Wishing you the best tomorrow and for a quick out of the hospital and recovery.

Good luck, Graham. Hope your surgery goes smoothly and works well for you. Sounds like your surgeon has figured out a good solution to that particular problem. There isn't much info on the board about the AxiaLIF procedure so I'm sure many people will look forward to reading your experiences.

Now if you can stay out of the way of those blasted trucks....

Take good care,
Gwennie

How are you doing, Graham?

Hi Graham

I work for TranS1- maker of AxiaLIF. It is very valuable for us to hear about actual patient experiences. I appreciate you sharing your story and wish you a swift recovery. Thanks for the update and look forward to hearing about the outcome. If there is any information that TranS1 can provide you with, or if you have any feedback, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Regards

Matt Pickens

Thanks for the well wishes Ron and Gwennie. Our old friend Erin McGinley sent me a note yesterday.

I;m doing well according to my surgeon and the nurses. I got there at 5:15sm. Was in OR by 6:30 getting prepped. That took a while. Then they put me out. Surgery was scheduled to start at 7:15. I woke up in recovery around 10am. Surgeon went to the consulting room to meet my wife and went over everything. He was very nice and made sure she understood it all went well. All the hardware went in good and the xrays looks good.

I woke up and the hip and leg pain was gone. It still is so far. The only area I am in pain is in the back where he cut muscle to install pedicle screws and rods. That hurts a lot. Taking Percocet and Valium for it. It helps but not great. Getting up kills me. Sitting is also bad. I did get up and walk in the evening the first day. Walked at 9pm, midnight, 4am, and 7:30am. Surgeon showed up and talked to me for a while. Then his nurse checked me out and changed my bandages. Covered the first two weeks recovery. The staff at the hospital was great.

I was released at 10am next day. Getting into a sitting position or getting up is horrible. My legs almost give way. So I'm wearing the brace and my wife helps me. I was told 3-4 days before the pain tones down.

Matt I will be in contact with you. I'm in Raleigh. My surgeon is a consultant for you. We didn't do the 2 small facet screws. He believes in the 4 pedicle with rods. Feels it is more stable. We can talk about it and my progression. PM me a an email address and or phone number I can reach you at. The sacral part of the surgery I don't even feel.

That's enough for now. I'm beat.

Graham

...all the best to you with your recovery. No motor racing for a while..OK?

Most certainly not my friend. The car is returned stock right now and is sitting in the garage on a battery tender. Hoping by March that I can get my buddy to help me tear down some of the car and fix it up. Maybe next summer I can go play. I know better than to push this. This is the fix I've been waiting for.

My wife is all over my case about control and doing exactly as I am told.

So I'm still kinda dopey at the moment. But I'll try ai nd try and recap. I listed above about the surgery times. I was told it could go 4 hours if there were any complications. It turned out a little over 2 hours. What was nice was the surgeon got out of OR and sent his nurse down asap to see my wife and assure her i was ok. As soon as he cleaned up he went over all of it with her. I was impressed that he and his staff were very informative and kept my wife calm. They knew she was shook up and made every effort to get that under control. His nurse gave her a number to call if anything bothered or scared her about how i was treated. That was comforting to know.

First thing the next morning i saw my surgeon. He wanted to check my stitches and ability to move. He was very adamant about me telling him exactly how i felt. It's just a good feeling to know your surgeon hasn't just knocked out another "wham bang thank you ma'am". He then sent in his nurse before i signed out to make sure i had everything i needed.

This morning his PA and PT lady who fitted me for my brace both called. Wanted to know if the meds were helping and if i could tolerate the brace.

Well that's all for now the drugs are kicking in and i'm about to pass out.

Graham

...well we had a bump in the road to recovery. Actually I almost went off the cliff. The combination of Percoset, Valium, and some stuff they gave me in the hospital caught up to me. I am apparently severely allergic to Percoset. Mixed in with Valium and my wife couldn't get me to wake up. When she did I threw up all over the place. Think The Exorcist... The on duty doc had her give me some anti-nausea medicine that is supposed to be the best, Oncondon or some such. It didn't do squat. So now they are pumping Phenergan into me. After 3 days of not even holding down water. I finally am back to the living. I ate real food today. Whippeeee!!! To top it off now I'm on Senacot-S again. I wish these people would make up their minds. Food in or food out, sheeessshhhh

I'm back to Darvocet. They want to try Vicodin and some other stuff on me. In as polite a voice as could muster I told them to keep the hell away from me pills. Darvocet works so-so. I can deal with the pain. I can get up and walk. I did 4 x 1/4 mile walks today outside in the fresh air. With my shiny turtle brace on.

I'll post more about the actual surgery and what AxiaLIF really feels like later. Trying to regain consciousness right now.

Graham

some other stuff. I started feeling really naseus

So far so good.

I have a cut in sacrum that made one heck of a bruise on my butt. I'm thinking of some real creative Christmas cards 2 cuts on my back for the screws/rods. All are held together with the Dermabond I believe it is called. ie, I'm glued, not stitched. So I can shower and not a problem.

