp in the new year if symptoms persist.
It sounds like this will be a long drawn out process of recovery.. I'm not the most patient person in the world and really hope my nerves in myarms and hands and my spinal cord recover soon..
Apart from that, I'm doing well, had a quite Christmas and new years recovering.
Your looking well Kim but sorry about your hand issues have come back. We really must take it easy and take our time, not push the recovery as my surgeon said the spinal cord nerves can take a very long time to recover and some may not recover at all..
I have come to the conclusion that I will not be the same fully a led person I was 12 months ago, but looking ahead it will not stop me doing what I used to love but be mindful how I go about my outdoor activaties in the future..
Takecare Kim and I hope your feeling better soon and have an active and excellant 2022.😁
@@hikermikem8 I so hope that younger some extra relief. Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery. Thank you for the update. Keep them coming. Maybe a video ??
@@KimWright hello Kim. I am sorry for the late reply as I have been struggling today with my hands and they are very sensative and painful again. It's even difficult typing this message on my phone at the moment. We know our body's better than anyone, and we feel somethings not quite right it's best not to put it off and hope things get better. But rather get in touch with the experts ASAP if possible which I will be doing again tomorrow now everything is back to normal and my gp surgery is open again after the Christmas break.. Hoping I can get it sorted soon? As doing everyday tasks is becoming difficult again. I just know somethings not right..
I hope your doing better Kim if not, pursue your specialist for help and advice even medication again may help.? Unfortunately I'm unable to do a video. Takecare Kim and try not to do too much, give it time for everything to heal properly or seek thurther advice x I will keep in touch to see how your are doing and let you know how I get on with my hand issues..
Wish I could chat longer kim as I know what it's like looking after a parent esspicially your mother who is suffering from Altzeimers. I lost my mum to Altzeimers and Dementia 2 years ago after a long battle with this terrible desiase and illness. Hence I'm eager to get back to full fitness so I can do a charity hike for Altzeimers and Damentia UK this new year.. It's gone midnight here in UK and I'm hoping for a goodnight sleep.. I hope you've had a good day,. Definatley chat more soon 😁
Thank you for updating us, Kim. I watched your videos for a long time. I eventually decided to postpone the surgery, because I was scared of the complications. I have less pain, but still so weakness in both of my arms. Listening to you is so soothing. Wish you best of luck!
if you dont do anything about it you will the bone spurs or disk will continue to damage the nerve eventually or permanently damaging the motor skills if you find a good neurosurgeon with good success rate operations have risk and rewards remember once you are compromise even with surgery you will never be who you were once were am not happy my neck is metal rod am not happy but i knew if i dont do anything about it i i will further damage my nerves i hope and DONT GO to a chiropractor they all fake maybe traction and streachin and yoga and collagen and a good nutrion proper posture for years my strained my neck and now i paid the price of being an idiot
Yeh, I went few times to a chiropractor and then I got my symptoms of nerve damage. Before I just had some pain in my back and never my neck. He was cracking my neck and then the nerve damage happened. But now it is a bit better. Not like before, but I have more mobility compared to what it was. I am really scared of the surgery. But I got a bit better compared to what it was a couple of months ago.
@@natalia6381 good luck am on my 2nd week of fused neck pain comes and goes but i always had a good amount of muscle even with the severe pain i lifted pretty heavy , now that i know about my spine am goona try to do yoga and strech more and hopefully stop father time lol anywas good luck , i know fear is shittt but if you have a good support group you can overcome i went thru the whole process by myself lol sometimes is terrible being a human being lol anywasys good luck ! am sure you can overcome and even now enjoy life to the fullest
Good luck to you too! I am also feeling that being a human and having this collapsing body does not allow me to do things I wanted to do in life. Actually, now that I am more knowledgeable than when I was younger and have more intellectual capacity to do stuff, I cannot do any of that stuff, because my body started failing me. What a paradox! When you are young, you have a strong body, but little knowledge. When older, you have more knowledge, but the body just doesn’t allow you to make use of it. I know I will never be like before and can’t fulfill my dreams. But it is what it is. Wish you good luck on your road to recovery!
We love you. Glad you are feeling better.
Thanks for all the info I can listen to you for hours. Make sure to keep on making videos u do a great job at it.
You look fantastic very nice to hear from you!
