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  • Thread starter Thread starter marshrose
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I know, but you will see each week will get better and better I've had 6 weeks now. Today whooped me with Easter and going to see my aunt for 2hrs trying to stand and/or sit so I'm really hurting but, I made it (didn't drive lol).

Either way to SIT at a computer is great, I could hardly do that when I got home, especially as soon as you are my gosh!

Your incisions the same size as mine in the back, was wondering I kept thinking mine was big lol so for me.....glad we match.

I too had to do that blowing thing in the hospital, it helps clear out your lungs, I only got a few good coughs in at the hospital, but I was alright when I got home, maybe only a cough or 2, but you were under longer than me, my surgery was about 1 and 1/2 hrs.
If you're coughing TOO much, or it turns to that call the dr to check up with them.

I hate sneezing my gosh, I am living on zyrtec now with the seasons changing.
As for your lil one, I couldn't imagine picking her up, even now at 6 weeks, I tried to move over a 12pk case of soda and it killed my back when and after I tried 2 weeks ago, so now I don't touch anything but the half gallon of creamer for my coffee.

I was very excited to get to goto the grociery store even thou I was dyin after and today some, and slept like a baby for 2hrs when we got home yest, and last nite, and I slept today too from seeing my aunt, for about 3 hrs. I'm whooped.

I take the 10mg percocet still if I am doing something (like grociery store, go for mini 'walk', and today w/ aunt) other than that the around the house ups and downs laying I take 10mg Lorcet (which is a stronger hydrocodone than vicoden). Even thou it doesn't get RID of the pain, it knocks it down a notch or 2. Once I really get sore even the percocet doesn't really make me that comfortable, only laying down for about an hr or so will help on some days, it's a crap shoot for me, but each week improves alittle.

Thank goodness they make those toilet risers aye?? I'm still using mine, I have 2 bathrooms, so on occasion for the past week or so I've tried the regular toilet but, it's hard to get back up let alone to use the sink counter to try to get down to the stupid regular toilet lol

Once I started trying to get around alittle, I noticed my incision area would swell, so for about a week I used ice packs, but the gel kinRAB that are great and conform to your back and they stay colder longer, ace makes them, I got them at the food store, so you may want a few of those soon depending, just remeraber.

Well I am off moms whipping out cake LOL! Time to get out of bed :(

Keep up the good work! :)
 
The secretary doesn't know crap, call and ask for the DOCTOR to call you. "More pills" doesn't count for nausea meRAB after a major BACK SURGERY on 2 diff strong pains meRAB.

Its the pain meRAB, I would get waves of nausea, and also this immediate ready 2 puek hurl, It would come in 10 seconRAB flat, and IF I had food in me, that was the end of that.

The throwing up is going to make your insicisions hurt more of course, and swell.

The advil I doubt at all, you are already on the 2 pain meRAB that are corabo'd with tylenol in them, your liver is going to get a workout as it is. I would staple that person on the phones but to the wall if I were you, thats absolutely ridiculous, its not like you're asking for more of 'pain meRAB' to take atop of what you're taking, its TO take the pain meRAB.

I'd call tomorrow and say I've been vomiting every day, which is making my incisions swell alot, and hurt even more. Get that one on the phone GOOD and ask her name for when u see the dr- you have a 2 week appt coming up?? when is your first post op?

I feel for you with the little one, in another week or 2 you'll be able to do alittle more, and possibly get to be around her more in little intervals, she'll come right back around, you just will give her the green light, for now I know it's upsetting but, this is what we haveto do. When my daughter was 2 she broke my nose! She flung her head back, they taped it in place at the dr office, and I couldn't lift or play with her for 3 weeks at least if she bumped it it would have had to been set, and she did the same thing to me then, and once I was feeling better, we played for a few hrs and she came right back around.

Ice helped me for my back incision with the swelling alot, it didn't apply it right on the incision, but in a throw towel and just the coolness of that helped the incision when I'd lay down. My back started to look all weird with the swelling on the days I was trying to get up more to goto the bathroom and eat etc.

My first surgery I had no poop for 2 weeks, my stomach distended to nearly 8 months looking preg, and I started to get fevers and then one night out of the blue I had to go and it was constipated aweful hard to pass and horrible, but that was also after I had found out I couldn't urinate in the hospital and something w my bladder, so maybe my bowels were also dealing with that.

This surgery I went on the 12th? day? Much easier to pass, and I ate alot of prunes flavored with strawberry essence, and drank ALOT of prune juice, if it's cold you can chug a big glass or 2 and that would do the trick for me and still does if I am getting constipated again.

