Thank you for the update Kim. I’ve had the same procedure as you close to 2 years ago. Everything healed fine, but I struggle with muscular tension and discomfort. You are a beautiful lady and lovely soul. Please keep us updated - I wish you the best in finding resolution on this journey 🙏
Best of luck to you. I had C5-C7 replaced 26 months ago. It went very well for me. I do have some physiologic tremor in my right arm but it is improving.
Hi Kim, I’m Adam 47yrs old I had acdf c4-c7 surgery 20 months ago and I believe that I am experiencing a failed surgery. Im dealing with slots of muscle tightness and spasticity Iv slowly been losing my ability to walk, do stairs , even drive. My freedom Iv been following you on TH-cam since my surgery I have learned a lot from watching your videos I feel we share lot of the same symptoms and worries as well as view points. I can hear my words coming out of your mouth your words hit me like a freight train your tears and your fears cause I’m in the same boat and it very scary. Iv done 20 long months of research and you and your symptoms are the closest iv found to my own. I just had more MRI done the other day which looks to be pointing towards more compression in my neck area my doctor is now going to start Botox injection in all effected muscles. Anyways as you know the symptoms go on and on really what I’m saying is thank you for videos and advice as well as sharing your experiences!
Hello Kim! I am three months post-operation from my ACDF C3-C7. I haven't experienced a "good day" since the surgery. I'm extremely fatigued from the constant pain. Additionally, my depression and anxiety have worsened. My feet are perpetually numb and cold. I feel pain every day, extending from the center of my back through both shoulders and into the upper arms. I'm just so worn out... I can't fathom living like this for years to come. I’m 55 years old, but I feel like I’m 85. Thank you for listening.
@@JamesEvans-y6l did you lift too much? Use nicotine? Fall and injure yourself? Bad hardware? Did the plate (if they used one) become unstable? Trying to help diagnose the failure of fusion
@@Lord_Don I did help my wife out bed she had a heart attack. Been taking care of her. I also was hit from behind in a car accident. Three level fusion two fused the c6/c7 didn’t. Want to know if it could be replaced with a disc instead of another fusion? Thank you for your help
Thanks for the videos, I've been following your videos for the last 2yrs , I've had a totall of 3 level , #3#4#5 cervical , so far the symptoms have worsen. I knw how you feel , so hang in their , keep pushing forward. Your awesome for sharing!!!
Iam 2 months out from acdf c3,c4,c5,c6,c7 AND posterior c3,c4,c5,c6,c7 both done two days apart in October. Honestly best thing that done, yes the first month sucked in a collar. Getting up and walking is the key, push yourself a little every day just dont over Do It. Yes still tenderness, posterior a lot with feels like skin pulling probably muscles healing back together. Tell your surgeon you want a bone stimulator so the fusions fusion. I been through 4 neck surgeries and trust me each time is worse going back.
Hi Kim - just stumbled across your latest. I am a C4-T3 (8 levels) spinal laminectomy. I can say from my perspective that nerve issues do not get better on their own. I suffered a sudden spinal epidural hematoma (tore blood vessel in my spine) in SEP 20 (right after you) and after several days of the worst back pain I can imagine for a week I was effectively a paraplegic. Surgery next morning and it's been a little over 4 years too. I'm not running 5Ks anytime soon but I've had neuropathy below the knees from the word go and now it's just my new normal. I work, drive, go out and fly to see my clients...back still gets tired between shoulder blades and still facing other complications but it beats what I was looking at. I felt compelled to comment (which I NEVER have before) as I know EXACTLY what your facing. I will say it's one day at a time and I've learned through my trip that my happiness bar is pretty low. I appreciate things a lot more and I hope that you can see that too.
I know how you feel!! I'm having the same issue with the siactica on both legs from my cervical spine with serve central canal stenosis in the c3-c5. I'm waiting for c3-c5 laminoplasty to decompression my spinal cord. Don't listen to other's beaide the physician because they will make your stress worst. I know how you feel for real I'm going through it now and it is progression rapidly!!! Stay strong and just to let you know you are not alone in this!!!
