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03-11-2009, 09:50 PM
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#111 | ||
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As I am sitting here not able to do much more (I am a bit stir crazy)I started wondering what if my L5-S1 Spinal Fusion didn't work. I started feeling a bit down, wondering if I did the right thing. I googled it and voila, came upon this forum. I am amazed at how many others have the same questions, fears, how many want to return to their active lives. Mike, you are a God send, I don't know why your words of patience and resting and not over doing are resonating more than any one else, even my doc. I had a plastic soacer inserted between l5 and s1 and the disc removed, 2 plates and 4 titanium screws. This was done anterior and via a 3 time c-section incision. I am down to 1 percocet a day. I have to say that I never expected the post op pain to be as bad as ai was took me by surprise. I too have a bit of nerve pain (just set in today), nothing like I had before. The nurse told me nerves take a while to regenerate, I hope it goes soon. The other thing that really amazes me is how long people have suffered , I tried all other avenues, chiro, PT, cortisone injections X4 for 1 year and knew I couldn't go on like this. I am 40 and in great shape for the first time of my life, and want to keep it that way.
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | tamiloo (05-28-2010) |
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04-15-2009, 04:16 AM
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#112 | ||
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Reassuring that you are doing so well, I am supposed to have a posterior fusion of L4-5 in a few weeks time and I'm very worried about it all. It is fantastic to find a positive thread as most are terrifying!
I would really appreciate any advice about what to expect post op. Does one sit or lie? On the back or side? How long should there be someone else around to make the coffee? I am also booked to travel to the UK via the States. I live in New Zealand, so that is 2 12 hour flights and all the hassle that is involved with travel. Is it feasible to do 3 months post op? I am eager to hear anything positive that anyone has to offer. Many thanks Caroline |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | (Broken Wings) (04-15-2009), tamiloo (05-28-2010) |
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04-16-2009, 03:37 AM
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#113 | ||
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for anyone reading this regularly, like i did pre-op, sorry it's been so long.
i had post-op #3 today, and the xrays couldn't look any better, so says my doc. i could, tho. i'm having a helluva time losing this weight i found on my couch while i couldn't do anything. but here i am, 3 months post op, and i've been riding an exercise bike for a few weeks now. (not allowed to jog yet) i haven't taken any pain pills for about a month now, tho i still find i'm sore often, but not too bad. i did make the mistake of leaning over the bathtub to wash the dog a coupla days ago tho. she's docile enuff, but that little bit of leaning over for 5-10 minutes reminds me that i'm far from finished rehabbing. still, it's all on the up-and-up. don't listen to all the horror stories. just make sure you get a GOOD doctor who does nothing but back surgeries, and is respected by his colleagues. Quote:
caroline - i expect the doc will tell you to do whatever is comfortable for you, so long as you do NOT bend over or twist. or lift anything over 10 pounds. after both of my surgeries, i slept on a futon up in couch mode. it was firm, so my back didn't sag, and in couch mode, i wouldn't be able to roll over off my back. as for how long you'll need someone to .... umm... wipe your butt, as it were, that might depend.... in my case, i had surgery on a tuesday, and went home on the following friday. i used my walked that nite, and part of saturday before i decided i could get around just fine without having to struggle with the walker. i was still shuffling around like a drunken 75 year old, but i was getting around. i hope that helps. as for the plane ride.... man, only if you got to. if you're like me, you SHOULD be fine, but i'd be worried about going anyplace where i couldn't get to my doc before i was certifiably healed. good luck! |
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04-20-2009, 11:16 AM
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#114 | ||
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | tamiloo (05-28-2010) |
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04-20-2009, 11:41 AM
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#115 | ||
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | tamiloo (05-28-2010) |
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04-21-2009, 04:42 AM
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#116 | ||
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Thanks for the encouragement guys and for giving us something to look forward to! Caroline |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | tamiloo (05-28-2010) |
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05-04-2009, 05:59 PM
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#117 | ||
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i should really post here blog-style, just so's i can keep track of how i was just two-ish weeks ago.