Am doing my best to avoid surgery! Let’s see how it goes
Hi Kim. Wish I would have came across your channel sooner. I’m 10 days post c3-7 ACDF. Had severe pain in my right arm and left leg. I was using a cane for months as my left leg wasn’t so much weak but rather hard to control. When my surgeon saw my MRI he wouldn’t let me leave and had me in emergency surgery 2 days later. It was so bad when he checked my reflexes on my right knee my left arm jumped. Every time. That’s how bad the messages were mixed in my spine. When I woke after surgery my pain was gone. I walked out of the hospital the next day without a cane and in zero pain. That was the honeymoon phase my surgeon warned me about. I still have no pain, but tingling hands, poor dexterity in my left hand and my biggest issue is no leg strength. That might be because I spent 8 days on the couch trying to rest- I’m not sure but have lots of trouble walking. Fingers crossed that doesn’t last long but I’m kinda worried at this point. I also was a skydiver and aspired to get my private pilot licence, but medically both will be a no go. I thought drones would be a cool hobby and love flying them- something you might want to consider!!! Not a real plane but as close as I will get. I can fly them fine with the hand numbness but the only issue is controlling the gimbal wheel with my left index finger. It doesn’t do what I tell it to! Anyway thanks for the vids- you tell your story well and wish you the best!!!!
UGH! So many similarities ! I hope you recover - REST - I think I pushed myself and maybe that is what causes these issues. It's totally annoying but I am dealing with it. The numb-tingling half of hand is now 100% numb and cold. I also have been having some new pain in neck, as well as lower back/hip.. IDK - its totally frustrating. I haven't thought if the drone but maybe. Keep me posted on your recovery !
I really appreciate you doing this update. I know that a lot of us feel very connected to your progress.
Thank you for always having something kind to say !
@@KimWright It’s really nice to hear your perspective. I’m going through such similar issues and just haven’t been able to overcome it. Been in bed for four days now and so depressed. Wish I could go back in time to before this numbness and pain.
@@raylanier4519 I wish you relief
Hi Kim. Thanks for sharing your story. I have 12 months since my ACDF two levels C5,C7.I am doing great.
Amazing !! Thank you for sharing this ! More ppl need to hear of the good outcomes !
@@KimWrightHope you’re feeling better Kim. And thanks for sharing your story. And I’m amazed by your eyes.
How you doing, happy holly days!
Stupenda bellissima tesoro stai bene
Kim I wish you the best and I would recommend to follow The advise of your doctor. I had the acdf c5 and c7. That was 2 years ago I was doing great but for the last 7 months I have this constant pain in my left arm. And I think it’s related to my surgery, but let me tell you before my surgery I was ready to give up, the pain was so unbearable that I was ready to trow the towel. I was begging for the surgery but do to the pandemic it was postponed. Thankfully I got the surgery and you know after so much pain you feel so much better even do you have to go thru so much. But the thyroid symptoms I believe have nothing to do with your surgery. 20 years ago I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and I had to have my thyroid destroyed. I became very skinny 115 pounds. You seem to have hypothyroidism which is very common. I feel you Kim is something you don’t wish to happens to anybody. But I love your strength and your willingness to go forward something is very hard to do experiencing so much pain. I wish you the best and forgive for my grammar English is my second lenguaje but will like to keep in touch wish you the best.
Everytime I think I’m going to make a video something happens. I’ll try to update this weekend. I hope you get relief. The daily pain becomes so frustrating
Hi Kim. Firstly good to see you happy and smiling again and doing well after a difficult 16 months.
I'm having my ACDF this Wednesday after my first operation date was cancelled. Regarding what you where saying, I can relate to 100% of that as its not been a nice road to travel down. I recently spoke to my surgeon after a bad mobility issue I had for a few days last week and after a lengthy chat regarding my surgery and recovery he hoping not only to relieve the preasure of my spinal cord which is causing alsorts of mobility problems, which he is hoping that we have caught it early and not too much irreversible spinal cord nerve damage has been done. Then fingers crossed my bilateral nerves causing shoulder pains and numbness and tingling in both hands will get better in time. But he did say it is a long recovery process and could take upto 12 months until I'm fully fit again. I won't know until after my operation but I'm hoping for a good outcome and you look much better now than you did say 10 months ago 😁
I'm like you, always been an active person and this has been very frustrating and difficult to deal with at times. Mostly guilt especially at work after been put on lite duties for the past 4 months, as I wanted to get stuck in and help my workmates out at busy times but was unable to do so. They have all been supportive and still are as I got to the point 2 weeks ago I could longer continue and had to finish work and stay home to rest up.
Been very restless at home has been tough also.
But to keep me occupied I have been making plans for nextyear ie catch up and visit friends old and new, plan holidays, hiking/Treking trips etc etc. But I know it will take time and I'm not to rush my recovery which will be hard to do..
