Mom had fusion surgery

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My mother had spinal fusion surgery ten days ago. Two levels, from the back, but I don't know what sort of stuff they put into her back. The fusion was to treat spinal stenosis. From what the doctor told her, she thought that she would be out of the hospital and back home in a few days. Instead, she spent six days in the hospital then was moved to a rehab center. She will be there for two or three weeks, maybe longer. She has had a lot of pain and has not been able to do much PT or get out of bed. Is this typical? I'm concerned about how she is doing. When I visit or talk to her on the phone, she is so drugged up on opiates that she is really sleepy and out of it. Still, she was complaining that she wanted more painkillers. How can someone build their strength and get back on their feet when they are so heavily medicated?

She is 64, has been obese for 40 years, and has severe arthritis in all her major joints. She has had two knee replacement surgeries, two hip replacement surgeries, and an ankle fusion. She is already talking about getting two shoulder replacement surgeries once she recovers from the fusion!!

Osteoarthritis is VERY prevalent in our family, and there is obviously a genetic predisposition to develop it at an early age. Her weight has also taken a heavy toll on her joints.
 
Hi, I am no expert but it does seem like your mom could be having some recovery problems. Are you living close enough to go see her and talk with her Dr? I would recommend that you get the info first hand from her Dr. so that you are fully informed as to her situation. God Bless. and I pray for your mom's quick recovery!
 
Where was her surgery done? Mine was in NYC also at HSS...
She had 2 levels, she is 65... recovery from spinal surgeries is not a walk in a park for sure. More levels done, tougher recovery is. Age and other health issues make it harder.
I am much younger than your mom, but don't expect full recovery for at least a year. For the nerves to heal can take a year or even 2 according to Neurologists. So she still has time.
Being overweight is not and easy issue after spinal surgeries. Many surgeons don't even want to perform spinal surgery on person who is overweight due to a tough recovery and sometimes complications.
You have hope, she will be OK, just give her time.
The fact that she goes to a rehab - brilliant decision. They will teach her how to get up from back, how to walk, seat, etc. So important. Make sure she got enough support in a house, like grabbers, comfortable chair to seat on it, pillows, shower mat not to slipp in a shower.
and good luck to you and your mom. She is lucky she has you, a wonderful carrying daughter.:angel:
 
I wouldn't get upset about the cats,probably on some morphine junk.I was on that stuff I thought was at another hospital,I insisted I was at a different hospital,finally i got off it and my mind started thinking more normal.tough age 64,I doubt I would consider doing anymore surgery at that age anymore.good luck hope she gets better
 
You may want to talk to her doctors regarding (1) what her level of activity should be vs. what you are seeing/hearing and (2) that the medication is having quite an affect on her. Recovery will be hard if she's so mentally out of it she can't function.

While the rehab center can be a good thing to aid recovery - it does sound concering that she doesn't appear to be in active rehabilitation.
 
It sounRAB like she's having a bit harder recovery than some, but considering her other problems, it's very reasonable to go to rehab and need a little extra help before going home. And 6 days in the hospital is not too bad, either. I was in for 8 days. 4 or 5 is about average, but some are discharged sooner and some later.

I think her doctor was looking out for her best interests in sending her to rehab. There have been a few others here who spent a few weeks in rehab before going home after fusion surgery.

She may need heavy painkillers for a couple of months, maybe even longer. That's normal. This is a big surgery with a long recovery time. Just keep encouraging her and don't push her. If she tries to do too much, she runs the risk of ruining her surgery. No BLTs (Bending, Lifting, or Twisting) for quite some time, at least a few months. If you read the thread at the top called "Post Surgery Tips," you will get some good ideas on how to help her and make her recovery easier once she gets home.

I wish you both the best. I'm glad she has you looking out for her!

Take care,
Emily
 
I personally think you need to speak with her doctor and ask what medications she is on and the dosage of each. I would wonder if the doctor really wants her that doped up to be honest. I am sure that is what is keeping her from being able to get out of bed in the first place. Your mother could be suffering from a reaction to a medication.

I had nerve issues post op with my legs. I was put on Neurontin. Within 2 days I was a total mess. I had horrific swelling, flu like symptoms, my muscles were sore and weak, and I was mentally out of it. It was all I could do to get out the bed. It was awful! I was having a severe adverse reaction to the medication, and deemed allergic to it.

It's worth investigating what your mom's taking and speaking with the doctor to why your mom is so out of it, to the point of asking you about cats you dont have.

You hang in there yourself, and please keep us posted on how she's doing.
 
Thanks, you're right - I need to speak to her doctor. I'm waiting for Monday to come when I will be able to contact him. I spoke to her nurse yesterday, but he wasn't able to help with my questions about medication. He recommended I speak to the doctor.

When I was there, several times I saw my mother asking for more pain meRAB. I think they increased the dose because she kept asking them to. I think she is on hydrocodone.
 
Thanks for the support. She's barely getting out of bed at this point, which concerns me. I don't think she is in any danger of overdoing it. I think her problem is more the opposite - not moving enough.

Originally she scheduled the surgery to coincide with my spring break week (I teach) with the plan that I would help her at home after surgery.

Before the surgery she told me that she didn't want to go to rehab. After the surgery, she realized that there was no other choice. She needed two people to help her get to the bathroom at first. I think now it's just one. I'm not a nurse, I don't want to have to serve as a nurse for my mother (I want our relationship to be as a mother and daughter and to leave the bodily stuff to the pros) and besides - I could never lift her by myself. She lives alone, so there was no way for her to go home in that condition. I'm several states away, and I can't take off work, so I can't be there to help her for a long period of time.

The other concern I have is that she is on so many meRAB that she is really groggy and out of it. Has this happened to anyone here? Doesn't know what day it is or how long she's been out of surgery. She slurs her worRAB and noRAB off during a conversation. Today she told me - "oh, I was supposed to give you a message about the cats." I said, "Mom, your cats are at the kennel. They're fine." She said, "No, I mean your cats."

Thing is, I don't have any cats!

If I didn't know that it was the pills doing this to her I'd be worried that she had dementia.
 
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