[BwithT]

I am 11 weeks post-op for PLIF L3 thru S1 with laminectomy and instrumentation. Recovery is sucking so far.

Prior to surgery, I had diminished reflex in right knee and had lost reflexes in both ankles and left knee. I recently saw my PCP, and I had only recovered the reflex of my right knee.

Anyone who has lost reflexes, I would love to hear how long it took for them to return.

[simby]

unfortunately, i have no reflexes in either ankle. Its been 2 years since my one level fusion (L4-5). The doctor told me that they won't come back at this point.

[Mark N]

I had some of my reflexes back right away but my full reflexes came back within three months. Remember though that we all heal at different speeds. I hope your doctor pursues this aggressively and finds out why your's aren't returning.

[BwithT]

Simby and Mark N,

Thanks for the replies. I realize this may be a long haul but I guess I was hoping to hear "everyone gets better with time". Dr. said my healing may take up to 2 years and I may not get everything back to normal. I am not a patient person, so that is not what I wanter her to say. I suppose the good lord is teaching me patience.

[Evreux]

I had what my surgeon called a simple discectomy right side l5s1 in Aug 06 and still have no reflex in the right back ankle. Also my left side of l5s1 is still hosed up to this day (constant pain) and he said that would be resolved with the surgery. Right.

[simby]

i passed the two year mark on July 15th.
Its only been since a little over 18 months that my spine finally started to feel solid and more normal.

I knew the fusion would not take care of all the pain. But it took care of it well enough that, along with pain meds, i have something akin to a quality of life.

Don't push yourself too hard. As i (and probably a lot of us) have learned that this only causes a setback/flareup. Not worth it.

hugs,
sims

[BwithT]

Simby,

I have the added pleasure of being allergic to most pain killers. I can not take morphine or morphine derivatives, codeine or codeine derivatives including anything that has codone in its name and most recently tramadol. So I can have the "big guns" for severe pain, but the best they can do for moderate pain is darvocet (which is lilke taking surgar pills to me). My PCP was at a loss for what she could do for me, as I grit my teeth due to pain and I have loosened one of my molars, not to mention the constant head aches and jaw fatigue. (The molar was a recent root canal & crown were the bite was very good but not quite perfect, it would have not been a problem except for this.) Can you tell, I am having the time of my life? LOL

It could be so much worse. I am so blessed that I didn't become paralysed, I did not develop caudia equina syndrome, I have a high pain tolerance and I have not had to battle WC. AND I am thankful for: Cymbalta, Welbutrin, Flexeril and Topamax, they all help and no allergy symptoms yet!