I walk with a brace. It's a 2 piece with turtle shell. The shell is removable. No cain or walker at all from day 1. I walked at the hospital within hours of waking up.

I'm doing 6-8 short walk bursts daily to keep my circulation moving. It easily adds up to a mile. I stuck a pedometer to the brace.

As for pain. I am on plain old Darvocet-N and they are switching it to Darvocet with no Tylenol and higher dose. It's tolerable right now.

The type of pain. Ok I honestly can't feel that bolt that is screwed up through my sacrum between S1 and L5. It and the BMP seem to be happily in place. So the AxiaLIF part doesn't hurt as near as I can tell right now. The main pain comes from cut muscles to install pedicle screws with rods. I can feel the hardware a bit and the muscles a lot when I stand and sit. I can walk just fine. Normal stride with no real problems.

The really weird part. I don't feel the pain in my left side that I did before surgery. It just feels weird not hurting somewhere that has always hurt. So hip, leg, and foot numbness is gone right now. Back pain is there. At the surgery site. Should be expected. I was told 1st 2 weeks then we should see less pain there also.

Graham

I tried 1 Percoset the other morning cause my back really hurt. That 1 pill kept me numb for hours then I wanted to throw up again. I can't even take 1 of those frigging things.

My doc never got my RX fixed. So I take 2 x Darvocet 100/625 at a time. I only took 4 all day. Then 1 Valium cause I think my muscles started to tighten up, I did manage to walk 1.5 miles today in 4 spurts. My wife even took me to Lowes and let me look at tools. That guy thing. While she picked some tiles she needs for doing the counter backing in our kitchen. I wasn't allowed to lift anything. Even tools. Just look, no touch. So I got some fresh air. Rode in the truck for 2 x 15 minute trips. That was enough. She hit a speed bump and wasn't really paying attention. I made a rather off coloured remark about her driving and she realised that bump jarred my back. Speed bumps bite.

Also found out tightening that thing down good for support. When you walk it was pushing my muscles in my back into the new hardware. It made my leg get numb. So I had to loosen it a bit. Another thing to pay attention too.

Other than that I got insomnia tonight. I'm not doing too bad abd still glad I did this. When I get my Tuesday visit to docs I hope to get some xray images on CD so I can post them. So you can see how the hardware looks.

My wife says the big bruise on my butt is almost gone now. The glue patch of that skin stuff is holding up well.

Glad to hear you're doing okay. That really bites that you're allergic to the stronger pain meds. They can be really helpful when you need them. The not waking up and vomiting stuff must have been awful not to mention very frightening for your wife. I hope your recovery continues apace. The walking sounds good.

Linda

Did 1st post op visit today. Very uneventful. Saw surgeon long enough to say hello. His PA took care of everything else. He now has a new one to help his nurse so office visits are running much smoother. I was in and out in 30 minutes.

She checked the wound. Checked a bunch of basic motor skills. Usual tests. Talked about walking. She doesn't want me shooting for 2 miles yet. 1.5 is more than enough. She prefers lots of 1/4 mile walks. I usually do 1/2 mile.

No PT yet. They want to wait 2 more weeks. They fixed my meds and put me on hydrocodone. So far that doesn't make me sick and helps with the pain.

I can cut down wearing the back brace including going for walks. They still want it on in the car. I am allowed to drive for 15 minutes only in my automatic transmission car. That is only allowed if I skip the meds. Which I agree on.

I tried to get the used surgical kit but apparently they recycle those now. He said he'll get me some old pedicle screws for toys if I want.

Right before next visit I need to go to hospital and get Lumbar and Sacral Xrays with a report. Bring them with me.

So 2 more weeks of laying around and lots of little walks. Then I start PT and return to work part-time. I dictate how many hours I stay at work. He would prefer 1/2 days at first. Then if that goes well I can return full-time in 6 weeks.

Also on the hardware. He does not use BMP at all. For the reasons and concerns some have noted on here. Like the issues Ernurse has had. So he uses this stem cell something or other. I have to look it up on his site. He says he has great results with it.

PS: Thanks Linda. Yes my wife was very scared. We are past that now and she is busy playing mother hen. She works from home. She won't let me break any doctors rules. My youngest daughter is still shook up. She is daddy's girl. She thought I was not going to wake up. I think we are all past that bump in the road now. On too more excitement.

Graham

Graham,

Sorry i been missing these post. Glad to hear your doing so well with the surgery. Walking is always the key. I used to like to take different paths to see different things. I actually was amazed looking at the neighbors house things I never noticed just driving by not to mention made some really good friendships along the way. Keep working on getting better and before you know the 6 weeks will be over and you be back out doing everything you enjoy well just not the racing yet? Take care will look for more of your updates.

I'll be 3 weeks out come Tuesday afternoon.

This past week has been mostly good. Still some pain. Especially in the morning when I get up. I've slept on 2 different beds and the couch. So far the couch works best. The Select Comfort we have is horrible for me. I slept in that and my back was horrible in the morning. I was sore all day and took 3 Hydrocodone that day. The really firm pillow top style mattress I like more but my wife hates it. She says I roll around for a solid hour before I stay still then I sleep like a log. So I can get comfortable on it. The couch I just like. The middle part is more firm and the 2 end parts are softer. It just is more comfortable to sleep on. Trying to work my way off it. But I have been sleeping on it for almost a year now.