Hello Kim😊 I am currently 13 days post c4-c7 ACDF. I've seen some of your videos and I'd just like to say how appreciative I am that you've taken the time to share your story and describe your journey. I also can't help but notice how exactly similar our experience have been and considering we've both had the same procedure at the same levels I'm grateful you've updated your posts so far post surgery to give me some ideas of potential future expectations. Thanks for all you've done for the ACDF community and please keep up the great work😉
I am from Iraq. I underwent the method three weeks ago. C5. -C7 When I go to sleep, I suffer from pain in the back of the neck. The doctor told me that this pain is temporary.
@KimWright I actually had a foraminotomy at the c5-c6 level back in '07 and at that time my surgeon had warned me that if I continued working in my trade as a Union Pipefitter/Welder it wasn't a question of if bur when I'd be needing a fusion in the future. He had guestimated maybe 3-5 year's and I've made it 17 year's although I recognized the signs a little over 8 years ago and tried my best to ignore it as best I could considering the insufferable pains I'm sure you can relate to yourself. I especially relate to what you described about keeping that excruciating pain hidden from those around you and having to sometimes bow out of activities or casual gatherings to cater to keeping the pain private. Hopefully after some good rehab I'll be able to enjoy myself a lil more😊
Thanks for the update! Always look forward to seeing how you are doing! Always keep that wonderful beautiful smile and stay upbeat! Life is a test! You are a winner! 🤗
I also that I was not eligible for disc replacement or laminectomy with spinal cord compression they said fusion and discectomy. I’ve had some increased burning and numbness in both hands and forearms I was hoping that it was nerves beginning to heal and hopefully not, becoming more damaged. I wasn’t really expecting pain to go away because they said it was just to keep me out of wheel chair however, that degeneration was supposed to start with hand and arm issues and it seems like that’s what’s scaring me now … 6 wk follow up next week
Sorry to hear you're still having problems. I hear laminectomies can be very difficult. Hope you can get some consults that give you other options! I know it must make life difficult. I'd love to hear more from you and others' experiences just living with chronic pain & neurological issues at this stage in life, how you get by with a positive attitude, stay social, active, etc. In the last two years it feels like I've aged another 30 years
Cervical fracture summer 2018. ACDF surgery C5-C7 January 2019. I have been a high speed and impact sports athlete since youth. Beat the living shit out of my body yet have been in above average shape up into my early 50s. Motocross racing accident resulting in complete multiple fractures of C5-C6-C7 that almost killed me. I am what is considered an incomplete SCI survivor. I think I might be suffering from potential hardware failure this year (2024). Commercial transport pilot before injury and just as I was getting my shit back together covid hit and caused massive furloughs throughout aviation. Unemployed since accident, exhausted all savings, insurance expired and currently hanging by a thread = fun times!! I too was given various medications and had to stop all of them after the first year due to the insane side effects and symptoms. Been battling through this hell ride clean, sober and with nothing to help the pain for a day of escape. If I am told another surgery is needed to fix potential issues I will be looking for a tall tree and some rope (just kidding). Seriously though no way am I a going to have to start all over again if I can avoid it. The big struggle is that I am experiencing bizarre symptoms: autoimmune flares, rash, throat pain and constant coughing. It is like my body is fighting something and trying to reject whatever the hell this is? I did some very, very mild inversion table therapy this year and I swear that had better not caused any damage?!! Did some two years into this and all was fine per X-rays and it strengthened my neck muscles well. Sorry for the long babble, but others going through this helps the suffering by way of force in numbers.
I had EGD 5 months after C3-4-5 fusion last summer. Didn't really help my swallowing. 66y/o gal here. 1st fusion in '94 C6-7...still have neuropathy in feet & left leg, numb too from '23's pre surgery. Good luck too all!❤
Hi Kim, I was scheduled for a ACDF in August but after looking at the results of a EMG, in addition to the MRI. I cancelled the surgery. I have big time foraminal stenosis but the symptoms just didn't match up. Supposedly my issue is neuropathy but my B6 blood levels were off the chart and that can cause a lot of the same symptoms. Anyway, hang in there kiddo, glad to hear from you. Check for B6 toxicity!
Or lack of B12...I had to do B12 shots for 6 weeks to bring level up to 900's. Obviously I needed them & a smart doc caught it 4 months b4 my C3-4-5 fusion.
