driving

[Guest guest]

,

I was back driving at 8 weeks. DrRand seemed mostly concerned that I

not have myself in a situation that required twisting or turning...as

in highway driving where you need to look to see before changing

lanes, or attempting to parallel park. He mentioned that it wouldn't

be a good idea to get hit! Around here the driving is pretty slow and

there is no highway driving so it seemed doable. I will say when I

drove off-island at around 16 weeks I did not like the feeling of not

being able to turn to look on the highway...and I haven't done it

since. I will probably drive this summer when we go off, now that I

have a handle on how to move my whole body around to look!

Cam

[Guest guest]

Local driving about 8 weeks. I got the ok from the docs to drive even though I was on medication. The meds never made mesleepy, dizzy, or anythong else that would effect driving.

Bonnie

[ ] driving

Can any recovery patient tell me how long before they were driving? Val

[Guest guest]

Cam,

I always had very limited ability to twist anyway. So moving

the whole body to see in back is the norm for me. i'll wait and

see if Glazer will write the letter. I hope so. Insanity is settling

in and I am not sure hunnie can stick this out much longer.

>

> ,

>

> I was back driving at 8 weeks. DrRand seemed mostly concerned that

I

> not have myself in a situation that required twisting or

turning...as

> in highway driving where you need to look to see before changing

> lanes, or attempting to parallel park. He mentioned that it

wouldn't

> be a good idea to get hit! Around here the driving is pretty slow

and

> there is no highway driving so it seemed doable. I will say when I

> drove off-island at around 16 weeks I did not like the feeling of

not

> being able to turn to look on the highway...and I haven't done it

> since. I will probably drive this summer when we go off, now that

I

> have a handle on how to move my whole body around to look!

>

> Cam

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

I changed vehicles also. I now drive a

Buick Rendezvous with running boards. It makes driving so much easier and is

great for NH winters.

Nikki in NH

From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Saturday, July 01, 2006

11:10 PM

Joint Replacement

Subject:

Driving

I have had such a difficult time driving, well, not the

actual " driving " part, but getting in and out of the car. I had

a 2004 Chevy Impala. Gorgeous car, but for me and my bad hips and knees,

it was getting to be a drag if I had to get in the car and go somewhere,

wearing my brace on my leg, trying to get in the car and OUT was such a pain, I

just stopped wearing it if I had to go anywhere. Sort of defeats the purpose of

wearing the brace! KWIM?! :-))

My husband just bought a new Chevy S-10 and had me drive it

last week and he took my car to work. I got in and out of his truck so

much easier. I told him that I would trade, him. He wouldn't give

up his little truck!

Today we headed off to Sam's Club to buy Steaks to cook out

for the 4th while they still had some nice steaks to get... we drove by the

Chevy dealer, and he commented on the 2006 year end clearance / 0 percent

financing etc... they had one silver truck left! We test drove it, 4

hours later we had our steaks, three bags of groceries and a new chevy truck in

the driveway! I traded in my Impala, gosh that was an awesome car.

But this Colorado

is so easy to get in and out of. I don't have to lay half way over into

the next seat to get my legs in the car, or to get out. I just open

the door, my legs swing out like a lady :-)) and then I just step out.

Not to encourage anyone to go out and spend money, but... IF

you are looking to buy a vehicle anyway, and you have problems getting your

legs in and out like me, try a pick up truck. We bought the Chevy

Colorado Crew Cab, I wanted to have the extra passenger seating in the back,

plus if you go shopping and it rains, your bread doesn't get wet! LOL...

I wanted to add this also, I locked my knee brace in to

0 degrees, and it took me a little longer to get int eh truck, but could do so

and still drive, with the Impala, it was practically impossible. This is

good to know for me, as my OS seems to feel the only way I am going to get any

permanent pain relief is by doing a fusion. The ligaments in my knee is

shot and I do not feel I have any hope in having a " real " life

again. I can't even walk my dog without fear of falling, my leg shoots

out from under me if I just step down a little crooked.

What else can be done to your knee? The bone is shot, they

[ut a rod inplant in my shin and now it's loose, arthritis has deteriorate the

bone to the point my OS can't do much else with it, or is there any other

proceedure that can be done, that maybe he just doesn't know about? I cry

everynight fearing the worst, that I will have to have my leg fused, and never

be able to bend it again.

