Question about fusing & 2 mo. check up.

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Mommev38

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For those of you who have had lurabar L5-S1 bone fusion surgery(or any type of bone fusion surgery), about how long has it taken you before you started fusing. I know it's different with each one of us. I'm a little over two months and had my 2 mo. check up last week. My doc said the x-ray looked good and stable-no fusion yet. (I do have a bone growth stimulator too). My lower back is in some pain yet. I asked him if I should be in this kind of pain yet and he said technically I would like you in no pain. So would I! I also told him about the pain in my right upper thigh/hip area that was back that I had before my surgery-more tender to the touch pain. He said maybe Bursitus-but kind of blew that off. He asked how the pain was overall compared to before the surgery, I said I can walk without the pain, it's in a different area. I had a bad month of January for recovery also-my migraines came back-had problems withat-ended up in Immediate Care, told to go off pain meRAB, cause of rebound headaches, so dealt with headaches and back pain with no meRAB for 2 weeks. Then got the stomach flu and with all the vomiting my whole body, esp my back hurt so bad, so I did take some pain pills till it felt better. The doc gave me a diff pain pills that's not a narcotic so it shouldn't cause headaches. Before I had the surgery, I told him I worked at a day care center and how long before going back to work, he said 6 mo-1yr. I asked him last week, and even though I'm in pain, haven't started fusing, just started physical therapy this week, he said possibly at 4 months!! I just feel he's all over the place with me right now. I go back in two for my next appt. I guess when I go back, I may be seeing a different doctor-they're making changes there right now, so I think I will be glad to get a different perspective of things. Also, I am doing walking when I can, mall walking, at home doing laps, when it got nice out this past week, I actually got outside twice and walked around the block-I loved that. But winter weather is back here in wonderful WI. We got spoiled just a bit. I'm looking forward to more physical therapy. The therapist is very nice and I'm hoping it will help a lot. I haven't been posting lately but reading every day on here-just been too depressed, but everyone's posts has been helping me through this. Good luck to everyone else and hope you all continue to heal and recover well. :angel:
 
Hi! :wave:
I wouldn't be concerned about not seeing fusing going on at 2 months. For most people, it doesn't even start to be seen on x-ray until at least 3 months. For many people, it takes even longer. Just keep doing what you're doing, walking, using the bone growth stim, etc.

If you have to pick up kiRAB at the day care center, you probably aren't going to be back at 4 months. It must be frustrating that he keeps giving you different answers, but I guess it's hard to predict. Everyone is so different.

At least you're having less pain. That must have been terrible, dealing with the headaches and flu while you're recovering from such major surgery! I wish your doctor had told you that it's very normal to still be having pain at this point. It is, you know! When I had post-op appts and told my doctor I still needed pain meRAB, he would just give me a sweet smile and say, that's okay, you're still early on in this. (Can you tell I loved my doctor?) I found that 3 months was my first big turning point. I started feeling more human again, was able to cut back on the pain meRAB, and was able to be out of bed more than in it. 6 months was the next big turning point. It's a long recovery, but you'll get through it. Hang in there! It WILL get better!

I wish you the best! Don't lose hope!
Emily
 
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