I was taking 3 Hydrocodone and 2 Valium per day until this past week. Then went to 2 Hydrocodone. 1 morning and 1 before bed. I Valium later in the day after walking.

I'm still doing 1.5 miles per day. A little muscle tighting so that is when I take the Valium. Today I only took 1 Hydrocodone. Later in the day when my back was just sore.

In the morning a heat pad helps for a while instead of taking a Hydrocodone. Gets the stiffness out and lets me walk sooner.

Have to remember to get up more just to move around and stretch.

The glue patch stuff they used instead of stitches is almost gone. My says there is jut a nice little line where they made the incision. Almost all the swelling has gone down at the surgery site. I ice down everyday.

I am doing most everything for myself now except the lacing of the sneakers. It's just easier to let my wife help. Socks can be a pain too.

I was told I could try driving as long as I was off meds and only drove an automatic for maybe 10-15 minutes, Real short trip to test things. It went fine. Only paty I had trouble with was setting the parking brake. It is a pedal style and pushing on it hurts. So I didn't set it much.

I'm getting a little pain in my leg muscles in front. Not bad, just annoying. Walking is tiring but I enjoy it. I wear the brace but without the plastic insert for walking. I get some short walks in the driveway then 2 x 1/2 mile walks up/down the road with my wife. So far so good.

As for the surgery pain from AxiaLIF. I still don't really feel that bolt they put through my L5/S1 spine. The pedicle screws I still feel a bit. All in all it is not bad.

This coming week I am working from home now I have the meds knocked down. So part-time from home doing a bunch of paper shuffling we need done. Mostly spreadsheets.

If this week goes well then the following week I will attempt a return to work part-time. It would be exactly 4 weeks out. I've been told that is aggressive but if I do that and my PT for week 5 and 6 then my surgeon agrees to try it. But I must make it to my PT for 2 weeks and adjuts my work around it and the pain. After 6 weeks he wants a final evaluation with me and may release me.

I don't know what to tell you folks about the AxiaLIF itself really. It is different. I have a maybe 1" incision in my butt near my tail bone where he went in. Other than that you would never know.

I will get the exact name of the material he put in the AxiaLIF bolt. It is not BMP. He doesn't use it or like it. It is something else and he claims to have almost no problems with this stuff growing on or attacking nerves like BMP can.

Graham

Graham,
I just saw this and am amazed with your positive attitude. It's good to hear from a patient that went through this procedure. It seems much less invasive than some of the others for L5-S1.

I'm in the Northeast and not sure I'll find a doctor that will do this procedure (If I decide to have a fusion).

Sounds like the key is following directions and figuring out what works/doesn't work as far as comfort positions.

Your doctor sounds great and I love it that he demanded you be very honest about what you were feeling. Far too often the docto is impressed by their own work that the patient almost feels bad saying "I feel lousy".

Keep us updated. And keep healing!

Dnice,

You can go to the TranS1 website to read up on the procedure. The company also has a list of doctors nationwide who do the procedure. So you just put in your zip code and search. I would ask that surgeon specifically how many has he done. Even better. Ask home many have failed. Not just by his terms as to hardware screwing into place. But patients coming back or having to redo surgery.

Mine was very honest. At first, 3 years ago, when he only used the 2 facet screw in the rear. He had failures. He worked with the company that makes the product and told them he wanted to do AxiaLIF 360. Which would be their product for the axial portion. But he would use pedicle screws with rods for 360 support. He said since then he has 0 failures.

I am NOT recommending this surgery to anyone at this point. It is too soon. So far so good. But the jury is out as they say. Let me get 12 weeks out. Let's see how I feel and how the fusion is going. Then I'll consider looking at this and saying whether I feel it is an avenue others should consider if their condition dictates it as an option.

Short of the rods and screws and the muscle pain they have created. It is not a fun time. It is not like getting a micro done. However I do agree it is fair to list it as minimally invasive. But it still hurts...

Graham

for the additional information.
I understand the AxialLIF's are still relatively new compared to other methods.

My biggest problem is getting in with a neuro surgeon. I sent my records to one and he'll see me 12/15 (that was literally the best I could do) and unfortunately, I never really got relief from my microD and at 6 weeks I couldn't convince dr. to send me for MRI. But by week 10, I did talk him into it and glad I did.

I have had 2 doctors tell me to do the revision MicroD and 2 tell me Fusion (or at least hemilaminectomy). I'm getting 2 more opinions (Cleveland Clinic through work though don't live near there so it's all remote) and a neuro surgeon.

I guess the recommended process so far to me as been TLIF which I get. At this point I most worried about permanent nerve damage and the pain that will come with it.

I am going to ask about this procedure to learn more. I have also read their site so thank you.

Definitely keep posting. I know you are 1 person but it's one person more than I know that has had this specific procedure.

I don't view the surgery thread much anymore, so I didn't realize you had surgery this month. Glad to hear everything is progressing well. I also had have another surgery this month (SCS Implant). I'm hoping that I'm finally done with this stuff. When do you want play golf or go bowling?

