Re: After Spinal Surgery

[Guest guest]

Please don't feel bad about " venting " that is definitely one of the purposes of

this group. I didn't go through nearly the difficult recovery you did but you

are right in that one of the toughest things for someone who was very active is

to lye in bed and do pretty much nothing but watch brain numbing TV. It drove

me NUTS. I just kept thinking about the future but I would be lying if I said I

didn't cry, pound some pillows and scream in them as well. This was actually

very therapeutic for me and a skill taught to me by my divorce councilor almost

20 years ago. What so many doctors don't realize is that not only physically

injured but you are emotionally injured and as my councilor taught me.. you

can't heal what you can't feel. So go ahead and swear, scream, cry or anything

else that won't risk your recovery. It will help. You have every right to have

those feelings. I honestly think people that go through this type of recovery

and/or loss should work with a grieving councilor to help them with the

emotional wounds.

Wishing you a faster recovery

-

spinal problems@...: shaynal2003@...:

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:02:02 +0000Subject: After Spinal

Surgery

So, short list of what I had done. Lumbar was laminectomy, discectomy and

foraminotomy on S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was 04.18.08.Then had cervical surgery

laminectomy, disectomy and foraminotomy on C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no

fusion, no hardware. Just corrections.The lumbar surgery was a piece of cake

compared to the cervical.I know I had pain with the lumbar, but it was nothing

compared to what I woke up with after the cervical surgery. I woke up crying

after the cervical and ended up having to have my pain meds stronger than

before. The pain meds I took for the lumbar surgery weren't even touching the

pain.So, here I am. Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well I

think you guys can fill in the blanks.I guess I didn't realize how long the

recovery process would be. I really thought the surgery would happen and four

weeks later I would be good as new. HE HE HE..yeah right. So, just went back to

the neuro...He is giving me two more months of healing and I have been fussed at

and restricted to doing pretty much nothing by the doctor and the physical

therapist.Just a small question, How do they expect you to just sit around and

do nothing? OMG... I think I am gonna lose it. I want to clean house, wash

clothes, something.Yep, I am whining. Can't help it. But, if you have read this

far...thanks for listening.Helps to vent occasionally. So, another question. For

those of you who have had the cervical surgery and lumbar surgery...how long is

it taking for you to return to normal activity level?I want to hike, bike, LOOK

DOWN!~LOLThanks again for listening to me vent. Shayna

[Guest guest]

Thanks . Nice to know I am not the only one. I do agree with you. It would

be beneficial for people in the same situation to have counseling. I think it

would make all the difference. Because you do want to scream and cry. You can't

help but wonder while you are waiting to get better, if you really will get

better.

It is this larger than life question just hanging out there in space. WILL I BE

BETTER?

The waiting is horrible. I have been very lucky. I have a great support system.

The boyfriend has been nothing but supportive. He doesn't want me to lift a

finger. Which is great, except I WANT to lift a finger. LOL

If you don't mind my asking, What did you have done and how long did it take for

you to feel like you were recovered?

Right now, I can't imagine being normal or remotely close to what most people

would consider averagely normal.

It has been so long since I have been able to walk without pain, I don't know if

I will know how to act if and when I am finally able.

That is my hope. For, all of us, Not just me. I want us all to be pain free and

able to do the things in life that we WANT to do.

Sometimes I get really bitter. Especially when I see some really fit and active

person just jogging down the street, like it is nothing special. To them I am

sure it doesn't seem like anything special. They have never been in a situation

where that action would be impossible without and unheard of amount of pain.

Not like us. We live in agony most of our lives and just want to be pain free.

That is all, nothing perfect, not able to climb Mt. Everest necessarily, JUST

PAIN FREE.

Whew, venting again. I will get off of my soapbox for a while and let someone

else vent.

Thanks again for reading and listening.

Good luck to all of us.

 

Shayna

 

 It is better to be hated for who you are than liked for who you aren't.

From: Rosenfeld <rosenfelds@...>

Subject: RE: After Spinal Surgery

spinal problems

Date: Friday, June 27, 2008, 5:57 PM

Please don't feel bad about " venting " that is definitely one of the purposes of

this group. I didn't go through nearly the difficult recovery you did but you

are right in that one of the toughest things for someone who was very active is

to lye in bed and do pretty much nothing but watch brain numbing TV. It drove me

NUTS. I just kept thinking about the future but I would be lying if I said I

didn't cry, pound some pillows and scream in them as well. This was actually

very therapeutic for me and a skill taught to me by my divorce councilor almost

20 years ago. What so many doctors don't realize is that not only physically

injured but you are emotionally injured and as my councilor taught me.. you

can't heal what you can't feel. So go ahead and swear, scream, cry or anything

else that won't risk your recovery. It will help. You have every right to have

those feelings. I honestly think people that go through this type of recovery

and/or loss should work

with a grieving councilor to help them with the emotional wounds.

Wishing you a faster recovery

-

spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.comFrom: shaynal2003@

Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:02:02 +0000Subject: [spinal Disorders

Support] After Spinal Surgery

So, short list of what I had done. Lumbar was laminectomy, discectomy and

foraminotomy on S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was 04.18.08.Then had cervical surgery

laminectomy, disectomy and foraminotomy on C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no

fusion, no hardware. Just corrections. The lumbar surgery was a piece of cake

compared to the cervical.I know I had pain with the lumbar, but it was nothing

compared to what I woke up with after the cervical surgery. I woke up crying

after the cervical and ended up having to have my pain meds stronger than

before. The pain meds I took for the lumbar surgery weren't even touching the

pain.So, here I am. Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well I

think you guys can fill in the blanks.I guess I didn't realize how long the

recovery process would be. I really thought the surgery would happen and four

weeks later I would be good as new. HE HE HE..yeah right. So, just went back to

the neuro...He is giving me two more months

of healing and I have been fussed at and restricted to doing pretty much

nothing by the doctor and the physical therapist.Just a small question, How do

they expect you to just sit around and do nothing? OMG... I think I am gonna

lose it. I want to clean house, wash clothes, something.Yep, I am whining. Can't

help it. But, if you have read this far...thanks for listening.Helps to vent

occasionally. So, another question. For those of you who have had the cervical

surgery and lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you to return to normal

activity level?I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOLThanks again for listening to

me vent. Shayna

[Guest guest]

Boy I hear you regarding watching someone jogging. I used to be an endurance

athlete running 10Ks, 1/2 marathons, and few full marathons plus I did a number

of Triathlons. After I was injured I couldn't bear to even see someone running

or drive by my favorite running spots. How much we all took for granted!!

Okay... my story.. I haven't recovered yet from my latest L5/S1 disc herniation

which happened May 23rd and I had the surgery May 29th. This is my third

surgery. All have been microdiscectomies/microlamectomies. The first one was

in 2000 and I would say it took me a good 6-9 months before I was " normal " again

but " normal " is relative. I got the HMO run around the first time so I didn't

get an MRI for 6 months after the injury they just kept giving me pain killers

and anti-inflamatories. I fought for the MRI since I had sciatica pain much of

the time. Soon after the MRI one of the best Neurosurgeons in our area said ...

" No wonder your in pain.. we are doing surgery tomorrow " much of the intense

pain was gone the next day but I still have pain in my foot and that remained

permanent due to the nerve damage after waiting 6 months. My brain did start to

filter it out but that took years.. I had good days and bad but I was able to be

active again. I had another surgery in 2003 to see if they could fix the pain

in my foot but it didn't work. So I gave up running, tennis and took up surfing

and cycling. I loved suring and it was the only time my foot didn't hurt

because it was hanging in cold water. The pain in my foot felt like it was

burned on the top and there were rocks in my shoes... so surfing was a great

alternative sport. Cycling hurt a little but kept me in shape and generated

endorphins which are a natural pain killer. That all worked fine until my

recent new disc herniation which I am still recovering from. This was a bad one

and I suspect it will take me longer to recover and I may likely have muscle

deficits in my leg because there are many numb spots. But I am determined to

get back on my bike when the time is right. I was just recently given the

" green light " for PT and I started to swim. So currently I am swimming with

just my arms letting my legs float free and it feels great to get out of the

house and be able to exert myself while my legs hang weightless. I also do a

3-4 shorts walks a day. Since this is my third time I know what to expect.

There will be good days and bad days and it will take longer than I want.. but

just like a marathon.. it takes that mental toughness to hang in there almost

more than physical toughness.

A side note.. a friend of mine was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer .. so

it kind of puts my hardship in prespective. I can't imagine what she and her

family is going through!

Hang in there, you will improve. You may not be perfect but if you want you

will find a new way to live.

Wishing all continued improved health and healing!

-

spinal problems@...: shaynal2003@...:

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:50:57 -0700Subject: RE: After

Spinal Surgery

Thanks . Nice to know I am not the only one. I do agree with you. It would

be beneficial for people in the same situation to have counseling. I think it

would make all the difference. Because you do want to scream and cry. You can't

help but wonder while you are waiting to get better, if you really will get

better. It is this larger than life question just hanging out there in space.

WILL I BE BETTER?The waiting is horrible. I have been very lucky. I have a great

support system. The boyfriend has been nothing but supportive. He doesn't want

me to lift a finger. Which is great, except I WANT to lift a finger. LOLIf you

don't mind my asking, What did you have done and how long did it take for you to

feel like you were recovered?Right now, I can't imagine being normal or remotely

close to what most people would consider averagely normal. It has been so long

since I have been able to walk without pain, I don't know if I will know how to

act if and when I am finally able.That is my hope. For, all of us, Not just me.

