I am having my surgery February 8th and am wondering a few things from those who have been there and done that

What was easier than you thought during your recovery? What was the hardest part? What did you wish you knew ahead of time but didn't until you had the surgery? What was the biggest help during your recovery?
What did you do to keep your sanity? How much help did you need afterwards?

Sorry for so many questions =)

Better now than after. I've opted not to have surgery, so I won't comment further.

Doc

Can I ask why you choose not to do surgery and what your back issues are?
I have a 10mm slip of L5 on S1. I have severe bilateral narrowing of the nerves and stenosis as well. I deal with left leg pain/numbness and creepy crawlies and back pain every day. I take Ultram 50mg 1-2x a day and that doesn't cut it as much anymore to go to sleep. I tried the PT but we all know the results of that and he worries that doing the shots will allow me to do more and since I wont feel the pain that I may hurt myself worse.

Doc - yes, why did you opt out?

Candlegirl, I'm interested in the answers you get as well. I started out on Ultram with high hopes, but as you say, it just doesn't cut it.

I really need to make a note of where I posted this before....

I have severe osteoarthritis the whole length of my spine. Bone spurs, Degenerative Disk Disease, Spondylosis/damaged disks (bone on bone), Stenosis at the top (c5-c7) & bottom (l5/s1 w/ annular tear).

I chose against surgery for the same reasons most folks here advise against it (but before I ever found this place), and my spinal surgeon (at a major medical center) advised against it, as the risks of being the same/worse were greater than being better. Also, back surgery is the only surgery I know of that fails so often they have a name for it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Failed_back_syndrome

I didn't like those odds. Since then some things have deteriorated, and some have healed naturally (as my doctor told me they would). I continue to do PT exercises, myofascial trigger point and deep tissue massage; TENS & traction when needed.

Doc

Sorry for your woes, doc. What healed naturally?
Do you have good people around for support? I surely hope you do!

Woes? You asked!

It's hard to describe what healed. My neck, while getting worse in some respects, has gotten better in others - some from improved posture & habits. There are different ways it can occur (though none of these describe what my doctor said or what I feel):
Google: natural healing spine

Yes, I've posted the schematic of my support network many times now - it looks something like this (without the far righthand element):
© 2007 Used with Permission

Attached Thumbnails

 

I have Degenerative Disc Disease throughout my whole spine. I have had 3 spinal surgeries, and one of them was S1-L3 Lumbar Fusion. This was about 7 years ago and I have had very little issues in my Lumbar Spine since then. My surgeon is a Neurosurgeon - not an Orthapedic.

Recovery was tough, but so worth it. You will need help for the first couple of weeks at home - you should not be home alone. Getting out of bed, out of a chair and any steps will be a challenge, but you should be able to do it before you leave the hospital. The most Pain I had was from the incisions and muscles, not the procedure itself.

Try to slowly cut back on your pain meds soon after surgery so you don't go through withdrawls if you have been on them a long time. (I was on Percocet and Morphine for 2 years before my first surgery, and for about 6 months before my other two surgeries) Right now, I am just taking advil or Tylenol to help with some of the aches I have.

Don't over due anything - you may feel like you can pick something heavy up or go for a long walk or something, but you will get tired and winded quick, and then you will be twice as sore later on. Sleep when you can because it won't be for long periods of time because of pain and soreness, but eventually that will get better. I was out of work for over 3 months on each of my surgeries.

My last surgery was in 2010 on Thoracic and Cervical spine. I know I will have more surgeries down the line because of the disease. With that said, I don't take any chances and try to prolong the inevidible as much as possible!

Good Luck with everything!

I had a cervical fusion with titanium plate & screws on C5, C6, C7 March 2011. I'm slightly better in the neck area, but my peripheral neuropathy in my right hand is worse then ever. I am told I still need another surgery on my ulnar nerve for a double crush. But anyways, to your questions....

I am a pretty athletic and tough cookie, and I thought I would breeze through recovery, I was very wrong. I needed quite a bit of help for the first 3 weeks. Sleeping was the most difficult, finding a comfortable position mostly, I was in a hard cervical collar for 8 1/2 weeks, was not allowed to take it off at all, even showered with it. Raising my hands above my head was nearly impossible, my husband washed and dried my hair for me for a month. I had difficulty swallowing, but this subsided after about 6 wks, and had very little strength. I was always feeling exhausted. But probably after affects of anesthetic.

I made and froze homemade soups, stews and chili so I didn't have to cook or bother my hubby that much. Keep some bendy straws and cool drinks by your bed and lots of throat lozenges. Take your pain meds exactly as you are told to, don't wait until you are in horrible pain, by then its too late. Don't lift, don't bend or twist, just relax, read and watch lots of movies and TV. First 3 weeks is the hardest then slowly add some things to your day. Don't overdo anything. Be very gentle and kind on your body.

I had a really nice spring day about 4 weeks after surgery and decided to go for a long walk outside, I was in excruciating pain for 4 days afterwards. Felt great while I was walking though. Ended up back in ER for this. Usually anything you do has after affects, so take it easy and slow.

What kept my sanity? My iPad, I was able to prop it up and play some games and watch lots of movies. And I had my family with me to keep me company and try to make me laugh about it.

Good luck to you, post afterwards when you can so we can see how you are coming along.

Take care,
Cathie

Isn't that a little like saying, "The fall didn't hurt - it was hitting the GROUND"?

Doc