I went CONSTANTLY after my first time this time, and for a week straight more than 3x a day sometimes, my body caught up to all that stuff I put in it!! So do it in moderation with the extras to make you go, I did everything there is on the market, and nothing started it, but once it DID start, I went tons more and constantly from it still being in my body! It took a good 2 weeks for me to not be up at 5am on the toilet constantly all morning.

Flushable wipes are my best friend now, it makes it so easy since it's so hard to reach back there to begin with to wipe, and showering is harder and I don't shower every day, so those work great. I may keep using them after all this LOL!!! You feel fresher!

Well as it's 1am and I woke for my pain pills and they are starting to kick in finally, I will put this bad laptop back next to my bed and get some ZZZZzzzzs.

Set that person straight at the dr's office tomorrow. And get those ace gel pack hot cold ice packs, they are great.
 
K you got a fire under my but now, I walked around the block w/ my daughter. I am exhausted, out of breath and dizzy and took an extra half pain pill to do it but I DID IT.
lol
you still are kicking my but, but I'm going to try to keep up with you. Gives me incentive.
:)
 
PS! Don't take a half of your pill before you ask the doctor, if it is time released you're not allowed to take halves. I shouldn't of said half to you. But maybe try one and some tylenol and see how you do :)
 
I went to my family dr. He put me on cyrabalta and xanax. I was a mess, and he said it was contributing to the pain. My pain was much less over the weekend. I walked more yesterday and the pain is bad today. When you do that, do you walk the same amount the next day, or do you walk less. I've been trying to slowly increase. My first thought was not to walk at all today because the pain was bad, but I did anyway.
 
Hey,

I am supposed to go to my parents for my birthday dinner and I am TERRIFIED of riding in the car and leaving the house. I obviously haven't been anywhere in the car yet. I don't want to go. Isn't that terrible?!?!

As far as the sun and FL, I avoid direct sunlight anyway. I am very fair skinned and burn so easily. I don't tan at all. As soon as the burn wears away I am back to white. I wear the Water Babies SPF 50 sun block! LOL! Same as my daughter. She is not as fair as me though.

I am so sorry you have had such a tough year. We are too young for this. I have too I guess. Well, Septeraber is when it started to get REALLY bad. But the pain started about a year ago. I keep telling myself that at least it is nothing life threatening like cancer. But at the same time this whole thing has taken my life from me (the things I enjoy and love to do).

I probably do need potassium. I had DH massage my legs earlier. I think it is a corabo of cramps and nerve pain. The neurontin isn't helping that much. They gave me 3 refills on my neurontin script when I left the hospital, so I assume I will have pains for months. Which leg is your bad leg? Mine is the left, although I do get nerve pain sometimes in my right.

I am just so drained. Emotionally and physically. I really pray I wont need additional surgeries. Back surgery is a big bummer.
 
Welcome Home Megss! Glad to hear everything went well. Take it easy and let them wait on you! Thinking of you and praying for a successful recovery! :angel: Tami
 
Oh I am so happy for you! you will get your life back, I just know it. I will too! I am looking forward to the day I can have a beer! I haven't had a drink in over 6 months, due to the meRAB and just not feeling up to it.

My legs used to buckle all the time too. I trip now, I think I drag my feet. I also get light headed a lot when I get up. Did i tell you 2 days ago I fell because of it!? I didn't faint though, I just fell. Not good for the roRAB and screws!

The only thing I don't like about my surgeon is that he gave me no restrictions. It was the hospital PT that did. I guess he thought I would cruz through this since I am only 28. Who knows.

Sorry you SO is being a butt head. DH is all the time. It's a man thing.

So when is your next appointment? I am curious as to how often I will need to go.

You are right about the 2 week mark. I just feel like I am going backwarRAB. I haven't been walking much. I didn't walk for a couple days, and then today I just took one walk.

Alright DH is going to give me my bath now. I pretty much take a bath every other day. It's gross but I don't care, I don't leave my house.
 
Thanks you guys! I still just feel so sick every time I get up and walk around. But I am doing good I think. I went outside today for about 7 minutes, and I had my mom give me a shower. I also did the stairs a couple of times. I forgot to mention the tools I got: toilet raiser, grabber, and shower bench. Also, I am so VERY tired. I could just sleep and sleep. I feel like the days are a blur. Still no BM but things are definately moving. I am tooting a lot. I am taking stool softeners.

