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Post 3 level cervical fusion recovery. Is mild 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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Thank you for your reply. I am 72, so it seems everything has changed since hitting 70!
the stroke issue was what had me worried as time went on. I wasn't sure if I needed to worry!
But it is clearing up, so I'm very thankful.
Now I'm having bad lower back pain, and some serious nerve pain in my legs and feet, more on the left as always.
I wonder if the changes in my neck are affecting everything below and that too will lessen over time as it heals and I have PT.
I do have lumbar problems, my surgeon is going to review my MRI's later on.
I have had 2 fusions since 2021, but I am so confident in my new doctor I want him to tell me if it can be addressed.
I can’t disagree with you about hitting seventy. I retired early at 66 due to the pain in my legs and needing to sit at a computer all day. But my only fusion surgery was in 1990 after a fall in 1988. I will not have anymore surgeries if I can help it. I walk 2 miles daily and I stretch twice a day. I still have pain issues and using buprenorphine patch as my main control. I went from 260# at retirement to 160# in a year with diet and exercise and I still maintain 155#. The added scar tissue formation from repeated surgeries could be part of your problem. Hopefully you’ll find out what’s wrong with your back so you can get a treatment plan. Just remember surgeons like to operate and weigh whether changes other than surgery might provide you benefit without something invasive.