Hello all

[Guest guest]

sounds normal, I haven't heard of anyone who's pain free with our condition. If

you hear of anyone like that please let me know cause I want to find out what

their on some i can take some of that too. Try swimming laps for an hour a day.

You won't be able to do this at first but keep at it. Just the bouancy of the

water will give your body a break.

>

> Hello Twisted Spine Sisters,

> I was wondering if I am healing normally. Should I still be feeling pain 3

months out?

> Now that I'm off the narcotics and the numb spots are starting to come alive,

I'm having a lot of pain at night, 8-10pm. I can't take Tylenol this late

because it keeps me up for hours.

>

> During the day, I feel OK, not great, but generally very little pain. Its the

opposite of before the surgery. Before I could lay down and it would relieve the

pain. Now laying down seems to exacerbate the pain. And when I try to lay on my

side, I get very sore.

>

> How long before you guys were able to go an entire day and night without any

pain? Should I be worried?

> -Dyann

>

[Guest guest]

my surgery was in 1966 and was major I have two rods the run the ful length of my back. I had a rib removed from my lung and a bone graft to make my shoulder blades the same size. I do not have any pain--I do not have flatback--I do everything. My big trip was just finished in April where I toured the USA on my motorcycle. I have had two successful full term pregnancies.

I read all the posting on this site and am amazed at some of the problems others have and it bothers me to answer back to some of these people..

From: "mwolfe34@..." <mwolfe34@...> Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2009 11:26:00 AMSubject: Re: [ ] Re: Hello All

That's good that you haven't experienced any pain. You mention that your surgery was done many years ago, as have many of ours. What levels did you have surgery on? Did you ever have any children?

Dell Deals: Treat yourself to a sweet deal on popular laptops!

Make your browsing faster, safer, and easier with the new Internet Explorer® 8. Optimized for Get it Now for Free!

[Guest guest]

Try the herbal tea called "Smooth Move." Found at most health food stores. Works like a charm!!!

From: glennparts <glennparts@...>Subject: [ ] Hello All Date: Monday, September 28, 2009, 1:10 PM

It's been almost two weeks since the surgery and I haven't posted nearly as much as I thought I would. Here's a bit of how things have gone though.After the operation I had low blood pressure and very high heart rate issues for a couple of days. I ended up receiving three units of blood over two days while still in the hospital and everything finally normalized. I've been home for eight days and they've been mostly uneventful. I've been religious about doing the walking and trying to get stronger. A couple of days ago, Saturday morning to be exact, I started having some pretty bad nerve pain in my left arm - bad enough to keep me awake at night - so I've called the Doctor this morning but still have not received a call back. I must say though it has greatly subsided and now is mostly just a bit of a lingering nuiscince (sp?)My initial feelings about the surgery is that is was a good thing. I am definately taller and straighter. Dr

Hey was able to remove a section of my original harrington rod that was causing a knot in the middle of my back and it's nice to not have that there anymore. I am still having some pain related to the surgery (at least I feel like it's surgical related) I'm using a walker but to my suprise and disappointment I did not come home with a brace. ( I just think I could have used the security of a brace a little). I'm taller than my wife again which is nice, I'd been having to tip toe a little to give her our morning good bye kiss.I'd have to say one of the hardest issues a bowel related. I'd always heard the narcotics will cause constipation but I've been on them for a decade and had never had any problem prior to surgery. I know...stool softner. I just don't like the irregularity of it all.I know this is long and I'll try for a little more quantity and less length next time.

[Guest guest]

Couple of things...

, GLAD to hear from you and about your progress. I'm sure being back home is wonderful. There are a LOT of us that have had the "system backup" thing following the surgery. That can make for some miserable days by itself, let alone the surgery, etc. You didn't mention the "feel like being hit by a truck" so maybe it is starting to feel more like a Toyota truck than a Mack truck? With your dedication to walking and building strength hopefully you'll move along at a nice steady pace and things will level out. When the doc's office calls back ask about a back brace. I rec'd. an Aspen brace which pretty much feels like a super strong girdle with nice, movable support. It ISN'T a girdle though, and is masculine looking, in case you're wondering! If you don't hear from them as soon as you'd like, call their mobile phones as they do answer them. Any time I phoned them through their cell phones they answered immediately. Or, use their pager. Hopefully the nerve pain in your arm will completely go away on its own...as part of the whole body adjusting to the new stance.