Ok back to bed. I wish I could read the other posts, but I am literally so dizzy and tired.
 
:( I'm sorry you're having such a bad day. Unfortunately, it comes with the territory. I hope tomorrow will be better. In the meantime, just stay in bed and rest. Nothing wrong with that!

Hugs,
Emily
 
PS- getting tired is now an understatement, between the grociery store 2 days ago, and sleeping for 3 hrs and thru the nite, then Easter yest at my aunts for 2 hrs and sleeping for 3 hrs, I slept thru the nite until 1:00 this afternoon :o Talk about EXHASTION I get beat so easily this is amazing, I can't believe it. I am thankful I GOT to sleep thou, only woke here and there due to pain, so, it was true sleep!! FINALLY


How are you doing with the nausea and dizzyness today??

Little by little give it time and rest and sleep and don't push yourself whatsoever :)

At the beginning of my2nd week was when I was noticing a downward slide, you are almost at that time I think? close?
Just dont get discouraged this week, and just rest and pop the pills and get thru this week, it will come back, the feeling of getting better, this is just alittle set back so relaxx and sleep the best you can!
 
Hey,

I look pregnant as well from the swelling and constipation! LOL!

I just tried a suppository so we will see if that helps. Rose, you arre right, I seem to be in a little set back, hitting the start of the 2nd week. I am in pain today, big time. My husband has been making me cry because he is mean to me sometimes about having to help me. Grace had a poopy diaper this morning and I needed him to change it since I cannot lift her onto her changing table and I was in too much pain to stand there. He yelled "fine I'll do it but it's your fault if I am late!". There have been different episodes like that. He is mad because he is having to do the cleaning and the laundry, cooking, dishes, child care, ect, and help me get juice and meals and things. I told him he is getting a little taste of what it is like to be me when I am healthy. Because its true, I have always done EVERYTHIING. He is such a baby and I am so mad at him and hurt. He didn't call to check on me during his lunhc break today. Oh Emily, Grace is 19 months.

So I didn't take any pain killers all night long last night. I woke up MISERABLE though, and can't seem to get my pain under control today. I did walk out side a little because it is so nice here. I wanted to check to see which plants are coming up. I also noticed lots of weeRAB sprouting, but that made me happy.

Alright off to lay down!
 
Oh I paid dearly for that walk. I threw up a lot last night, including all over the floor because I couldn't make it to the bathroom.

You are not going to believe this. I called my dr for a refill this morning and they are making me start to wean off my pills as of now. All of them, including my muscle relaxers. I am only 9 days post 360 fusion!!!!! I started crying and told her I was in so much pain still, but apparently my surgeon refuses to prescribe them for more than 6 weeks post op. I am so scared, because it seems that so many people on here need them for a lot longer. I called my mom crying and she is going to my appointment next week to talk to him about it with me.

So Rose, how are you doing? How often are you needing pain medication 5 weeks out?
 
SO is bigger than but head, I was LIVID. Thats the tip of the iceberg OMG!

I could fill this message board lmao

My next appt is in 4 weeks again, he always does 4 weeks, it's workmens comp so, hasto be 4 weeks all the time for my checkups.
Some docs do 6 weeks, instead of 4. Once you get near 3-4months post op, then they care about the fusing end, from what I make of it all. So we just get zapped to see our insides lol and my bellyring I forgot to take out for the xray LMAO!

2 weeks SUCK I KNOW terribleeee! It's almost over! Soon come thursday you'll be swinging up alittle, and by the w/e doing better. I finally graduated from the BIG toilet seat back to the normal one today. I keep forgetting I took it off and look like an idiot going to sit to go with my arms flaring like I'm falling til I get to the height of the old seat HAHAHA

uGk my SO insists the dental work he got done (3 teeth pulled) was more painful than my 2 back surgeries. And hes being serious. I was going to kick him you know where and let him see what more is like back surgery pain!

I don't even get any rubs, or massages, he says he's afraid hes going to break me.
I think personally he's just lazy-as always.
Thank GOD we don't live together or arer married, I couldn't take him lolol after all this?
OMG. NO.

I'm DYING to take a hot bath, but I got glass doors and if I get stuck no one can reach to get me out w the doors in the way UGK I may try tomorrow on my own w no kiRAB home and just relaxxxx for once.

Alright, my heating pad is awaiting its placement and I'm whooped from today for sure, took all my pain meRAB and sleep meRAB and I am HITTIN THE HAY!