Any suggestions?

[Guest guest]

I have a Chevy Uplander which is a SUV/Mini Van I love it. I don;t have to climb up or down to get in. I wish my mom would drive it when taking me to PT because her Honda is hard to get in and out of.

Kim

[Guest guest]

I got a new car also, not so much for getting in and out of, but for

driving. My old Suburu Forester was manual shift and it really got to

my knees. Now I have a Prius and it's so much easier to drive. My

husband has a Ford 150 truck and I have a harder time getting in and

out of that, it's so high off the ground.

Judy

>

> I have had such a difficult time driving, well, not the actual

" driving " part, but getting in and out of the car. I had a 2004 Chevy

Impala. Gorgeous car, but for me and my bad hips and knees, it was

getting to be a drag if I had to get in the car and go somewhere,

wearing my brace on my leg, trying to get in the car and OUT was such

a pain, I just stopped wearing it if I had to go anywhere. Sort of

defeats the purpose of wearing the brace! KWIM?! :-))

>

> My husband just bought a new Chevy S-10 and had me drive it last

week and he took my car to work. I got in and out of his truck so

much easier. I told him that I would trade, him. He wouldn't give up

his little truck!

>

> Today we headed off to Sam's Club to buy Steaks to cook out for the

4th while they still had some nice steaks to get... we drove by the

Chevy dealer, and he commented on the 2006 year end clearance / 0

percent financing etc... they had one silver truck left! We test

drove it, 4 hours later we had our steaks, three bags of groceries and

a new chevy truck in the driveway! I traded in my Impala, gosh that

was an awesome car. But this Colorado is so easy to get in and out

of. I don't have to lay half way over into the next seat to get my

legs in the car, or to get out. I just open the door, my legs swing

out like a lady :-)) and then I just step out.

>

> Not to encourage anyone to go out and spend money, but... IF you are

looking to buy a vehicle anyway, and you have problems getting your

legs in and out like me, try a pick up truck. We bought the Chevy

Colorado Crew Cab, I wanted to have the extra passenger seating in the

back, plus if you go shopping and it rains, your bread doesn't get

wet! LOL...

>

> I wanted to add this also, I locked my knee brace in to 0 degrees,

and it took me a little longer to get int eh truck, but could do so

and still drive, with the Impala, it was practically impossible. This

is good to know for me, as my OS seems to feel the only way I am going

to get any permanent pain relief is by doing a fusion. The ligaments

in my knee is shot and I do not feel I have any hope in having a

" real " life again. I can't even walk my dog without fear of falling,

my leg shoots out from under me if I just step down a little crooked.

>

> What else can be done to your knee? The bone is shot, they [ut a rod

inplant in my shin and now it's loose, arthritis has deteriorate the

bone to the point my OS can't do much else with it, or is there any

other proceedure that can be done, that maybe he just doesn't know

about? I cry everynight fearing the worst, that I will have to have

my leg fused, and never be able to bend it again.

>

> Any suggestions?

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sherrie,

You are doing great!!!!! I am not driving yet per doctors orders he said I had to wait 4 weeks post op. I may have to try sooner. I am hoping my energy level will be a lot better once I start out patient PT tomorrow. I have had home PT for the last 2 weeks. We went out yesterday for and hour and a half and I was so tired when we got home.

I am wondering if it has something to do with me losing blood and having to get a transfusion and still my red blood count being low when I left the hospital.

I also have a hard time getting comfortable at night.

Keep up the good work Sherrie.

Kim

[Guest guest]

Hi, my husband bought me a little Ford Ranger and I love it. It's much easier than a car.

[Guest guest]

I drive our Saturn Vue, which is a smaller SUV. It's pretty easy to

get in and out of. We also have a Dodge van which is the one my

husband drives. My OS told me I could try driving at about 5 weeks I

think but of course not when taking my meds. I only drove down the

street to PT and I did take my Vicodin then....I know, bad Debi!!

But to go see my OS is an hour away, so I had someone drive me for

about the first 2 months till I was more comfortable driving a longer

distance.

When I go grocery shopping I just let my husband take in all the

heavy stuff. Tomorrow I'm gonna make my first trip to Wal Mart since

my surgery. I figure as long as I have the shopping cart in front of

me for a buffer I'll do okay. And hey, if I get really tired I'll go

get one of those cool little scooters to use!!

