Lumbar fusion

[Guest guest]

Wow Tony...your surgery is coming up quick. It is normal to feel nervous and you

are doing the right thing by getting information and support.

I had a L4/5 fusion in 2002 and while it did help me get off narcotics, I am

still on daily pain meds, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxers. I feel as

though my surgery was somewhat successful as I do have more mobility and I

really wanted off the hard drugs.

The first year was rough for me as I was hoping for instant gratification. Have

to remember that this is major surgery and takes awhile to heal.

Best advise I can give you is to take it easy and don't over-do things. My

recovery might have been quicker if I had done what I was told (rest and do

NOTHING) instead of wanting to be SuperWoman!

Good luck and keep us advised!

Viv in GA

[Guest guest]

I am having L5-S1 & L4-L5 fusion on the 30th . Anyone have fusion in

that area ? Looking for your experiences .Did you have to wear the

back brace full time ? I have a rigid brace,approx 12 inches wide .

[Guest guest]

I too am having a fusion on L5/S1 skipping a disc and another fusion

on L3/L4. They are putting a permanent cage at L4/l5 to help support

it in hopes of it not rupturing. My doctor is using a new type of

filler for the fusion. He says that I won't have a long recovery

period and should get up and walk that very day....I am having about

an 8 hour surgery where they will go in through my abdomen and then my

back....scary!

I too would love any guidance from experts who have gone through this.

I really am nervous.....I have 3 kids that need a healthy mom. I

would like to know short and long term stories! Thanks in advance!

Lynda

>

> I am having L5-S1 & L4-L5 fusion on the 30th . Anyone have fusion in

> that area ? Looking for your experiences .Did you have to wear the

> back brace full time ? I have a rigid brace,approx 12 inches wide .

>

[Guest guest]

I had mine about 8 years ago. I would think that things have improved since and

its a bit easier surgery. I was in a lot of pain afterwards but my doc put me

on higher dosages of Oxycontin. I'm a big guy and it takes a lot to knock me

down per say. After the surgery and getting the pain under control I felt GREAT!

But as I posted before I would strongly suggest getting a second opinion from

someone who doesn't know YOUR doctor. Perhaps show him your CT/MRI but dont

tell other doc what YOUR doctor is going to do. See if the two compare! I was

talking with my pain management doctor and he said that polls show that the

majority of people that have back surgery said they wouldn't do it again.

Hopefully you're in that smaller percentage. As for myself, I wouldn't do it

again! I wouldn't have done it in the first place. That brace is a real bitch

too. But my doc told me after a few weeks that aslong as I was sitting

down/upright I could do without it. After probably a month most my discomfort

was from the brace. One VERY IMPORTANT THING...I have been through 32 surguries

in all, so trust me. When the doc tells you to take Physical Therapy for 6

weeks, get him to prescribe it to you for 12 or what ever your insurance will

pay for. That is one KEY to a good recovery. Wierd, but think of your spine

muscles as spaghetti. If it hasn't been cooked, it's strong and you are less

likely to have back problems. If it has been cooked it is week and will not not

stand in it's end, same as your muscles. If they are week they will not support

your back very well and you will have problems. So it is extremely important

that you put 110% in physical therapy. And not just for now, but for now on. I

don't know if all this helps, but if you have any specific questions I will be

glad to answer. If/When you do have it, DO what your doc says, exercise your

back like he says and most important of ALL. Be EXTREMELY CAREFUL with the pain

meds. Coming off those things will make you wish you were dead if you over do

it. A good doc will cut you back properly and you shouldn't have that problem.

Good Luck

- In spinal problems , " delby4 " <delby4@...> wrote:

>

> Hi! I just learned that I need to have a lumbar fusiom on L5-S1. I've been

having problems for about 9 years but this past year has been the worse. After

walking 15 minutes I found it hard to lift my right leg (I'm 39 y.o.). My visit

last week with my neurosurgeon showed weakness now in my right toes and foot so

I can no longer put off surgery. Can anyone tell me about post-op recovery?