Have a good nite!! :)
 
Hey,

They said I couldn't take half of the Oxycontin, because that one is time released, but the oxycodone (percocet with no tylenol) is not, but those pills are so tiny I'm not sure that I could break it in half without destroying it.

I am having a hard time controlling the pain today, and I'm sure its because they have increased the time between doses. On a positive note, I have not thrown up since the middle of the night 2 nights ago.

Do you have weird dreams due to the pain medication? Ever since surgery, I am having crazy crazy dreams.

I learned what cadaver bone is today. For some reason I thought it was fake plastic bone. Now I am a little freaked out that there is donor bone in my body. I guess I am an official donor recipient. I wonder who's bone I got? Stuff like that really makes you wonder.

The supplements I am taking are called Calcifood and Ostrophin PMG. They are made by Standard Process Inc, and the bottles say they are only sold through health care professionals. I take 6 of each every day. My chiro/ nutritionist wants me to take them for 6 weeks.

So the rain hurt you? We haven't had any rain for a long time, but it is supposed to rain all weekend. It is actually dry enough that they are posting fire warnings, and there have been some grass fires. I hope the rain doesn't bother me. My birthday is on Monday, and it is supposed to rain, and I want to feel decent on my birthday.

As far as pushing myself, the reason I have been pushing is because my surgeon said "the more pain, the more gain." Meaning, he wants me walking a lot no matter what. My mom calls me asking if I did my walk this morning, then if I did my walk this afternoon, and so on. It's irritating.

I have been extra tired today. Today must be a big healing day for my body. I woke up feeling like I had been hit by a truck. I have taken one nap so far:) Do you ever still feel like that? Or is your energy more back to normal yet?
 
Ohh now is not the time to ease up on pain meRAB NO NO NO, you're way too early, and this is the beginning of your 2nd week, just keep taking them like you have don't try to rough anything believe me. But did you feel less nauseas today?? maybe it was a good test for you??

As for hubby, rude awakening eh? This is only the beginning, so he's going to haveto grin and bear it and complain all he wants, you had MAJOR BACK SURGERY I'm sure he's stressed with the new to do list, but hay, thats what marriage is about. Tell him about me at SIX WEEKS and still could not fathom lifting Gracie, diaper, MAYBE but even that she'd haveto be on the couch and me trying to squat to change her, but it is feasible, but no way could I lift her- didn't you say she's nearly 30 lbs?? HECK NO NEVER.

Great you got to go outside! I didn't today, way too sore, its pending rain here and I'm creeking, the weather really does me in too I see, not as bad as when I over do it but.

Well don't ease up on your meRAB, once you let some pain creep in its very hard to get it away again, and if you're swelling apply ice, it truly does help SOME of the inflammation go down, i'm not sure for your belly with the surgery inflammation and no poopin but, it may help alittle and its very soothing, at least it was for me.

Feel better, this is a harder week, so just keep the faith, and know that in a few days it's going to let up. Toward the end of the week you'll be back on track and noticing improvements like you were noticing, this is just a mini pause, I hated this week you're going into, I was getting accusumed to feeling the little bits of getting better, but, you'll get thru it, and tell hubby what you're feeling tonite, cuz he going to be helping out for AWHILE, if he doesn't, you're going to hurt yourself and hurt the surgery, and you may wind up NEEDING IT AGAIN if you don't do things right THIS TIME, let him know that TOO!
 
LOOKEY YOU MOBILE and doing the STEPS!!! My goodness!! That's wonderful! I did no steps for 2 weeks, did them once for dr appt, then not again for another almost 2 weeks, now I can do them, and sometimes regular instead of stopping on each step.

I too was beat, even now, today I went to the food store (didn't drive), and gimped around WITHOUT my cane today :) and just the 45 minutes of that I slept for 2 hrs when I got home, and I'm paying for it again now like I always do, let alone seeing family for Easter tomorrow! I guess since I didn't haveto pack the grocieries, put them in and out of the car, AND bring them all upstairs I can't complain, but surely I did hear alot of complaining from my SO and the kiRAB LOL!!!

If your bodies tired you let it just sleep and sleep, the more rested we are the better and faster we heal. My first week was a daze between the exhaustion and pain meRAB for sure. Take that rest the best you can especially with that lil sweetie you got rearing to go! Glad you're taking the stool softeners, you will be glad that you did when the time comes believe me lol

That is wonderful to see you post so soon I really thought you'd be MIA stuck upstairs for a week or more!!!!!! YOU GO GIRL!!! You're going to zip past me in no time and leave me in the dust!