Deb

>

> I have a ford 5oo it is so easy to get in and out of I was suprised

I have not had any trouble driving .I haven't tried to get in hubbys

truck yet. It felt good to go out to a resturant to eat I also went

shopping for just a little bit today. I think that I am ready to take

over the grocery shopping I will just let hubby carry in all the non

cold stuff when he gets home. sherrie

>

[Guest guest]

Sherrie,

Yes, I am taking Iron. I am having a hard time reducing the pain meds......exspecialy at night. I seem to be so sore at night.

I am going to see if mom wants to go out to eat for lunch before PT. I just need to start getting out of the house.

I will also try going for a walk in the evening.

I am proud of myself.....I am up got a shower, checking email and fixing my hair and putting makeup on.

Just talked to mom we are going to get lunch. So I guess I better finish getting ready.

Kim

[Guest guest]

Kim You may be right on about your blood count Have you talked to your doctor?I know what you mean about the night time.I am sleeping in the guest bedroom because I move so much during the night trying to get comfortable it is the only way hubby can gewt anysleep.I look forward to when I can finaly sleep at night so I can go back to my kingsize bed.It is so commfy.I have been going for small walks outside that seems to make me feel better.,Kim are you taking iron? sherrie Sherrie, You are doing great!!!!! I am not driving yet per doctors orders he said I had to wait 4 weeks post op. I may have to try sooner. I am hoping my energy level will be a lot better once I start out patient PT tomorrow. I have had home PT for the last 2 weeks. We went out yesterday for and hour and a half and I was so tired when we got home. I am wondering if it has something to do with me losing blood and having to get a transfusion and still my red blood count being low when I left the hospital. I also have a hard time getting comfortable at night. Keep up the good work Sherrie. Kim God

bless all our heros PMSM LCPL JOSH India 2nd plt.

Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

[Guest guest]

I am glad I amnot alone with the pain meds. I had to do the blood thinner shots and Thursday was my last day.

The shots were not to bad hubby did then and never once hurt me.

Talk to you soon.

Kim

[Guest guest]

Kim I to am still on pain meds usally at night and 1 before I go to PT.Sounds like you are improving coming right along enjoy lunch with your Mom. I have 2 more days on the machine then it will be picked up I am sick of it I am ready to walk instead though you know that did give me a good excuse to lay for hours and read lol boring 2 more days on blood thinner then I am through with it and the weekly blood test so that is good also. take care sherrie

God bless all our heros

PMSM

LCPL JOSH

India 2nd plt.

Re: Re: Driving

Sherrie,

Yes, I am taking Iron. I am having a hard time reducing the pain meds......exspecialy at night. I seem to be so sore at night.

I am going to see if mom wants to go out to eat for lunch before PT. I just need to start getting out of the house.

I will also try going for a walk in the evening.

I am proud of myself.....I am up got a shower, checking email and fixing my hair and putting makeup on.

Just talked to mom we are going to get lunch. So I guess I better finish getting ready.

Kim

[Guest guest]

Thank you......I guess I was just hoping I could cut back. MY OS wanted me to stop taking one of my pain meds and I told him Ijust couldn't right now.

Thanks for your input.

Kim

[Guest guest]

kendrick,

you have hit upon a kind of pet peeve of mine! why is everyone in a rush to get off of pain meds??

if your replacement still causes pain then you need to take them. if you don't then you are less likely

to be active and do your exercises.

if you are taking too many, taking them too often, or at six months still taking the same amount as at

six days post op then you have a problem!!! maybe they need to change the meds you are taking, some

don't work well on different people. talk to your dr. and tell him what is happening, let him know what your concerns are and see if he has anything to say.

maybe i shouldn't get worked up over this but i do. the media has put such a negative spin on pain meds

that everyone thinks they are all evil. without mine i would spend a lot of time in a wheelchair or even worse

so does that make me a bad person??

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/27/2006 8:13:34 PM Eastern Standard Time, pudgyaunt99@... writes:

having a tkr next week -- 5 weeks post surgery i need to drive about 5-6 hours -- it is my left knee that is being done -- i haven't

You should be fine! I am 5 weeks post-op (left Knee) and have no problem driving at all....I drove for 3 hours last weekend and I brought an ice pack with me to wrap the knee as I was driving....and i asked my PT for some exercises to do while driving....