I want us all to be pain free and able to do the things in life that we WANT to

do. Sometimes I get really bitter. Especially when I see some really fit and

active person just jogging down the street, like it is nothing special. To them

I am sure it doesn't seem like anything special. They have never been in a

situation where that action would be impossible without and unheard of amount of

pain.Not like us. We live in agony most of our lives and just want to be pain

free. That is all, nothing perfect, not able to climb Mt. Everest necessarily,

JUST PAIN FREE.Whew, venting again. I will get off of my soapbox for a while and

let someone else vent.Thanks again for reading and listening.Good luck to all of

us. Shayna It is better to be hated for who you are than liked for who you

aren't. From:

Rosenfeld <rosenfelds@...>Subject: RE: After

Spinal Surgeryspinal problems@...: Friday, June

27, 2008, 5:57 PMPlease don't feel bad about " venting " that is definitely one of

the purposes of this group. I didn't go through nearly the difficult recovery

you did but you are right in that one of the toughest things for someone who was

very active is to lye in bed and do pretty much nothing but watch brain numbing

TV. It drove me NUTS. I just kept thinking about the future but I would be lying

if I said I didn't cry, pound some pillows and scream in them as well. This was

actually very therapeutic for me and a skill taught to me by my divorce

councilor almost 20 years ago. What so many doctors don't realize is that not

only physically injured but you are emotionally injured and as my councilor

taught me.. you can't heal what you can't feel. So go ahead and swear, scream,

cry or anything else that won't risk your recovery. It will help. You have every

right to have those feelings. I honestly think people that go through this type

of recovery and/or loss should workwith a grieving councilor to help them with

the emotional wounds.Wishing you a faster recovery-spinedisorderssuppo

rtgroup@gro ups.comFrom: shaynal2003Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008

22:02:02 +0000Subject: After Spinal SurgerySo, short

list of what I had done. Lumbar was laminectomy, discectomy and foraminotomy on

S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was 04.18.08.Then had cervical surgery laminectomy,

disectomy and foraminotomy on C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no fusion, no

hardware. Just corrections. The lumbar surgery was a piece of cake compared to

the cervical.I know I had pain with the lumbar, but it was nothing compared to

what I woke up with after the cervical surgery. I woke up crying after the

cervical and ended up having to have my pain meds stronger than before. The pain

meds I took for the lumbar surgery weren't even touching the pain.So, here I am.

Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well I think you guys can fill

in the blanks.I guess I didn't realize how long the recovery process would be. I

really thought the surgery would happen and four weeks later I would be good as

new. HE HE HE..yeah right. So, just went back to the neuro...He is giving me two

more monthsof healing and I have been fussed at and restricted to doing pretty

much nothing by the doctor and the physical therapist.Just a small question, How

do they expect you to just sit around and do nothing? OMG... I think I am gonna

lose it. I want to clean house, wash clothes, something.Yep, I am whining. Can't

help it. But, if you have read this far...thanks for listening.Helps to vent

occasionally. So, another question. For those of you who have had the cervical

surgery and lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you to return to normal

activity level?I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOLThanks again for listening to

me vent. Shayna

[Guest guest]

I can't even watch TV in the morning and afternoon as it takes me back to just

after my shoulder surgeries.? I cried to go back to work and cried even more

after I was back at work becuase the pain was so intense.? Its like a post

traumatic issue for me.? Every year about this time I remember how it all

changed in a heartbeat for me overnight, just one car accident and boom, my life

was and is forever changed, 11 years later and battle goes on, though grateful

for what I have I always wonder what life would have been like had none of this

happened.? I have been smacked from every which way I can imagine but I am still

standing here today to plight the fight.? Some day I'll figure out why but who

knows when that will be.? I have a purpose to still be here, we all do.? I

probably will never know why though.? I stand up for everyone in pain.

After Spinal

Surgery

So, short list of what I had done. Lumbar was laminectomy, discectomy and

foraminotomy on S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was 04.18.08.Then had cervical surgery

laminectomy, disectomy and foraminotomy on C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no

fusion, no hardware. Just corrections.The lumbar surgery was a piece of cake

compared to the cervical.I know I had pain with the lumbar, but it was nothing

compared to what I woke up with after the cervical surgery. I woke up crying

after the cervical and ended up having to have my pain meds stronger than

before. The pain meds I took for the lumbar surgery weren't even touching the

pain.So, here I am. Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well I

think you guys can fill in the blanks.I guess I didn't realize how long the

recovery process would be. I really thought the surgery would happen and four

weeks later I would be good as new. HE HE HE..yeah right. So, just went back to

the neuro...He is giving me two more months of healing and I have been fussed at

and restricted to doing pretty much nothing by the doctor and the physical

therapist.Just a small question, How do they expect you to just sit around and

do nothing? OMG... I think I am gonna lose it. I want to clean house, wash

clothes, something.Yep, I am whining. Can't help it. But, if you have read this

far...thanks for listening.Helps to vent occasionally. So, another question. For

those of you who have had the cervical surgery and lumbar surgery...how long is

it taking for you to return to normal activity level?I want to hike, bike, LOOK

DOWN!~LOLThanks again for listening to me vent. Shayna

[Guest guest]

Shaynal

my heart goes out to you reading your plight.

I have to say to you -be kind to yourself- you have had not one, but TWO

surgeries in about a 2 month time, either one would be alot for the body to

handle but you have had two!

Of course your in pain-

I think like said you have to cry, express your frusteration, and if you

can see someone- counseler with a pain therapy backgroud that could be helpful.

I have not had surgery but I wake up and go to bed every day with terrible pain.

I have thoughts myself that are often quite difficult.

But there are people who love us and want us to be here and you never know how

your being here affects someone elses life.

I am very glad that we at least have this group to express ourselves, before

this I felt very alone and that was very depressing, so we have each other -

thank god for the technology!

Hang in there, and think of the time you can get in a pool, or take a walk.

Do you have some books on tape? That might be a good diversion as well.

Im glad to hear you have a good support system.

wendy

After Spinal Surgery

So, short list of what I had done. Lumbar was laminectomy, discectomy

and foraminotomy on S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was 04.18.08.

Then had cervical surgery laminectomy, disectomy and foraminotomy on

C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no fusion, no hardware. Just corrections.

The lumbar surgery was a piece of cake compared to the cervical.

I know I had pain with the lumbar, but it was nothing compared to

what I woke up with after the cervical surgery.

I woke up crying after the cervical and ended up having to have my

pain meds stronger than before. The pain meds I took for the lumbar

surgery weren't even touching the pain.

So, here I am. Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well

I think you guys can fill in the blanks.

I guess I didn't realize how long the recovery process would be. I

really thought the surgery would happen and four weeks later I would

be good as new. HE HE HE..yeah right.

So, just went back to the neuro...He is giving me two more months of

healing and I have been fussed at and restricted to doing pretty much

nothing by the doctor and the physical therapist.

Just a small question, How do they expect you to just sit around and

do nothing?

OMG... I think I am gonna lose it. I want to clean house, wash

clothes, something.

Yep, I am whining. Can't help it. But, if you have read this

far...thanks for listening.

Helps to vent occasionally.

So, another question. For those of you who have had the cervical

surgery and lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you to return

to normal activity level?

I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOL

Thanks again for listening to me vent.

Shayna

[Guest guest]

Although I was never a marathon runner or anything close, I still liked and

active lifestyle. My boyfriend and I are both Photogs. We enjoy photography and

it is fun to go to unseen places or places that are difficult to be seen and

take photos. It makes you feel special to have done that.

We like to be active and able to do anything on a whim. That has not been

possible for almost four years.

I took forever to finally breakdown and have surgery. It finally was to the

point that just walking slowly to anything hurt and then my neck stayed kinked

all the time. I couldn't get any relief. Then I was stuck living on pain

medicine and that of course only numbs you some of the way. Some of the pain

finds a way to sneak thru.

I don't mean to sound quite so pitiful when I am venting and whining.

I have to say that after the surgeries, I do feel some improvement.

I used to do what I called " the little bobbing dog " routine with my head and

neck.

I would turn and move and bend and stretch and manipulate my head and neck in

all sorts of positions trying to relieve the pressure and pain. I know people

probably thought I had some sort of disorder. LOL

The " little bobbing dog " days seems to be over.

I have pain and pressure, but it is different. I can pretty much tell that the

pain I have now is from the surgery.

The lower back has improved, but I think I may have herniated at a level higher

than the surgery corrected.

We were walking Tuesday night and I took a step and had the sharp stabbing pain

and down to the toes again.

Talked to the doc, he is writing it off as scar tissue hitting the nerve right

now.

If it keeps doing it or if it is still happening when I see him in two months

then we might have to look at more MRI's and more surgery. But, fingers crossed

that is not the  case.

Sounds like you have been down pretty much the same road that I have.

Now when you had the additional surgery, was a reherniation of the same area or

did you hurt something higher up?

That is a concern for me. I am the boat with everyone else on the DDD,

Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, bulging discs...I am concerned that I will screw

up and reinjure something.

I am glad you shared your recovery time with me. That gives me an idea of what I

am looking at as far as recovery time.

I am glad you are able to get out again.

And you are absolutely right, IT COULD BE WORSE! I think sometimes we forget,

that even with all we have going on, it could be worse.