Good Luck with your recovery and Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

Dave

Sounds like you are on the mend! My husband was recently laid off and while he keeps an eye out for jobs he's waiting to see if I have surgery so he can be my nurse maid. Maybe I can call him a "father hen"? LOL

Dnice,
If you never got relief from the 1st micro. Then I'm not sure what the 2nd will do. Short of taking more disc. Doing a lami at the same time then they open bone so the disc bulge has more room. If the disc is truly healthy enough. It is worth consideration. I would want 3 opinions that say yes and with significant certainty. For me after the accident the tear opened up and would not heal with meds and PT. The disc completely dried out. There was nothing to do a micro on.

Dave,
Wow! Haven't talked to you in a long time buddy. Hope that SCS works for you. I'm hopeful on this AxiaLIF. I place more faith in it than doing another micro. I think we should go out a do a round of 18 then throw 3 games. Probably right next to door to a hospital. I think the closer we are to and ER the better Ask them to set 2 programs in that SCS you can just plug into the USB port on your computer. Work and Golf. Simple... roflmao... I am restricted from racing for at least 3-6 months. At least 3 months I can't even touch the car. It's sitting with a cover and battery tender on it.

SpineAZ,
It's not a bad idea. the 1st weeks you really aren't worth a darn. Especially if you take all the stuff they give you. I don't. So I just hurt a lot. After a couple of weeks. I think you'll be better off if he is employed.

Graham

Ok I just have to say this to get it out of my system. Meds suck!!! There isn't one friggin med they have given me that does not make me nauseous. I hate the stuff!!! I can't believe anyone can take oxycodone. I can't even take hydrocodone. We even cut them in half. Now way. Still sick. Then Valium for the muscle spasms. Lovely. I take those and pass out and feel nauseous.

I had to argue with my surgeon about Phenergan. He hates prescribing because he says that will really constipate you. I told him I would take Senecot-S or do enemas if that was an issue. So far taking my magnesium citrate and I go almost every day. That helps. Phenergan makes me sleepy too, but at least not sick.

In the past 3.5 weeks I think I have slept more than I have this year... Starting tomorrow. I'm going with the just say no to drugs program... I've had enough of this junk. There, I feel better now. Sorry about the rant.

So I had one episode this past week. I don't know what happened. I over did it one day, fell asleep wrong, sat wrong. OMG !!! It felt like someone had a ratchet on the bolt that is the Axial one going up through your tail bone. They were just tightening and loosening it over and over. I took 2 hydrocodone and 2 valium. They did nothing. I wanted to die. I begged my wife to just shoot me. I have never had back pain like that. It made the discogram test with no meds look like a joke. Think of that for hours instead of minutes. I passed out. When I woke up I was stiff and sore as hell. Put on a heat pad for an hour and threw up. Took a hydrocodone and laid around then went walking. The pain stopped. It hasn't happened since. I have to talk to the surgeon about that.

My back still aches some. My left leg has some pain again. But not the pain from before. More like the muscles in the front. My IT Band is not firing up like it used to. My hip doesn't bother me at all. The numbness I had in my left foot is gone. Now my right leg is also sore in the front a bit. Sometimes it also feels like I have steel splinters in it. Can't touch the skin at all. Then that part is gone. I think I may have some long term nerve damage since we have been going around with this back thing for 2 years now.

I'll be glad to start PT. Have to wait 1 more week. This guy is real paranoid about me stretching. I do some McKenzie press-ups. Real light. Mostly like leaning on my elbows for a bit. That feels pretty good.

I wear the brace without the plastic thingy in the car and for walks. Since I am doing a good 1/2 to 3/4 mile stints. That and in the car since the truck rides a bit stiff.

My sleeping habits are now completely down the hopper. As you can see I'm posting at 4:00am in the morning. Time just blends around me sleeping. Starting tomorrow we are going on an alarm clock and getting back to a routine. I have some Ambien CR. And amazing grace, those don't make me sick... So I can take them if need be.

I'm now taking 1 Darvocet only if I have pain. The rest I use ice packs or heat pads and relax and breath through it. And sometimes I just swear under my breath or out in the back yard.

So far I still think I'm on track. I have to get Xrays done at the hospital Tue/Wed. Then see surgeon Thursday.

I'm also shopping for a car. The Toyota, that I never really liked. Some clown in a big Penske truck tried to go over it while she was at a stop light. The whole nose is crushed. She is ok though. This is the 2nd person to do this crap to her in barely 3 months. Her Monte Carlo go totaled out too. So now we have the truck. So we're going to drive some cars and see which ones my back likes and she can live with. I already have a short list made up.

Graham

I thought the AxiaLIF was supposed to be a lot easier than an open fusion. Perhaps your experience is atypical, but it does not sound a bit easier. What do you think?

PS: Mike see above I responded to you but forgot and hit the Quote button and it got inserted above these posts. Sorry.

