Slow recovery & it's no wonder!

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allanbruce

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I am a bit over 3 weeks out from an ALIF L5-S1 fusion operation and healing slowly but I still don't know how I would possibly be able to work for some time to come. Though I am walking and swimming twice a day I am still only able to sit about 20 minutes and then it becomes uncomfortable. I can tell when I have to walk as the pain starts to build. The time between sitting and walking etc I still need to lay down so when you do the maths it is still a lot of laying down and rest. I can walk around a bit though I think I will slowly be able to increase those times slowly. I believe I have gotten to a level that I may stay at for some time. My tummy wound is clean and healing but it also causes pain and the tissue is very hard into the surrounding fat etc. It is like a band of thick tissue about an inch or more deep so it still annoys me and hurts the more I do. The back pain is constant but reduces dependant on the amount of medication in my system and I haven't been given any breakthrough meRAB so I have to use heat or cold up to twice a day both on my back and tummy. After walking I feel ok for a while then I get sore again.
So my situation is that I have thought about your going back to work and I don't believe I will be working for some time and even though I could be doing some part time for my brother I don't imagine me being able to concentrate or communicate well enough to be worth him paying me. Also I think I would make a lot of mistakes and don't want to cause any problems for any of his clients or forget an important appointment. Also I don't want to have the distressed feeling of being under pressure to perform.
This is only my experience because I have been in so much pain for so long my situation may be different to yours. But I would advice you to just take things one day at a time and don't expect to work to a strict schedule because I don't know that you know your body that well. Maybe you do and what I have said won't apply to you. This is just my opinion and I have been wrong plenty of times before.
I so wish I can recover fast but I refuse to be governed by others decisions and I will do this slowly so I can learn to change my bad habits and the actions that caused my injuries in the first place.
I wish you the best with the operation and hope you have no setbacks or complications.
Allan
 
Thanks Allan and Dlib, I will ask my doctor about soma. I'm still having these spasms as of this morning. There not quite as bad as they have been but I'm taking alot of meRAB too. Hope to get this under control soon.

Keith
 
Allan ~ You are so right. Three weeks out of a fusion surgery is really just the first baby step. It is a long, slow process, and many people are surprised by this because their doctor has not adequately prepared them. And you can do harm do the fusing process while healing. Until the bone grows in solid, there is a chance that a screw can loosen and/or start to work its way out.

As much as possible, it is wise to be flexible and to try to adapt your schedule to the natural healing tempo of your body. None of us are the same...but it is difficult for any of us to will ourselves to heal faster!

With my first fusion, I was still on the same amount of pain meRAB that the doctor gave me at discharge. I think I MIGHT have felt well enough to go back to a desk job at 12 weeks, but not much before.
 
In answer to the question you both asked, yes I am on muscle relaxants...I have both soma and flexeril, only using one for several days, and then switch to the other so I don't build up tolerance too quickly. They don't seem to do a lot of good, tho.

Keith, when did you have your 2 level fusion? Are you on anything for the nerve pain? Does the dr. hold out hope that it will get better? It's such an irritating feeling when you move wrong and the leg tries to buckle! But it isn't as easy to do as it was, so I know it is getting a little stronger. Having been relieved of the fear has helped calm me down some. The last 2 years have been emotionally and physically draining and I'm anxious to get some normality back into my life! I am quite sure everyone on this board knows that feeling! Lol.

Tho I don't get outside to walk (it's cold, and windy)much, I am going up and down the hallways numerous times each day. Tried to walk when I was at walmart but ended up using the electric cart. Oh well, it won't be forever.

I wish you both a wonderful weekend.

Carol
 
After increasing my dosage on muscle relaxers I thought my spasms would go away. Not to be! Yesterday was so bad. Today started out with me walking slowly. I rested alot. Walked for 10 min. before supper and thought I was doing okay. I have this toilet seat riser that I use even at supper table. When I went to raise up from chair, all of a sudden I had what I call was a severe spasm. It hurt so bad. I wanted to cry. I don't know why I'm having these. My other 5 back surgeries, I never had these. I know I'm only 12 days out from this 2-level fusion but I never had these spasms before surgery. I'm wondereing if there is something else going on. Maybe arthritis? Maybe scar tissue? Maybe I need to change my muscle relaxers. Maybe flexerill is not working for me anymore. I just want some relief from this. Don't see the doctors again until ja. 4th.
I have increased my dosage on my lyrica, my muscle relaxers, and I'm now on sterioRAB. I hope I'm not left with this pain from now on.
 