Thanks again

Shayna

 It is better to be hated for who you are than liked for who you aren't.

From:

Rosenfeld <rosenfeldsmsn (DOT)

com>Subject: RE: After Spinal SurgeryTo:

spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.comDate: Friday, June 27, 2008, 5:57

PMPlease don't feel bad about " venting " that is definitely one of the purposes

of this group. I didn't go through nearly the difficult recovery you did but you

are right in that one of the toughest things for someone who was very active is

to lye in bed and do pretty much nothing but watch brain numbing TV. It drove me

NUTS. I just kept thinking about the future but I would be lying if I said I

didn't cry, pound some pillows and scream in them as well. This was actually

very therapeutic for me and a skill taught to me by my divorce councilor almost

20 years ago. What so many doctors don't realize is that not only physically

injured but you are emotionally injured and as my councilor taught me.. you

can't heal what you can't feel. So go ahead and swear, scream, cry or anything

else that won't risk your

recovery. It will help. You have every right to have those feelings. I honestly

think people that go through this type of recovery and/or loss should workwith a

grieving councilor to help them with the emotional wounds.Wishing you a faster

recovery-spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.comFrom: shaynal2003@

Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:02:02 +0000Subject: [spinal Disorders

Support] After Spinal SurgerySo, short list of what I had done. Lumbar was

laminectomy, discectomy and foraminotomy on S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was

04.18.08.Then had cervical surgery laminectomy, disectomy and foraminotomy on

C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no fusion, no hardware. Just corrections. The lumbar

surgery was a piece of cake compared to the cervical.I know I had pain with the

lumbar, but it was nothing compared to what I woke up with after the cervical

surgery. I woke up crying after the cervical and ended up having to have my pain

meds stronger than before. The

pain meds I took for the lumbar surgery weren't even touching the pain.So, here

I am. Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well I think you guys

can fill in the blanks.I guess I didn't realize how long the recovery process

would be. I really thought the surgery would happen and four weeks later I would

be good as new. HE HE HE..yeah right. So, just went back to the neuro...He is

giving me two more monthsof healing and I have been fussed at and restricted to

doing pretty much nothing by the doctor and the physical therapist.Just a small

question, How do they expect you to just sit around and do nothing? OMG... I

think I am gonna lose it. I want to clean house, wash clothes, something.Yep, I

am whining. Can't help it. But, if you have read this far...thanks for

listening.Helps to vent occasionally. So, another question. For those of you who

have had the cervical surgery and lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you

to return to normal

activity level?I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOLThanks again for listening

to me vent. Shayna

[Guest guest]

Thank you . I appreciate your good wishes and kind words.

But,If I might ask, Why haven't you had any surgery to correct the problem?

I know you were considering your options recently.

What are they doing for you?

I have to say you are absolutely right. This board has been a great help to me.

It is hard for anyone who has not been in our situation to understand. Our

friends and families try to be there and to commiserate with us, but if you

haven't had what we have going on you really don't understand.

Spinal pain is like no other. It is muscle and nerve related. It can be

emotionally draining.

Anyone going through what we are deserves someone to talk to, who understands

and really knows what it feels like to be in this kind of pain and have to

continue on with your regular life and be in that pain no matter what.

Relief comes to some of us, but to those who never get relief goes my real

sympathy.

I may heal and I may be better and possibly even close to pain free, but as

pointed out there are those of us who are much worse off and my hat goes off to

them.

Not to get competely poetic, but they are the pain soldiers.

They struggle on day after day.

I may be frustrated and yes I am in pain now, but I may not be after I heal.

" fingers crossed "

I appreciate all your support. We all need someone to listen and to be on our

side at times.

This forum has been a great release for me. I can talk to people who know and

can understand when I say my neck hurts, my back hurts and I can't get relief.

They know what nights of restless legs and unGodly pain are all about.

So again, my hat off to those of us who can't get relief. And to those of us in

limbo, Good Luck. We are in the same boat.

 

Always here,

Shayna

 It is better to be hated for who you are than liked for who you aren't.

From: <wendy.tom@...>

Subject: RE: After Spinal Surgery

spinal problems ,

spinal problems

Date: Saturday, June 28, 2008, 7:28 AM

Shaynal

my heart goes out to you reading your plight.

I have to say to you -be kind to yourself- you have had not one, but TWO

surgeries in about a 2 month time, either one would be alot for the body to

handle but you have had two!

Of course your in pain-

I think like said you have to cry, express your frusteration, and if you

can see someone- counseler with a pain therapy backgroud that could be helpful.

I have not had surgery but I wake up and go to bed every day with terrible pain.

I have thoughts myself that are often quite difficult.

But there are people who love us and want us to be here and you never know how

your being here affects someone elses life.

I am very glad that we at least have this group to express ourselves, before

this I felt very alone and that was very depressing, so we have each other -

thank god for the technology!

Hang in there, and think of the time you can get in a pool, or take a walk.

Do you have some books on tape? That might be a good diversion as well.

Im glad to hear you have a good support system.

wendy

After Spinal Surgery

So, short list of what I had done. Lumbar was laminectomy, discectomy

and foraminotomy on S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was 04.18.08.

Then had cervical surgery laminectomy, disectomy and foraminotomy on

C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no fusion, no hardware. Just corrections.

The lumbar surgery was a piece of cake compared to the cervical.

I know I had pain with the lumbar, but it was nothing compared to

what I woke up with after the cervical surgery.

I woke up crying after the cervical and ended up having to have my

pain meds stronger than before. The pain meds I took for the lumbar

surgery weren't even touching the pain.

So, here I am. Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well

I think you guys can fill in the blanks.

I guess I didn't realize how long the recovery process would be. I

really thought the surgery would happen and four weeks later I would

be good as new. HE HE HE..yeah right.

So, just went back to the neuro...He is giving me two more months of

healing and I have been fussed at and restricted to doing pretty much

nothing by the doctor and the physical therapist.

Just a small question, How do they expect you to just sit around and

do nothing?

OMG... I think I am gonna lose it. I want to clean house, wash

clothes, something.

Yep, I am whining. Can't help it. But, if you have read this

far...thanks for listening.

Helps to vent occasionally.

So, another question. For those of you who have had the cervical

surgery and lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you to return

to normal activity level?

I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOL

Thanks again for listening to me vent.

Shayna

[Guest guest]

Shayna,

My recent herniation was in the same area, L5/S1. I don't know if I told

you but I finally started to swim to at least get some exercise. I feel so

fragil at this stage and what is difficult for me is to SLOW DOWN.. I try to do

to much and then it causes inflammation in the L5/S1 area and causes a set back.

I think I did a little too much today. Darn! You think.. well if I just keep

pushing I will get better quicker.. but that is not the way it works. PATIENCE!

It is not one of my virtues!!

Hang in there and lets compare notes and share both sucesses and

frustrations!

Tomorrow will be a better day.

-

spinal problems@...: shaynal2003@...:

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:00:18 -0700Subject: RE: After

Spinal Surgery

Although I was never a marathon runner or anything close, I still liked and

active lifestyle. My boyfriend and I are both Photogs. We enjoy photography and

it is fun to go to unseen places or places that are difficult to be seen and

take photos. It makes you feel special to have done that.We like to be active

and able to do anything on a whim. That has not been possible for almost four

years. I took forever to finally breakdown and have surgery. It finally was to

the point that just walking slowly to anything hurt and then my neck stayed

kinked all the time. I couldn't get any relief. Then I was stuck living on pain

medicine and that of course only numbs you some of the way. Some of the pain

finds a way to sneak thru. I don't mean to sound quite so pitiful when I am

venting and whining.I have to say that after the surgeries, I do feel some

improvement.I used to do what I called " the little bobbing dog " routine with my

head and neck.I would turn and move and bend and stretch and manipulate my head

and neck in all sorts of positions trying to relieve the pressure and pain. I

know people probably thought I had some sort of disorder. LOLThe " little bobbing

dog " days seems to be over. I have pain and pressure, but it is different. I can

pretty much tell that the pain I have now is from the surgery. The lower back

has improved, but I think I may have herniated at a level higher than the

surgery corrected.We were walking Tuesday night and I took a step and had the

sharp stabbing pain and down to the toes again. Talked to the doc, he is writing

it off as scar tissue hitting the nerve right now.If it keeps doing it or if it

is still happening when I see him in two months then we might have to look at

more MRI's and more surgery. But, fingers crossed that is not the case.Sounds

like you have been down pretty much the same road that I have.Now when you had

the additional surgery, was a reherniation of the same area or did you hurt

something higher up?That is a concern for me. I am the boat with everyone else

on the DDD, Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, bulging discs...I am concerned that I

will screw up and reinjure something.I am glad you shared your recovery time

with me. That gives me an idea of what I am looking at as far as recovery time.I

am glad you are able to get out again.And you are absolutely right, IT COULD BE

WORSE! I think sometimes we forget, that even with all we have going on, it

could be worse.Thanks againShayna It is better to be hated for who you are than

liked for who you aren't. From: Rosenfeld

<rosenfelds@...>Subject: RE: After Spinal

Surgeryspinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.comDate: Friday, June 27,

2008, 5:57 PMPlease don't feel bad about " venting " that is definitely one of the

purposes of this group. I didn't go through nearly the difficult recovery you

did but you are right in that one of the toughest things for someone who was

very active is to lye in bed and do pretty much nothing but watch brain numbing

TV. It drove me NUTS. I just kept thinking about the future but I would be lying

if I said I didn't cry, pound some pillows and scream in them as well. This was

actually very therapeutic for me and a skill taught to me by my divorce

councilor almost 20 years ago. What so many doctors don't realize is that not

only physically injured but you are emotionally injured and as my councilor

taught me.. you can't heal what you can't feel. So go ahead and swear, scream,

cry or anything else that won't risk yourrecovery. It will help. You have every

right to have those feelings. I honestly think people that go through this type

of recovery and/or loss should workwith a grieving councilor to help them with

the emotional wounds.Wishing you a faster recovery-spinedisorderssuppo

rtgroup@gro ups.comFrom: shaynal2003Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008

22:02:02 +0000Subject: After Spinal SurgerySo, short

list of what I had done. Lumbar was laminectomy, discectomy and foraminotomy on

S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was 04.18.08.Then had cervical surgery laminectomy,

disectomy and foraminotomy on C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no fusion, no

hardware. Just corrections. The lumbar surgery was a piece of cake compared to

the cervical.I know I had pain with the lumbar, but it was nothing compared to

what I woke up with after the cervical surgery. I woke up crying after the

cervical and ended up having to have my pain meds stronger than before. Thepain

meds I took for the lumbar surgery weren't even touching the pain.So, here I am.

Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well I think you guys can fill

in the blanks.I guess I didn't realize how long the recovery process would be. I

really thought the surgery would happen and four weeks later I would be good as

new. HE HE HE..yeah right. So, just went back to the neuro...He is giving me two

more monthsof healing and I have been fussed at and restricted to doing pretty

much nothing by the doctor and the physical therapist.Just a small question, How

do they expect you to just sit around and do nothing? OMG... I think I am gonna

lose it. I want to clean house, wash clothes, something.Yep, I am whining. Can't

help it. But, if you have read this far...thanks for listening.Helps to vent

occasionally. So, another question. For those of you who have had the cervical

surgery and lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you to return to

normalactivity level?I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOLThanks again for

listening to me vent. Shayna [Non-text portions of this message have been

removed][Non- text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text

portions of this message have been removed][Non-text portions of this message

have been removed]

[Guest guest]

Hi Shayna,

I am the same way. It is hard for me to just sit here and do nothing, so I

usually get and and do something and then pay for it for the next 3 days!!

Anyway, I have a question. I'm going to be going to this new neurosurgeon soon (

because the last neurosurgeon I had, totally messed me up causing nerve damage

with the microdiscectomy on L2/L3) because I have bad numbness down both arms

that feels like I have had my arms in ice cold water for months on end or a bad

case of what frost bite might feel like. I can't seem to use my right hand very

well. I had a MRI done and it shows some overlapping vertebra in the cervical

area among some bone spurs and some degenerative discs. Is this what you had

before you had your surgery?

Thanks for any input you can give me!

Donna

spinal problems

From: shaynal2003@...

Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:02:02 +0000

Subject: After Spinal Surgery

So, short list of what I had done. Lumbar was laminectomy,

discectomy

and foraminotomy on S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was 04.18.08.

Then had cervical surgery laminectomy, disectomy and foraminotomy on

C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no fusion, no hardware. Just corrections.

The lumbar surgery was a piece of cake compared to the cervical.

I know I had pain with the lumbar, but it was nothing compared to

what I woke up with after the cervical surgery.

I woke up crying after the cervical and ended up having to have my

pain meds stronger than before. The pain meds I took for the lumbar

surgery weren't even touching the pain.

So, here I am. Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well

I think you guys can fill in the blanks.

I guess I didn't realize how long the recovery process would be. I

really thought the surgery would happen and four weeks later I would

be good as new. HE HE HE..yeah right.

So, just went back to the neuro...He is giving me two more months of

healing and I have been fussed at and restricted to doing pretty much

nothing by the doctor and the physical therapist.

Just a small question, How do they expect you to just sit around and

do nothing?

OMG... I think I am gonna lose it. I want to clean house, wash

clothes, something.

Yep, I am whining. Can't help it. But, if you have read this

far...thanks for listening.

Helps to vent occasionally.

So, another question. For those of you who have had the cervical

surgery and lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you to return

to normal activity level?

I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOL

Thanks again for listening to me vent.

Shayna

_________________________________________________________________

The i’m Talkathon starts 6/24/08.  For now, give amongst yourselves.

http://www.imtalkathon.com?source=TXT_EML_WLH_LearnMore_GiveAmongst

[Guest guest]

Hi Shayna,

I had to pop in here....got a grin...

My boyfriend and I are also photographers.

When I only met him the second time we were both flying to Russia for

me to undergo an endoscopic discectomy. We ended up taking a lot of

pictures during that time and had a blast between the horrible pain I was

in. It has been a four year journey from my injury Sept 29, 04 when I

was injured at work....ended up with 3 tears 3/4 inches long each in the

one disc L4/5...Workman's Comp, however turned it in as a " sprain "

I surely know the pain you are in, I have become pretty much bed-ridden,

waiting for surgery in Germany in a couple of weeks.

So what do you like shooting best, landscapes, people, events...

Are you able to get out at all?

I am using a G9 now that I can't carry much....these days...my boyfriend

got it for me for Christmas. I keep it with me most of the time, but not that

I shoot a lot with it...

Part of my issues is " some brain trauma " from the fall....that makes it tough

to be as automatically creative as I use to be...don't know that it is gone..

just more aware that it isn't automatic as before..

How long ago did you have surgery?

And how do you think your recovery is going?

Did you have lumbar and cervical surgeries?

Blessings,

and apologize for butting in...I just got a grin and was blessed that you and

your boyfriend shoot also...

Joanne

From: Rosenfeld <rosenfeldsmsn (DOT)

> com>Subject: RE: After Spinal SurgeryTo:

spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.comDate: Friday, June 27, 2008, 5:57

PMPlease don't feel bad about " venting " that is definitely one of the purposes

of this

group. I didn't go through nearly the difficult recovery you did but you are

right in that

one of the toughest things for someone who was very active is to lye in bed and

do pretty

much nothing but watch brain numbing TV. It drove me NUTS. I just kept thinking

about

the future but I would be lying if I said I didn't cry, pound some pillows and

scream in

them as well. This was actually very therapeutic for me and a skill taught to me

by my

divorce councilor almost 20 years ago. What so many doctors don't realize is

that not only

physically injured but you are emotionally injured and as my councilor taught

me.. you

can't heal what you can't feel. So go ahead and swear, scream, cry or anything

else that

won't risk your

> recovery. It will help. You have every right to have those feelings. I

honestly think

people that go through this type of recovery and/or loss should workwith a

grieving

councilor to help them with the emotional wounds.Wishing you a faster

recovery-To:

spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.comFrom: shaynal2003Date:

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:02:02 +0000Subject: After Spinal

SurgerySo, short list of what I had done. Lumbar was laminectomy, discectomy and

foraminotomy on S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was 04.18.08.Then had cervical surgery

laminectomy, disectomy and foraminotomy on C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no

fusion, no

hardware. Just corrections. The lumbar surgery was a piece of cake compared to

the

cervical.I know I had pain with the lumbar, but it was nothing compared to what

I woke up

with after the cervical surgery. I woke up crying after the cervical and ended

up having to

have my pain meds stronger than before. The

> pain meds I took for the lumbar surgery weren't even touching the pain.So,

here I am.

Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well I think you guys can fill

in the blanks.I

guess I didn't realize how long the recovery process would be. I really thought

the surgery

would happen and four weeks later I would be good as new. HE HE HE..yeah right.

So, just

went back to the neuro...He is giving me two more monthsof healing and I have

been

fussed at and restricted to doing pretty much nothing by the doctor and the

physical

therapist.Just a small question, How do they expect you to just sit around and

do nothing?

OMG... I think I am gonna lose it. I want to clean house, wash clothes,

something.Yep, I am

whining. Can't help it. But, if you have read this far...thanks for

listening.Helps to vent

occasionally. So, another question. For those of you who have had the cervical

surgery and

lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you to return to normal

> activity level?I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOLThanks again for listening

to me

vent. Shayna

[Guest guest]

Hi Shayna

Ive sent my MR up to s Hopkins for a second opinion, just waiting to hear

back.

Will call tomorrow to see whats happening.

in the meantime just continuing with PT- they told me to start wearing my

orthotics again, something about the way you walk affecting the chain. Im sure

there is something to it, so put them in yesterday.

So just continuing the long slog towards something....

After Spinal Surgery

So, short list of what I had done. Lumbar was laminectomy, discectomy

and foraminotomy on S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was 04.18.08.

Then had cervical surgery laminectomy, disectomy and foraminotomy on

C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no fusion, no hardware. Just corrections.

The lumbar surgery was a piece of cake compared to the cervical.

I know I had pain with the lumbar, but it was nothing compared to

what I woke up with after the cervical surgery.

I woke up crying after the cervical and ended up having to have my

pain meds stronger than before. The pain meds I took for the lumbar

surgery weren't even touching the pain.

So, here I am. Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well

I think you guys can fill in the blanks.

I guess I didn't realize how long the recovery process would be. I

really thought the surgery would happen and four weeks later I would

be good as new. HE HE HE..yeah right.

So, just went back to the neuro...He is giving me two more months of

healing and I have been fussed at and restricted to doing pretty much

nothing by the doctor and the physical therapist.

Just a small question, How do they expect you to just sit around and

do nothing?

OMG... I think I am gonna lose it. I want to clean house, wash

clothes, something.

