Anyone had a spinal fusion/any neurosurgeons out there today?

[HaveIturnedintoThatParent]

So sorry if this should rightly go into the health section, but I am desperate for the traffic.

I had a discectomy and fusion at C5/C6 on Wednesday and at first I thought I felt pretty good, but am now getting points where I am in so much pain that I don't know what to do with myself. Is this normal? It seems to be brought on by sleeping - sleeping laying down is more comfortable initially but then everything seems to "lock". Last night I woke up screaming from the pain and pouring with sweat and trying not to vomit, it hurt so much. DH, who is a star, got me some tramadol, but honestly, it was more painful than childbirth. The idea of this carrying on every night for the next week makes me want to cry. Did this happen to anyone else, and when does it feel better? Or is this not normal?

Thank you in advance.

Your pain shouldn’t be getting worse. Either call the ward you were discharged from or present at A&E. They’ll want to rule out infection of a haematoma. Hope they get your pain under control soon

Bugger. Thank you very much. I was afraid that might be the case.

My pain was awful after sleep, as your muscles can't revert to their 'usual' positions- however at 10 days post op I had to have the wound reopened and flushed as I got a hospital acquired infection

How did you get on?

How are you feeling? I had a discectomy and fusion at C6/7 3 years ago, after fracturing my spine in a horse riding fall.

It's really early days for you- and it will get lots better. I think it took me a few weeks to sleep more comfortably- at first I would get up after a few hours and make a cup of tea and walk around/ sit up, then go back to sleep. Otherwise my back muscles seemed to spasm and 'lock'.

Lying on yoga bolster pillows or a foam d roller for 10 mins to help relax the muscles around the spine also helped.

Are you wearing a hard collar? I found it hard to sleep on my back too- and after a few weeks learnt it would have been fine to sleep on my side, as the brace was fully supporting my neck anyway.

I would ring the ward for advice- and/ or an experienced Physio. Looking back, I was discharged from hospital with next to no advice about recovery. You will get there but it's a bit of a process! Don't be afraid to shout loudly for help and support from the neuro team.