Gwennnie,
This is where the surgery goes from just AxiaLIF to what I would call finishing off the surgery just like a TLIF. I have 2 - 2" scars on my back. Where he went in and installed 2 pedicle screws on each side. 1 in L5 and 1 in S1. Then insert the rods. Lock it all down with the spine set at the angle he wants.

Had I done the original AxiaLIF with 2 small facet screws (1 per side, no rods). I should supposedly be not needing narcotics right now. So think of my operation as AxiaiLIF with a TLIF twist. So yeah more pain, more duration. If my X-rays look good when I see him Thursday he wants me in PT immediately. I can increase walking and attempt part-time return to work. He said work was 4-6 weeks depending. Case by case basis. I would be testing the limit starting at 4 weeks. I need to try for several reasons. However I will not jeopardise my recovery over it. My boss and I are clear on that. I can go the whole 6 weeks.

I honestly think the screws and rods cause 1 type of pain. I feel that when I get up. The PA told me that is muscles and nerves still upset about the screws and rods. When you roll on your side, then lean on elbow and push up, to get out of bed. Any slight twist. You feel pain inside your spine. I do believe that is the Axial bolt. Since I'm not fused yet. I would assume the bones can move around the threads of the bolt just a tad. That is my assumption. The bolt may simply be stiff enough that it is locking my L5-S1 by itself and I am just not use to it. It is a quick sharp pain. So you stop real fast from doing it.

I'm still concerned about some left leg pain that kind of mimmicks what I had before. Then again feels somewhat different. I can't describe that well. I can tell you my left IT band would fire and I would have a constant knot on my left leg. My wife used to try and roll it out with a massager. She says now both legs feel symmetric and can't the old knot or bumps. So it seems there is residual pain or something. I just know the more I lay around it doesn't help. I would like to have had basic stretching exercises starting week 2. I think it would help with the stiffness. Unless there is some serious issue with yanking this Axial bolt or pedicle screws when they are freshly installed. Again another assumption on my part.

This is not going to drag out to 12 weeks out of work like traditional fusion. I'd go nuts. Unless something is wrong and it is about to pounce on me. I am psyched and ready to get started on PT. I can choose aqua therapy or not.

Maybe if could stomach 2 weeks of lots of Percoset and Valium it would have helped me get through the tough part. I don't know. I'm not into drugs and they have a dramatic affect on me. 2 Percosets and I can happily watch paint dry for hours... I think the downside is that is too medicated and I could easily do something stupid and not feel enough pain to know to stop. So I'm glad I didn't do it. That is how my body deals with meds. I'm not saying that is for anyone else.

Graham

Graham,

That abolutely stinks that you get so nauseous with your meds! Have you tried Zofran for the nausea? It may help with the drowsiness issue. I had to get a script for it after my liver surgery in June for an ileus issue (they released me too soon and my GI system wasn't 'awake' yet...that was horrible).

Anyways, in my experiences as a nurse, I've found Zofran is good at preventing nausea while Phenergan is good at treating the nausea. Just an idea.

Christine

Hi Matt,

I've been hoping you would login again. I most certainly would like to talk to you. I'm in Raleigh so we're neighbors. I'd actually like to visit you folks but a drive to Wilmington is a little more than I could bare right now.

I think it is great if we can get reps to talk to patients and get feedback on products. Not just to hype and sell it. We all want these things to work. We know there has to be some pain associated with it. Improving anything in the process is a good thing.

Please PM me an email address and/or phone number I can reach you at. I'd like to share the whole progression of this if you folks are interested. I plan on documenting it for others on here and my own sanity. I can't put he surgeon's name on here but you should probably know who he is.

Thanks, Graham

Hi Graham

I somehow missed your thread and have read right through now. Thanks so much for all the detail.

I'd been taking Phenergan 25 for allergies on and off for a couple of years and didn't realize it helped with nausea until they gave it to me in the hospital and it helped a lot.

I guess we have to expect days when things don't go so good. I'm better off walking as much as I can - sitting still gives me pain but not so much in the lumbar area but higher up where I've got a mild scoliosis, which somehow hurts more since I've had the fusion.

Hope you continue to heal well.

Trish

Christine,

Thanks. I know of Phenergan and have used it. It worked. No one told me there is a drug to help fend of nausea ahead of time. And it might help with drowsiness. That would be awesome. Never heard of Zofran. I will ask my surgeon to let me try some. I'm betting when I start PT I will get flare ups and need the pain meds. I don't want to do the nausea thing any more.

I have a few Ondansetron. Supposedly helps nausea with chemo patients. I was given some when Phenergan couldn't be taken for some tests I did. I tried 1 of those with the Percoset and Valium (after checking with doc and pharmacy). It didn't do squat. And those suckers are mega expensive. Phenergan works for me in less than an hour. They gave some via IV in the hospital and my queasy feeling stopped within minutes.

Graham

Ondansetron is the generic for Zofran...so you have them! LOL I'm sorry they didn't work...maybe try taking them a half hour before your pain meds?

As a side note, I was given Haldol as my anti-nausea med when I was in the hospital for my liver surgery. That surprised the hell out of me as its typically used as a anti-psychotic but they only gave me 1/10th the usual dose. It worked wonders as I was on the Dilaudid PCA pump but I think it masked my lack of GI motility?