Yep, I am whining. Can't help it. But, if you have read this

far...thanks for listening.

Helps to vent occasionally.

So, another question. For those of you who have had the cervical

surgery and lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you to return

to normal activity level?

I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOL

Thanks again for listening to me vent.

Shayna

[Guest guest]

Im with on that, the minute I feel good, I over do it.

Patience is a hard one to master.

I think its one of the tenents of what we all go through with this thing called

back pain.

I often wonder about it, why I - we are called upon to suffer so -and yet we

here have a chance to master patience, humility, empathy, self love-

as this pain is like giant boulders thrown in our paths of life that make this

soooooo harrrrddddd...if we can only overcome it.... than maybe we can learn

these things.....

After Spinal SurgerySo, short

list of what I had done. Lumbar was laminectomy, discectomy and foraminotomy on

S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was 04.18.08.Then had cervical surgery laminectomy,

disectomy and foraminotomy on C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no fusion, no

hardware. Just corrections. The lumbar surgery was a piece of cake compared to

the cervical.I know I had pain with the lumbar, but it was nothing compared to

what I woke up with after the cervical surgery. I woke up crying after the

cervical and ended up having to have my pain meds stronger than before. Thepain

meds I took for the lumbar surgery weren't even touching the pain.So, here I am.

Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well I think you guys can fill

in the blanks.I guess I didn't realize how long the recovery process would be. I

really thought the surgery would happen and four weeks later I would be good as

new. HE HE HE..yeah right. So, just went back to the neuro...He is giving me two

more monthsof healing and I have been fussed at and restricted to doing pretty

much nothing by the doctor and the physical therapist.Just a small question, How

do they expect you to just sit around and do nothing? OMG... I think I am gonna

lose it. I want to clean house, wash clothes, something.Yep, I am whining. Can't

help it. But, if you have read this far...thanks for listening.Helps to vent

occasionally. So, another question. For those of you who have had the cervical

surgery and lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you to return to

normalactivity level?I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOLThanks again for

listening to me vent. Shayna [Non-text portions of this message have been

removed][Non- text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text

portions of this message have been removed][Non-text portions of this message

have been removed]

[Guest guest]

I was telling one of my friends one day how I deal with all these adversities

that have happened to me. I don't want to belabor the point, but needless to

say that since the age of 8 I have had more than my fair share of serious

injuries and accidents. Anyhow, I replied that from each one I have learned

something. When I was 8 I almost died and lost my leg (back in the early 60s).

The doctors said I would never walk again. I was determined to prove them wrong

and although I did have some neurological deficits (pins/needles and some numb

areas in my right foot) I went on to be a top athlete. What did I learn.. I

learned how fortunate we are to have life since I came inches from death. I

learned that death is not as scary as I thought, since I actually was calm and

content as I was slipping away and was more concerned for my mom who was

freaking out. I learned that our mind is a POWERFUL ally. I really had a

thurst for life and an empathy for those that were injured or crippled. Excuse

my bragging, but I really believe I became a better person after that accident

and injoyed life so much more than my friends. It also made me a more sensitive

and spiritual person. I hate to say it but for each major injury/illness that

aflicted me there was something good that came from it. We are all only here

for a short time .. no one can escape that fate so those of us facing these

daemons are tested and challenged and how we come through it changes us forever.

From what I have seen in my journey.. the people I most admire are those that

have come from adversity. The bullies, arogant, greedy, unfeeling people seem

to be the ones that had the least adversity in their lives. I know this isn't

always true but from my 53 years it is mostly true. I had a parapalegic girl

friend in my younger years. She was a superb athlete, a gymist in her teenage

years and was in a bad car accident that left her paralized from I beleive it

was C4 down. She was the most beautiful, sexy (she would love to hear me say

that but it was true), upbeat, fun person that I loved. We did eventually go

our seperate ways but we stay in touch and she is married with two kids.

Anyhow, I can go on and on.. and I bet you all have experienced similar things

in your lives. So what is this injury teaching me.. I think most of all

PATIENCE for now, who are my REAL friends, what I can endure, what REALLY is

important in life.. I used to think it was my sports and surfing... I don't

think that any more. I am a different person now.. hopefully a better one as I

know you all are!!

-gary

spinal problems@...: wendy.tom@...:

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:20:07 -0400Subject: RE: After

Spinal Surgery

Im with on that, the minute I feel good, I over do it.Patience is a hard

one to master.I think its one of the tenents of what we all go through with this

thing called back pain.I often wonder about it, why I - we are called upon to

suffer so -and yet we here have a chance to master patience, humility, empathy,

self love- as this pain is like giant boulders thrown in our paths of life that

make this soooooo harrrrddddd...if we can only overcome it.... than maybe we can

learn these things..... After Spinal SurgerySo, short

list of what I had done. Lumbar was laminectomy, discectomy and foraminotomy on

S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was 04.18.08.Then had cervical surgery laminectomy,

disectomy and foraminotomy on C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no fusion, no

hardware. Just corrections. The lumbar surgery was a piece of cake compared to

the cervical.I know I had pain with the lumbar, but it was nothing compared to

what I woke up with after the cervical surgery. I woke up crying after the

cervical and ended up having to have my pain meds stronger than before. Thepain

meds I took for the lumbar surgery weren't even touching the pain.So, here I am.

Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well I think you guys can fill

in the blanks.I guess I didn't realize how long the recovery process would be. I

really thought the surgery would happen and four weeks later I would be good as

new. HE HE HE..yeah right. So, just went back to the neuro...He is giving me two

more monthsof healing and I have been fussed at and restricted to doing pretty

much nothing by the doctor and the physical therapist.Just a small question, How

do they expect you to just sit around and do nothing? OMG... I think I am gonna

lose it. I want to clean house, wash clothes, something.Yep, I am whining. Can't

help it. But, if you have read this far...thanks for listening.Helps to vent

occasionally. So, another question. For those of you who have had the cervical

surgery and lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you to return to

normalactivity level?I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOLThanks again for

listening to me vent. Shayna [Non-text portions of this message have been

removed][Non- text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text

portions of this message have been removed][Non-text portions of this message

have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been

removed]

[Guest guest]

Very well put, ! Of course, I'm sure that we all have different

things to learn in addition to the group of things that we learn that

are universal! I firmly believe that it's all about attitude and if you

have the right one you get to move to the next step. Of course, no one

promises that the next step will be any easier, but at least we get to

progress.

From: Rosenfeld rosenfelds@...Subject: RE: [spinal Disorders

Support] After Spinal Surgeryspinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro

ups.comDate: Friday, June 27, 2008, 5:57 PMPlease don't feel bad about

" venting " that is definitely one of the purposes of this group. I didn't

go through nearly the difficult recovery you did but you are right in

that one of the toughest things for someone who was very active is to

lye in bed and do pretty much nothing but watch brain numbing TV. It

drove me NUTS. I just kept thinking about the future but I would be

lying if I said I didn't cry, pound some pillows and scream in them as

well. This was actually very therapeutic for me and a skill taught to me

by my divorce councilor almost 20 years ago. What so many doctors don't

realize is that not only physically injured but you are emotionally

injured and as my councilor taught me.. you can't heal what you can't

feel. So go ahead and swear, scream, cry or anything else that won't

risk yourrecovery. It will help. You have every right to have those

feelings. I honestly think people that go through this type of recovery

and/or loss should workwith a grieving councilor to help them with the

emotional wounds.Wishing you a faster recovery-To:

spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.comFrom: shaynal2003@

Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:02:02 +0000Subject: [spinal Disorders

Support] After Spinal SurgerySo, short list of what I had done. Lumbar

was laminectomy, discectomy and foraminotomy on S-1, L-5 and L-4. That

was 04.18.08.Then had cervical surgery laminectomy, disectomy and

foraminotomy on C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no fusion, no hardware. Just

corrections. The lumbar surgery was a piece of cake compared to the

cervical.I know I had pain with the lumbar, but it was nothing compared

to what I woke up with after the cervical surgery. I woke up crying

after the cervical and ended up having to have my pain meds stronger

than before. Thepain meds I took for the lumbar surgery weren't even

touching the pain.So, here I am. Still in pain, Still healing and

frustrated as....well I think you guys can fill in the blanks.I guess I

didn't realize how long the recovery process would be. I really thought

the surgery would happen and four weeks later I would be good as new. HE

HE HE..yeah right. So, just went back to the neuro...He is giving me two

more monthsof healing and I have been fussed at and restricted to doing

pretty much nothing by the doctor and the physical therapist.Just a

small question, How do they expect you to just sit around and do

nothing? OMG... I think I am gonna lose it. I want to clean house, wash

clothes, something.Yep, I am whining. Can't help it. But, if you have

read this far...thanks for listening.Helps to vent occasionally. So,

another question. For those of you who have had the cervical surgery and

lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you to return to

normalactivity level?I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOLThanks again

for listening to me vent. Shayna [Non-text portions of this message have

been removed][Non- text portions of this message have been removed]

[Guest guest]

Inspiring ....I too have been in that situation and have learned that our

lives depend on our intuitiveness to understand the real purpose of our

existence here. It is truly up to us if we want to " graduate " to a higher

purpose.

 

Tim

Rock Hard Rock Forever!