Thanks for the great video and sharing. I didn't have acdf surgery but did have 2 anterior pro disc's c5-c7. Immediately when I came out of surgery I had extreme shoulder and arm pain that went down arms into both hands. 3 months later I had nerve transposition and carpal tunnel surgery in left arm and hand. Still have a lot of pain in both hands and difficulty with grip etc..they are recommending more arm and neck surgery and I am nervous to have anyone else operate on me. I have a lot of the same symptoms you have with sciatica down both legs and into feet which burn and get extremely cold. Also have it in my hands. I get lot of headaches and other similar issues that you are describing. I have also had 3 major thoracic fusions over the last 20yrs. Seems like once they operate on you it definitely creates a domino effect. I feel that Gabapentin and a lot of hot showers, changing my positions frequently and massage are about all that help me. Hang in there. It's hard to stay positive dealing with constant pain.
@KimWright your positivity is amazing and helpful to others. Thanks for sharing your journey. It's hard for others that haven't experienced constant back and neck pain to understand.
I know exactly what you’re saying……in addition to having to concentrate and purposefully swallow, I feel like I have trachea pain. I feel like I have lumps in there too. I go to PT once a week for two hours and get cupping on my painful scar/scar tissue and I have to strengthen my deep muscles on the sides. Thanks for sharing your journey. ❤
I have ankalosing spondylitis all the way up my spine , but you mention the claw hands and my C4-5-6 went wild a few weeks ago and both hands went "claw". Took over an hour for them to release.
Hello, I am from Iraq. I underwent the method three weeks ago. C5. -C7 When I go to sleep, I suffer from pain in the back of the neck. The doctor told me that this pain is temporary.
Lemme say that’s a beautiful hair color. We have the same levels fused. I’m not as resilient as you. The only difference after my surgery was my upright standing posture (similar to a soldier) used to send radicular symptoms down my left side that’s gone directly after surgery. Now I’m dealing with the slight fatigue feeling in my deltoid and bicep. Im not sure if my arm is going to be normal again. It’s only been 4weeks so it could be too early to tell. My index and mid finger is still having slight discomfort. “””I wish I could be as sane as you dealing with this. I’d like to know how long did you have symptoms before you had surgery. And did you have any atrophy???”””
Hey Kim! So good to see your face and hear your voice for updates. The bias and stigma is ridic.. for real for real! Did you move to west coast? This new cervical laser surgery at Deuk Spine is sooooo frowned upon by the Frankenstein surgery ACDF’ers. My insurance is fighting me on going down to FL for this procedure. Stay in touch 😊
I've been following you prior to my ACDF last year C4 - C7. Now they're saying that I need to have a C2 - T2. I'm currently getting a 2nd and 3rd opinions.
Glad to hear from you! Regarding the people who comment that ADR (disk replacement) is possible - the FDA, and thus insurers in the USA, currently will not cover more than 2 adjacent levels of ADR. So, no, it wasn't an option unless paying in cash : (
@@tracybrethouwer8752 the insurance companies do cover fusion. They don’t cover more than 2 level ADR procedures as there is limited studies on ADR when used for more than two adjacent levels. So the insurance companies opt for the traditional graft with plate/fusion approach.
@@theartistfkatop5doa253 ADR is rarely recommended for those over age 50 even for single level though that is slowly changing; add to that the lack of FDA and insurance approval in the US for more than 2 continguous levels and it is quite uncommon surgery, hence why your surgeon may not have mentioned it. If you're located outside the US then disregard.
Thank you for the update Kim. I’ve had the same procedure as you close to 2 years ago. Everything healed fine, but I struggle with muscular tension and discomfort. You are a beautiful lady and lovely soul. Please keep us updated - I wish you the best in finding resolution on this journey 🙏
Thank you and I wish you the same healing!!
Best of luck to you. I had C5-C7 replaced 26 months ago. It went very well for me. I do have some physiologic tremor in my right arm but it is improving.
Hi Kim, I’m Adam 47yrs old I had acdf c4-c7 surgery 20 months ago and I believe that I am experiencing a failed surgery. Im dealing with slots of muscle tightness and spasticity Iv slowly been losing my ability to walk, do stairs , even drive. My freedom Iv been following you on TH-cam since my surgery I have learned a lot from watching your videos I feel we share lot of the same symptoms and worries as well as view points. I can hear my words coming out of your mouth your words hit me like a freight train your tears and your fears cause I’m in the same boat and it very scary. Iv done 20 long months of research and you and your symptoms are the closest iv found to my own. I just had more MRI done the other day which looks to be pointing towards more compression in my neck area my doctor is now going to start Botox injection in all effected muscles. Anyways as you know the symptoms go on and on really what I’m saying is thank you for videos and advice as well as sharing your experiences!