I never thought to take that BEFORE the meds that make me sick. I was taking it as a solution to try and stop nausea after the fact. My primary doc had given me some. He never said take them ahead of time. What a dolt... I'll try taking 1 when i feel a lot of pain and plan on taking a hydrocodone.. I can wait out 1/2 hour. I've been doing this disc pain shuffle game for 2 years now. All I used to use was 2 Advil. Now can't use them anymore.

I went to the hospital last night for X-rays prior to my appointment tomorrow. Here is a good shot. I'd say I'm glued and screwed.... lmao.... and I am getting a tattoo...

This shot is from flexion so I am leaning over on purpose.

Graham

Ok time for an update. This is a fairly large one. I think I saw everyone in the office... His PA is actually very good. Then saw the Nurse and Surgeon.

So I reviewed the past 2 weeks with the PA for about an hour. She said that big spasm I had that I thought someone ripped the stuff out of my spine. She said I'm lucky it has only happened once in a month... Apparently happen to some people and they have no real answer. She said the hardware is most certainly in place and it did not move.

Then we went over meds. I told her I've never touched the Percs since the 3rd day. The Hydrocodone I am taking 1/day or 2/day on a bad day. Also stopped Valium as it makes sleep too much. She has put me on Skelaxin 800mg to take as needed. Told me if I need more Hydrocodone to just call. She knows I am not abusing or barely even using meds.

Then we discussed PT. She is signing me up for the works. She tested me for motion and strength and was really happy. So she said land therapy but let's add aqua cause I will enjoy it and we can focus harder on muscles. Also sighed up for follow up massages. Then home exercises. She increased lifting to 15lbs but only sporadically.

Then we discussed work. She said if the PT doesn't floor me and I am not on pain killers I can try. So I'm approved for part-time, no more than 4hrs/day, for a month. She told me if I needed any adjustment she would do whatever I need to make sure I can focus on PT, not work.

Then I spoke with the surgeon for about 15-20 minutes with the nurse present. We went over the X-rays. He was very happy. Said Axial screw, pedicle screws, rods are just fine. He re-emphasized that I most certainly did not move or disturb those when I had that flare up. He also looked at the stem cell bone material and said it looks to be in place 360 degrees. Some moved out but he expected that. it is not a problem.

He uses Trinity Evolution (stem cell, bone matrix) mixed with my bone and blood. He will not use BMP on any patient anywhere again. He is that dead set against it. This follows on some of the issues Ernurse (Angie) and others have had with BMP attaching to things it shouldn't, like muscles and nerves). This stem cell stuff knows what to stick too, bone, and what not, muscle and nerves. Your body just absorbs the excess not needed and it goes away. Pretty interesting. I can post up some links about this stuff for those who are interested,especially if you are having issues fusing.

We talked about the stiffness in my back and still wearing the brace. Other than riding in the car he would like me to stop using the brace as soon as I can tolerate. To offset the back ache, so I don't have to take Hydrocodone. He gave me Rx for these patches called Flector-Patch (Diclofenac). These are better than the pain patches you buy over the counter. And even better, they don't stink like camphor... They work ok so far.

We also covered the left leg pain coming back a bit and the right leg being really sensitive in one spot. He feels this is mostly muscles repairing where he installed screws/rods. He thinks I may have some piraformis issue on my left side. But doesn't want to mess with anything until 3 months out. So no more tests. Just do the PT and go with the flow.

He said for 1 month out considering what he did. He was thrilled with how my back looks, how I am walking. Had no problem with me bumping walking up over 1.5 miles. So from his perspective I am doing well and should not worry.

My next appointment is not until Feb 1, 2010. Unless something happens that I feel is wrong with me.

So starting next week this boy is off to PT.

Graham

Congrats on your success Graham!

It sounds like you're doing everything right!

Did you have any luck with the Zofran???

Part 1 - Physical Therapy

So this week I started PT. Wednesday did 1st session with evaluation.

My PT has a lot of experience with post-fusion people. She said most of my muscles in my back are in self-defense mode. Cervical needs work, thoracic is just a set of ropes and needs major work, lumbar is of course big focus. She said between muscle groups just shutting down, loosing core strength. Then posture issues compensating for pain and lost strength.

We have a lot of work to do. She will talk to the PA at my surgeon's office and they will agree on some game plan.

My first experience doing aqua therapy this afternoon. It is misleading. I spent about 45 minutes in the pool. Doing what seems like really simple and basic stuff. I kinda laughed it off. Then when I stepped out of the pool back into gravity. That was a shock.

Now several hours later I can feel muscles I haven't felt for a while. I'm tired. Took a muscle relaxer and chilling out.

I'm allowed up to 2 miles to walk now. I can do that in my sleep. Walking for some reason is not a problem at all. It feels good.

Part 2 - Meds

I am only taking 1 hydrocodone or darvocet at night to help me sleep. Started on skelaxin. 1 after PT just to stop spasms. Other than that I am not taking meds for the back, hip, leg. Heat and ice packs.