From: Rosenfeld <rosenfeldsmsn (DOT) com>Subject:

RE: After Spinal Surgeryspinedisorderssuppo

rtgroup@gro ups.comDate: Friday, June 27, 2008, 5:57 PMPlease don't feel

bad about " venting " that is definitely one of the purposes of this group. I

didn't go through nearly the difficult recovery you did but you are right in

that one of the toughest things for someone

who was very active is to lye in bed and do pretty much nothing but watch brain

numbing TV. It drove me NUTS. I just kept thinking about the future but I would

be lying if I said I didn't cry, pound some pillows and scream in them as well.

This was actually very therapeutic for me and a skill taught to me by my divorce

councilor almost 20 years ago. What so many doctors don't realize is that not

only physically injured but you are emotionally injured and as my councilor

taught me.. you can't heal what you can't feel. So go ahead and swear, scream,

cry or anything else that won't risk yourrecovery. It will help. You have every

right to have those feelings. I honestly think people that go through this type

of recovery and/or loss should workwith a grieving councilor to help them with

the emotional wounds.Wishing you a faster recovery-spinedisorderssuppo

rtgroup@gro ups.comFrom: shaynal2003Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008

22:02:02

+0000Subject: After Spinal SurgerySo, short list of

what I had done. Lumbar was laminectomy, discectomy and foraminotomy on S-1, L-5

and L-4. That was 04.18.08.Then had cervical surgery laminectomy, disectomy and

foraminotomy on C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no fusion, no hardware. Just

corrections. The lumbar surgery was a piece of cake compared to the cervical.I

know I had pain with the lumbar, but it was nothing compared to what I woke up

with after the cervical surgery. I woke up crying after the cervical and ended

up having to have my pain meds stronger than before. Thepain meds I took for the

lumbar surgery weren't even touching the pain.So, here I am. Still in pain,

Still healing and frustrated as....well I think you guys can fill in the

blanks.I guess I didn't realize how long the recovery process would be. I really

thought the surgery would happen and four weeks later I would be good as new. HE

HE HE..yeah right. So,

just went back to the neuro...He is giving me two more monthsof healing and I

have been fussed at and restricted to doing pretty much nothing by the doctor

and the physical therapist.Just a small question, How do they expect you to just

sit around and do nothing? OMG... I think I am gonna lose it. I want to clean

house, wash clothes, something.Yep, I am whining. Can't help it. But, if you

have read this far...thanks for listening.Helps to vent occasionally. So,

another question. For those of you who have had the cervical surgery and lumbar

surgery...how long is it taking for you to return to normalactivity level?I want

to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOLThanks again for listening to me vent. Shayna

[Guest guest]

I know what you mean about doing too much and then paying for it.

Recently saw my Neuro. He has put me back on Lyrica, which I had been taking for

Fibro prior to the surgeries.

It is a miracle drug. It helps with muscle and nerve pain. He even said they

have now found that it helps with nerve and muscle healing.

I am going to start an Aquatic Aerobics class in the next week or two. Hoping to

get some strength back.

All of this does make you feel very fragile. Like the next move you make you are

going to reinjure something or worse.

Patience has never been a virtue of mine either. LOL

Are you sure we aren't related? LOL

Anyway, Good luck to both of us. I think we are on the right track. Now,

PATIENCE!!! LOL

Yes, well anyway. Good luck.

Shayna

 It is better to be hated for who you are than liked for who you aren't.

From: Rosenfeld <rosenfeldsmsn (DOT)

com>Subject: RE: After Spinal SurgeryTo:

spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.comDate: Friday, June 27, 2008, 5:57

PMPlease don't feel bad about " venting " that is definitely one of the purposes

of this group. I didn't go through nearly the difficult recovery you did but you

are right in that one of the toughest things for someone who was very active is

to lye in bed and do pretty much nothing but watch brain numbing TV. It drove me

NUTS. I just kept thinking about the future but I would be lying if I said I

didn't cry, pound some pillows and scream in them as well. This was actually

very therapeutic for me and a skill taught to me by my divorce councilor almost

20 years ago. What so many doctors don't realize is that not only physically

injured but you are emotionally injured and as my councilor taught me.. you

can't heal what you can't feel. So

go ahead and swear, scream, cry or anything else that won't risk yourrecovery.

It will help. You have every right to have those feelings. I honestly think

people that go through this type of recovery and/or loss should workwith a

grieving councilor to help them with the emotional wounds.Wishing you a faster

recovery-spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.comFrom: shaynal2003@

Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:02:02 +0000Subject: [spinal Disorders

Support] After Spinal SurgerySo, short list of what I had done. Lumbar was

laminectomy, discectomy and foraminotomy on S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was

04.18.08.Then had cervical surgery laminectomy, disectomy and foraminotomy on

C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no fusion, no hardware. Just corrections. The lumbar

surgery was a piece of cake compared to the cervical.I know I had pain with the

lumbar, but it was nothing compared to what I woke up with after the cervical

surgery. I woke up crying after the

cervical and ended up having to have my pain meds stronger than before. Thepain

meds I took for the lumbar surgery weren't even touching the pain.So, here I am.

Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well I think you guys can fill

in the blanks.I guess I didn't realize how long the recovery process would be. I

really thought the surgery would happen and four weeks later I would be good as

new. HE HE HE..yeah right. So, just went back to the neuro...He is giving me two

more monthsof healing and I have been fussed at and restricted to doing pretty

much nothing by the doctor and the physical therapist.Just a small question, How

do they expect you to just sit around and do nothing? OMG... I think I am gonna

lose it. I want to clean house, wash clothes, something.Yep, I am whining. Can't

help it. But, if you have read this far...thanks for listening.Helps to vent

occasionally. So, another question. For those of you who have had the cervical

surgery and lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you to return to

normalactivity level?I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOLThanks again for

listening to me vent. Shayna [Non-text portions of this message have been

removed][Non- text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text

portions of this message have been removed][Non- text portions of this message

have been removed]

[Guest guest]

Joanne,

That was the same day of my accident that reinjured my neck. What an awful

day, right.

Kim

**************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for

fuel-efficient used cars.

(http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)

[Guest guest]

Donna,

My spine pain is wide spread. I had surgery on two sections. S-1,L-5,L-4 in the

lumbar and C-4,C-5 in the cervical.

My lumbar symptoms were muscle spasms, sharp stabbing pain followed by lightning

down my leg into my toes. Primarily on the left side, but occasional instance on

the right as well. I couldn't stand, walk or sit for more than 10 minutes at a

time without great agony . Sleeping was a nightmare. I would try to roll over in

the middle of the night and everything would shift and crack and crunch and hurt

like hell!

Getting up in the morning was always and adventure, because I never knew what to

expect when I stood up. It finally got to the point that every morning when I

tried to roll out of bed, I would crunch and crack while rolling and then when I

went to stand up there would be a loud POP!!! like I had broken a bone and this

unGodly pain. Just trying to walk to the bathroom in the morning was an ordeal.

Every little step was torture.

Now for the cervical...it started as a dull pain and muscle spasm between my

shoulder blades, then  progressed to a constant aching pain with major muscle

tension and pain on the right side of my neck. But, the majority of my nerve

pain was on the left side.

It would radiate down the shoulder and into my pinkie, ring and middle fingers,

followed by a numb and tingly sensation.

I tried muscle relaxers and pain killers for a long time and it finally got to

where they wouldn't even touch it.

I did what I call in a previous post, " My little bobbing dog " impression.

I would turn my head every which way you can think of trying to release the

pressure and hoping and praying to God that the disc... " if that was the problem "

would move back where it belonged or that something would pop and I would have

some relief. But, it never worked and finally got to where I couldn't stand it

anymore.

I couldn't concentrate at work, it made me a miserable person to be around.

I don't know if you have ever been around someone in chronic pain, who was

unable to get relief, but let me just say ....I can only imagine WHAT A JOY it

must have been to be around me. LOL

So, with all of that...finally went to the " best " Neuro in town.

He said and I quote " Well no wonder you are in pain young lady, you have a

herniated disc " Later he went on to describe it as " An impressive herniation "

that was the lumbar.

The neck came later, you already know the symptoms...I was really surpised to

find out that it wasn't as bad as it felt.

Two herniations and bone spurs. While I do have some overlapping, we are not

addressing it at this point, because it was not the root cause of my symptoms. I

too have DDD, Osteoarthritis all that jazz.

So, not that having surgery is lucky, but I was lucky in that both my surgeries

did not involve fusion or hardware.

He completed a laminectomy, discectomy and foraminotomy on both sections of the

spine. Lumbar and Cervical.

After the lumbar surgery I had some initial incision pain and swelling and the

sort, but not too bad and had immediate relief from the sharp stabbing pains and

lightning.

The lumbar is taking a while to heal though. It still gives me fits. Muscle

tension and spasms ,but the doc seems to think with time that will subside. I

still have quite a bit of abnormal movement in the lower spine, but it is not

currently causing me PAIN so to speak, but it does feel really wierd.

The cervical surgery was nothing like the lumbar. I woke up from surgery crying

horribly. Well, not that you can cry any other way. But, you get the point.

Have had a lot of pain and stiffness and swelling. I have posted before about

the pain meds not touching the pain after the cervical surgery. Had to call the

doc and get something stronger.

I am 4 weeks out from cervical now. Now taking Lyrica and Flexeril. Not

necessarily needing the Flexeril on a regular basis. Still Icing it. Doc says

give it time.

Now 8 weeks out from Lumbar surgery. Still having back spasms and cramping but

not on a regular basis, have had a few issues with sharp stabbing pain ,but doc

says was probably scar tissue hitting the nerve. So, again doc says give it

time.

