2Bbackontop--10 days post-surgery

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2Bbackontop

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Hi all!
I have been home a week now since L5S1 fusion and decompression laminectomy. I have been walking around the house and getting up and down the stairs pretty good. I have gone for 2 walks outside with my cane and gone about 200 yRAB total each time. My pain stays primarily a 5 or 6 with pain reliever which is Oxycontin 10 mg 2x/day and Oxycodone IR - been taking 10mgs about 4 times/day. The pain I have is focused primarily in my lower back. It did seem to get a bit worse in the past few days and I may have blamed myself for doing something I shouldnt have, however, so many people described that this is a common phenomenon that I am chalking it up to normal. So all in all, I guess I can count my blessings and just let my body heal. I would love to be able to go back to work at 6 weeks. We will call it clerical type work standing on my feet much of the day, typing and using my hanRAB with opportunities to sit on a stool as necessary. I know this goal is not in my control but I would love to hear others opinions.

Thank you all so much!
Peace and Prayers,
Brett
L5S1 Microdiskectomy 10/04
L5S1 posterior Fusion with hardware and laminectomy
 
So glad to hear you're making good progress........

As MM and many others have told me...don't rush it... if you feel good don't overdo and don't rush back to work....You will feel real fatigue.you must pace yourself.....

Sure sounRAB like you are doing all the right things..........congrats but take it easy.....it's temping to try doing more but then you WILL feel the strain..I attempted foolishly to sit on the sofa......big mistake...took me 2 days to recover...hard straight chairs w/ arms are best...

Take it easy..

LAF
 
Hello,

SounRAB like your healing is progressing quite well.

Would it be possible to go back to work part-time? Could you still take some pain meRAB or would you have to be off everything to resume working?

I think it might be possible to go back at 6 weeks. However there are some things to think about. First, is it absolutely necessary that you go back that early? If you could wait just a couple more weeks, it would be better.

One problem you face is if you go back too early, you run the risk of ruining the results of your surgery. I have a friend who had a similar surgery and was feeling fabulous at 2 weeks. She owned her own business and couldn't wait to get back...she did, and 2 weeks later was back in the hospital having her surgery redone. This is the kind of risk you run. You feel great, but your back has not mended enough to be able to take all the jolts of resuming regular life too early.

This is the kind of thing you should be pondering. Hope this helps!!
 
I am not a Dr of course, 2 Backontop, but would like to share something with you from the bottom of my heart.
DON'T RUSH IT! Believe or not, i read a lot of stories here from people who were sharing there sucess stories couple of weeks or month here after suregeries and than they coming back here with severe pains and problems.

Only time can show how you healed, but it takes more than just 6 weeks. Standing all day long on your feet after fusion not such a good idea as far as i am concern.
Of course having only one level fused helps you to heal faster and not to experience more pain than lets say multi-levels done. But still remeraber: the way you will take care now about your healing can affect your future back situation.

Before my first fusion (multi-levels) I read on Internet people can go to work in about 6-8 weeks. My surgeon told me I am crazy for thinking I can go back to work so soon. And of course he was very right, it was not possible.

Don't get upset i am telling you all this, I am just realistic based on my experience. Good luck to you and I hope your recovery will be less painful and fast!:angel:
 
Hi 2B, I am 6 weeks post-op from L5/S1 fusion. I do not work outside of the home but if I did I would in no way consider myself ready to go back. I am still having a great deal of nerve pain and lower back pain. The doctor just lowered my percocet from 10-325 to 5-325 twice a day and added 300mg of neurontin at bedtime. It's not going so well but I decided to tuff it out. He said I can walk on the treadmill now and I have been doing about 1/2 a mile at a time. I just don't want you to be disapointed when the 6 week mark rolls around. If you absolutely do not have to go back I would take as much time as you can get..................Debbie
 
Hi everyone,
I appreciate everyones input, I needed to hear it! After lunch, I did something I shouldn't have done and I immediately felt more soreness and tenderness, probably like that on day 3. I guess that was God's way of hurabling me a bit. I am hoping I didn't do any damage. I didn't have any nerve pain, nurabness, tingling or sharp pain. I think my Dr. :jester: has put that 6 week target in my head but I clearly see that is truly optimistic. When I have been out of work for 90 days, My Long term disability will kick in. I just used up all of my sick pay and then I will use my 3 weeks of vacation next. That will leave me 6 weeks without a paycheck. My wife has gone back to work FT to help. A baby sitter comes to take care of the 6 month and 25 month old from 8-8 but I have to resist "playing" with them. I have spent the last 2 days "training" her so I think I can now spend more time on my back in bed. This is so difficult! :mad: I was really sad :( earlier when my pain hit 7 and 8.
I am grateful I have you to listen and share your expreience.

Peace and Prayers,
Brett
 
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