r/ACDR_CervicalSpine

Have read many of your stories, thank you for sharing. Scared but know I have to do it. Some of you were able to walk around right away. Some of you had regret etc. Some are able to eat right away :-) Some said they had a sore throat for a while etc.(I will buy some smoothies and drinks). Mine will be outpatient. Think most of the patients do go home. They said I could stay in the hospital but I’m choosing to come home. I was sent many pages of instructions. Wish they had given while I was at the MD office in paper form. Read most of it slowly. I am pretty much alone. Trying to figure out rides now. Have to be in the hospital by 5:30 AM. Some of you mentioned ice? Someone had PT right away(that person was not in the US). I was not told PT. I was recently sent this cleanser. Thought I had to go buy at the store but the hospital sent it to me.(another thing they should tell you :-) I have to take Journvx that morning.(has anyone use that?). For after he is giving Journvx, Celebrex and Tylenol. Said to get Boiron Arnica 30 cc. Have seen that at Whole Foods so will get. Has anyone used that? The hospital texted me info about a zoom class. Related to surgery. Don’t think I can sit for 90 minutes in front of my computer but might try. Called the number from the text. Said she would send me a video regarding the same subject matter but I didn’t get it. Will call tomorrow. Did any of you do that? I fully trust the surgeon but I wish the office told me some of these things. Have read some of your comments about what kind of discs. Mine will be Pro Disc C. Of course everyone is different. Was told I can’t drive for 4 days. later did any if you use silicone things on your scar(know that’s the least of my worries! :-)

Hey everyone, I’m feeling pretty frustrated and overwhelmed with my current pain levels due to my cervical herniated disc so I’d really appreciate any insight.

This all started back in December after I slept weird, I woke up with neck pain. Over time it progressed into numbness and tingling down my arm. I did 6 weeks of PT with little to no improvement so I was referred to a specialist and got an MRI, which showed a C5/6 disc extrusion.

Treatment so far includes:

- PT (discontinued, but do some at-home exercises)

- OTC meds (PRN), gabapentin

- epidural steroid injection about 6 weeks ago, which actually helped a lot at first and reduced numbness, tingling, and pain. Have a 2nd translaminar injection scheduled.

I’m very active (climbing, lifting, running, cycling) and I have started exercising again (especially climbing + bike rides), and my symptoms came back and are now pretty severe again. My doctor is suggesting I back off which is a huge bummer for me.

I currently have a constant deep, dull neck pain that spreads into my shoulder and upper back. My neck muscles from neck, shoulder and near my scapula are all super sore and tight. In certain movements I feel sharp nerve pain down my arm, into the top of my forearm.

Pain is triggered by turning my head (especially left), looking up, and bending forward.

I’ve also noticed huge weakness / decreased strength in that arm, which is very concerning. I used to be able to do 4 pull ups without training, and now I can’t even do one. My arms get “stuck” when I hit 90 degrees, I feel like I have no strength.

At this point it’s honestly pretty debilitating and I can’t do most of the activities I love.

My questions:

- Did I just trigger a flare, or did I actually make the disc issue worse again?

- Is it normal for symptoms to come back like this after an injection helped?

- At what point do you consider surgery with something like this?

- Has anyone had this pattern (improvement after injection and flare with activity) and come out of it without surgery?

I feel like I did everything “right” (PT, injection, easing back into activity), and now I’m back to square one or worse. Any advice would really mean a lot right now.

Hi everyone, just so you know I AM NOT asking for medical advice on this, just if anyone has done the following:

•travel internationally/overseas on a 10+ hour flight within 6 weeks post-op?
•travel on rail within your country within 2 weeks post-op?

I am coming up on my first ACDR on 1 June and am expected to travel these distances in these time frames. My neurosurgeon said that I’ll be fine, but I DO NOT want pain on a long haul flight or to be bumped into on a busy train.

I’ve had a lumbar fusion before so I have knowledge of that level of pain and limited mobility, so that’s the fear I’m having (I’ve heard cervical is nothing like lumbar though).

Anyone travelled that long and that soon and can attest? TIA:)