post back surgery pain

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achybreakysandy

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I had my second 2 level fusion on Deceraber 3rd, where they went in and removed the hardware from my last surgery (which was a year ago) because it was painful and too bulky for my body. Also, they went in anteriorly this time and added the protein cages to promote fusing. Since this surgery, I haven't been able to go to the bathroom....I know, lovely, I've tried laxatives and anything out there. In addition to this, my body is one big achy mess....I have so much pain when I wake up that I cannot get out of bed until About an hour after I take my pain meRAB. The pain is different than last time, I have pain and aching in my legs, feet and HANRAB....don't get that. Where is that coming from?

I'm freaking out and don't know what to do. What if I never feel normal again. I have two children, one of which has missed pre-school for almost two months! I can't get up to take her. I'm so afraid these back surgeries have ruined me.
 
Well you had a MAJOR back operation with hardware put in that is no joke what you had done. this is a major operation. I would call your Dr. he is really the only one that can figure out what is going on. Perhaps something is wrong and has moved or broken and you need an MRI or a CT Scan. get a 2nd opinion if you have to, but you need to see someone for this, it does not sound good at all. how horrible for you. As far as you not being able to go the bathroom does this mean nuraber one to? and something is not right if you can't go # 2 either. constipation is normal after surgery from the meRAB they give you but you should be going with laxatives. what kind are you taking? some don't work very good. go to your local pharmacy and ask the pharmacist what would be good for you to take right now. they will know. you must feel soooo plugged up. how long has it been since you have gone # 2? have you told your Dr about this? maybe you have a blockage of some sort?

SS
 
Hi Sandy, If it has been weeks since a bowel movement then you need to call your doc. If you mean your miserable but thee is some movement although painful, You can try several things on your own. Miralax is now available without ascript, It does work but it's expensive in the long run. Cacara segrada is the natural erb and active ingredient in many Colon cleanse products and is cheap and works great. You don't have to buy senekot when you can buy senna tea which will cause the contractions that opiates inhibit. You definitely have to increase water, but I wouldn't bulk up with fiber if your not moving, you will just feel worse from fiber untill things do move.

As far as pain, you had a anterior fusion, the reoval of the hardware is nothing compared to having your bowels pushed aside and an AF with cages. I don't think they would be doing an anterior if the postrior had worked, there is actually so little bone to bone conection from posterior aproaches I'm surprised they still do themm. Give yourself time to heal and time for the pain and nerves to stuff to settle down.

It's so soon with your back, inflamationis going to be the most likely cause of neuralgia The only thing they could possibly do is Xray and look for a slipped cage if you were thinking something was wrong. But most likely you right on track for surgery that major at 2 months post op. Most likely once you get moving it will solve the water retention, help reduce some swelling where you had surgery that's causing nerve problems and help with the bowel problems.

Some docs use a little HCTZ for water retention, but you don't want to pee all your water out when you need it in your bowels. Try some of the cheaper herbal things that really do work. Senekot has made a fortune off Senna tea when you can buy 50 tea bags for 2 bucks at a health food store. They sell cascara segrada as the major part of colon cleansing products you may have seen on TV and jack the price up, look for the natural ingredient in these things and avoid the stuff you don't need to spend a fortune on.

However, just having you bowels manipulated during surgery can cause problems and an obstructed bowel is no joke. If it's been that long or gotten that far, you need to see a doc asap.

Good luck, Dave
 
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