Getting straightened, standing straight and taller (if that happens as a result of fixing curves or decompression) and getting out of pain (which typically starts happening when the body is getting well healed from the surgery) is what we all strive for in this major surgery. I hope you continue to improve and your post surgical issues go away as you heal...2 weeks is still infancy, as you well know. I'm glad you posted as we all, I'm sure, have been wanting to hear how you're doing.

And Melinda, thanks for recommending that tea. I'm going to get some to have in the cabinet, just for when it might come in handy. That tidbit of info. is worth putting in the "helpful info. and/or good things to have on hand" part in the files section.

G

[ ] Hello All Date: Monday, September 28, 2009, 1:10 PM

It's been almost two weeks since the surgery and I haven't posted nearly as much as I thought I would. Here's a bit of how things have gone though.After the operation I had low blood pressure and very high heart rate issues for a couple of days. I ended up receiving three units of blood over two days while still in the hospital and everything finally normalized. I've been home for eight days and they've been mostly uneventful. I've been religious about doing the walking and trying to get stronger. A couple of days ago, Saturday morning to be exact, I started having some pretty bad nerve pain in my left arm - bad enough to keep me awake at night - so I've called the Doctor this morning but still have not received a call back. I must say though it has greatly subsided and now is mostly just a bit of a lingering nuiscince (sp?)My initial feelings about the surgery is that is was a good thing. I am definately taller and straighter. Dr Hey was able to remove a section of my original harrington rod that was causing a knot in the middle of my back and it's nice to not have that there anymore. I am still having some pain related to the surgery (at least I feel like it's surgical related) I'm using a walker but to my suprise and disappointment I did not come home with a brace. ( I just think I could have used the security of a brace a little). I'm taller than my wife again which is nice, I'd been having to tip toe a little to give her our morning good bye kiss.I'd have to say one of the hardest issues a bowel related. I'd always heard the narcotics will cause constipation but I've been on them for a decade and had never had any problem prior to surgery. I know...stool softner. I just don't like the irregularity of it all.I know this is long and I'll try for a little more quantity and less length next time.

[Guest guest]

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of glennparts

Sent: Monday, September 28, 2009

12:11 PM

To:

Subject: [ ] Hello

All

Hi ,

It’s good to hear from you and know

that you’re doing so well! In regards to the nerve pain, several of

us have had issues with that and it does get better. My revision surgery was in

June 2009 (fused from T4-sacrum) and I had lots of nerve pain in my legs. It

came especially at night and kept me awake too. My Dr (Kumar in Denver) prescribed Lyrica

and that’s helped a lot. I’m almost at the 4 month mark and still

have very minor nerve problems, but it’s more of just a nuisance than a

pain. For example, if I wear tennis shoes for a couple of hours, the part where

the laces are feels like it’s way too tight when it’s not. Not a

big deal. So, just so you know, it does get much better. Keep up the

great work in getting stronger.

Ripple in Colorado Springs, CO

It's been almost two weeks since the surgery and I

haven't posted nearly as much as I thought I would. Here's a bit of how things

have gone though.

After the operation I had low blood pressure and very high heart rate issues

for a couple of days. I ended up receiving three units of blood over two days

while still in the hospital and everything finally normalized. I've been home

for eight days and they've been mostly uneventful. I've been religious about

doing the walking and trying to get stronger. A couple of days ago, Saturday

morning to be exact, I started having some pretty bad nerve pain in my left arm

- bad enough to keep me awake at night - so I've called the Doctor this morning

but still have not received a call back. I must say though it has greatly

subsided and now is mostly just a bit of a lingering nuiscince (sp?)

My initial feelings about the surgery is that is was a good thing. I am

definately taller and straighter. Dr Hey was able to remove a section of my

original harrington rod that was causing a knot in the middle of my back and

it's nice to not have that there anymore. I am still having some pain related

to the surgery (at least I feel like it's surgical related) I'm using a walker

but to my suprise and disappointment I did not come home with a brace. ( I just

think I could have used the security of a brace a little). I'm taller than my

wife again which is nice, I'd been having to tip toe a little to give her our

morning good bye kiss.

I'd have to say one of the hardest issues a bowel related. I'd always heard the

narcotics will cause constipation but I've been on them for a decade and had

never had any problem prior to surgery. I know...stool softner. I just don't

like the irregularity of it all.

I know this is long and I'll try for a little more quantity and less length

next time.