At 2 weeks post-op, I was driven to a family reunion 6 hours away....my daughter drove me, but I did fine in the passenger seat....again I took my ice with me, but did fine....It got stiff, but it was OK...

denise

[Guest guest]

Since it is your left knee I would guess your doctor will ok you

driving if your recovery is on schedule.

On Sep 27, 2006, at 5:09 PM, miltmay_33 wrote:

> i am having a tkr next week -- 5 weeks post surgery i need to drive

> about 5-6 hours -- it is my left knee that is being done -- i haven't

> talked to the surgeon yet but plan to -- but have any of you had this

> kind of experience -- and do you think it gonna be possible -- the

> driving can be broken up and i can stop as often as needed and where

> it

> is left knee it would be a matter of stiffness i think -- any opinions

> or hints? thanks a bunch, alice

>

>

" If God brings you to it He will bring you through it. "

[Guest guest]

Hi Alice,

I will agree with , you'll be fine with the drive, although you

might want to figure in an extra hour for a couple of rest stops to

get out of the car & move your leg around a bit...Your knee might get

stiff from lack of motion, but if you can excercise it a little here

& there while driving, well, that will help...It's all about

your 'comfort level'...Your driving will not be affected(although

you'll have to be off your Meds for the duration)...But while you are

driving you'll be okay,,,,it's the transitional movements that will

give you cause to pause...IE: Drive & sit, sit, sit,,,,Park the car

and transition from sitting to standing, stretch, ouch, ouch & then

Ahh, that feels better!

Bob

>

>

> In a message dated 9/27/2006 8:13:34 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> pudgyaunt99@... writes:

>

> having a tkr next week -- 5 weeks post surgery i need to drive

> about 5-6 hours -- it is my left knee that is being done -- i

haven't

>

>

>

> You should be fine! I am 5 weeks post-op (left Knee) and have no

problem

> driving at all....I drove for 3 hours last weekend and I brought an

ice pack

> with me to wrap the knee as I was driving....and i asked my PT for

some

> exercises to do while driving....

>

> At 2 weeks post-op, I was driven to a family reunion 6 hours

away....my

> daughter drove me, but I did fine in the passenger seat....again I

took my ice

> with me, but did fine....It got stiff, but it was OK...

>

> denise

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

I am 4 weeks post op after a R TKR and driving all over the place

My thoughts are that I shouldn't have been driving pre op anyway due to pain and disability

If you are sure you can slam your foot on the brake if required to do so you are ok

Do a few practice trips first

You will be surprised how different if feels but check with insurance company if I stack the car before 6 weeks is up I don't think I am covered but what choice do I have

Aussie

-- Driving

i am having a tkr next week -- 5 weeks post surgery i need to drive about 5-6 hours -- it is my left knee that is being done -- i haven't talked to the surgeon yet but plan to -- but have any of you had this kind of experience -- and do you think it gonna be possible -- the driving can be broken up and i can stop as often as needed and where it is left knee it would be a matter of stiffness i think -- any opinions or hints? thanks a bunch, alice__________ NOD32 1.1782 (20060928) Information __________This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.http://www.eset.com__________ NOD32 1.1782 (20060928) Information __________This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.http://www.eset.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/27/2006 7:32:22 P.M. Central Daylight Time, meuw@... writes:

Since it is your left knee I would guess your doctor will ok you driving if your recovery is on schedule.On Sep 27, 2006, at 5:09 PM, miltmay_33 wrote:

Hi, I would think that it would be OK. It will get stiff and swell.

[Guest guest]

Hi , My revision only ( !!! ) consisted of a posterior incision

this last time so I know if you are having both Ant/Post it may be

different for you. Dr Boachie would not approve driving for 2 or 3

mts

& am embarrassed to say I didn't listen to him. I was driving again

by

6wks post op.....................but it was painful & very hard to

get

in & out of most vechiles, though the actual driving itself was not

too bad.

