Update Re: Cervical Fusion coming up

December 30, 2008

I thought I would update the list on my surgery. The Surgery went

very well. Very little pain, well I was pretty doped up, called my

boyfriend at 4 in the morning. lol Apparently I am quite the clown on

painkillers. I read the surgeon's notes when I went in for my follow-

up with my doc's PA, everything when well, did a bit more work than

he orginally thought he would, hmmmm more bone spurs that even the

MRI showed. Mainly the appointment was to take off the steri-strips,

and check the incision. Should end up with hardly any scar. Even now

it is a very thin line. Don't worry about seeing the PA after

surgery, My doctor is on vacation, and I will see him on the next

visit. Took x-rays at the visit and everything is where it is

supposed to be. I have been trying to find the words to describe how

I feel. I don't think I have any pain remaining from the surgery,

and my hands feel 'light' and very mobile. If that makes sense.

Before I couldn't do certain movements without pain, and that pain

isn't there anymore. I was hoping to be able to try some of my

artwork in a month or so, was has happen since, is a bit worrisome to

me:

I do have a question for others who have had surgery of any type and

have RA. I stopped my NSAID (sulindac) about 2 weeks before, and a

couple of doses of MTX. I didn't stop my Remicade, and do not plan

too. I have since restarted both sulindac and MTX. I know that my

spine surgeon will want me off the sulindac for 6 months to help with

the healing of my spine, but.... I have started to have one whammy

of a RA flare. It started the day after Xmas, and have gotten quite

a bit worse. Almost ALL my joints are involved, toes, feet, hips,

shoulders, collar bones, thumbs, fingers and hands, and my jaws. I

literally can't open my month. The only thing I have done is be a

passenger from Orange County to San Diego for Xmas dinner at a

friends. Oh, and a quick trip to one of the small malls to but a new

winter coat, and pick up a couple of Rx's. Even my boyfriend noticed

I was having a hard time walking. If I had told him how much pain I

was in he would have when straight home. Is having a flare of your

RA 'normal' after surgery? I'm planning on calling my Rheumy

tomorrow, as I think he will be in at least part of the way.

Well, at least no one has to tell me to take it easy. Can't move

anyway.

Recommended Posts