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Post 3 level cervical fusion recovery, is mild mental confusion normal
Hello, I hope to hear from others who are recovering or have recovered from spine surgery. I am hoping this is temporary. I feel mentally exhausted and confused, I’m feeling like I’m in a total fog! I read the news articles and magazines and don’t retain what I’ve read. I leave tasks unfinished. I’m afraid if it doesn’t clear up I won’t be able to return to my part time job which I enjoy.
Is this typical? I had a 3 level cervical discectomy anterior fusion, C4-C7, 4 weeks ago. I’m healing well, wearing a collar for six weeks. I had a TIA the end of January this year, so I guess I’m concerned more than I should be.
Thank you for any help!
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I had cervical, anterial and posteria surgery back in April and healed quite well. I did not have any brain fog.
I'm concerned that your cardiologist cleared you for surgery.
But.....I'm not doctor😀
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1 Reaction@ga29
I had ACDF in n c5-c6 in 2022 and c6-c7 in 2025. I have brain fog before and after surgery and not sure if hormones changing in menopause, depression, being under anesthesia for extended periods added to it (have had 6 different surgeries in 4 years), etc. If you had a TIA, it could have affected your brain and causing some difficulties. Have you had a MRI of your brain pre and post surgery to check if anything has changed since the TIA? You may have vascular issues that need to be addressed. What were you told to do/not do after having the first TIA in January and were you cleared by your cardiologist prior to your spine surgery?
Hi, thanks for your reply. Yes I was cleared by my cardiologist, and also warned by my anesthesiologist right before going in that because I had a TIA in January it might make me vulnerable to a stroke from the surgery. He said they don’t recommend any surgeries for 4-6 months. So that’s right on the edge of the timeline. I wasn’t aware of that prior, but I have been in such pain for years, I don’t think my decision would have changed.
It’s sounding like this may be pretty normal then, is your fog clearing up any? I had my second lumbar fusion in July, 2023, so that’s two years ago.
I had a brain MRI in January, they admitted me overnight and ran all kinds of tests to make sure I was alright. They found I have AFib.
I’m going to see my neurologist next week, I will mention this to him. And to my surgeon, I see the PA in two weeks. Thanks for your help, I just wanted to check!
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2 ReactionsWhat anesthesia did they give you? Are you taking gabapentin or lyrica? They administered fentanyl on one of my surgeries and I don't remember the whole week after the surgery. And Gabapentin and Lyrica will cause brain fog.
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1 ReactionIf nothing else is clearing up your brain fog, I would recommend PT. A wonderful physical therapist can do wonders for you.
I had a MRI and a Bone Density test a few weeks ago for Mayo. I'm having a MRI and EKG on 8 Sept; a phone consultation with my Dr. on 11 Sept; urine and blood tests, a CT scan, a PreOp exam, and a PreOp visit with my Dr. all on 15 Sept, and then I go in for surgery on 16 Sept. It would seem they're trying to cover all the bases before my surgery. My Dr. said he ordered all the tests, MRI and CT scan because he wanted to see the most up to date medical info on me prior to my surgery. I appreciate him doing this...helps my confidence level. I'll have to ask him about Post Surgery fog....thanks for bringing this to my attention.
OpsO
Good luck, I hope all goes well for you! I had all those tests as well, except for the bone density scan which was done last December. I have osteopenia now, a slight improvement from scan done two years prior when I had osteoporosis. I opted to take supplements over the prescription meds, magnesium L-Threonate, vitamin D+K , a few others. I am happy this seems to have improved my bones, but they’re still pretty weak so I will need to be careful with my recovery.
Are you on any pain meds?
No pain meds at this time; however, I expect to have some prescribed after my 16 September 8-9 hour surgery at Mayo (Jacksonville Florida).
OpsO
Not sure of your age but general anesthesia can do a number on our heads and it gets worse as we age. And since we’re all different everyone doesn’t react the same way plus you’ve got the stroke issue as a concern too. I hope time will help you heal.