1. < Spine Health

Migraines after first and second ACDF

Posted by denheels @denheels, Aug 17, 2023

I had an ACDF at C6/C7 just over a year ago. It looks like I will be going back for another soon (C5/C6). My migraines grew exponentially in terms of frequency post surgery. I'm worried that they will increase again/even more with another surgery. Does anyone have any experience or thoughts on this?

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falconsky | @falconsky | 3 days ago
In reply to @livininthestix "Hi, I'm new here but had an acdf at c5 c6 in 2022. It's been a..." + (show)
@livininthestix

Hi, I'm new here but had an acdf at c5 c6 in 2022. It's been a horrible experience so far. I get horrible headaches that start from the moment I get up. I take sumatriptan as soon as I know it's a migraine. It helps most of the time but I don't take it unless the light starts hurting my eyes. I am on gabapentin and flexeril daily to deal with the nerves. The burning in the neck has not gone away, it's gotten worse but my posture is to blame for that. I have advanced arthrosis of the facet c7-t1 and extensive anterior bine spurs above my plate possibly causing swallowing problems. I'm 43 and have been dealing with my neck problems since 2005. There is hope but you need to stay positive even when things seem so bad!!

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Yeah not fun at first I thought it was nerves but the burning and itch feel gaaaa most days. I know any type of surgery can be a long process and gaba is an awful personal thing to take but we all shall walk through this healing journey together!

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1 reply
livininthestix | @livininthestix | 3 days ago
In reply to @falconsky "Yeah not fun at first I thought it was nerves but the burning and itch feel..." + (show)
@falconsky

Yeah not fun at first I thought it was nerves but the burning and itch feel gaaaa most days. I know any type of surgery can be a long process and gaba is an awful personal thing to take but we all shall walk through this healing journey together!

Jump to this post

I've had 3 steroid injections since the surgery. 1st was at c5 c6, it stopped the burning between my shoulders for a little bit but it came back. The 2nd one was in the same spot. Helped for a while. 3rd shot was at c7 and that one hurt pretty bad. Felt like something was stuck in my neck. I'm not big on taking meds but there was a notable difference in the numbness of my hands and fingers when I stopped gabapentin. A shot really helped for a while in my case. Might be worth looking into. Lots of people on here that seem to have similar stories. It's nice to know we are not alone!!

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | 3 days ago
In reply to @livininthestix "I've had 3 steroid injections since the surgery. 1st was at c5 c6, it stopped the..." + (show)
@livininthestix

I've had 3 steroid injections since the surgery. 1st was at c5 c6, it stopped the burning between my shoulders for a little bit but it came back. The 2nd one was in the same spot. Helped for a while. 3rd shot was at c7 and that one hurt pretty bad. Felt like something was stuck in my neck. I'm not big on taking meds but there was a notable difference in the numbness of my hands and fingers when I stopped gabapentin. A shot really helped for a while in my case. Might be worth looking into. Lots of people on here that seem to have similar stories. It's nice to know we are not alone!!

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@livininthestix Welcome to Connect. I saw your post that you feel your posture is causing pain. Have you tried physical therapy to help with posture and strength? My PT also does a stretching technique called myofascial release. It has helped a lot at relieving tightness and releasing tight scar tissue. You may have muscles spasming putting pressure on your neck and head. If you can release that tension, it may help.

Here is our discussion about MFR which as a surgical patient has helped me a lot.
Neuropathy - "Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Have your heard of MFR before?

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1 reply
livininthestix | @livininthestix | 3 days ago
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@livininthestix Welcome to Connect. I saw your post that you feel your posture is causing pain...." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@livininthestix Welcome to Connect. I saw your post that you feel your posture is causing pain. Have you tried physical therapy to help with posture and strength? My PT also does a stretching technique called myofascial release. It has helped a lot at relieving tightness and releasing tight scar tissue. You may have muscles spasming putting pressure on your neck and head. If you can release that tension, it may help.

Here is our discussion about MFR which as a surgical patient has helped me a lot.
Neuropathy - "Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Have your heard of MFR before?

Jump to this post

@jenniferhunter
Thanks for replying!! I have heard of MFR. I went through a lot of PT and it was interesting. They tried MFR, cupping and dry needling. I was sent back to the surgeon then given a steroid injection. Back to PT and I went all summer 3x a week and they said I wasn't getting any better. I work 6 days a week from April until November so PT is tough to keep going with no progress. I try to get a massage once a week and that kind of helps but I'm so tense it just feels like I'm getting squeezed. It's all a giant puzzle that stumps the best of them. I have some other issues going on and I'm not sure if I'm crazy or it's all connected in some weird way. Sorry for the rant.

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