Part 3 - Work

I went to work a few days for a few hours. Lots of get up and move breaks. Did well though. Sitting is still not fun. Got a few things done that really needed to catch up on. I will work part-time in office and from home for another week. Then start spending more hours at the office. We shut down over Christmas so I have almost 2 weeks off time coming up. I will go in and do bits and pieces since it will be really quiet in there.

Overall - Good

So far so good. Pain yes. Better than before surgery. The back part. Getting used to the hardware and stiffness is getting better. Leg pain varies and is difficult to pick a number. It jumps from hour to hour and day to day. Mental state is pretty good. I'm not letting much get to me. Few break downs here and there.

Graham

I am so happy that you are doing so well. I am truly sorry though that you have had problems with feeling so sick...I wish you could have just gotten the phenergan from the get go. I am not surprised to see that you aren't really taking much in the way of meds....I figured that. I have talked to you enough to know how you feel about that , lol. You just keep doing what you are doing and , you know that I am going to say it , don't over do it!!!!! Keep us posted on how you are and we will talk soon.....take care hon , Miki

Today, Tuesday, will be the 1st day of week 7.

I have now done 2 weeks of PT. I'm doing mixed pool and land therapy. Starting this week I get homework to do. I have the same PT no matter what as long as I go to that practice. Pool therapy rocks! I love being in the water. It is such a tease though when you are not allowed to swim. Worst case after PT I have taken 1 hydrocodone and skelaxin.

I haven't taken meds at all for 2 days now. Last week I was cutting them in half and that was enough. I never took more than 1 pill all day. That included going to work 3 days for a few hours each day. Plus PT. Driving to each of them. I only took the pills when I got home and done driving for the day.

The scar on my butt is gone. The 2 on my back are starting to blend. The stitches underneath are dissolving. You can still feel the bumps though. Some days those scars itch a lot. Some Benadryl anti-itch lotion helps a lot.

I have had no flare ups of major pain. Still some pain in my leg but not bad at all. Bottom of foot gets a small amount of numbness. It is all greatly reduced since surgery and getting better. Back still gets sore from sitting. Even in a recliner. Must get up and walk around a bit. Back is a little stiff in the morning. The Flector patches the doc gave me are handy for mild back pain and stiffness.

I'm walking a solid 2 miles a day with no problems at all. Some short spurts during the day then at least a 1 mile walk at night.

Graham

Update.

PT - I have a couple more sessions of pool/aqua therapy left. The last 2 sessions I had ankle weights on. I've done all the tasks and I believe it is time to move on to land based sessions. I also do land PT. Mostly massage with some manipulation. My PT started me on basic core work.

Work - I have been working part-time. Roughly 4 hours/day in the office and some work from home.

Walking - I'm doing it in spurts but adding 1.5 mile walk at night. Total for the day is about 3 miles. I'm between 15-20 miles/week. Walking is no problem at all.

Pain Meds - I'm taking a Skelaxin after PT. I'm working hard enough I get tightness and spasms now. I still get pain from sitting and laying down. So I'm taking 1/2 Hydrocodone on a bad day.

In 2 weeks I do my 3 month checkup. I'll be getting Xrays before. I expect the basic restrictions to be removed. Not sure if I'll get cleared to do what I would like to do or not.

My biggest complaint. I feel the hardware. Every time I stand up or turn over in bed. It feels like ache deep down. Sitting is painful if I don't get up after an hour. This makes sense. I still have some pain in my left leg but not much. I get some weird feeling in my right leg I never had before and it is sensitive in a couple of places. Foot still has the numb spot but it fades away sometimes. Until I get 6-12 months in I suspect this is all the heeling process.

I would still vote, yes, to doing this surgery over doing nothing. Patience is not my strong point. I'm told I'm about where many are after 6 months in less than 3 months. So I need to chill out and just follow the rules. Easy to say...

Graham

Thanks for posting an update. This is a new- enough procedure that it is nice to read of someone's experience with it. I am not a candidate but I'm sure there are others on the board who are.

Try to keep a harness on your enthusiasm to do more....it is important to do exactly what your doctor recommends...and they all have a different viewpoint on what a patient should be doing. Especially try to limit the sitting. Sitting puts 30% more pressure on the discs than standing...so if you must overdo, do it by walking too far, not by sitting too many hours each day!!

Sounds like things are going very well...good news, indeed!

xx Gwennie

I will continue to update this thread as a journal until I am fused. I will update again in 2 weeks when I have my 3 month checkup. That is the next big step.

Not to worry on the sitting. The pain is its own reminder to get up and move. To this day walking has always felt better than anything, including laying down. So I consider myself lucky and grateful on that count. I stay moving as much as possible.

Doing more research into AxiaLIF. I've found 7 studies that were conducted since 2005. The latest being mid-2008. All 7 studies showed Favorable results. The biggest one that caught my eye. Most recent study showing 92% fusion rate at 1 year. Other studies included Biomechanical and Radiological. I wanted to get the recent study. It was presented at the NASS Conference and published in The Spine Journal. Unfortunately that article and several others of interest were $30+ each.

