[jimglynn]

What's the one thing you know now that you wish you had known before your spinal procedure? I go in the 29th for a lumbar fusion so these responses will be invaluable.
thanks

[Kathi49]

jimglynn, I have had two cervical fusions at two different times so I can't speak to the lumbar other than injections and RF's. But what I had wish I had known was how bad the spasms can really be! I strongly suggest asking for Valium if the doc is okay with it. My own Neurosurgeon just automatically prescribed it. Best med on the planet for spasms! Other than that my Neurosurgeon did a great job of explaining everything. Good luck with your lumbar fusion on the 29th!

[jimglynn]

Thanks! I believe Valium is one of the prescribed post-surgical drugs.

[Leesa]

One thing I know now is that I should NEVER have had surgery!!! I'm now disabled due to two open surgeries!! This was before the internet so I couldn't talk to others or research. Nuts!

[ginnie]

[I have had two spinal fusions, C6-7 and then that was re-done along with C3-7 this last august. I had reversed the curve of my spine as well. This surgery was very painful as so much was wrong. I actually found out the truth about it from this site, so I was prepared. The doctor under stated this part of it. However, the first one, just a single fusion, was not so bad. I also had spasms as others have, Soma was given along with my pain meds. That helped alot. ginnie

[loubanaslaser]

Originally Posted by jimglynn

What's the one thing you know now that you wish you had known before your spinal procedure? I go in the 29th for a lumbar fusion so these responses will be invaluable.
thanks

Back surgery over one half fail or people are worse off. Get a neuro-surgeon and at leat 3. Hope yours went well

[markjaye]

Originally Posted by jimglynn

What's the one thing you know now that you wish you had known before your spinal procedure? I go in the 29th for a lumbar fusion so these responses will be invaluable.
thanks

People tell me they wish they had tried the Alexander Technique first. Even if you have the surgery, it would be great to learn how to stop hurting yourself, so the next surgery could be the last surgery!
Mark Josefsberg-**

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by loubanaslaser

Back surgery over one half fail or people are worse off.

I was told something similar - that more than half are the same or worse after surgery than before. I didn't like those odds, so I listened when they advised against the surgery, and opted for pain management instead. I was also told it was possible for some natural healing to occur in time. Some has, along with some further deterioration (DDD).

Doc

[Dubious]

Originally Posted by jimglynn

What's the one thing you know now that you wish you had known before your spinal procedure? I go in the 29th for a lumbar fusion so these responses will be invaluable.
thanks

Jimglynn,

I have seen 75-100 go to discectomy or fusion surgery over 20 years. I can only remember one who was a train wreck afterwards. The rest were satisfied with the outcome. I know that is better than the stated odds, maybe it is the surgeons who did their surgeries, I don't know. Proper patient selection is huge.

But if you are contemplating surgery and plan on moving forward, then you must trust your doc, so don't fall to prey to what you hear here. It is a decision that only you and your doc can make!

[frenchfri1003]

That the excessive swelling would make swallowing water painful for 5 days until I was prescribed steroids. Sleeping in a recliner would be the manner of sleeping for 4-6 weeks. The recovery period dealing with needs help with laundry, cleaning, driving and lifting would continue for a long time.