Did you have more migraines after ACDF?

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!

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!!

@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?

@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.

Had C5-6, C6-7 fusion not so long ago. They say honesty is the best policy. I had quit smoking and I was honest that unfortunately I started up again although not a heavy smoker .
I've heard some people don't tell the truth about quitting nicotine products.
I've heard so many positive outcomes and just as many negative regardless of this.
The way our bodies heal is so intricate it's mind-boggling.

@falconsky

Hello! I saw this post and I have been trying to research to see if this is more common than I thought and my surgeon neglected to mention this. I thought I was basically the only person having terrible migraines almost every day. Seems to sort of help most of the time if I get off my feet. I am post op 4 months after disc replacement on c6/c7.

The relief was great until about 2 months after surgery and now just daily headaches sometimes so bad I can’t drive.
If you have found any relief methods I would be so very interested and grateful. 🙏They have me on Steroids, Gabapentin, Methocarbomal, and Ibuprofen. I only pray I could find a better way that truly helps

I take sumatriptan for my headaches when they are really bad. Use cream at the base of my skull. Not much seems to help. I feel for you on that!!