I've noticed that since I had my PLIF in June that this winter my feet, especially my toes are always freezing. I've never had this happen prior to my back surgery.
I do have nerve damage in my feet and have the constant numbness and tingling though.
Does anyone else have this problem? Even when I put socks on they're still freezing.
Also, I've been having alot of trouble sleeping. I've always had to take sleeping pills but even they're not working anymore plus my family doctor said she's not gonna refill my prescription anymore after this last bottle because she doesn't want me to get addicted! She's GOT to be kidding!!
Has anyway asked their spine surgeons for anything that helps? Flexeril doesnt work alone and I've been mixing it with Ambien right now to get some sleep. I heard Valium works. Is this true?
Thanks in advance for any advice,
Christina 
“We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey.”
___________________________________________________________
Cervical Fusion Sept.'07, P.L.I.F. (L5-S1) June 24, '08
P.L.I.F.(L5-S1) with larger hardware Oct. 22, '09
I have been taking it for 3 years now, I have tried t sleep with out it and I cant, I just lay there,, Now sometimes if I take my percs with them I stay awake also,,,, weierd
http://www.myspace.com/cyndi1958
I have from C3-C7 fused now..
ON my second back surgery now
posterior,laminectomy, Lateral screw fixation
4 years ago from disectomy with fusion
Breast Reduction
gallbladder, apendix, women stuff
knee surgery and sinus surgery
I have that problem as well. If I take the percs at the same time, it keeps me awake. On the nights I don't take my Ambien and Flexeril I'm awake until 6am then sleep for 2 hours and am up for the day again. It's awful.
Thanks for your input cyndi =)
Christina
“We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey.”
___________________________________________________________
Cervical Fusion Sept.'07, P.L.I.F. (L5-S1) June 24, '08
P.L.I.F.(L5-S1) with larger hardware Oct. 22, '09
Hiya, since my operation in 2003 i have had the same problem with the cold feet or should i say foot
, its mainly the right foot its never warm 
. I do have nerve damage and most of the problem are on the right side 
. I asked my pain management doctor why and he said it is bad circulation, you need to rub your legs 
, to encourage the circulation, or a soft brush, but brush upwards towards the heart 
. I hope this helps. 
Angie
"ALL ADVICE GIVEN IS BASED ON OUR OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCES"
"WE ARE NOT MEDICALLY TRAINED IN THIS FIELD"
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL AND GOOD HEALTH FOR 2009 XXXX
My name is angie, i live in birmingham england.my back problems started in 1998.2001 had cartlidge removed in my right knee. when i was recovering from that i had a car accident, this caused my discs to prolapse.x-rays , MRI scan. 2002 epidural. 2003 had discs removed and 1 shaved.This has left me in pain and i have a protruding buldge to the right of my scar. 2004 PT. 2005 facet joint injections. 2006 more PT, MRI scan. 2007 referred to Pain Management.Now i have to take lots of medication. 2008 im waiting To have epidural and facet joint injections. I also suffer fibromyalgia this diagnosis was confirmed in october 2008.November 28th facet Joint Injections. After being examined by the GP he has concerns, so waiting for referral to orthopedic surgeon and for MRI scan, should recieve these in 2009 as he wants me seen ASAP. Appointment for orthopedic surgeon is dated the 27th january 2009. Not very well with my back at the moment, and been ill all over christmas, its so painful to walk now . Well i went to see the spinal surgeon, he said my spine is crumbling and he also said i have arthritus in my spine but the middle of my back, he said theres nothing he can do, until it gets worse. I have to continue with pain management, and the tablets, and he said i need to strenghten my muscles around the spine,and then he discharged me. But i am scared of doing more damage, i have lost faith in doctors, i feel so poorly at the moment, i havnt got any more energy. I cant stop crying, since i got back. The doctor knew about my spine crumbling in 2006, and still sent me to physio areobics.
hello angie from birmingham my names neil ilive in the midlands and had surgery at the QE was interested in what surgeon you are going to see . i do not wish to worry you but if you were going to see the same surgeon as myself just make sure you are happy with everything that is said to you my surgery whent very badly for me and left me much much worse off if you get this message reply to me and i can give you the name of the surgeon that did my surgery in brum just so that you are aware and can ask lots of questions of him hope things go well for you neil
I am 7 weeks post op and I have the same problem. I wonder if my feet were always like that though and I just couldn't feel it. Sometimes too....my right hand will be noticably colder than my left. I am going to the dr today and am going to bring that up. I assume it's from all the damage done from the pinched nerves or something.
