Degenerative disk disease, surgery soon & ?

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busymomof7

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Hi,

I have had back pain for over 7 years now but the last 7 months has been the worst. It usually would come and go but this time it never left. I saw a neuro on Monday who said I am a good candidate for spinal fushion surgery because I have no cushion left between two disks. I also have a herniated disk. The pain has been unbearable. For years Dr's have told me I just "pulled a muscle" and that was causing my pain.

Anyway the neuro wanted to do a couple of tests first before scheduling surgery. (I had already had a ct scan and MRI done.) One was a bone scan and they injected me with radioactive dye. The other was an x-ray to see mobility. I was wondering if the bone scan is a normal test for degenarative disk disease or could he be looking for another problem? I should be finding out the results next week.

I also have some ? about after surgery. How long will it be before I am able to take care of my kiRAB (with help)? How long until I can drive? Will I be able to get out of bed to take care of myself at first or will I need somone here with me? If so how long will I need help?

Thanks for any help or advice! I had a major surgery a few years ago to remove my adrenal glanRAB and that was really painful! I can only imagine that this will be much worse......
 
Degenerative disk disease, surgery soon & ?

Hi Busymom, and welcome to the back board!

How old are your kiRAB? Most of us had a 5 pound lifting restriction for a couple of months. If you don't have to lift them, you'll probably want some help for the first couple of weeks, but after that, you'll be able to do most of what they need, as long as you're careful. You won't be allowed to bend, lift, or twist, and you'll need to rest a lot, but you'll be able to make simple meals, help with homework (if they're school age), and do other things that don't require too much exertion.

I had a bone scan with the radioactive dye, too. I think it was just to make sure nothing else was going on. I picked up the results myself to take to the doctor. It was pretty weird. It was my own skeleton on the table! Kinda freaky! But it was really just one more test to clear the way for the surgery.

I was told no driving for 6 weeks, but even at 6 weeks, I wasn't comfortable driving and only did when I absolutely needed to, such as for doctor's appts.

Everyone is different in the amount of help they need after surgery. I didn't need help getting in and out of bed or in the bathroom, but some have posted that they needed help for everything. I took it slow and careful, and it did hurt, but I was fine doing things by myself. I had all three kiRAB still living at home when I had my last fusion surgery (first was 30+ years ago), and I was homeschooling two of them. Both of them had part time jobs, so they were in and out. The oldest was in college and was also in and out. My husband took off only the day of my actual surgery, so I was often alone during my recovery. I asked my kiRAB to make sure I had food and drink within reach when they were leaving me alone, and my boys were very sweet to make me breakfast in bed regularly for quite a while. I COULD have gone downstairs and gotten myself something to eat, but it was much easier to have help. I gave a house key to two different neigrabroador ladies and put them on speed dial in case I ever needed help when I was alone, but I never needed to call them. It was a comfort to know they were there, though.

The more you prepare ahead of time, the easier and more comfortable your recovery will be. Be sure to read the thread at the top called
 
Wow, thank you so much for all the info on what to exect! I appriciate it. I am a little scared though because it is such a major surgery. I had simmilar recovery after my bilateral adrenalectomy and wasnt able to move much or dress myself. The tool would have been nice to know about! The hospital never even mentioned there was such a thing. Fortunatly I had my husband to help and my home health care nurse.

My children are 15, 13, 12, 11, 9, 7, 6 so they should be able to survive without me helping for a while. The hard part is figuring out what to do with my son since he is in kindergarden. He may have to go to daycare after school for a while until I recover enough to be able to pick him up from school. Fortunatly he will be able to walk in the morning with his other 2 siblings. We only live a block away.

I think I am going to start taking colace before surgery so I can avoid the constipation. Nothing is worse that constipation after surgery! I had it so bad after my adrenalectomy that I ended up with a severe diverticulitis infection a few weeks after my surgery. It was the most painful thing I have ever gone through in my life.

I am glad you guys dont sugar coat things. I would rather know what I am facing to prepare. Thanks so much for welcoming me to the board!
 
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