Hello Kim! I am three months post-operation from my ACDF C3-C7. I haven't experienced a "good day" since the surgery. I'm extremely fatigued from the constant pain. Additionally, my depression and anxiety have worsened. My feet are perpetually numb and cold. I feel pain every day, extending from the center of my back through both shoulders and into the upper arms. I'm just so worn out... I can't fathom living like this for years to come. I’m 55 years old, but I feel like I’m 85. Thank you for listening.
I’m with you. I’m only 4 weeks out with the same levels. I’m losing my mind too. 😢
My c6/c7 disc did not fuse my feet are numb my arms and hands are numb
@@JamesEvans-y6l did you lift too much?
Use nicotine?
Fall and injure yourself?
Bad hardware?
Did the plate (if they used one) become unstable?
Trying to help diagnose the failure of fusion
@@Lord_Don I did help my wife out bed she had a heart attack. Been taking care of her. I also was hit from behind in a car accident. Three level fusion two fused the c6/c7 didn’t. Want to know if it could be replaced with a disc instead of another fusion? Thank you for your help
@@JamesEvans-y6l forgot about accidents… thanks for the reply
Thanks Kim for your update. I've commented a couple times on your videos. I'm so sorry you are continuing having issues 😢 🙏😢🙏
Thank you :)
Thanks for the videos, I've been following your videos for the last 2yrs , I've had a totall of 3 level , #3#4#5 cervical , so far the symptoms have worsen. I knw how you feel , so hang in their , keep pushing forward. Your awesome for sharing!!!
Iam 2 months out from acdf c3,c4,c5,c6,c7 AND posterior c3,c4,c5,c6,c7 both done two days apart in October. Honestly best thing that done, yes the first month sucked in a collar. Getting up and walking is the key, push yourself a little every day just dont over Do It. Yes still tenderness, posterior a lot with feels like skin pulling probably muscles healing back together. Tell your surgeon you want a bone stimulator so the fusions fusion. I been through 4 neck surgeries and trust me each time is worse going back.
Hi Kim - just stumbled across your latest. I am a C4-T3 (8 levels) spinal laminectomy. I can say from my perspective that nerve issues do not get better on their own. I suffered a sudden spinal epidural hematoma (tore blood vessel in my spine) in SEP 20 (right after you) and after several days of the worst back pain I can imagine for a week I was effectively a paraplegic. Surgery next morning and it's been a little over 4 years too. I'm not running 5Ks anytime soon but I've had neuropathy below the knees from the word go and now it's just my new normal. I work, drive, go out and fly to see my clients...back still gets tired between shoulder blades and still facing other complications but it beats what I was looking at. I felt compelled to comment (which I NEVER have before) as I know EXACTLY what your facing. I will say it's one day at a time and I've learned through my trip that my happiness bar is pretty low. I appreciate things a lot more and I hope that you can see that too.
You are so cute! I hope everything gets better soon ♥
I know how you feel!! I'm having the same issue with the siactica on both legs from my cervical spine with serve central canal stenosis in the c3-c5. I'm waiting for c3-c5 laminoplasty to decompression my spinal cord. Don't listen to other's beaide the physician because they will make your stress worst. I know how you feel for real I'm going through it now and it is progression rapidly!!! Stay strong and just to let you know you are not alone in this!!!
thank you and id love to hear how you make out
Hello Kim😊 I am currently 13 days post c4-c7 ACDF. I've seen some of your videos and I'd just like to say how appreciative I am that you've taken the time to share your story and describe your journey. I also can't help but notice how exactly similar our experience have been and considering we've both had the same procedure at the same levels I'm grateful you've updated your posts so far post surgery to give me some ideas of potential future expectations. Thanks for all you've done for the ACDF community and please keep up the great work😉
I am from Iraq. I underwent the method three weeks ago. C5. -C7 When I go to sleep, I suffer from pain in the back of the neck. The doctor told me that this pain is temporary.