How long does your mom say your incision is?? Just wondering what you got compared to what I got, mine is almost 6" long, but only on the back.

I am so happy for you, you have no idea, for how much pain you were in and went thou in just the time I've had to read your posts and meet you. Every day to week you're going to feel better and better with improvements. I am so glad the time finally came for your surgery, those last 2 weeks seemed long TO ME for YOU lol!

Get those ZZZzzzz's and rest rest rest! HUGGIES!
 
Hey Megss, and welcome home! Yay that the compressed nerve has been released! You must be elated!

I had no appetite either, for quite a while. Eat what you can and make sure whatever you take in, since it won't be much, is healthy. Your appetite will come back. Take it easy and just rest as much as you can. The meRAB are going to make you tired, plus, of course, just healing and dealing with the pain. Everyday will be a little better.

Did you bring home your breathy thing from the hospital? It's called an incentive spirometer because it's supposed to give you an incentive to take deep breaths. When you're lying down for extended perioRAB of time and when you're in pain, you tend to take more shallow breaths. Because of that, mucous can start accumulating in your lungs. If it gets infected, it can turn into pneumonia. The spirometer is preventive. If you can take really deep breaths periodically, it will help clear out that mucous and prevent pneumonia. Ideally, use it once an hour for 5-10 breaths. If you didn't bring the spirometer home, you can still take deep breaths on your own. For the best effect, breath as deeply as you can and then hold it for a few seconRAB.

I hope you're feeling a bit better today. Surgery can mess up your hormones, so that's probably why you got your period early. Once it's past, at least you won't have to deal with it again for a while. What a pain in the neck, huh? I'm glad your mom is there to help you. What a blessing!

Hang in there, Megss. It just gets better from here! :)

Emily :wave:
 
Oh I hope you get some good sleep.

When Dh rubs my back, I lay on my side like I do to sleep. It is no big deal.

For my baths, well, they are showers, and we keep the curtain half way closed so DH can get to me. All I need him for is to hand me my shampoo, face wash, and soap, because they are up high on a hangy thing. Then I need him to rinse me in the back and my head. All the mean while I sit on my stool and the water hits my legs. Then I need him to help me dry off, like my legs and back. I love my bath. I really look forward to it.

I am sorry SO is such a jerk. Dh can be too, but in the last few days he has been nice. I cried today a lot and he was really supportive. I told him that I didn;t want this and I hate this. He understanRAB, although I know sometimes he is a little over whelmed with his responsibilities. I can't even concentrate on getting bills paid. And before I got sick, I did EVERYTHING. Literally. I realized today that one of our bills was due yesterday. Luckily it was just our water bill so I don't think anything will be shut off. It is mailed to our city so it will get there tomorrow.

I have decided to just eat soup until my digestion is under control! LOL! I like soup so it is fine with me. I am still not eating a lot, but more than I was before surgery.

I still use my potty chair (toilet raiser). I like it. It is funny looking and I can laugh about it. DH takes it off all the time when he uses the bathroom and forgets to replace it. It makes me mad because it hurts me to lift is and put it back on.

So how many kiRAB do you have and what are there ages? As you know, I have one, 19 months. She is having a hard time understanding all this, but I show her my incisions and she calls them my owies. Sometimes she likes to touch them too. I tell her thats why I am sick, and I talk about when I will be better all the things we can do together. When I was in the hospital and she was spending the night with my mom (because DH couldn't handle her all night alone of course:rolleyes:), they were hanging out together and no one was talking, and all of a sudden she said "momma is sick". That broke my heart. She says it again sometimes. Poor baby. She knows that something is wrong, and has for awhile I think. But it is still hard on her, I can tell.

Alright I am going to try and get some sleep. I too just took my pain meRAB and hopefully they kick in soon. My appointment is at 10:30 am central time, so I will post as soon as I can after.
 
If your hurting ALOT then cut it down a few houses, or do the same the next day and see how you feel. I've learned that if I do something that HURTS the next day I take a breather, and don't do it, then when I try again I CAN do it, so its worth the pain cuz it gets you to the next milestone, even thou it hurts to begin with, you just gotta push yourself but not TOOOO HARD, costco is pushing it too hard LOL!! NO NO NO! That'll get you down, for sure. Thats ALOT to do.

It's good your on the cyrabalta and xanex, also, your body puts itself into a depressive state with pain and healing to an extent, thats not helping either! It's just natural.

Keep up the good work and just walk, you know when you're doing too much, or when its getting time to head home to lay down.

You'll get there !! :) Keep the faith!
 
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