Post 3 level cervical fusion recovery, is mild mental confusion normal

Posted by ga29 @ga29, 1 day ago

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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yesibeleive | @yesibeleive | 1 day ago

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😀

dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | 13 hours ago

@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?

ga29 | @ga29 | 11 hours ago

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!