Originally Posted by sade

I'm new here..I'm 26 and on Jan. 9th I will be one year post-op from a posterior/anterior L5-S1 fusion with instrumentation.

I'm still having pain, although I'm better than I was before surgery. My rods feel odd, when I try an flex my spine to much it feels like they are being gripped.

The doctors are concerned the bone grafts aren't healing properly, so Ill find out next fri at my 1 year post-op. I'm not where I thought I'd be at this point...I just hope things have fused then I can deal with the pain. I want my active life back, I want to travel without worrying about where I'll rest or how I'll carry my own bags. I want to start thinking about having children with my husband without being scared of how my back will handle it.

This is the hardest hurdle I've ever faced. I have horrible insomnia since the surgery becasue I can't seem to get comfortable. Enough of my late night, over-tired ramblings!!

Originally Posted by kiwimike

Hey Abby , i had the old one where they shaved my hip bone and used that as putty to fill in around the metal rods.

ok just to update you on things (and everyone else) its been 9 months now since my op and let me tell you things are great! , i would say i'm 98% of what i use to be before the pain started 10 years ago. The only weird thing is i swear i can sometimes feel them some days (the rods that is) and i have set off the metal detectors in airports also..lol..my brothers call me the T-800 terminator , living tissue over polymetal alloy...lol.. , it really weird but i'm getting use to these things. But there is no pain whatsoever, that is the cool thing. I have joined a football club now and i am playing again , really happy about that , its 3 months shy of my 1 year ann. like i said before i would play , but i couldn't take it anymore and i had done lots of back strengthing exercises and sprint tests and also spoke to my surgeon who gave the go ahead. I am feeling very strong now. i can pick up very heavy objects now, things i wouldn't never have even thought about doing pre-op (even a fridge!). So please be encouraged everyone, total success here and you to can be free from back pain, its a life changing operation and it has totally changed my life (just got to find a girlfriend now and things will be complete...lol) Even my mindset about things is different and i certainly don't have anymore suicide thoughts that use to haunt me daily . I really hope to hear about your stories to in this forum so we can all encourage others as it is big step to take and its nice to have someone with you when you go through this. ( i had no-one in the hospital when i went in and i nearly did a runner at the last moment, if you can, take someone with you as it helps alot). ok any other questions please ask me , i am totally open and would like to help others who are going through this.

ok later
Mike

Originally Posted by abbygirl312

Hey all; Thought I'd let you know my X-rays were good. The neuro wants more in May or June and the brace came off

For those of you still suffering - along with the walking and please do walk, I asked for advice at the health food store. I'm so impatient with healing! Anyway, along with the Calcium and Vitamin D, they suggested Magnesium Citrate = to the Calcium for better absorption and also Collagen (ladies, this will help your nails and hair too ). I take a high protein, low carb powder with lowfat milk daily. I am convinced this is helping. I am taking a lot of other vitamins (A, E, C, etc. ) and I know they aren't cheap but neither was the surgery ya know? And I sure don't want to go through it again.

Just some food for thought. It can't hurt afterall and for those with artheritis and degenerative bone disease and women going through the dreadfull change, you need more anyway. Don't expect immediate results, it takes time. My neuro is all for it and agrees it sure can't hurt and is probably helping.

Personally, I want to get back on that golf course as soon as the weather clears!

Originally Posted by angels in the midst

Dear Mike,
Could you tell me what was wrong with your back that you had this surgery? The neuro told me that there is nothing he can do for me. I beg to differ and I guess I need to get a second oppinion. Arthritis is eating away my lower spine and so it is narrowing very bad on my nerves to my legs. I have severe pain and it all started about late 80's. Now it is so bad that I can't even walk very far, stand or sit as well as swimming. Everyone says to get into swimming but when I am using my legs for a period of time the same thing happens when I walk or sit. Get the picture? So what am I supposed to do, sit back and wait till the nerves are totally pinched and I end up in a chair? NOT! I can't sit very long now. Anyway drop me a line and let me know what caused your trouble. Thanks so much, Angel

Originally Posted by katshorses

Hi Mike, good to meet you. I had the same surgery in 2002 and have never regretted it. I have continued to have other spinal degeneration and still deal with pain but it is nowhere near the pain that I had before my first surgery! I have a wonderful ortho surgeon and I went the whole route of conservative treatments for years before fusion. By that time I would have done anything to reduce the pain. I know that there are more spinal problems in my future but I am still moving and can even still play some golf on good days! So you are right, there are successful surgeries being done all the time. Think positively!
Kat

Originally Posted by Redhotbeads

I had C6/7 ACDF seven weeks ago and as soon as I could swallow well (within a week) I went back to my normal regimen of Vitamin D, Calcium, Magnesium, multi, and Glucosamine. I figure it can't hurt. Everything looked fine at my six-week x-rays (although obviously, nowhere near fused). But I feel REALLY good and my operation was very successful!! I do think the vitamins and minerals help.

I plan to learn how to golf this year, too!
Kelly