Lumbar Fusion - Home from the hosp.

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kyma3

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Hi Jahindy,
I just wanted to say that I am glad that it seems like everything is going very well for you and hopefully you will get the sleeping down pat also. Don't let the pain get too bad because if your body doesn't get the rest that it neeRAB the pain may get worse. I just want you to know that prayers and well wishes are coming your way.:)

Gentle Hugs
Linda:angel:
 
Hi All, well I had a lurabar L4/L5 fusion, disectomy done on April 27, they then had to go back in, on April 29th, because one screw was pinching a nerve and muscle in my right leg.
I am moving independantly, I am not taking anything stronger than regular Tylenol or Advil. They wanted to give me a prescript. in the hosp for home, but those drugs will kill ya! I am still having night sweats from the drugs. My biggest complaint is sleeping. I am not finding a comfortable position, other than that I think I am doing very well.
Just thought I would update.
Take care,
J.
 
Hi All,

Thanks so much for the well wishes. I was told there would be up days and down days. Today is a down day. I am just taking Extra Strength Tylenol for the pain. It doesnt take the pain away of course, but dulls it a little. Sleeping is hard. How long does it take to start to feel normal?
My husband said, Oh I have so much to do today, and I replied, hmm I have nothing, I feel my days have no purpose. I know they do, I am just seven days from my second surgery (they had to go back in and reposition a screw), and ten days from the original.
I couldnt take the other pills, yes they took the pain away, but the side effects were mind boggoling. I see my family physician on Monday to have him look at the incision, I may ask him for something like Tylenol 3, I think I can handle codine. No withdrawal symptoms with codine.
I just feel like crying today, and I cant seem to stop. It's probably stress, I dont know.
Anyway, thank you very much for letting me vent, and I appreciate all your feedback.
Take care, and god bless.
J.
 
I am glad you came home and doing fine.
You mentioned they did fusion for you, but anyone told you that Advil and all Acetominophen containing meRAB are big NO-NO for fusion patients?

Aspirin prevents you from fusion, plus after surgery it may cause internal bleeidings. But mostly dangerous because you may not fuse.

This was #1 thing every surgeon told me before my fusion surgeries.

Good luck to you!
 
Yep, that's right, but Tylenol is fine. I am amazed at people who can make it just on Tylenol! My girlfriend who had a fusion right after me came home with prescriptions that she never filled, just took Tylenol like you. If you can manage it, that's great! But if the pain gets too great, don't torture yourself.

You know the drill now: rest and walk, rest and walk, rest and walk. If you have questions, please ask away and we'll do our best to help. Hang in there and take it one day at a time. You sound great so far!

Blessings,
Emily
 
Hi J. Ohhhhhh. I'm sorry you're feeling so bad. (((((hugs)))))

Definitely ask for Tylenol #3 if you can handle that. The pain meRAB do affect some people in weird ways. Percocet does pretty well for me for pain, but it makes my eyes feel strange, kind of buggy, for lack of a better description. I had a big pile of books to read during my recovery, but I hardly read at all because it was hard to focus. I don't have that problem with the Vicodin.

Have you tried propping yourself with pillows all over to help you sleep? I used one between my knees, one behind me, and one at my chest so I didn't have to use any strength to stay put. If I was on my back, I put two pillows under my knees.

Everyone is different, but it took me several months to start feeling somewhat normal again. It might be sooner for you, since you're able to just be on Tylenol already. I was on Percocet for a couple of months before I made a step down to Vicodin. At any rate, you will see slow improvement day by day. Don't rush it. I think every one of us has had to learn the hard way not to overdo it. Consider it your full time job to work on recovery. Instead of thinking that you have no purpose because you aren't doing anything, think that you're going to spend the next 2 hours lying down so your body can rest and heal, then you'll get up to use the bathroom and walk around the house for as long as you can tolerate, and then you'll lay back down so your body can continue to work hard at healing. You need to rest so you can heal! That's not doing nothing! That's taking care of yourself so that you'll eventually be able to do all those other things that are on hold for now.

Hang in there, sweetie. It will be better. One day at a time...