I had a really upsetting experience 5

days

after my revision. I have had many, many surgeries before my revision

&

nothing like this had ever happened to me before. Before my revision

I

was in excruciating pain. My dr had me on MS Contin but even with

that

it barely dented it. My dr added Xanax & a yr before surgery I went

on

Welbutrin to help me quit smoking. So when I was admitted I had been

on these meds for quite some time. I had been doing ok after

surgery.

I was admitted on a Thursday & had my surgery that day. Due to a

punctured dura I was kept in the recovery room an extra 2 days & was

not transferred to a step down unit until Sunday. By Tuesday I

finally

made it to a regular room. I was off the pain pump, had my foley out

&

was doing relatively well for all I had gone through. I was really

happy as even though I had not been out of bed yet I could tell I was

straight again. I remember meeting my room mate & talking to my mom

on

the phone. The next thing I remember it was 2 days later & I was in

ICU with my hands restrained. The hospital had even

hired round the clock nurses to stay with me. I found out later that

they thought I had a stroke but after doing an MRI they ruled that

out. I do know I was so out of it I could not even sign my name &

they had to fax my husband a consent form as Sat I had sent him home

to PA. I had had Grand Mal seizures due to SIX MD'S in Pain

Management cold turkeying me off of the Xanax & Welbutrin. Never in

my life had I had any type of seizures so we are sure it was from

this. I lost my memory for quite awhile & even when I got home from

rehab was not myself for a very, very long time. I know I never

would have been driving so soon after surgery if I had been myself.

I am an RN & know much better than that. Needless to say it was a

very upsetting situation.

In Nov my husband went out & bought me a small SUV & it was much

easier to get in & out of that. After this type of surgery I believe

most regular cars are difficult to get in & out of. I am sure your

dr wil tell you when u can drive again, and hopefully after surgery

your leg will not go numb anymore and you will have alot less pain.

Take Care,

Diane

>

> I wanted to find out if anybody has any diffuculty driving after

> revision?

> Its been on my mind lately because I do commute to work, currently

I

am

> having a hard time driving, it does cause my leg to go numb and the

> pain to increase.

> which of course is making me take off more.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I have a Jimmy SUV and driving was quite comfortable. I had A/P

surgery and the problem I had was the shift in the hips getting in and

out of the truck would cause a spasm of unbearable magnitute if

manuvering wasn't just right. Getting in was more difficult as it is

difficult to keep the hips even. Getting out I could use the handle

above the door and shift my legs at the same time. I suffered this

getting in and out of the golf cart all last summer too. Eventually

it passed but it took months. I have no more difficulty now than I

had before with shifting and seeing out the windows and such.

Actually, when I was allowed to drive, I took rides because I could

relax just a bit in the drivers seat than any chair in the house LOL

> >

> > I wanted to find out if anybody has any diffuculty driving after

> > revision?

> > Its been on my mind lately because I do commute to work,

currently

> I

> am

> > having a hard time driving, it does cause my leg to go numb and

the

> > pain to increase.

> > which of course is making me take off more.

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Diane, That is awful what happened to you............When my daughter (who has special needs) had recent scoloisis surgery I made sure that the her doctor and the nursing staff at the hospital were informed of her current medication prior to her having surgery, they put it on her chart so they can be ordered for her when she was in the hospital I was very nervous about it because I had read so many times people can have very bad side effects if they stop taking them. Well anyways guess what happened her medication was not ordered on her first night there, well I had brought them with me so I was still able to give them to her. Thank you for your well wishes. (home today water heater leak)"Diane B." <roziedb@...> wrote: Hi , My revision only ( !!! ) consisted of a posterior incision this last time so I know if you are having both Ant/Post it may be different for you. Dr Boachie would not approve driving for 2 or 3 mts & am embarrassed to say I didn't listen to him. I was driving again by 6wks post op.....................but it was painful & very hard to get in & out of most vechiles, though the actual driving itself was not too bad. I had a really upsetting experience 5 days after my revision. I have had many, many surgeries before my revision & nothing like this had ever happened to me before. Before my