Right! A lot of us have the same issues. I think thats part of the process :(
hopefully
@KimWright I actually had a foraminotomy at the c5-c6 level back in '07 and at that time my surgeon had warned me that if I continued working in my trade as a Union Pipefitter/Welder it wasn't a question of if bur when I'd be needing a fusion in the future. He had guestimated maybe 3-5 year's and I've made it 17 year's although I recognized the signs a little over 8 years ago and tried my best to ignore it as best I could considering the insufferable pains I'm sure you can relate to yourself. I especially relate to what you described about keeping that excruciating pain hidden from those around you and having to sometimes bow out of activities or casual gatherings to cater to keeping the pain private. Hopefully after some good rehab I'll be able to enjoy myself a lil more😊
Stay positive lady ❤
God bless you!
Thanks for the update! Always look forward to seeing how you are doing! Always keep that wonderful beautiful smile and stay upbeat! Life is a test! You are a winner! 🤗
Thank you so much!
I also that I was not eligible for disc replacement or laminectomy with spinal cord compression they said fusion and discectomy. I’ve had some increased burning and numbness in both hands and forearms I was hoping that it was nerves beginning to heal and hopefully not, becoming more damaged. I wasn’t really expecting pain to go away because they said it was just to keep me out of wheel chair however, that degeneration was supposed to start with hand and arm issues and it seems like that’s what’s scaring me now … 6 wk follow up next week
Great video Kim. I had surgery 4 months ago c5-6-7 acdf. Lots of anxiety after & now have pains in the legs🤔👍
Sorry to hear you're still having problems. I hear laminectomies can be very difficult. Hope you can get some consults that give you other options! I know it must make life difficult. I'd love to hear more from you and others' experiences just living with chronic pain & neurological issues at this stage in life, how you get by with a positive attitude, stay social, active, etc. In the last two years it feels like I've aged another 30 years
I'd love to do a live and go through these questions!
I def feel what you mean about aging so fast since all this
Cervical fracture summer 2018. ACDF surgery C5-C7 January 2019. I have been a high speed and impact sports athlete since youth. Beat the living shit out of my body yet have been in above average shape up into my early 50s. Motocross racing accident resulting in complete multiple fractures of C5-C6-C7 that almost killed me. I am what is considered an incomplete SCI survivor. I think I might be suffering from potential hardware failure this year (2024). Commercial transport pilot before injury and just as I was getting my shit back together covid hit and caused massive furloughs throughout aviation. Unemployed since accident, exhausted all savings, insurance expired and currently hanging by a thread = fun times!! I too was given various medications and had to stop all of them after the first year due to the insane side effects and symptoms. Been battling through this hell ride clean, sober and with nothing to help the pain for a day of escape. If I am told another surgery is needed to fix potential issues I will be looking for a tall tree and some rope (just kidding). Seriously though no way am I a going to have to start all over again if I can avoid it. The big struggle is that I am experiencing bizarre symptoms: autoimmune flares, rash, throat pain and constant coughing. It is like my body is fighting something and trying to reject whatever the hell this is? I did some very, very mild inversion table therapy this year and I swear that had better not caused any damage?!! Did some two years into this and all was fine per X-rays and it strengthened my neck muscles well. Sorry for the long babble, but others going through this helps the suffering by way of force in numbers.
I had EGD 5 months after C3-4-5 fusion last summer. Didn't really help my swallowing. 66y/o gal here. 1st fusion in '94 C6-7...still have neuropathy in feet & left leg, numb too from '23's pre surgery. Good luck too all!❤
Hi Kim, I was scheduled for a ACDF in August but after looking at the results of a EMG, in addition to the MRI. I cancelled the surgery. I have big time foraminal stenosis but the symptoms just didn't match up. Supposedly my issue is neuropathy but my B6 blood levels were off the chart and that can cause a lot of the same symptoms. Anyway, hang in there kiddo, glad to hear from you. Check for B6 toxicity!
Or lack of B12...I had to do B12 shots for 6 weeks to bring level up to 900's. Obviously I needed them & a smart doc caught it 4 months b4 my C3-4-5 fusion.