Thanks for your update 👍 Your are looking really well. But take your time and do not over do it x
Have a Happy Christmas and a Brilliant New Year 🎅🎄🎉🎁🍾🥂
Please keep us posted ! Sending you healing energy. Honestly !!
@@KimWright Thanks Kim I will let you know how I get on post op but maybe a few days afterwards once all the anesthesia and post op drugs have worn off and I'm no longer in la la land 😂 x
Thank you! I’m four months out from C4-C6 laminectomy fusion. It’s been challenging on my right side. The nerve pain is constant on right side of my neck and shoulder. I can now sleep on my right side before I couldn’t. I guess that’s progress lol. I’m 53 6-1 190 and had bone spurs with bad arthritis. My left side is 100% better so that’s great I’m just waiting on the right to improve. I have to stay still and brace my arms in an office chair to calm it down. Anyway I’m so glad you share your experience it helps me.
Thank you and definitely happy to hear half of you is 100% and the other half is improving $
That was supposed to be ! Not $ 😆
In a similar situation to you - due to be having an ACDF at the same levels as you but now am somewhat scared in view of what happened to you. With the knowledge you have now, would you still have had the ACDF? Also, when you came off the medication (I am gettng kidney issues from mine so am also coming off them) how long a process was that interms of titrating and was it super hard?
I think I might have either had it but maybe from the back idk? the meds - I was on for awhile, but the pain meds I got off in a few months and the nerve meds a little longer... if I didnt attempt to get my pilots licence, I might still be on them... but - bc of newer symptoms, I am putting all those goals on hold. Please keep me posted on your journey !
Kim
Thanks for caring
How has the 3 tier acdf affected your range of motion?
Its not too bad. but tilting is tough and up and down gets stiff and sore if I push it
within how much time after paralysis you got the surgery?
in my earlier videos I mentioned it... maybe a year- bc steroids helped and I put it off for a year..then did it bc my fingers got weird again..
Sorry to hear about the difficulties regarding your mothers care. Congratulations on the pilot 👩✈️ licensing progress as well as all your physical and psychological triumphs. My question 🙋♂️ is if you could go back in time would you have had the operation. It was told to me never operate unless there is no choice because once they go in it will never be the same. Your comments appreciated. Btw I too bought the Apple Watch and regret 😘
Apple 🤦🏻♀️. I think the surgery was necessary because of the pain I was having and how close I was to having some permanent damage and I did not want to risk paralysis and sitting in fear that if I got bumped the wrong way something bad might happen. I’m almost wondering if I should have just opted for a full laminectomy and fusion originally instead of the AC DF surgery. Idk. But can’t go back. Just forward :)
@@KimWright Was microdiscectomy an option? Ever consider prolotherapy/ prp / stem injections?? Also due to your video I asked my Neuro regarding an accident and am I at increased risk. Answer was you are at increased risk but who to say if it was bad you could be paralyzed regardless ( no the answer I was looking for )
@@classiccarguy7757 I’ve not looked into other options. I’d have to talk w. The dr and see what’s covered by insurance. As of now I’m “stable-ish” but we’ll see the more active I get esp with not being on any meds.
Def not a good or reassuring answer.
@@KimWright well at least we have Bourbon 🥃
I hope you are doing good! It seems like you are one of those hard cases and maybe it wasn't a good surgery plan for you. IMHO you should get as many expert opinions as you can, not just one or two surgeons, before you make a decision in order to address your issues. Best wishes!
Yes. I plan to. Half My left had and part of forearm is fully numb now I’m kinda getting used to this being the new norm. So idk what to do next
@@KimWright I'm sorry to hear that. It's kind of crazy that you have those sympthoms even whit your c4-c7 fused. Is it in your outside left hand part or your innerpart? Is it in your upper part of your forearm, your lower part or just all along your forearm? Keep fighting!
@@jsierra88 yes. I think it’s my ulnar nerve. So outside hand (pinkie and ring finger, little of middle finger) along the top of hand and outside. Also outside forearm wrist to midway up arm.
@@KimWright yep i'm NOT an expert but It sounds like the c8 root nerve or damage in your ulnar nerve in your arm region. Best wishes!
@@jsierra88 yes. That’s why they went to do a full laminectomy from c8-t1 ? They said the other options won’t solve the full issue. So idk
Kim wright: need C5/6 acdf done. Im only 32
I can imagine your fears.. I have a bunch of videos in case they help
good luck and keep up posted
@@KimWright they have helped. Still waiting to get scheduled. Hope you are doing good
Just had my c5/c6 done...went good...I'm really achy...sore throat but no swallowing issues. Hopefully home tomorrow..had a orthopedic spine surgeon do it