revision I was in excruciating pain. My dr had me on MS Contin but even with that it barely dented it. My dr added Xanax & a yr before surgery I went on Welbutrin to help me quit smoking. So when I was admitted I had been on these meds for quite some time. I had been doing ok after surgery. I was admitted on a Thursday & had my surgery that day. Due to a punctured dura I was kept in the recovery room an extra 2 days & was not transferred to a step down unit until Sunday. By Tuesday I finally made it to a regular room. I was off the pain pump, had my foley out & was doing relatively well for all I had gone through. I was really happy as even though I had not been out of bed yet I could tell I was straight again. I remember meeting my room mate & talking to my mom on the phone. The next thing I remember it was 2 days later & I was in ICU with my hands restrained. The

hospital had even hired round the clock nurses to stay with me. I found out later that they thought I had a stroke but after doing an MRI they ruled that out. I do know I was so out of it I could not even sign my name & they had to fax my husband a consent form as Sat I had sent him home to PA. I had had Grand Mal seizures due to SIX MD'S in Pain Management cold turkeying me off of the Xanax & Welbutrin. Never in my life had I had any type of seizures so we are sure it was from this. I lost my memory for quite awhile & even when I got home from rehab was not myself for a very, very long time. I know I never would have been driving so soon after surgery if I had been myself. I am an RN & know much better than that. Needless to say it was a very upsetting situation. In Nov my husband went out & bought me a small SUV & it was much easier to get in & out of that. After this type of surgery I

believe most regular cars are difficult to get in & out of. I am sure your dr wil tell you when u can drive again, and hopefully after surgery your leg will not go numb anymore and you will have alot less pain.Take Care,Diane>> I wanted to find out if anybody has any diffuculty driving after > revision?> Its been on my mind lately because I do commute to work, currently I am > having a hard time driving, it does cause my leg to go numb and the > pain to increase. > which of course is making me take off more.> > >

Don't pick lemons.

See all the new 2007 cars at Autos.

[Guest guest]

Hi , Thanx for responding. Sorry you have a broken water heater

but it gave you a day off anyway I put it EVERYWHERE that I

was on these meds. I was on a Fentanyl Drip after surgery so I was

to out of it to even think about things like that & my husband Jim

assumed since it was listed in at least 6 places on my chart that

they would give me the meds I needed. We had lost my husband's only

child at age 27(my step-son since he was 5 )in a car accident about

18 months before my surgery, then we lost my husband's mother the

Easter before my surgery. Also while I was in the hospital my

husband had to move us from a house we had lived in for 25 yrs to my

mother in laws house. My husband was not in the best of shape himself

as six months after losing Jimmy he was diagnosed with Post

Traumatic Stress Disorder. I was doing so well that the Sat after

surgery I sent him home to PA. He had been staying in a hotel next

to the hospital & it was rather expensive. Neither him or I gave the

meds a thought until after I had seizures then we figured out rather

quicly why it happened. Neither one of us blames Dr Boachie as the

SIX MD's that compromise Pain Management were responsible for my

meds. But u know looking bk at all of it I had 2 female MD's as well

as general drs & you think they would have noticed, plus all of the

nurses should have known as the meds I was on pre-op were written

everywhere. I am an RN & I know if something was not right it was up

to me to notice & point it out to the dr. I get so angry just

thinking about all I went through & it all could have been avoided.

It took me until lately to even feel like myself again. I did tell

Cam but did not want to say too much because I did not want to scare

anyone facing surgery. I did call Rob before his surgery as he was

going to the same hospital & might have had the same pain management

team I had. He was not on any medication though that could cause a

problem if stopped abruptly. It is a very good thing you were so

vigilant regaring your daughters meds. I hope she is now doing well.

Take Care,

Diane-- In

,

Streeff <astreeff@...> wrote:

>

> Diane,

> That is awful what happened to you............When my daughter

(who has special needs) had recent scoloisis surgery I made sure that

the her doctor and the nursing staff at the hospital were informed of

her current medication prior to her having surgery, they put it on

her chart so they can be ordered for her when she was in the hospital

I was very nervous about it because I had read so many times people

can have very bad side effects if they stop taking them.

> Well anyways guess what happened her medication was not ordered

on her first night there, well I had brought them with me so I was

still able to give them to her.

> Thank you for your well wishes.

> (home today water heater leak)

>

> " Diane B. " <roziedb@...> wrote:

> Hi , My revision only ( !!! ) consisted of a

posterior incision

> this last time so I know if you are having both Ant/Post it may be

> different for you. Dr Boachie would not approve driving for 2 or 3

> mts

> & am embarrassed to say I didn't listen to him. I was driving again

> by

> 6wks post op.....................but it was painful & very hard to

> get

> in & out of most vechiles, though the actual driving itself was not

> too bad.