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Hi musiccitygirl! :wave:
I understand feeling scared when it's your 1st surgery. I've been through it 13 times. My back surgery last monday was my 6th. I had a NS and a orthro doing my surgery. My 2 days in the hospital was very comfortable. They explained everything to me before surgery.Baptist North Spine Center was the best.

You will do fine. I had a spinal fusion on L5-S1 in 2004. I had disc space collapse. My surgery went well. I went back to work after 4months recovery. Now it did take me 14 mos. to fully recover.
I'll tell you, I work hard and play hard. I had no problems until last dec. That was 5 good yrs. My L3-L4 level had a herniated disc and in march I had a discectomy that didn't work for me. So I visited 3 orthros and 2 NS. They all told me I needed a 2-level fusion.
So, if you have done your homework and feel comfortable with your doctors you'll do fine. You have visited more than 1 orthro haven't you?

Musiccitygirl, I haven't seen any post from BigDEEZ. You say he had a 5-level fusion. WOW!:eek: I didn't know that.Hope he is getting along fine.

Musiccitygirl, it's a rough road with a fusion. I didn't know what to expect back in 2004 when I had my 1st fusion. The 1st 2 weeks were the toughest. Alot of bed rest and taking medication. Walking some each day. As the days become weeks you will see improvement. It's just a long recovery. I don't know your age but I'm now 57 yrs old. I've always been in excellent shape, except my poor back. I was playing golf 2 to 3 times a week after 4months from my 1st fusion. So, I know you can do it. Thank of it in terms as it's your back not your heart or brain being operated on. Yes it sets us back some and we are never the same as before after surgery but we can still live productive lives after surgery.Good Luck and keep in touch!
Keith
 
Keith, I have found soma to work much better than flexeril, tho I have both since soma makes me sleepy during the day. I have thought about you and the spasms you are having and cannot come up with anything helpful other than soma or valium. I think if it were me feeling like that, I would call the dr. asap and ask some questions as to the "why" of these spasms. I just don't think it is par for the course. Don't let the nurse answer your questions, just ask for the dr. to call you back and talk to him directly.

I sure hope you find a solution to this quickly.

Carol
 
I had my 2-level fusion on this past monday. I've been on lyrica for nerve damage since 2006. I must take 150mgs in the morning and the same at night. It works for me. Without it, my body gets real hot inside and my right foot feels like it's on fire. So, I don't forget to take my lyrica.

I don't go back to my doctors until jan.4th. Before I had my surgery they both said they were as confident as they could be that my leg pain would be gone. It's too early to tell at this moment. My back feels like there is a axe in it. So, if my leg is still weak and burning, I don't know it. Have not been able to walk anymore than in my house. The weather is too bad to start walking outside.

Carol, you say that your muscle relaxers aren't working at all! I take flexeril 3 times a day. They seem to help me some. I can tell a difference when I don't take them.
I hope you feel better each day. Good Luck and remeraber to stay postive and walk as much as you can.:)

Keith
 
Hi, musiccitygirl. You may remeraber that I had a 2 level fusion done as well as bone spur removal and 3 levels of foraminal stenosis so I am familiar with a 2 level fusion. I'm concerned as you keep stating that you want to be back at work in 6 weeks and that may not be realistic. It would be wonderful but even if you feel like going back, your back will not be healed enough and you could do considerable damage.

Please discuss your expectations with your doctor so that he can give you a realistic outlook for your recovery time. It's terrible hard emotionally when you expect to be so much better in 6 weeks (like me) and here I am 8weeks out and still recovering slowly. Not that you will have the same experience but you should consider that possibility.

You are still relatively young and that should help your recovery as well as the fact that you are probably in pretty fit shape even tho you want to lose some weight.

BTW, I do also agree that an opinion from an orthopedic spine specialist can't hurt, tho it sounRAB like the dr. you are seeing is very good. It's important to be comfortable with your surgeon and have faith in his abilities. All in all, I do think you will do well as it sounRAB like you are a determined lady and that counts for a lot!

Best wishes!

Carol
 
Hey Parman,
I am having the two level fusion because my hope is that I never have to do this again. My L4-5 is not really bad but knowing the fusion places additional pressure on the above levels, we decided to go ahead and do both levels. I have not seen an ortho..my pain mgt doctor really steared me to see a NS. I did get two opinions though and this NS does only this type of surgery and says he completes 5-7 of them a week. He is at Vandy and is the head of NS for the VA and the director of the residency program at the hospital as well. I do feel confident in him. Sometimes though I wonder if I am ready for this. I work full time as a vocational rerabroadilitation counselor at the VA and we have two boys aged 8 and 10.

I can live with the pain but, I do have to take a considerable amount of meRAB. Two 20 mg OC's, and two 10/325 pers a day. This works for me but, I still have a considerable amount of pain. I used to be in great shape and was a gymnist. However, over the past several years, I have gained about 30 lbs. I am 42. My goal is to have this surgery and lose my weight and get off the drugs. I pray it will work.

I am so glad you are feeling better. When will you go back to work? My goal is to go back in 6 weeks post surgery. Heather
 
Well, yesterday I had my first post-op check-up and boy did I get a surprise. A little history....sx on Oct 21, 6 days in hosp, feeling unwell and having withdrawals. Left there with an extremely weak right leg which left me puzzled as all my pre-surgery issues dealt with left leg and low back.

Dr. give me a copy of my operative notes. I couldn't remeraber anything he told me in the hosp. Turns out I had a 2 level fusion (L1-2, 2-3) due to central canal stenosis; decompression laminectomy at L1-2, 2-3, 3-4 with medial facetectomies at the same levels as well as foraminotomies at all those levels. All of this was done on the left side. An incision was made on the right side where a spacer was placed for work on the L3-4.

It is no wonder that my recover has been so much slower than I expected. He did say the the right leg weakness will go away as it is not due to nerve impingement but from the incision which cut through layers of muscle at 2 levels. I have to say that I am terribly relieved to know that this leg weakness is very temp. and that it occurs with 20% of patients and that all have recovered completely. Amen!

The major gist of all this was relayed prior to surgery of course, but he did get some surprises requiring more work than he expected. He is very pleased with my progress so I guess I am, too.

Thanks to all who have been so encouraging to me. It is so appreciated.

Carol
 
Carol,
You are so sweet. Thanks for the worRAB of wisdom and encouragement!!! I really need to be back at work in 6 weeks because this is all of the paid time that I have off. My husband is a teacher and is an amazing contributor to our family but, I more than double his income. No pressure, right! I work for the federal government and you would think they would have a short term disability but, nope. Just what I have saved in annual and sick time. And being a mom with two young boys, I have taken my fair share of time in my 14 years of employment. :D So, I really have to shoot for that goal. I am in a sedentary job and will have the ability to change body positions as needed. It scares me but, I am going to think positively about it. I will keep everyone updated on my success. My surgery is scheduled for Jan 12, getting close! :dizzy:
 
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Hi musiccitygirl! :wave:
I understand feeling scared when it's your 1st surgery. I've been through it 13 times. My back surgery last monday was my 6th. I had a NS and a orthro doing my surgery. My 2 days in the hospital was very comfortable. They really took care of me. Even though it's only been 1 week, I would still go through with the surgery. If the NS gives you a high probability that he will make you better I would jump at it. Just about anything is better than being on meRAB, especially strong meRAB the rest of your life.

You will do fine. I had a spinal fusion on L5-S1 in 2004. I had disc space collapse. My surgery went well. I went back to work after 4months recovery. Now it did take me 14 mos. to fully recover.
I'll tell you, I work hard and play hard. I had no problems until last dec. That was 5 good yrs. My L3-L4 level had a herniated disc and in march I had a discectomy that didn't work for me. So I visited 3 orthros and 2 NS. They all told me I needed a 2-level fusion.Take care and I hope everything goes well for you.With your attitude and determination you will go through in flying colors.

Keith
 
I have had Lower lurabar fusion done from S1 to L4 6 months ago he surgeon used hardware (roRAB screws and cages) to hold my spine in alignment while the vertebrea fused. Six months out of my surgery I still have terrible pain. A CT Scan shows moderate central spinal canal narrowing at L3-4 at L4-5 degenerative facet changes with disc bulging, at L5-S1 moderate foriminal stenosis bilateraly, posterolateral osteophyte on the left Am I going to need another surgery?:confused:
 
I haven't had that problem thankfully so I have been able to stop the valium. I do get restless legs a bit but not to the extent of the muscles jumping as they have in the past. I think the nerves being released have settled down a lot. I now get restless when I need my walk and afterwarRAB I feel better and more relaxed and I can lay down or even sit for a while and feel comfortable. So it is starting to be a part of my life to walk or swim daily and to slowly increase the distance and time. I am also keen to loose some weight. When I am heeled and I start to feel more relaxed and more confident I hope to start working again even if it is part time.
I am sorry you are having such a bad time parman. I hope it settles down for you soon.
Allan
 
Hello Maltluver,
How are you feeling today? Have you had any different pains since coming home from hospital?

I'm only 11 days out from surgery but since being off the steriod dose pac I am having these muscle spasms that won't quit. Did you have any of them when getting home? My doctor's nurse said that the morphine shots they gave me in the hospital are wearing off now and my nerves are waking up. With that comes muscle spasms. Flexerills are not even touching it. It took me 1hr to walk from my kitchen to my bedroom yesterday:eek:. The muscle spasms were so severe, I couldn't hardly walk.I've had 6 back surgies and not any of the others did I have muscle spasms. Getting out of the bed is undescrible. Then I have to walk to kitchen :eek: Trying to sit down just to eat is tough. They say it will get better. I know its only been 11 days out but I'm ready for some other kind of pain :(:(.

Keith
 
Yesterday was 5 days out from surgery and both hips are now feeling nurab. Do you have this problem? I'm hoping it's just post surgical pain. I might have had this since surgery. Don't know. I am staying on my meRAB that were prescribed by my doctor until I see them both on jan.4th.
I might call doctors office tomorrow and ask about this nurabness even though I know what they will tell me.
Keep in touch, Carol!
 
Hi Robert. While no one but your surgeon can determine for sure if more surgery is needed, I can tell you that your CT Scan shows some serious problems. The narrowing of the spinal canal is particularly troublesome. You also have foriminal stenosis (narrowing of the opening for the nerve) on both sides which can cause additional pain, and a bone spur. There isn't a lot that physicl therapy or other methoRAB can do other than some pain relief.

Your surgeon should discuss the options with you but you should know that when nerves are compressed over time, the damage can become permanent.

Please let us know what your dr. has to say and feel free to ask more questions or just vent your frustrations!

Carol
 
Heather,
It sounRAB like you will be in good hanRAB. Sometimes it is useful to get several opinions, including at least one from a neurosurgeon who primarily does neck and back surgeries, and from an orthopedic spine surgeon. Sometimes there is quite a difference in the nuraber of levels they would fuse.

Do you know if you have spondylolisthesis at L5-S1? I noticed you were a gymnast. It is a fairly common condition for gymnasts, divers, and others who spent time with their backs in extension!

The most important thing to me, other than having done your research on your doctor, is feeling confidant you are having the correct procedure for your problems.

As others have already said, once you have the surgery, the most important thing to realize is that recovery can be a long road. It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions and to not be in a hurry. It is important to let your body heal at its own pace, and to let it heal completely before you try to resume old activities. Too many people become impatient and force themselves to do things before they are ready. If you recognize going in that recovery is baby steps but that you will eventually get there, I think the time frame is easier to accept.

I wish you all the best as you move forward with your decision.
 
Parman,

Soma works the best for me. If you search it a lot of people say it really helps them. A lot of Dr.s don't like to prescribe it though because it can become addicting. There is also a time release 15mg flexeril called Amrix. Flexeril did nothing for me but make me groggy. Hope this helps.

Dlib
 
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