[Guest guest]

Welcome back,

You might try fiber caplets, only thing that worked for me. Tough hunh.

[ ] Hello All

It's been almost two weeks since the surgery and I haven't posted nearly as much as I thought I would. Here's a bit of how things have gone though.After the operation I had low blood pressure and very high heart rate issues for a couple of days. I ended up receiving three units of blood over two days while still in the hospital and everything finally normalized. I've been home for eight days and they've been mostly uneventful. I've been religious about doing the walking and trying to get stronger. A couple of days ago, Saturday morning to be exact, I started having some pretty bad nerve pain in my left arm - bad enough to keep me awake at night - so I've called the Doctor this morning but still have not received a call back. I must say though it has greatly subsided and now is mostly just a bit of a lingering nuiscince (sp?)My initial feelings about the surgery is that is was a good thing. I am definately taller and straighter. Dr Hey was able to remove a section of my original harrington rod that was causing a knot in the middle of my back and it's nice to not have that there anymore. I am still having some pain related to the surgery (at least I feel like it's surgical related) I'm using a walker but to my suprise and disappointment I did not come home with a brace. ( I just think I could have used the security of a brace a little). I'm taller than my wife again which is nice, I'd been having to tip toe a little to give her our morning good bye kiss.I'd have to say one of the hardest issues a bowel related. I'd always heard the narcotics will cause constipation but I've been on them for a decade and had never had any problem prior to surgery. I know...stool softner. I just don't like the irregularity of it all.I know this is long and I'll try for a little more quantity and less length next time.

[Guest guest]

Congratulations on making it to the other side.... try adding Metamucil also, I needed both.-DyannFrom: glennparts <glennparts@...>Subject: [ ] Hello All Date: Monday, September 28, 2009, 2:10 PMIt's been almost two weeks since the surgery and I haven't posted nearly as much as I thought I would.  Here's a bit of how things have gone though.After the operation I had low blood pressure and very high heart rate issues for a couple of days.  I ended up receiving three units of blood over two days while still in the hospital and everything finally normalized. 

I've been home for eight days and they've been mostly uneventful.  I've been religious about doing the walking and trying to get stronger.  A couple of days ago, Saturday morning to be exact, I started having some pretty bad nerve pain in my left arm - bad enough to keep me awake at night - so I've called the Doctor this morning but still have not received a call back.  I must say though it has greatly subsided and now is mostly just a bit of a lingering nuiscince (sp?)My initial feelings about the surgery is that is was a good thing.  I am definately taller and straighter.  Dr Hey was able to remove a section of my original harrington rod that was causing a knot in the middle of my back and it's nice to not have that there anymore.  I am still having some pain related to the surgery (at least I feel like it's surgical related)  I'm using a walker but to my suprise and disappointment I did not come home with a brace.  ( I just think I

could have used the security of a brace a little).  I'm taller than my wife again which is nice, I'd been having to tip toe a little to give her our morning good bye kiss.I'd have to say one of the hardest issues a bowel related.  I'd always heard the narcotics will cause constipation but I've been on them for a decade and had never had any problem prior to surgery.  I know...stool softner.  I just don't like the irregularity of it all.I know this is long and I'll try for a little more quantity and less length next time.------------------------------------scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

[Guest guest]

Activia yogurt seemed to help, too, along with the metamucil powder. It will get much better as you wean down some of the meds. Hang in there.PASent from my iPhoneOn Sep 28, 2009, at 2:10 PM, "glennparts" <glennparts@...> wrote:

It's been almost two weeks since the surgery and I haven't posted nearly as much as I thought I would. Here's a bit of how things have gone though.

After the operation I had low blood pressure and very high heart rate issues for a couple of days. I ended up receiving three units of blood over two days while still in the hospital and everything finally normalized. I've been home for eight days and they've been mostly uneventful. I've been religious about doing the walking and trying to get stronger. A couple of days ago, Saturday morning to be exact, I started having some pretty bad nerve pain in my left arm - bad enough to keep me awake at night - so I've called the Doctor this morning but still have not received a call back. I must say though it has greatly subsided and now is mostly just a bit of a lingering nuiscince (sp?)

My initial feelings about the surgery is that is was a good thing. I am definately taller and straighter. Dr Hey was able to remove a section of my original harrington rod that was causing a knot in the middle of my back and it's nice to not have that there anymore. I am still having some pain related to the surgery (at least I feel like it's surgical related) I'm using a walker but to my suprise and disappointment I did not come home with a brace. ( I just think I could have used the security of a brace a little). I'm taller than my wife again which is nice, I'd been having to tip toe a little to give her our morning good bye kiss.