ACDF-- c4-c6 on 10/22/08
I actually often go to sleep with a pair of down "booties" on - I bought mine from of all places Restoration Hardware, but they can be found elsewhere too. To warm of feet quickly, I will also use those charcoal air-activated pads, like "Toastie Toes" or Heat-Max; usually you can easily find them in the sporting goods depts. around hunting season, but they are more expensive.
I actually often go to sleep with a pair of down "booties" on - I bought mine from of all places Restoration Hardware, but they can be found elsewhere too. To warm of feet quickly, I will also use those charcoal air-activated pads, like "Toastie Toes" or Heat-Max; usually you can easily find them in the sporting goods depts. around hunting season, but they are more expensive.
I have had the same issues. Regarding cold feet and hands, go to your primary care physician and discuss this. Due to an insurance change, I had to see a new PCP last month and mentioned my cold extremities. She had a blood test done and it came back that I was anemic - low platelet count. For now, I am taking iron pills and after several weeks my hands and feet are warmer. I'm waiting to hear about the results of a follow-up test.
For sleep, I'm still taking Vicodin and Soma, so they help me sleep for 4-6 hours. Prior to my surgery I had sleep problems for years. What helped me a bit was taking Melatonin. I had taken it for approximately 5-7 years prior to surgery. There seem to be no studies about long-term usage, but I had no problems with it. I'm not using it now because the Vicodin and Soma seem to produce the same effect (and lessen my pain/discomfort as well).
8/18/2008 Single-Level PLIF with Instrumentation (facet bolts) at L5/S1
Hardware removal and exploratory surgery scheduled for 12/23/2009
Hello to all and I have just read everyone's answer but the question was never answered atleast i don't think so..I just had back surgery on L4 and L5 fused,on jan 6,09.. Today is Jan 12,09 and I also notice that my right foot has a tingaly sensation like if it was going to sleep and my foot is also cold. I asked my doctor and he said its normal and he said yes and it will heal with time...
marcoagu
marco
is warm & red compared to my right, when I had my follow up the surgeon said this happens sometimes and that it has to do with the nerve being irratated -sorry, I can't remember exactly what he called it- but he said I was right, I wasn't imagining it!
I don't know if this is the same situation for you but when you feel both of my feet the right one seems cold in comparison.
As for the sleep, Lunesta has worked like a charm for 4 years for me
Tatiyana
41 yrs young, married w/ 2 daughters.
Work FT, District Sales Manager & International Dance Troupe member. Red Cross Volunteer.
C6/7 Herniated Disc
L4/5 Herniated Disc w sciatica....ALIF surgery Dec 2008
Fibromyalgia, Osteo Arthritis, Endometriosis
Hysterectomy 07
4 wrist surgeries - osteophytes impinging on nerve
I will not let pain control my life. I will stay positive & active & thank God for all that I have.
are always freezing. Unless I'm in the shower, you will find me with socks and booty type slippers on and my toes are still cold.
Also, if I take Percocet with my Ambien, I cannot sleep. That makes at least 3 of us in this thread!
I have been trying to get off Ambien. I went a few days without it, and then took it one night. Slept fine, but was in an "Ambien haze" until the afternoon the next day. So I've now gone 2 night again without it, but I am waking up every 2 hours. I'm hoping with the SCS, I can sleep better.
I don't mind to take Ambien (and have for 2+ years), but hate the haze I sometimes have. Also, my doctor only gives me 20 a month, so I have to find 10 days where I don't take it or I will run out. She believes it can cause "rebound insomnia".
With the SCS now, I'm trying to take less and less meds. That's the plan for the future, anyway. lol
Cheri