What am I in for as far as pain and movement the first few weeks after surgery.

I will be home bound for 3 months wearing the back brace. I got my back brace

last week.

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the information!  I did get a second opinion at Hopkin's

Neurosurgery and was told the same thing that my neurosurgeon was telling me.  I

also have worked with the neurosurgeon who is doing my surgery so I know him a

little more than your average patient (I was a nurse in the neurosurgical/trauma

ICU).  Someone else told me about going to PT as well.  I'm glad to hear that

you encourage that as well.  I'm just worried about the pain afterwards.  I HATE

taking prescription pain medication - it makes me feel " hungover " and groggy.  I

also do not like the idea of not being able to do much of anything for 3 months

but I know I have to follow the recovery guidelines.   I have active 9 year old

twins and personally, I'm on the go alot as well.  My surgeon said he is more

strict than others with recovery limitations. How long does it take before you

can walk around outside, go up steps and tolerate standing for a longer period

of time post-op?  

 

 

>

> Hi! I just learned that I need to have a lumbar fusiom on L5-S1. I've been

having problems for about 9 years but this past year has been the worse. After

walking 15 minutes I found it hard to lift my right leg (I'm 39 y.o.). My visit

last week with my neurosurgeon showed weakness now in my right toes and foot so

I can no longer put off surgery. Can anyone tell me about post-op recovery? What

am I in for as far as pain and movement the first few weeks after surgery. I

will be home bound for 3 months wearing the back brace. I got my back brace last

week.

>

[Guest guest]

WOW, you do have your hands full. For me it wasn't that bad. Actually I was

going up and down stairs in the hospital in about 3 days. They wanted to make

sure I could do that. As far as walking, I think you'll be doing that very

quickly. Doc's don't like to see patients just laying there. I did have a

problem with the medication the doctor gave me at first. He gave me MEPRIGAN

(?Spelling) It has something in it to keep you from getting sick. That kept me

knocked out and I couldn't take it. I was in sales and wanted to stay in touch

with a few customers that I had large projects going on with. He changed me to

Oxy. As best I can remember, her gave me 10mg Oxy a day with Perocet for

breakthru pain. At the time that really took care of my pain. But PLEASE

PLEASE, don't get a false sense of security in taking the pain medications. That

will be one of the biggest mistakes you could make after having surgery. People

will take the medication and, like me, " Feel better than I have felt in years " .

Well, unfortunately the pain meds will go away and you won't know what more

damage you have done (if any) to your back. Don't mean to sound crewl or bad,

but as bad as you want to reach down and pick up one or both of those babies,

please don't. If you do you could risk further damage down the road and be like

I am now and hardly able to reach down to pick up a towel.

OK, I am giving this advice from experience and as bad as I hate to admit it, my

own mistakes. These are things I didn't or did do and now I am on total

disability and taking equal to 240mg Oxycontin a day. And my back kills me most

of the time. That's why I say, DO what the doctor says, take extra PT if you

can, exercise your back. PT isn't fun, but you will thank GOD you did it down

the road. I think I was hospitalized for about 6 days. UM, get some good

powders for your brace. Something you like to smell, but not your favorite.

Something you would be willing to stop using after you get your brace off.

Sounds crazy, but we associate smells with a bad experience and it can bring it

all back. You just dont want your brace to rub against your body too much. With

proper clothing it probably won't anyway, but be prepared for that too.

I actually even drove a couple weeks after surgery. BAD BAD BAD! I thought I

had to take care of customers. I thought I had to be there in person. That's

the med's working on you. But I had one particular job that required a lot of

walking on the job site, I did it. Wished I hadn't. This is from my personal

experience, others might do better. I am just trying to give you the Good, Bad &

Ugly & Pretty too. So, I think you'll be able to handle keeping an eye on the

kids, but again, please don't pick them up or let the tug at you. I had that

problem as well. Tugging is about as bad as picking them up. It's not all bad,

I just want you to come out successful and not make the same mistakes I made.

As I mentioned earlier, I would give ANYTHING if I could go back.