unless i find myself bending over a lot (which i'm not supposed to be doing anyway), i think i'm pretty done and better and rehabbed. a couple of weeks ago i bumped up my time on the stationary bike from 30 mins once a day to two 30 min sessions a day, 5 or 6 days a week. i also realized that since my LIFE and JOB right now IS rehab, there's no reason i can't do that gnoshing-diet plan. it's not like i'm at a desk or out in the field 8-10 hours a day. so i snack on celery and baby carrots and apples. as a result, my excess weight is dropping off pretty fast. 4-5 pounds a week if i stick to 'the plan'. (which is basically eating a lot of plants, and no more than a mouthful or three at a time, then wait a half hour and eat again if i must) even walked around the ren fair all day yesterday. my back and legs are just fine. my sunburned face and scalp tho.....notsofine. still, it's good to get out and do stuff again. cheers! |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | tamiloo (05-28-2010) |
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05-12-2009, 01:33 PM
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#118 | ||
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Junior Member
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Haven't posted in awhile. 6.5 months out from S1-L4 fusion. Back Pain all gone, seldom experience soreness, little bit stiff, but not as much as I originally expected! 6 month X-Rays conclude successful fusion. Dr. finally gave me physical Therapy and told me I could resume golfing!!! Hit the ball a couple of times on the range this week and wouldn't you know it straighter and further than prior to the surgery. Next day no pain, so I did it again and no pain. Dr. says I can play 18 June 1st. You better believe that I'll be the first one on the course that day. My recovery goal was to play golf this summer. I followed the doctors instructions as well as walked 3 miles a day and continued swimming .5 miles every other day. By the time I got to the doctor for my 6 month he was amazed at my progress and attributed much of my success to sticking to the walk/swim routine. He said he wished his other patients could all do the same thing. It hurt so bad when I started but every day and every step or stroke got a little more tolerable. I'm glad I forced myself to do it, if not most the time for my self esteem. The six month results were worth the pain. For those who recently had the surgery or are considering fusion this may sound impossible but I go through my day now without a thought of pain or the fact that I had surgery. I hope all of you get to this point....I'm happy.
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | tamiloo (05-28-2010) |
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05-13-2009, 10:48 AM
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#119 | |||
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Junior Member
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Quote:
 , 4 weeks is still pretty fresh from the surgery, things heal faster on the outside than on the inside,you have had major work done, give things time to settle down inside, don't be worried about aches and pains just yet as it is still early, i know thats easier said than done, i use to lay in bed at night and think about every little ache or pain i felt, asking myself, is that permanent ? or temporary ??...lol...don't torture yourself like i did, just relax, focus on taking it easy and doing your walks, it wasn't until month 3 that i could really stretch out my body and i found that the little aches and tightness that i worried about faded as i started to do this,(including some right leg numbness, from tight butt muscles, when i stretched it out, this faded) after all having 3 months of minimal physical activity did tighten my muscles in my legs and back abit ,but now i have full flexibility back now, i can even touch my toes!...lol...you will be fine my friend as long as you follow your surgeons advice and even be abit more cautious if you feel the need, i know i did and didn't try anything at all until i felt my body giving me the ok to do it...you will know what i mean by this...if in doubt, back off and take more time. all the best mate Mike |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | tamiloo (05-28-2010) |
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05-13-2009, 10:51 AM
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#120 | |||
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, i hope to hear about your success story soon mate and yes keep the faith, it helped me alot!
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | tamiloo (05-28-2010) |
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1 week post op
been a while....
surgery
). And to those who are thinking about it please go for it, because you don't want to carry on as you are with pain and always think to yourself, "i wonder if the surgery would have fixed it ?" , i waited 10 years before i finally had the courage to go through with it and i wish i had done it years ago.
L5-s1
better and better
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