MelodyL Cervical ADR Prodisc C X 3

sahuaro · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 02:43 AM

Hi Melody:
Welcome to the other side!
I'm not sure how much help I can be re the throat issue since I only (!) had a one-level ADR and since I can barely remember the throat pain. I do remember being quite concerned before the surgery that I would have problems swallowing pain pills but this turned out to be a non-issue. I did have some soreness and used a throat spray for a couple of days, but despite having stocked up on puddings and soups, was able to eat solid food right away. There was a sensation of my throat closing up both while sleeping and in swallowing for several weeks. Almost a year later, all of that is a dim memory, so hang in there!
Are you having any problems with your voice?

Barbara

melodyl · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 04:20 PM

Thanks for your reply. No problems with my voice now, but it was hoarse/scratchy for a few days. The soreness I have now almost feels like a big canker sore. I think it is slightly better today, so probably nothing to worry about. Did you have your surgery in the states or germany? After a year, is there any pain issues left? I have been on narcotics for over 3 years and am really excited to start tapering off of them for good!

sahuaro · #3 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 07:32 PM

A canker sore-like pain sounds sharper and more painful than I remember, so keep an eye (so to speak) on this. It's great that the hoarseness is going away since some people do have lingering problems with this.
I had my surgery in LA. A year later, I no longer have electrical zingers down my arms and have only occasional numbness/tingling in my fingers in a different pattern than pre-surgery. I still have problems with trapezius and shoulder muscles spasming at times, which I treat with massage, heat and if needed, muscle relaxants--but my physical therapist just did a re-eval yesterday and was amazed that my "concrete" upper back and neck felt (gasp!) normal!
That being said, I need to qualify that we all start at different places pre-surgery and it's hard to specifically predict how much you will improve.

marion · #4 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 06:57 PM

Hi Melody

well done for getting through to the other side!! I also had a 2 level ADR in my neck Sept 08 and the throat pain was immense it really took over everything for me for a few days thank God my mate brought in Throaties , they saved me and were more effective than morphine . Really interested to hear about where you pain was before op and how it felt , were there any activities that provoked it and how you managed it and now what is happening where is it ? and has it changed since the op and how etc

all the very best Maz

melodyl · #5 (**permalink**) 02-03-2009, 02:09 AM

Hi Marion,

At close to 5 weeks post op, I couldn't be happier with the results of my 3 level ADR surgery! The throat pain is long gone and I am well on my way to tapering off of the narcotic meds I have been taking for years. You asked about my pre-op pain and if anything triggered it? Not especially.....the pain was always there....but sometimes it became so bad that I had to spend most of the day(s) in bed or on the couch. My pain levels rarely correlated to my activities...it's like it had a mind of it's own. I am enjoying getting used to not having bad days anymore!

Are you happy with the results of your surgery? What kind of pain were you in before the surgery?

Thanks for writing. I'd like to know more about your circumstances.

Terry Allen Blackburn · #6 (**permalink**) 02-03-2009, 10:34 PM

Good for you Melody. Cervical surgeries tend to be less complicated than the lumbar procedures. Keep letting us know what is going on for you so we can help to normalize your experiences.

Terry Newton

marion · #7 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009, 04:53 PM

Hi Melody

Its really good news that you are doing so well. Your question about my pain before surgery..... is that it was constant, and up and down,but when it was up it raged like a toothache over my left shoulder and scapula and spread to a different burning pain on the right sice of my neck. It was so bad at times I was unable to blink without bracing myself!

I didnt have a pain killer that worked for a year!! Then I found tramadol (Ultram_ and it was great for 9 days then only a quarter as great. Like you my pain before the operation had a mind of its own, and wasnt related to activity

Now... things are changed , and I can promote pain on movement!! I am stiff in the neck in the mornings now, I wasnt before,. I have never had any problem with motion I have full range like before the op. The pain was really very good for a few weeks and although still constant never gets to the awful level it used to but now I take Pregablin and tramadol and Co -codymol every day whereas before I just took Tramadol.

I started to do Pilates, it is tough! I had/have a neck that lost its curve and now it tips forward so the exercises aggravate it somewhat. I have no regrets about the operation but what I would say is that after it , my pain has spread to include both scapulas the sides of the neck and elbows but only at times, not always because it moves around , sadly it is still constant, mostly it is 1 -3 on the scale of 10 sometimes it is 8 . I returned to work recently and that i, s hard but I am determined to get my llife back as much as possible.

You are so new out of the op , and things seems better for you than me. Many people recover fully and dont have any ongoing problems after 3 months and you will be one of them!!! Keep in touch Marion x