I had my spine surgery in Jan and then had a total hip replacement in Nov of the

same year. Was a tough year, but I managed.

I know this is a bit scattered, but after I take my pain meds, I get a little

scatter brained as well LOL...

GOOD LUCK & GOD Bless YOU!

anything else, holler........

Mark

-- In spinal problems , Terry Del Biondo <delby4@...>

wrote:

>

> Thank you for the information!  I did get a second opinion at Hopkin's

Neurosurgery and was told the same thing that my neurosurgeon was telling me.  I

also have worked with the neurosurgeon who is doing my surgery so I know him a

little more than your average patient (I was a nurse in the neurosurgical/trauma

ICU).  Someone else told me about going to PT as well.  I'm glad to hear that

you encourage that as well.  I'm just worried about the pain afterwards.  I HATE

taking prescription pain medication - it makes me feel " hungover " and groggy.  I

also do not like the idea of not being able to do much of anything for 3 months

but I know I have to follow the recovery guidelines.   I have active 9 year old

twins and personally, I'm on the go alot as well.  My surgeon said he is more

strict than others with recovery limitations. How long does it take before you

can walk around outside, go up steps and tolerate standing for a longer period

> of time post-op?  

>

>  

>  

>

>

> >

> > Hi! I just learned that I need to have a lumbar fusiom on L5-S1. I've been

having problems for about 9 years but this past year has been the worse. After

walking 15 minutes I found it hard to lift my right leg (I'm 39 y.o.). My visit

last week with my neurosurgeon showed weakness now in my right toes and foot so

I can no longer put off surgery. Can anyone tell me about post-op recovery? What

am I in for as far as pain and movement the first few weeks after surgery. I

will be home bound for 3 months wearing the back brace. I got my back brace last

week.

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

O, BTW I almost forgot. This surgery is a pretty serious surgery. So they will

put you under for a few hours. Then when you do come to they will want to make

sure your pain is in control so they will give you lots of the good stuff, HEY,

they even send you home with lots of the good stuff. PROBLEM......NO BM.. I

think it took me about 10 days before I ever had one. If you have children you

know what a BM is..LOL....Over the years I have been dealing with that problem.

The pain meds will all but shut down your system. I have tried everything. I

thought I hit the lottery when I discovered EXLAX Chocolate. But I was having to

take 3-4 at night every other night to keep me going. It got very costly. I cut

back and so did my BM. And trust me, when you don't have one for 3-5 days you

will think your back is broken. I found something that works wonders but you

don't want to use it on a regular daily basis because it prevents vitamins and

minerals from being obsorbed in the colon. This is very important. So, if you

don't mind me suggesting. Get a couple bottels of Mineral Oil. It's odorless and

tastless (and lots cheaper than x-lax) not to mention NO CRAMPING! Have that on

hand at the hospital and take a few swigs a couple times a day. Also get your

doctor to prescribe POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL. It's a powder that you take 2x daily.

I only have to use it once now that I have things moving...What it does it

hydrates the colon and helps with BW. It too is odorless and tastless. I put my

capfull in my cup of coffee every morning. You'll want to use that once you get

things moving, but the mineral oil kinda helps things slide along if you know

what I mean. The one and only side effect I had from the mineral oil is once

you really get things moving sometimes you will experience, well, let's just say

a leak in your oil pan. Nothing bad, just annoying. May make you feel a little

self conscience.

I know all this sounds gross, but having a BM after major surgery, for me

anyway, is a big thing. I think I mentioned I have had 32 surguries since 1987

all from auto accident.