Updated Xray. This is at 3 months. Fusion is happening in a couple of places as well as from the inside of the Axial bolt. The fusion can bee seen better on the full size xray images. All hardware is just where the doc left it and fine.

So 3 months is one of the big hurdles.

As seen above the xray looked good. You can see fusion is occurring. Surgeon is very happy with results.

Talked about the deep down pain that feels like hardware. And the tightness of muscles. Doc agrees on all counts. The deep down pain is hardware. Until the fusion takes over the load is on the hardware. You will feel it. For quite a while longer. So he was not surprised. The muscle issues he said would be all over the board. Tight, sore, hurts, feels better, etc. Part of the muscle tightness in the back is from having my back opened up to install hardware. There is scaring and it needs to be broken down. It is causing the muscle to tighten and shrink. This causes pain. So he wants more stretching now.

So I am to move forward with PT now and start getting aggressive. He wants me to push up to the edge then back off a bit. I am to do more water/pool therapy and push. Start on core strength building, stretching, and massage. More walking, all I want. No running yet though. I am doing 3-4 miles/day now. No problems. Looks like we're gonna get physical...

I got new scripts for the pain meds (hydrocodone) and the muscle relaxers (skelaxin) and the muscle pain (flector patch). He said no problem with them. Take as needed to stave off pain. I am also allowed to use Advil or Aspirin as needed for headaches or aches and pains. Not on a regular basis but they are not taboo at this point.

We talked about what limitations I still follow and what restrictions are lifted. He said, "Start working on doing what normal people do.". Ok what the he11 is a normal person? I've been abby-normal for so long I have no idea. Seriously though he said go back to doing what you need and want to do. Just use some common sense on the BLT stuff. Push a little but not too far. Just don't shy away from being active. Woo hoo! The Vette is coming out of the garage

Next appointment is at 6 months. With xray again. Other than that just call them if needed.

Graham

Graham,

I am glad that fusion has already starting to take place for you.

I went for my 10-week post-op checkup last week, and although we saw some white-cloud inside the disc spaces (apparently bone is still in the process of growing), the doctor did not mention anything about fusion starting to take place. He told me to return in 2 more months for another check up, and to keep everything the same way.

I have one question for you though:

What physical activity were you allowed to do before your 3-month checkup other than walking? Were you allowed to bend (like to tie your shoe laces, pick something up from the floor, etc)?

on the x ray is the fusion bone growth guys.
Graham, at 3 mos. with my other fusions my doc. still had lifting and bending restrictions. Don't hurt yourself. Or cause anything to go backwards. total fusion takes about a year. And you don't want to aggravate those muscles that he cut!
Good luck, Jim

Jaz,

The surgeon said I am fusing and was happy about that. It is by no means complete. He uses some stem-cell material, not BMP. He said the excess is absorbed by your body, instead of sticking to everything it shouldn't. So besides the very high success rate in fusion it is also easier to tell if fusion is happening. All the extra he put in is dissipating off. He showed me some examples of that.

I think the difference here is. Our surgeons use different material for fusion. They have different views on the process. Our cases are also different. Even if we have the same fusion surgery.

As for the bending. No way. I bend at the knees and down onto 1 knee to pick things up. I have never used a grabber. I try not to depend on devices like that. Tying my shoes etc... Here is my ritual for getting dressed. Get my pants, underwear, socks, shoes. Put them all on the bed at the corner. Lay down on the bed on my back. Pull my legs up towards my chest 1 at at time. While doing so. Put on underwear, then socks, then pants, then shoes, then tie laces. Stand up and pull up pants and button and zip. Then on goes shirt and done. I find that works the most efficient for me. I double bow my laces to reduce the chances of them coming undone during the day.

Bending in that manner is not bending your spine. You're not bending at the waist. You keep your spine pretty much at neutral. The nice side affect is it also helps stretch those muscles in your back that are making you stiff. That in turn is also helping to break up some scar tissue.

Good luck!!!

Jim,

I hear you. I understand I am not fused yet. Just happy that doc says fusion is taking hold.

I still have restrictions. They are based on common sense. Don't go lifting 100lbs. Don't lift something and twist. The usual stuff. However I was told that lifting and carrying a 20-30lb bag of groceries was ok. As long as I had good technique. Otherwise leave it alone.

Thanks for reminding though. You are right. Ignoring those basic things and going backwards is not what we want. It was interesting when he told me to just try and go back to normal things.

I also believe part of why he opened the leash is from how he feels about me as a patient. After surgery I was walking right away. He has not had issues with me abusing meds. Both sets of Xrays look good. I do all things on his checklists and keep track of it. I walk 2-3 miles every day and log that too. My PT sent in her report and said I was doing all that was asked. She wanted to move me to land based training and start rebuilding. He agreed.

It doesn't mean I'm out of the woods. Maybe a bit aggressive. Passive is just not my thing...

Graham

Thanks Z06 for sending me this thread. I have read it and got alot of very useful information from it, as well it has answered many of my questions. If I end up having the surgery I will be referring back to your journal to read again. I just hope my surgeon knows about AXIALif. I am in Canada so hopefully it is used here. Take good care and I am looking forward to reading more of your recovery.