> I had a really upsetting experience 5

> days

> after my revision. I have had many, many surgeries before my

revision

> &

> nothing like this had ever happened to me before. Before my

revision

> I

> was in excruciating pain. My dr had me on MS Contin but even with

> that

> it barely dented it. My dr added Xanax & a yr before surgery I went

> on

> Welbutrin to help me quit smoking. So when I was admitted I had

been

> on these meds for quite some time. I had been doing ok after

> surgery.

> I was admitted on a Thursday & had my surgery that day. Due to a

> punctured dura I was kept in the recovery room an extra 2 days &

was

> not transferred to a step down unit until Sunday. By Tuesday I

> finally

> made it to a regular room. I was off the pain pump, had my foley

out

> &

> was doing relatively well for all I had gone through. I was really

> happy as even though I had not been out of bed yet I could tell I

was

> straight again. I remember meeting my room mate & talking to my mom

> on

> the phone. The next thing I remember it was 2 days later & I was in

> ICU with my hands restrained. The hospital had even

> hired round the clock nurses to stay with me. I found out later

that

> they thought I had a stroke but after doing an MRI they ruled that

> out. I do know I was so out of it I could not even sign my name &

> they had to fax my husband a consent form as Sat I had sent him

home

> to PA. I had had Grand Mal seizures due to SIX MD'S in Pain

> Management cold turkeying me off of the Xanax & Welbutrin. Never in

> my life had I had any type of seizures so we are sure it was from

> this. I lost my memory for quite awhile & even when I got home from

> rehab was not myself for a very, very long time. I know I never

> would have been driving so soon after surgery if I had been myself.

> I am an RN & know much better than that. Needless to say it was a

> very upsetting situation.

> In Nov my husband went out & bought me a small SUV & it was much

> easier to get in & out of that. After this type of surgery I

believe

> most regular cars are difficult to get in & out of. I am sure your

> dr wil tell you when u can drive again, and hopefully after surgery

> your leg will not go numb anymore and you will have alot less pain.

> Take Care,

> Diane

>

> >

> > I wanted to find out if anybody has any diffuculty driving after

> > revision?

> > Its been on my mind lately because I do commute to work,

currently

> I

> am

> > having a hard time driving, it does cause my leg to go numb and

the

> > pain to increase.

> > which of course is making me take off more.

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Don't pick lemons.

> See all the new 2007 cars at Autos.

>

[Guest guest]

,

I think it is reasonable to expect to return to driving...but it

probably will not be right after surgery, and there are a number of

reasons why it wouldn't be all that safe early on. Your doctor will

give you an expectation...but I don't think you will find yourself

doing much more than around town, local driving for close to 12 weeks

after surgery if you are fused to the sacrum. Until that fusion

starts to come together it is pretty critical that you not attempt to

twist.

The vehicle itself will matter too. Most of us, depending on our

height, have found an SUV style car or a minivan more comfortable to

get in and out of...they tend to be higher off the groud and have big

and tall doors that you can get in and our of without whacking your

head (since you can't bend at the waist any longer). You will also

notice that no car seat has enough lumbar support for your new and

permanant lordosis. A small pillow will almost certainly become a

fixture in your car. With time, you will be able to do without a

pillow...but if you are travelling long distances or commuting you

will probably prefer to have one.

We have a Honda CR-v and a small ford ranger pickup. I can say that

even though it is not painful, I detest driving in the truck

nowadays. I believe this is because there is very little adjustment

available in the seat angles and I just feel unnatural in the

position the seat is in. I don't know if this is really something you

can anticipate before you get your " new body " posture. I will say

that you really will want to have a vehicle that has a hand hold over

the door forever to facilitating getting in and out of the car. In

the early post surgery days it is necessary to do it without

twisting...and later on it is useful because it makes it easier to

swing out and upright without the " bend " .

Long story short....I bet by the time you are cleared to return to

work, with any luck, with the right vehicle, driving should be

possible, if not completely comfortable at first. I think I noticed

every bump and irregularity in the road for the first 6 months...then

it stopped.

Take Care, Cam