As has said and I agree thoroughly PATIENCE is not one of my virtues.

I want to be healed NOW, NOW I TELL YOU!!! LOL

I hope all of this information helps and if you have any specific questions or

want to know more feel free to ask. It helps me to talk about it.

 

Shayna

 It is better to be hated for who you are than liked for who you aren't.

From: Donna P <luckyone40@...>

Subject: RE: After Spinal Surgery

spinal problems

Date: Saturday, June 28, 2008, 10:37 PM

Hi Shayna,

I am the same way. It is hard for me to just sit here and do nothing, so I

usually get and and do something and then pay for it for the next 3 days!!

Anyway, I have a question. I'm going to be going to this new neurosurgeon

soon ( because the last neurosurgeon I had, totally messed me up causing nerve

damage with the microdiscectomy on L2/L3) because I have bad numbness down both

arms that feels like I have had my arms in ice cold water for months on end or a

bad case of what frost bite might feel like. I can't seem to use my right

hand very well. I had a MRI done and it shows some overlapping vertebra in the

cervical area among some bone spurs and some degenerative discs. Is this what

you had before you had your surgery?

Thanks for any input you can give me!

Donna

spinal problems

From: shaynal2003@...

Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:02:02 +0000

Subject: After Spinal Surgery

So, short list of what I had done. Lumbar was laminectomy,

discectomy

and foraminotomy on S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was 04.18.08.

Then had cervical surgery laminectomy, disectomy and foraminotomy on

C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no fusion, no hardware. Just corrections.

The lumbar surgery was a piece of cake compared to the cervical.

I know I had pain with the lumbar, but it was nothing compared to

what I woke up with after the cervical surgery.

I woke up crying after the cervical and ended up having to have my

pain meds stronger than before. The pain meds I took for the lumbar

surgery weren't even touching the pain.

So, here I am. Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well

I think you guys can fill in the blanks.

I guess I didn't realize how long the recovery process would be. I

really thought the surgery would happen and four weeks later I would

be good as new. HE HE HE..yeah right.

So, just went back to the neuro...He is giving me two more months of

healing and I have been fussed at and restricted to doing pretty much

nothing by the doctor and the physical therapist.

Just a small question, How do they expect you to just sit around and

do nothing?

OMG... I think I am gonna lose it. I want to clean house, wash

clothes, something.

Yep, I am whining. Can't help it. But, if you have read this

far...thanks for listening.

Helps to vent occasionally.

So, another question. For those of you who have had the cervical

surgery and lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you to return

to normal activity level?

I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOL

Thanks again for listening to me vent.

Shayna

_________________________________________________________________

The i知 Talkathon starts 6/24/08.� For now, give amongst yourselves.

http://www.imtalkathon.com?source=TXT_EML_WLH_LearnMore_GiveAmongst

[Guest guest]

Joanne,

No intrusion at all. It is always great to hear of other photography nuts. LOL

I shoot with an Nikon N55 SLR.

I had always had an interest in photography and when Bill and I finally got

together one of the first things he bought me was my camera. Now on holidays and

birthdays I get new equipment. New lenses, tripods and the like. You get the

picture.

He is very talented and knows all about the technical aspects of shooting and

has some pretty fabulous equipment. I am still pretty new and learning all the

nuances of photography. I don't think most people realize what goes into making

one of those " stop and stare " photographs. Ya know?

It was also nice to hear of other couples who are similar to us in that way.

I just posted this enormous post to Donna on the forum. You might want to read

that. It tells all about my adventures in surgery.

I guess I would have to say my favorites for shooting would be black and white

still life and architecture.

I love it all, but if I absolutely had to nail down a favorite I suppose that

would be it.

We should share our work with each other sometime.

Would love to see what your eye sees thru the lens.

You mentioned Germany and Russia for your surgery.

Would you normally have been in those areas or were you traveling specifically

for surgery? Sorry to be nosey, but was curious when I saw your post.

I hope things go very well for you. Good luck and all my best.

 

Shayna

 

 It is better to be hated for who you are than liked for who you aren't.

From: thruhiseyes1 <thruhiseyes1@...>

Subject: Re: After Spinal Surgery

spinal problems

Date: Sunday, June 29, 2008, 2:38 AM

Hi Shayna,

I had to pop in here....got a grin...

My boyfriend and I are also photographers.

When I only met him the second time we were both flying to Russia for

me to undergo an endoscopic discectomy. We ended up taking a lot of

pictures during that time and had a blast between the horrible pain I was

in. It has been a four year journey from my injury Sept 29, 04 when I

was injured at work....ended up with 3 tears 3/4 inches long each in the

one disc L4/5...Workman' s Comp, however turned it in as a " sprain "

I surely know the pain you are in, I have become pretty much bed-ridden,

waiting for surgery in Germany in a couple of weeks.

So what do you like shooting best, landscapes, people, events...

Are you able to get out at all?

I am using a G9 now that I can't carry much....these days...my boyfriend

got it for me for Christmas. I keep it with me most of the time, but not that

I shoot a lot with it...

Part of my issues is " some brain trauma " from the fall....that makes it tough

to be as automatically creative as I use to be...don't know that it is gone..

just more aware that it isn't automatic as before..

How long ago did you have surgery?

And how do you think your recovery is going?

Did you have lumbar and cervical surgeries?

Blessings,

and apologize for butting in...I just got a grin and was blessed that you and

your boyfriend shoot also...

Joanne

From: Rosenfeld <rosenfelds@ msn.

> com>Subject: RE: After Spinal SurgeryTo:

spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.comDate: Friday, June 27, 2008, 5:57

PMPlease don't feel bad about " venting " that is definitely one of the purposes

of this

group. I didn't go through nearly the difficult recovery you did but you are

right in that

one of the toughest things for someone who was very active is to lye in bed and

do pretty

much nothing but watch brain numbing TV. It drove me NUTS. I just kept thinking

about

the future but I would be lying if I said I didn't cry, pound some pillows and

scream in

them as well. This was actually very therapeutic for me and a skill taught to me

by my

divorce councilor almost 20 years ago. What so many doctors don't realize is

that not only

physically injured but you are emotionally injured and as my councilor taught

me.. you

can't heal what you can't feel. So go ahead and swear, scream, cry or anything

else that

won't risk your

> recovery. It will help. You have every right to have those feelings. I

honestly think

people that go through this type of recovery and/or loss should workwith a

grieving

councilor to help them with the emotional wounds.Wishing you a faster

recovery-To:

spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.comFrom: shaynal2003Date:

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:02:02 +0000Subject: After Spinal

SurgerySo, short list of what I had done. Lumbar was laminectomy, discectomy and

foraminotomy on S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was 04.18.08.Then had cervical surgery

laminectomy, disectomy and foraminotomy on C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no

fusion, no

hardware. Just corrections. The lumbar surgery was a piece of cake compared to

the

cervical.I know I had pain with the lumbar, but it was nothing compared to what

I woke up

with after the cervical surgery. I woke up crying after the cervical and ended

up having to

have my pain meds stronger than before. The

> pain meds I took for the lumbar surgery weren't even touching the pain.So,

here I am.

Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well I think you guys can fill

in the blanks.I

guess I didn't realize how long the recovery process would be. I really thought

the surgery

would happen and four weeks later I would be good as new. HE HE HE..yeah right.

So, just

went back to the neuro...He is giving me two more monthsof healing and I have

been

fussed at and restricted to doing pretty much nothing by the doctor and the

physical

therapist.Just a small question, How do they expect you to just sit around and

do nothing?

OMG... I think I am gonna lose it. I want to clean house, wash clothes,

something.Yep, I am

whining. Can't help it. But, if you have read this far...thanks for

listening.Helps to vent

occasionally. So, another question. For those of you who have had the cervical

surgery and

lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you to return to normal

> activity level?I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOLThanks again for listening

to me

vent. Shayna

[Guest guest]

Mrs. ,

Yep, better wear those orthotics young lady. I have heard similar stories. Have

even consider getting them myself. But, they are so bloody expensive.

Plantar Fasciitis was diagnosed by the podiatrist. Woke up feeling like I had

tiny razor blades slicing into my feet. Did you have similar?

I hope they come up with something for you soon. I waited too long I think to

finally have something done. Should have just sucked it up and had the necessary

things done immediately instead of trying to deal for so long. But, when you are

single and live alone and only get paid 50% of your salary while on disability,

taking off for any period of time becomes an issue.

Luckily, moved in with the boyfriend, he is extremely caring and understanding.

I don't know what I would have done otherwise. Oh, but don't misunderstand, we

moved in together because we wanted to live together, not because of my

ailments.

Just had to clarify.

Again, Much luck to you. I hope your relief comes soon.

Let me know what the doc says.

 

Shayna

 It is better to be hated for who you are than liked for who you aren't.

From: <wendy.tom@earthlink .net>

Subject: RE: After Spinal Surgery

spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.com, spinedisorderssuppo

rtgroup@gro ups.com

Date: Saturday, June 28, 2008, 7:28 AM

Shaynal

my heart goes out to you reading your plight.

I have to say to you -be kind to yourself- you have had not one, but TWO

surgeries in about a 2 month time, either one would be alot for the body to

handle but you have had two!

Of course your in pain-

I think like said you have to cry, express your frusteration, and if you

can see someone- counseler with a pain therapy backgroud that could be helpful.

