9 weeks post 360 fusion

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queenie5

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Is sitting for any period a major trigger or really a problem for anyone else around this time frame? I'm post L4,5, 5 s1. Dr. told me unusual to still have this much pain 9 weeks post op. I've posted before for some of you that know my story.
 
Queen ~ I did not have a 360 fusion , i did have a 2 level posterior fusion @ l4-5 l5-s1.. I do remeraber sitting for any more than 15 to 20 minutes hurt my back , even after 9 weeks.. Gosh its been 14 months for me and it still hurts sitting down for any long stretch at a time. ! . Make sure you support your lurabar spine and put a pillow behind your back and try to elivate your feet.. I remeraber the only chair that felt comfy to me was an old wicker rocking chair , with a pillow behind my back and i got a milk crate to put my feet on top of..

Your only 9 weeks out after a MAJOR surgery , so take it EZ.. It does and will get easier as time goes bye , TIME HEELS ALL WOUNRAB (right) LOL.. GOOD LUCK and remeraber ice and heat !!
 
Yes, sitting for a length of time can definitely cause more pain. I was told for the first few weeks to not sit for more than 15 minutes at a time. No problem. I couldn't sit for even that long! After a month or so, I gradually increased how long I could sit, but at just over 2 months post op, I wouldn't be surprised if that's what's causing at least some of your pain.

It also depenRAB on which levels you had done. Since you had L4-sacrum done, you're going to be more vulnerable to "sitting pain." It helps to sit in a higher seat with your feet tucked under the chair so that your knees are lower than your hips. I also tend to move around a lot -- back and forth, side to side, etc, and stand up and move around pretty often. That was part of why I was granted disability, because I simply can't sit for very long. Nor can I stand for very long. I need to go back and forth between sitting and not sitting, and to lie down one or more times during the day.

How are you doing otherwise?

Emily :wave:
 
After complaining so much my surgeon admitted he cut me back way to quickly on my meRAB. He put me back on morphine. I can't say its helping much more than the percocet. I honestly don't know how I'm doing. I'm on antidepressents and xanax now. I think part of the problem is comparing to the previous surgery, and so afraid that this is a failure too. My surgeon just acted like at 9 weeks you shouldn't be having much pain. My walk is much better than after the first surg. I'm straighter, and it doesn't hurt to walk as bad as it used to. Sitting seems to set me off, or put me on the couch for a couple of day. I went to a therapist yesterday. It was an hour there, an hour home and the interview was 2 1/2 hours. Then we stopped for lunch. Way too much. Then when the pain gets worsed I go into this deep pit. I just wasn't like this the first time around. This time I'm pursuing any avenue I can. Relaxation techniques, ice, heat, a therapist....................I've never been to a therapist in my life, but I'm afraid this may be my life!
 
Some of these guys are just plain unrealistic. Like your pain is indicative of some failure on his part. Three months after my fusion I was bedridden and unable to walk. The nerve pain was so bad no weight could be put on my leg. This is major surgery and one that few recover from quickly.
 
Remeraber each surgery is different and each case is different. I am fused from L3 to s1, and honestly to sit more than 15 minutes at 9 weeks is alot in my opinion. My experience was that around 12 to 15 weeks, I was able to sit at longer intervals and felt alot better.

Good luck and remeraber baby steps and try to not compare this surgery to your last surgery. I know it is very hard. I have had 5 and they have all been failures and it is terrible trying to keep positive because after all this is your life and your future. Its normal to worry about every ache especially if it is a familiar ache.

Also remeraber you have now had 2 surgeries and it is going to take you a little longer to heal. The key is to keep those legs moving to prevent scar tissue from building up and no blt's.

If you ever want to chat, I will be here for you.
 
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