One week post op...

[Radiogirl]

Hi dear RA friends. Just popping in for a quick hello. I am one week post op in having an Anterior Cervical Fusion C4-5 and C5-6. Thanks to so many of you who comforted me and calmed my "almost over the top" fears of going under a general anesthesia as the last one I had a horrible reaction to it and nearly died.

This time all went well! No anesthesia problems and I already have more mobility in turning my head left to right. The pain has been manageable with pain meds and muscle relaxers.

I was supposed to restart my RA meds already, but I was curious to see how quickly my pain would come back. I also am looking at another surgery and wondered if it would make more sense to stay off of them until the next surgery is done instead of starting them, stopping them, starting them again and so on. I'll find out it the next couple of days when the surgery date is firm.

I've had many of you in my thoughts and prayers. I'll look forward to catching up on how everyone is doing and am hopeful this past week has been friendly to in terms of your RA. Hugs!

[ragurl]

Wishing you a speedy recovery

[Radiogirl in reply to ragurl]

Thank you RAgurl!

[Mandy8175]

I am glad to hear all went well, and I completely understand not wanting to repeatedly start and stop your meds! What medications do you take? If you don't mind my asking was the vertibral injury RA or accident related?

I will send healing thoughts and prayers your way!

[Radiogirl in reply to Mandy8175]

I am not 100% sure. I was diagnosed almost immediately after having both right and left Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery. As the second was healing up a very painful lump developed on the top of my hand. My hand surgeon told me it was not related to the surgery, it was synovitis and referred me to my rheumy and after all the testing I was diagnosed in March of this year. I have lots of trouble with my knees. I abused them for years with dancing and gymnastics. Back in that 70s- mid 80s having 5 surgeries so they are OA, but the RA has advanced them. With my lower back they refer to it as OA. Two disks have fused by themselves which I don't completely understand. All I know is my back issues don't push against the spinal cord or nerve roots like they did in my neck. My back had hurt for years due just wear and tear, but my neck never really bothered me until after my diagnosis. So I would guess RA would be the culprit. It confuses me because I never realized how quickly RA can cause so much damage.

As far as my meds, I started with Sulphasalazine 500mg 2x daily. A couple months later my rheumy's added Prednisone 5 mg at night. Then he added Xeljanz ER which I take in the morning. I had been taking the Xeljanz and Prednisone for only about 3 weeks and I believe I was starting to notice some improvement.

Which meds do you take? Tell me about your RA journey. Blessings and hugs to you!

[Mandy8175 in reply to Radiogirl]

I was originally diagnosed in 1987 at the age of 12, but never educated or treated by my parents. I was 33 when I was rediagnosed and got my medical records because the xrays and MRI showed that I had it for years! So by the time I got everything figured out , I was moving to Kentucky. Up until the last year, all I had taken for it was Celebrex and diclofenac occasionally as my health insurance didn't cover it! In 2010 I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia too. I tried 4 meds for that , but I reacted badly to them all. That was Cymbalta, lyrica, savella, and gabapentin. Last year I tried Hydroxycloroquine but had a reaction. I was switched to Sulfasalazine, but it still isn't enough so I started mtx. After 3 weeks I got a bad head cold and had to stop for antibiotics. Restarting mtx this week, and I can't wait! RA has affected my heart, spine, knees, colon, hands, and ankles the most! I see the rheumatologist Monday thank goodness!

[Radiogirl in reply to Mandy8175]

Oh Mandy. Not sure why I didn't reply, or perhaps if I missed your message (I'm not online that much.). You have been through so much with the retched disease. I am so sorry. I pray that things are going better for you. Can you give us an update. Again, praying for you and wishing good things for you.

[allanah]

Great news. Glad it went well. Your scar looks much better than mine did at that stage and you can't see mine now! Glad your recovery going well. Proud of you !

[Radiogirl in reply to allanah]

Thanks, Allanah. How long did you have a big lump under the incision? It's been fun creeping my youngest son out ( who is 19) by making him feel it. I tell him, "see, you are still my baby!".

[allanah in reply to Radiogirl]

The lumps and Frankenstein look lasted about three weeks then really settled down.

[Fruitandnutcase]

My son has just had the same op done out in NZ. He went into hospital on a Monday, had the op on the Tuesday, went home on the Wednesday, stayed with one friend for the rest of the week, moved to another friend for the following week and went back the work two weeks after he had it done. He's got a titanium plate / cage thing in holding it all together. I'm in awe of his braveness.

It all happened very quickly, went to the doc, x rays, neurosurgeon within a week then the op - all probably within a month or so. He had lost feeling in his right arm and was beginning to lose it in his right leg so it was pretty worrying. He rang just after he got back onto his ward and said his leg already felt better.

Good luck with your recovery.

[allanah in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

My story exactly!

[Radiogirl in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you. How is your son doing now? Hope all is well.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Radiogirl]

He’s great. He was discharged the day after his op. He was off work for two weeks and is now back to his normal self. I can’t believe how little he was bothered by the whole business, think the numbness in his arm then feeling his leg going the same way scared him more than any operation did.

[Matilda_1922]

Here's to a speedy recovery.

With your question you need to contact your rheumatology unit for advice.

[Deminem]

Hey looking good as ever one-week post op.

I know it was nerve-racking leading up to op. So glad for you that it's now in the rearview mirror and over with.

All the best

D

[Mhairi54]

Glad it all went well. x

[janmary]

Best wishes for continuing recovery.

[-inca]

Glad everything went well, have a good recovery

[ITYFIALMCTT]

Thank you so much for letting us know because I was wondering how it went for you!

[Neonkittie17]

You are very brave and wishing you a speedy recovery. x

[popsmith1874]

Glad everything went well, speedy recovery xxx

[Gnarli]

I'm thrilled your understandable fears proved groundless and wish you the swiftest recovery xxx

[Radiogirl in reply to Gnarli]

It's amazing how much of a tail spin we can set ourselves off in!!

[Gnarli in reply to Radiogirl]

Too true. Although I reckon you've had more than your fair share of stuff to worry about. I hope you're feeling better. Hugs

J

[ITYFIALMCTT]

Radiogirl I'm just wondering how you are progressing after the surgery.