I have not had surgery but I wake up and go to bed every day with terrible pain.

I have thoughts myself that are often quite difficult.

But there are people who love us and want us to be here and you never know how

your being here affects someone elses life.

I am very glad that we at least have this group to express ourselves, before

this I felt very alone and that was very depressing, so we have each other -

thank god for the technology!

Hang in there, and think of the time you can get in a pool, or take a walk.

Do you have some books on tape? That might be a good diversion as well.

Im glad to hear you have a good support system.

wendy

After Spinal Surgery

So, short list of what I had done. Lumbar was laminectomy, discectomy

and foraminotomy on S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was 04.18.08.

Then had cervical surgery laminectomy, disectomy and foraminotomy on

C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no fusion, no hardware. Just corrections.

The lumbar surgery was a piece of cake compared to the cervical.

I know I had pain with the lumbar, but it was nothing compared to

what I woke up with after the cervical surgery.

I woke up crying after the cervical and ended up having to have my

pain meds stronger than before. The pain meds I took for the lumbar

surgery weren't even touching the pain.

So, here I am. Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well

I think you guys can fill in the blanks.

I guess I didn't realize how long the recovery process would be. I

really thought the surgery would happen and four weeks later I would

be good as new. HE HE HE..yeah right.

So, just went back to the neuro...He is giving me two more months of

healing and I have been fussed at and restricted to doing pretty much

nothing by the doctor and the physical therapist.

Just a small question, How do they expect you to just sit around and

do nothing?

OMG... I think I am gonna lose it. I want to clean house, wash

clothes, something.

Yep, I am whining. Can't help it. But, if you have read this

far...thanks for listening.

Helps to vent occasionally.

So, another question. For those of you who have had the cervical

surgery and lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you to return

to normal activity level?

I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOL

Thanks again for listening to me vent.

Shayna

[Guest guest]

Shayna

I have heard of Lyrica, but I have been afraid to take it because I heard it

makes you dizzy and spacey.... have you had any issues with that?

It sounds good from what you say-

wendy

[spinal Disorders

Support] After Spinal SurgerySo, short list of what I had done. Lumbar was

laminectomy, discectomy and foraminotomy on S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was

04.18.08.Then had cervical surgery laminectomy, disectomy and foraminotomy on

C-4, C-5, 05.28.08. Luckily no fusion, no hardware. Just corrections. The lumbar

surgery was a piece of cake compared to the cervical.I know I had pain with the

lumbar, but it was nothing compared to what I woke up with after the cervical

surgery. I woke up crying after the

cervical and ended up having to have my pain meds stronger than before. Thepain

meds I took for the lumbar surgery weren't even touching the pain.So, here I am.

Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well I think you guys can fill

in the blanks.I guess I didn't realize how long the recovery process would be. I

really thought the surgery would happen and four weeks later I would be good as

new. HE HE HE..yeah right. So, just went back to the neuro...He is giving me two

more monthsof healing and I have been fussed at and restricted to doing pretty

much nothing by the doctor and the physical therapist.Just a small question, How

do they expect you to just sit around and do nothing? OMG... I think I am gonna

lose it. I want to clean house, wash clothes, something.Yep, I am whining. Can't

help it. But, if you have read this far...thanks for listening.Helps to vent

occasionally. So, another question. For those of you who have had the cervical

surgery and lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you to return to

normalactivity level?I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOLThanks again for

listening to me vent. Shayna [Non-text portions of this message have been

removed][Non- text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text

portions of this message have been removed][Non- text portions of this message

have been removed]

[Guest guest]

79 yr old ran a red light and t-boned me. She still had insurance but had a

suspended driver's license for health reasons, ran a red light, and expired

tags. I am holding her accountable even from the grave. I got a trip to the

ER in a neck brace and taped down to a board, she got her car impounded and

a BIG trip to traffic court. In the years following she passed away so now

her estate is being sued. She pushed my C7-T1 into the canal causing central

canal stenosis and caused another annular tear at C4-5 not to mention

accelerated my arthritis and now I have chronic pain that won't go away,

medication

2-3x's/day and monthly trips to the pain management doctor for injections and

repeat radiofrequency lesioning. I am now a surgical canidate but have

refused because epidurals and all that other pain management jazz work for me.

The only surgery I will consider is minimally invasive at this point. I don't

even want the threat of a fusion mentioned though it has been. I still work

full time in a hospital in my chosen profession can't imagine more pain then

I already have. Just told my lawyers I think I am a canidate for having my

head cut off when the technology is available for me to run around like a

chicken with my head cut off. The pain is incredible right now, being in a

neck

brace during times like this is a saving grace. Prior to this I had been

stabalized when I lived in NM, treated and released plus off all pain

medication. My left arm and hand gets weak, tingles, goes numb or hurts

constantly

whereas it had not prior to that after being released 2 years prior. I hate my

life right now but I am grateful for my current PM doctor he is the best and

most gentle. Normally I wouldn't regularly see one unless I needed

injections but he has been my saving grace.

Kim

**************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for

fuel-efficient used cars.

(http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)

[Guest guest]

You have to work your way up with Lyrica. I was on 50mg twice a day and

have worked my way up to 150mg three times a day. When I went from 75 mg to

150mg I had a period of about two weeks where I could be sitting in a chair

and fall right asleep. This only lasted a few days. The higher doses make

you a little spacey for about a week but the benefits from the Lyrica are

incredible. BUT I only see the benefits when combined with 100mg Tramadol.

The two combined work better than oxycontin or 10/325 oxycodone without all

the horrible side affects.

Take Care,

Greg

After Spinal SurgerySo,

> short list of what I had done. Lumbar was laminectomy, discectomy and

> foraminotomy on S-1, L-5 and L-4. That was 04.18.08.Then had cervical

> surgery laminectomy, disectomy and foraminotomy on C-4, C-5, 05.28.08.

> Luckily no fusion, no hardware. Just corrections. The lumbar surgery was a

> piece of cake compared to the cervical.I know I had pain with the lumbar,

> but it was nothing compared to what I woke up with after the cervical

> surgery. I woke up crying after the

> cervical and ended up having to have my pain meds stronger than before.

> Thepain meds I took for the lumbar surgery weren't even touching the

> pain.So, here I am. Still in pain, Still healing and frustrated as....well

> I think you guys can fill in the blanks.I guess I didn't realize how long

> the recovery process would be. I really thought the surgery would happen

> and four weeks later I would be good as new. HE HE HE..yeah right. So,

> just went back to the neuro...He is giving me two more monthsof healing

> and I have been fussed at and restricted to doing pretty much nothing by

> the doctor and the physical therapist.Just a small question, How do they

> expect you to just sit around and do nothing? OMG... I think I am gonna

> lose it. I want to clean house, wash clothes, something.Yep, I am whining.

> Can't help it. But, if you have read this far...thanks for listening.Helps

> to vent occasionally. So, another question. For those of you who have had

> the cervical

> surgery and lumbar surgery...how long is it taking for you to return to

> normalactivity level?I want to hike, bike, LOOK DOWN!~LOLThanks again for

> listening to me vent. Shayna [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed][Non- text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text

> portions of this message have been removed][Non- text portions of this

> message have been removed]

>

>

[Guest guest]

High Five!

That was a VERY bad day indeed....I am sorry you reinjured

your neck.

How did that happen?

Joanne

Re: After Spinal Surgery

Joanne,

That was the same day of my accident that reinjured my neck. What an awful

day, right.

Kim

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[Guest guest]

Wow Kim....

I am so sorry about what happened to you....

Praying you get the help you need...

Here is my blog: http://joanneupdate.blogspot.com/

I friend set it up for me so perhaps you can see if this

is something for you...I am getting a disc replacement

in a couple weeks...well a little over two weeks...

going to Germany to do it cause seems like fusion is

" the specialty " in the US....

I am bed-ridden so this is my only option to have a life...

if it is available....

Best regards,

Joanne

Re: After Spinal Surgery

79 yr old ran a red light and t-boned me. She still had insurance but had a

suspended driver's license for health reasons, ran a red light, and expired

tags. I am holding her accountable even from the grave. I got a trip to the

ER in a neck brace and taped down to a board, she got her car impounded and

a BIG trip to traffic court. In the years following she passed away so now

her estate is being sued. She pushed my C7-T1 into the canal causing central

canal stenosis and caused another annular tear at C4-5 not to mention

accelerated my arthritis and now I have chronic pain that won't go away,

medication

2-3x's/day and monthly trips to the pain management doctor for injections and

repeat radiofrequency lesioning. I am now a surgical canidate but have

refused because epidurals and all that other pain management jazz work for me.

The only surgery I will consider is minimally invasive at this point. I don't

even want the threat of a fusion mentioned though it has been. I still work

full time in a hospital in my chosen profession can't imagine more pain then

I already have. Just told my lawyers I think I am a canidate for having my

head cut off when the technology is available for me to run around like a

chicken with my head cut off. The pain is incredible right now, being in a

neck

brace during times like this is a saving grace. Prior to this I had been

stabalized when I lived in NM, treated and released plus off all pain

medication. My left arm and hand gets weak, tingles, goes numb or hurts

constantly

whereas it had not prior to that after being released 2 years prior. I hate my

life right now but I am grateful for my current PM doctor he is the best and

most gentle. Normally I wouldn't regularly see one unless I needed

injections but he has been my saving grace.

Kim

************ **Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for

fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos. aol.com/used? ncid=aolaut00050

000000007)