Thanks for the great video and sharing. I didn't have acdf surgery but did have 2 anterior pro disc's c5-c7. Immediately when I came out of surgery I had extreme shoulder and arm pain that went down arms into both hands. 3 months later I had nerve transposition and carpal tunnel surgery in left arm and hand. Still have a lot of pain in both hands and difficulty with grip etc..they are recommending more arm and neck surgery and I am nervous to have anyone else operate on me. I have a lot of the same symptoms you have with sciatica down both legs and into feet which burn and get extremely cold. Also have it in my hands. I get lot of headaches and other similar issues that you are describing. I have also had 3 major thoracic fusions over the last 20yrs. Seems like once they operate on you it definitely creates a domino effect. I feel that Gabapentin and a lot of hot showers, changing my positions frequently and massage are about all that help me. Hang in there. It's hard to stay positive dealing with constant pain.
so sorry. I do hope you get some relief. And yeah.. I'd hold off if you can but the constant pain ends up being more than just a feeling.. iykyk
@KimWright your positivity is amazing and helpful to others. Thanks for sharing your journey. It's hard for others that haven't experienced constant back and neck pain to understand.
I know exactly what you’re saying……in addition to having to concentrate and purposefully swallow, I feel like I have trachea pain. I feel like I have lumps in there too. I go to PT once a week for two hours and get cupping on my painful scar/scar tissue and I have to strengthen my deep muscles on the sides. Thanks for sharing your journey. ❤
I have ankalosing spondylitis all the way up my spine , but you mention the claw hands and my C4-5-6 went wild a few weeks ago and both hands went "claw". Took over an hour for them to release.
I just had LADR on two levels 6 weeks ago and that is saving my life
Hello, I am from Iraq. I underwent the method three weeks ago. C5. -C7 When I go to sleep, I suffer from pain in the back of the neck. The doctor told me that this pain is temporary.
Lemme say that’s a beautiful hair color.
We have the same levels fused. I’m not as resilient as you. The only difference after my surgery was my upright standing posture (similar to a soldier) used to send radicular symptoms down my left side that’s gone directly after surgery. Now I’m dealing with the slight fatigue feeling in my deltoid and bicep. Im not sure if my arm is going to be normal again. It’s only been 4weeks so it could be too early to tell. My index and mid finger is still having slight discomfort.
“””I wish I could be as sane as you dealing with this. I’d like to know how long did you have symptoms before you had surgery. And did you have any atrophy???”””
Hi, my name is Tommy. What do you think about Disk replacement with a 1 vertebra fusion? That is what I'm looking at in 2 weeks from today.
That would have to be up to you and the dr. Sorry
Hey Kim! So good to see your face and hear your voice for updates. The bias and stigma is ridic.. for real for real! Did you move to west coast? This new cervical laser surgery at Deuk Spine is sooooo frowned upon by the Frankenstein surgery ACDF’ers. My insurance is fighting me on going down to FL for this procedure. Stay in touch 😊
I've been following you prior to my ACDF last year C4 - C7. Now they're saying that I need to have a C2 - T2. I'm currently getting a 2nd and 3rd opinions.
Deuk Spine Institute in Florida , laser endoscopy, send MRI , they review your mri
@@andresparra441 Have you had this procedure ? I've seen it and from what I can tell a much better procedure.
Glad to hear from you! Regarding the people who comment that ADR (disk replacement) is possible - the FDA, and thus insurers in the USA, currently will not cover more than 2 adjacent levels of ADR. So, no, it wasn't an option unless paying in cash : (
What insurance wouldn't cover needed nerve pain & a fusion? Ohh myy
@@tracybrethouwer8752 the insurance companies do cover fusion. They don’t cover more than 2 level ADR procedures as there is limited studies on ADR when used for more than two adjacent levels. So the insurance companies opt for the traditional graft with plate/fusion approach.
lol yeah
@@LearnAtMyExpense I had the option for this but wasn’t giving the option at all. Surgeon didn’t even mention it
@@theartistfkatop5doa253 ADR is rarely recommended for those over age 50 even for single level though that is slowly changing; add to that the lack of FDA and insurance approval in the US for more than 2 continguous levels and it is quite uncommon surgery, hence why your surgeon may not have mentioned it. If you're located outside the US then disregard.
Have you tried Functional Patterns ?
no but seeing more of this on tiktok .. dont laugh, I find a lot of good info on there !
Hi Kimmy xxx
I'm here for the algorithm ❤
Sound like you didn’t have a successful outcome