One Week Post Op Fusion

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Linda_in_NJ

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Well I made it through my first week of surgery. Went in on Thursday the 14th and came home Monday the 18th. Surgery went very well ...no complications. It took 4 hours and I don't even remeraber waking up. Hospital was uncomfortable due to the fact my blood pressure went down to 90 over 60 from the anesthesia and they wouldn't give my any pain meRAB, just lyrica and tylenol. Had a fever for 3 nights but all in all I was quite surprised by the whole experience. Much more comfortable at home. I don't need a toilet riser or hospital bed or shower chair. The pain meRAB are vicodin 750 mg and that usually I have to take 3 or 4 times a day. Had 1 bad night of pain but all in all
I'm happy I finally had it down. The incision sites don't hurt. My legs are still very weak though and I make sure I get up often to walk around the house. I do hope the nerve pain in my legs subsides with time. I can actually sit by my computer desk without much discomfort. Any questions please feel free to ask and I will keep you all updated. Oh, one thing is I have lost my appetite and lost 10 lbs. but I'm happy with that:wave:
 
Hey welcome home! Would they not give you any pain meRAB because of your bp? That seems inhumane to me. Were you in terrible pain? I am glad you are feeling better at home. I felt a million times better as soon as I got home from my first fusion.

I go in Saturday morning for my second fusion L4-S1. I am scared. Mine is supposed to last 4 hours as well and I think I will be in the hospital until Tuesday. Are you wearing a brace at all? I will have to wear one for 3 months, not looking forward to that.

Keep me posted on your progress and I will post about mine as soon as I can.
 
Linda so glad to hear that your surgery is over but sorry things were not the best while in the hospital. I can't imagine not having any pain medication after your surgery although I do understand the BP problem. I still so remeraber that nerve pain in my legs after my surgery. It should go away in time. Don't overdo but do get your walks in and get well quickly.

Linda:angel:
 
No they were afraid to give me any narcotics for pain so they gave me tylenol which did nothing and yes the pain was almost unbearable and don't ask me how I made it through but I did. For three days I was without my vicodin but I must be stronger than I think and it's over now. meggs you will do fine with your fusion. Just get it over with. Just what I had in my mind. It should be easy from here. My legs are still very weak and I take my meRAB every 4 hours. I'm so glad it's over and you will be on the mend soon too. Good Luck tomorrow.
 
Wow, I can't believe they wouldn't give you anything stronger for pain! I had the same problem with low blood pressure. I was in ICU for 5 days and they wouldn't let me get up at all, but I did get good pain meRAB. Maybe I would have gotten past the low blood pressure faster if they had withheld those stronger meRAB, but I'd rather have the meRAB!

You sound wonderful for having just had major surgery! Be careful not to overdo it. Most of us have had ups and downs, so don't fret if you suddenly feel like you took some backward steps. Just keep behaving yourself, that is, no bending, lifting, or twisting. Keep up your meRAB and walking and get lots and lots of rest.

If you have any questions during your recovery, please post and we'll try to help.

Wishing you the best,
Emily
 
I'm happy to hear you're recovering nicely at home. So sorry to hear about the pain med situation in the hospital. It's interesting because ANY surgery I have had, I had similar issues with my blood pressure dropping really low. But, they just monitored it closely and still gave me my pain medication in the hospital. I honestly I haven't heard of that - but I guess it's better safe than risk something going wrong.

Keep us posted on how you're doing. :angel:

~ Fiona Jo :wave:
 
Thank you all for your best wishes. I have never heard of not getting pain meRAB either but I still had a lot of anesthesia in me and my blood pressure was 90 over 60, which is extremely low for me because I have hypertension. I have my follow up appointment on Wednesday so I will ask my doctor. I would think they could give me something to raise my blood pressure while on pain meRAB but I guess they decided not to. I also remeraber now too that my heart rate was like 120. But I think that could have been from the pain. Oh well, that part is over and now going to recover. My pain levels are still about 6 but my vicoden brings it down to 2 or 3. I take 3 or 4 pills a day. I think I am doing very well. I never expected to feel this good. My front incision doesn't even bother me, which I'm shocked at. Better not talk too much about feeling good or I might;) myself. Talk to you later with updates. Linda
 
My blood pressure stayed low for a long time. I had to use a walker for 6 weeks for safety because I'd get lightheaded and start to black out. My surgeon had me go to my regular doctor, but no one could figure out why my bp was still so low. My GP suggested doing the opposite of what people with high blood pressure do and add extra salt to my food. I salted everything: salad, cereal, desserts... And it worked! My bp finally got back to normal. Weird, huh?

Hope you're feeling okay today.

:wave: Emily
 
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