I'd have to say one of the hardest issues a bowel related. I'd always heard the narcotics will cause constipation but I've been on them for a decade and had never had any problem prior to surgery. I know...stool softner. I just don't like the irregularity of it all.

I know this is long and I'll try for a little more quantity and less length next time.

[Guest guest]

,

Two weeks is nothing in the scheme or your recovery. I call that the " I survived

surgury " stage ...really all your body is doing is recovering from the trauma of

surgery. With time you will find yourself getting much stronger and more

able....but the trick is really not to over-do early on. You are still plenty

fragile...and you dont want to falsely raise peoples expectations about what you

will be able to accomplish!

Getting all the digestive tract back in good working order is problematic for

everyone....and it contributes to your all over yucky feeling...so just

experiment until you find a regimine that works for you. I think we all had to

use several products to establish a good routine. Early on suppositories worked

well for me...and later I was able to just use softeners to keep regular. And of

course I know you know how important it is to stay well hydrated!

Before you know it you will start to feel better. Try not to get discouraged if

your progresss comes in fits and starts for awhile. You will get there!

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

I haven't posted anything for months but have been reading almost daily.I live inP.R. and did have an appt. here with a specialist whom i liked but i definetly want a second opinion,So , im glad to hear of your progress , i'm writing you in specific because my best bet for a second opinion will probably be Dr. Hey as my mom lives in Hickory, N.C.. Anything that you wtite or anyone who's had surgey with him will be helpfull to me.I'm planning to come up at some point this year.Thanks in advance as i know how supportive you all are of each

other. MacFarlaneFrom: glennparts <glennparts@...> Sent: Monday, September 28, 2009 2:10:49 PMSubject: [ ] Hello All

It's been almost two weeks since the surgery and I haven't posted nearly as much as I thought I would. Here's a bit of how things have gone though.

After the operation I had low blood pressure and very high heart rate issues for a couple of days. I ended up receiving three units of blood over two days while still in the hospital and everything finally normalized. I've been home for eight days and they've been mostly uneventful. I've been religious about doing the walking and trying to get stronger. A couple of days ago, Saturday morning to be exact, I started having some pretty bad nerve pain in my left arm - bad enough to keep me awake at night - so I've called the Doctor this morning but still have not received a call back. I must say though it has greatly subsided and now is mostly just a bit of a lingering nuiscince (sp?)

My initial feelings about the surgery is that is was a good thing. I am definately taller and straighter. Dr Hey was able to remove a section of my original harrington rod that was causing a knot in the middle of my back and it's nice to not have that there anymore. I am still having some pain related to the surgery (at least I feel like it's surgical related) I'm using a walker but to my suprise and disappointment I did not come home with a brace. ( I just think I could have used the security of a brace a little). I'm taller than my wife again which is nice, I'd been having to tip toe a little to give her our morning good bye kiss.

I'd have to say one of the hardest issues a bowel related. I'd always heard the narcotics will cause constipation but I've been on them for a decade and had never had any problem prior to surgery. I know...stool softner. I just don't like the irregularity of it all.

I know this is long and I'll try for a little more quantity and less length next time.

[Guest guest]

I just turned 53 and recently had some tests done to find out why I always felt

so tired even though I was eating well and exercising. To my surprise my

testosterone came back at 6.3 out of a range of 20.0 to 200.0 - DHEA was 62 out

of a range of 100 to 2000. Growth Hormone came out very low as well. My doctor

immediately put me on a bunch of pills to block estrogen (Myomin), pituitary

support, GLA, Vicacon (anti viral),Cortisol Manager(calm adrenals),

Pregnenolone, and Testosterone 75mg PLO cream with DHEA 50mg which I apply as a

gel once everyday in the morning.

Since starting on this regime about 2 weeks ago, I have lost weight, don't have

to use my glasses to read script on the TV screen, hand writing is MUCH better

since I can control the pen now and probably most importantly I have so much

more energy that I can barely believe it.

Getting myself tested was the most important thing I did. Once my weaknesses

were located there was help. If only I had known about this 15 or more years

ago. Life is good again.

Unfortunately now I must reintroduce myself to all the people who knew me when I

was " sick "

Glad to be a part of of a group like this where there are people going though

the same changes I am.

fromseattle