Mark

In spinal problems , " escalade1963nov "

<escalade1963nov@...> wrote:

>

> WOW, you do have your hands full. For me it wasn't that bad. Actually I was

going up and down stairs in the hospital in about 3 days. They wanted to make

sure I could do that. As far as walking, I think you'll be doing that very

quickly. Doc's don't like to see patients just laying there. I did have a

problem with the medication the doctor gave me at first. He gave me MEPRIGAN

(?Spelling) It has something in it to keep you from getting sick. That kept me

knocked out and I couldn't take it. I was in sales and wanted to stay in touch

with a few customers that I had large projects going on with. He changed me to

Oxy. As best I can remember, her gave me 10mg Oxy a day with Perocet for

breakthru pain. At the time that really took care of my pain. But PLEASE

PLEASE, don't get a false sense of security in taking the pain medications. That

will be one of the biggest mistakes you could make after having surgery. People

will take the medication and, like me, " Feel better than I have felt in years " .

Well, unfortunately the pain meds will go away and you won't know what more

damage you have done (if any) to your back. Don't mean to sound crewl or bad,

but as bad as you want to reach down and pick up one or both of those babies,

please don't. If you do you could risk further damage down the road and be like

I am now and hardly able to reach down to pick up a towel.

>

> OK, I am giving this advice from experience and as bad as I hate to admit it,

my own mistakes. These are things I didn't or did do and now I am on total

disability and taking equal to 240mg Oxycontin a day. And my back kills me most

of the time. That's why I say, DO what the doctor says, take extra PT if you

can, exercise your back. PT isn't fun, but you will thank GOD you did it down

the road. I think I was hospitalized for about 6 days. UM, get some good

powders for your brace. Something you like to smell, but not your favorite.

Something you would be willing to stop using after you get your brace off.

Sounds crazy, but we associate smells with a bad experience and it can bring it

all back. You just dont want your brace to rub against your body too much. With

proper clothing it probably won't anyway, but be prepared for that too.

>

> I actually even drove a couple weeks after surgery. BAD BAD BAD! I thought I

had to take care of customers. I thought I had to be there in person. That's

the med's working on you. But I had one particular job that required a lot of

walking on the job site, I did it. Wished I hadn't. This is from my personal

experience, others might do better. I am just trying to give you the Good, Bad &

Ugly & Pretty too. So, I think you'll be able to handle keeping an eye on the

kids, but again, please don't pick them up or let the tug at you. I had that

problem as well. Tugging is about as bad as picking them up. It's not all bad,

I just want you to come out successful and not make the same mistakes I made.

As I mentioned earlier, I would give ANYTHING if I could go back.

>

> I had my spine surgery in Jan and then had a total hip replacement in Nov of

the same year. Was a tough year, but I managed.

> I know this is a bit scattered, but after I take my pain meds, I get a little

scatter brained as well LOL...

>

> GOOD LUCK & GOD Bless YOU!

>

> anything else, holler........

> Mark

>

>

>

>

>

> -- In spinal problems , Terry Del Biondo <delby4@>

wrote:

> >

> > Thank you for the information!  I did get a second opinion at Hopkin's

Neurosurgery and was told the same thing that my neurosurgeon was telling me.  I

also have worked with the neurosurgeon who is doing my surgery so I know him a

little more than your average patient (I was a nurse in the neurosurgical/trauma

ICU).  Someone else told me about going to PT as well.  I'm glad to hear that

you encourage that as well.  I'm just worried about the pain afterwards.  I HATE

taking prescription pain medication - it makes me feel " hungover " and groggy.  I

also do not like the idea of not being able to do much of anything for 3 months

but I know I have to follow the recovery guidelines.   I have active 9 year old

twins and personally, I'm on the go alot as well.  My surgeon said he is more

strict than others with recovery limitations. How long does it take before you

can walk around outside, go up steps and tolerate standing for a longer period

> > of time post-op?  

> >

> >  

> >  

> >

> >

> > >

> > > Hi! I just learned that I need to have a lumbar fusiom on L5-S1. I've been

having problems for about 9 years but this past year has been the worse. After

walking 15 minutes I found it hard to lift my right leg (I'm 39 y.o.). My visit

last week with my neurosurgeon showed weakness now in my right toes and foot so

I can no longer put off surgery. Can anyone tell me about post-op recovery? What

am I in for as far as pain and movement the first few weeks after surgery. I

will be home bound for 3 months wearing the back brace. I got my back brace last

week.

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >