Week 4 Lami L4-5 fusion major spasm today

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Up till now I thought I was doing very well in my recovery but while putting my shoes on this morning (I shouldn't have done this while sitting in bed), I had a major spasm. For a while I couldn't move without terrible pain and I laid in bed for about a half hour until I could make my way downstairs to type this. Is this normal? Should I be on a muscle relaxer in addition to the Vicodin? I have been up and about for the last couple of weeks and now this. I feel like I have taken one step forward and 20 steps back.
 
I think you're very lucky you haven't hurt yourself doing this before. I feel for you, I really do. I'd take the Vicodin and give it a few days and see if it calms down before you add more drugs into the mix. Muscle relaxers can make you feel just as goofy, or even moreso, then the Vicodin. If the spasms are directly related to an activity you really sorta shouldn't be doing, perhaps that says it all?

Don't feel bad. There have been times I've bent more then my knees would and bent my back a bit (even in the brace) and have felt it afterwarRAB. That's usually when I spend most of the next day in bed, kicking myself for not bothering to go get the grabber.
 
Thanks Paula as always. I just hope I didn't do any serious damage that would prevent/delay proper fusing, healing, whatever. Just when you think you are doing well, whamooo! Such is the life of a recuperating back surgery patient right? You can really be lulled into a false sense of security.
 
I just had L5/S1 fusion...putting shoes on is one of the hardest chores. My surgeon still does not want me to bend... so I hope you didn't bend too much. I would take it easy. I'm experiencing alot of aches, pains, twitching, & spasms too. Also on vicodin, was cutting the pill in half... Now taking full does 750mg & Lunesta at night.
 
I am with you.. I'm week 5. Before the surgery I was a very active 34yr. Like they said, I notice everyday is different. One good day, on bad day.. Like me, you want your life to get back to normal and when you come to the realization that it's going to be a couple months it's almost to much to bear. I think we all feel the same... we all go through the stages of recovery. Hang in there... positive thoughts!
 
Thanks Miamibeach (I wish I was in Miami Beach right now - on the beach with a rum and coke and a fine cigar). I put in a call to my surgeon - he actually gave me his cell phone nuraber after the surgery - and he said not to worry. It happens, it's part of the ebb and flow of the scar tissue moving around, and to take it a little easier today but NOT to baby it. I had put my brace back on after tossing it a week ago, he said to take it off. And yes, to going back on the Vicodin while I am still in considerable pain. He did not say I should not be putting my shoes on in this way but I will be careful in the future. I will not do it leaning on the side of the bed anymore. Long story short, a bad day in the good day/bad life of a recupeating 4 week back surgery patient. Thanks!
 
I feel like a broken record because I write this so often but, you have had MAJOR surgery and you must learn to be patient with your recovery. Also, it does not always go in an upward projectory..i.e., getting better every day. It is more like two steps forward and one back and that will continue for MONTHS.

Try to remeraber the BLT's while healing -- no bending, lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk, and no twisting. Use ice and/or heat as needed.
 
Postscript: 10 hrs. later I just walked a mile and a half. Go figure. Maybe it was the doc's reassurance and the Vicodin. Who knows. I still hate Vicodin though - major headaches and tiredness. We can get through this.
 
Good morning Paula! Yesterday (Sunday) I had a very good day. As a matter of fact, I only too two Tylenols in the morning and that was it as far as meRAB. I am still having problems sleeping and depend on Tylenol PM to get some rest. This morning I woke up a little earlier than I should have, still groggy I think from the Tylenol PM. I think that will go away once I get something to eat (I am headed to Starbucks after this :).

The pain is still there but bearable and when I am sitting/lying in one position, it doesn't bother me at all. It's when I get up or have to turn in bed - then I am reminded that I've just had major back surgery. But I walk, I twist, I lift within reason, I do stuff around the house that's sensible....in short, I am not babying myself. I guess one of the worst things is the sheer boredom of being home day after day, you know the drill. I am not one for daytime TV and you can only read so much. This is now Week 5.

But the real good news is that the major discomfort from that spasm on Saturday is gone. That one was a little scary and I am now careful how I put my shoes on - 'never sit on the side of the bed so the mattress slopes down and throws my back out of gilter.

Now how are YOU doing? R.
 
Feeling pretty decent so far today. I dropped the Lyrica to half dose for the daytime pill to see if the foot/ankle swelling it causes is reduced. It's a nice drug for nighttime use. Non-narcotic, senRAB you to sleep pretty quickly. Hoping the drop for daytime will also reduce some of the grogginess.

My younger daughter wants to take me out shopping today, we'll see in an hour or two. Thus far my back is feeling great and the incision isn't as sore as usual. Sleeping without the brace is doing wonders.

I find it interesting your doctor's approach is not to baby yourself. It seems there are extremes out there in how surgeons approach fusions. I'm in a brace for 6-9 months, but it seems that's pretty rare. Apparently some doctors put more faith in the hardware then others, and I find myself wondering why. I wonder if some doctors start off with heavier hardware then others, although looking at my xrays one would wonder how the hardware actually fits in there :D

Gonna start practicing getting in and out of my car on my own in the next few days. Since my car is very low to the ground, this should prove interesting (and entertaining for my neigrabroadors.)

Enjoy Starbucks!
 
Richard, just saw your post and I hope you're feeling better. Richard, you can not bend to put on shoes. You need to get some kind of shoe that slips on and one of those very long shoehorns to help it along, if necessary. Worst comes to worst, ask your wife to help get them on. We really can't bend, and can't bend for quite some time to come.
 
I hear you all loud and clear. It's just that it's not been a problem putting my shoes on before. I am guessing that sitting on the EDGE of the bed where it slopes down when I sit may have contributed to the spasm. Up until now I have been very active so this is a major setback for me. Just when I thought I was off the Vicodin for sure, now because of this latest snafu, I am back on it. Anyway, I am going to take it VERY easy today. What a shame because it's such a beautiful day. Still need to know whether in addition to the Vicodin I should be ona muscle relaxer. Thanks everyone, I do appreciate it. Good days and bad days, yep it seems to go on forever. Monday will be week 5.
 
Yes Paula, getting in and out of the car and hitching the seat belt is a challenge. I have a small car also low to to the ground. One thing I have started doing is taking more vitamin D. Between my one-a-day multi vitamin and my supplement, I have incrased my D intake to 800 IU per day plus whatever I get from the sun and the food I eat. I've read on this board the vitamin D assists in the fusing process. What the heck, I figure it can't hurt. My doc never mentioned anything about it however.

Yes also that he wanted me out of the brace after 3 weeks post-op to build back the muscles and he has essentially pushed me to test the limits.

'Just came back from Starbucks. Beautiful day to sit outside with the paper and a coffee. It's these little things that can make all the difference in the world when you're in our situation. Enjoy the day.
 
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