I know its only been 2 weeks since my Laminectomy but the pain is starting to become prominent again in my shin, hip and buttock. It maybe time is needed before the nerves heal and the random but constant pain is gone as i hope or the surgery hasn't worked. Those of you that know me know I'm not soft and I'm greatful for everything in my life but to know that nothing has changed is, well.......
I am coming off Lyrica and painkillers, they have helped but also been bad and i don't want to have to go back to them to cope.
...... Sorry for the self pity... but this place is the absolute best for understanding and support.

But as I always like to finish,
There are terrible things happening around the world at the moment, I'm truly lucky to have my beautiful girls and understanding wife. my concerns are small.
Phil


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It's way too soon to get off the pain meds! You will need them for PT. Phil you have a long road ahead of you. Hang in there
David


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Your nerves have been squashed and moved around and are not happy!
Months of pre op pain does not disappear with the knife.
The relief you feel instantly is great but you are full of anaesthetic. It takes upto 6 weeks for it to leave your body completely.
It is going to remain painful for some time but please do not give up. Physio is painful! You will need your meds. You need to come off Lyrica very very slowly. This could be affecting your mood if you are dropping quickly.

Thanks David and Blair, I'm glad I spoke up. Nothing much was said about my Meds so I assumed that I just came off the Lyica slowly. I was taking 225 mg a day and now 75 mg a day. My anaesthetist said because I had been taking them for only around 4-5 months and not a year i wouldn't have any problems coming off it. Hmmmmm. My Surgeon put me only on paracetamol when I left the hospital.
I see my GP this morning to have the dressing removed so will seek his advice. I also have my follow up with the surgeon in 3 weeks so will have plenty of questions for him.

Thanks again Blair and David, sorry for the dummy spit, you both have given me the right information and advice that I didn't have. Now I know what to expect and that it hasn't been a failure.

Phil.


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Hi Phil,
I've just moved away so haven't been online as much recently as I've been so busy. Please remember that it's early days. Don't go overdoing it. Everything that Blairzo and David have said makes perfect sense. I hope the visit goes well with your GP today and that might make you feel better about the stage of recovery that you're in at the moment.

take care there.

Thanks Lara, yes I may have been doing a few things at home that I shouldn't. Just can't lay around all the time. Even with the walking Its just against my grain to not do much. Might be a bit of ADHD I think. But I know that I have to lay low and will do my best.
Hope the move went well and surely your still living in our beautiful state.
Thanks again Lara
Phil.


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I know you have trouble sitting still and that bicycle is calling your name.

Yes, I'm a Queenslander through and through.
I drove all the way up here with my daughter sharing the driving. It was a long and tiring trip but we split it into 2 and a 1/4 days so that we'd be safe to drive and not overtired.

I'd forgotten how breathtakingly beautiful the drive north to Cairns really is and I'm so glad we drove and didn't fly. It was amazing to see places rebuilt after Yasi and others.

Cardwell is in great condition again although lots of palm trees and such missing of course. Having seen the footage of what the Bruce Highway looked like back then, it's just hard to imagine now with it all fixed. Unreal. I'm living in front of that picture in my avatar. Life is good again. I've come back to where I grew up and I don't want to live anywhere else. I never cease to remember how fortunate we are to live where we do.

I'm glad to hear. Yes we are very lucky to live where we do. Enjoy.
Phil

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Just returned from my GP. He pretty well repeated the exact words as David, Blairzo and Lara.
A lot of cutting away and cleaning up around the nerve has left it and area with inflammation. Also the cutting out of the Latima bone also needs to heal.
He said I shouldn't have reduced and nearly cut out the Lyrica. I should remain on my original 225mg per day until the nerve and surrounding area has healed.
He also said when I return to the surgeon in 3 weeks he will probably send me for another spinal nerve injection to reduce the inflammation.

I feel so relieved because of the returned pain I was thinking the surgery was not successful or I had damaged it by doing a little too much.
Thanks again for great support and helpful direction from you all.


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Hi Phil

Glad you got the advice you needed - I was going to suggest you talk to the pharmacist about tapering meds - they usually have good info.

I know it's hard to not do anything but you may also want to keep in mind that doing excessive activity in the heat of summer may cause additional swelling, increased nerve pressure etc. Try limiting necessary physical activity to the cooler mornings and keep hydrated.

Wishing you patience and continued healing.