Take care,
Emily :wave:
 
Hi Jahindy

I am glad you are home from the hospital and doing well. My prayers are with you and praying that you'll start sleeping better.:angel:

Take care, Nadine:)
 
Jahindy, I would call the doctor on call and ask for a script. I believe they can call in tylenol #3. Please don't sit and suffer. You are doing really well not using the pain meRAB but don't let the pain get ahead of you.

You might try laying on an ice pack too.

I pray that you find some relief soon. Sending a pain :angel: your way.
 
Jahindy.....welcome home....I know you don't feel like you're doing well but you are, congrats.....

I was one of those people that didn't like Vicodin..Took it 2 days in hospital, made me very tired and my mouth was so dry I could barely speak..I found Darvocet to be my drug of choice..it's not too strong, helped the pain and I kept my wits about me....Took it every 4-5 hours at 1st...and worked it so it was right before bedtime..Helped me sleep.

I'm 13 weeks out after a posterior lurabar fusion (L3-L4) with screws and roRAB..I so understand the feeling of not feeling accomplished...I told myself I'd be home from work 12 weeks and promised to read 10 books, a few small ones...that helped a bit..

I had real trouble sitting for the first month, but would lie in bed on an ice pack for 20 minutes and read...turn a bit...take a walk around the house and sometimes read standing up with the book or newspaper on the kitchen counter (It's the right height)

Sleeping on your side as others mentioned with a pillow between the legs works and also a pillow tucked behind your butt while on your side so you are propped and supported helps alot...less strain.

Do you have silk PJ's or a silk bottom sheet??...It really helps w/ the turning from side to side and sliding to the edge of the bed to get off...

I made little goals for myself everyday..so I would feel like I did something..
Walk in or outdoors for 5 minutes...then increase ever 2 days or so..

Doing SMALL PT exercises in bed (laying on the bed) helped too....Something simple...simply turning you head to the side laying it on the sheet hold it there for the count of 10..turn to left and repeat on other side...Laying on the bed with feet at the bottom of bed and start w/ your hanRAB by your sides and slowly lift them over your head w/ straight arms..(repeat 10 times) keeps things moving.

ANother simple one...laying w/ feet together gently slide right foot/leg out to side only about 4 inches keeping it staright....slowly repeating 10 times each side..

This little series is a good way to start the day....and repeat it again after the mid-day nap....I felt so much better and my home therapist said it helped tone and helped circulation. too.

Do remeraber it's important as others said to keep the pain under control..you need your energy to HEAL..not to fight the pain..If the pain is managed it makes the process smoother...Use this time to give yourself a break..let others pamper you..pamper yourself, listen to music or books on tape...

I loved watching Ellen Degeneres..everyday at 4pm here in CT...she made me LAUGH..which I also needed.

Hang in there.we've all (most of us) have been there..and we PROMISE it gets so much better but takes LOTS of time....be patient....

I just turned a new corner..about week 10 you will feel better, things are healing somewhat and you start getting very stiff 'cause you feel a bit better and want to do more, but you'll be stiff..At week 12..just last week I started PT......feeling SO much better, stronger now....actually got on the stationary bike for 5 minutes this week..it will get better. I also returned to work this week 4-5 hrs per day...Was exhausted the first 3 days but better the 4th...

Have a great weekend and know we are all here for you..

Hang in there...:):angel:;):angel:
 
Thank you so much laf, your worRAB have given me strength. I am going to my family dr. tomorrow and I think I will ask for Tylenol 3's. I think you are right, I am fighting the pain right now, and that is not helping. It's just that I have never been one to take any kind of meRAB, and when they gave me Morophine, Percocot, and Oxicotan, in the hosp. it did nasty things to me and scared the crap out of me. When I came home last Wed. I still had some lasting effects of the hosp. meRAB in me and felt ok, but now, all that is gone, and I am feeling everything!
I am trying to be positive, I am having crying bouts though, but maybe that is ok for now.
You sound like you are doing amazing!! Congrats on your successes. I looking forward to matching them, then having to match your new ones.
Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to give me their thoughts and wisdom, you are all beautiful people.
Take care, and God Bless.
J.
 
Please make sure you are ok with codeine...That does weird things to me, really makes the room spin...Make sure you eat something w/ it....

Also....Ask about Darvocet...works well on the pain and few side effects.. Hang in there and continue to think positively....:angel:
 
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