New to the board

Hi everyone I just found this board. I am post op ACDF C4-C7 with cadaver plates at all 3 levels. I am having alot of pain at the base of my neck at 13 days post op and if I sleep on my right side it radiates across the shoulder blade into my shoulder. I wish I had found this board preop to know what to have at home after surgery. My swallowing has returned to normal. All the numbness to my arms and fingers is gone and I am left with this pain that I did not have preop. I was just wondering if anyone else had this sort of pain and how long did it last. I was not counting on having pain I did not have prior to the surgery so this took me by surprise. The pain meds they gave me really do not help at all the only thing that helps is a heating pad. Any tips would be wonderful

Thanks and nice to meet you Liz

Re: New to the board

Just an update the doctor gave me a round of prednisone and this seems to have stopped the pain at the base of my neck. Yay! I am still having on and off pain in my clavicle/shoulder but it is tolerable. I am down to only 3 pain pills per day and the steroids so I am finally seeing some improvement. I guess it is going to take longer to heal than I figured. I do get to go back to work Monday . Whoot!!