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November 8, 2009 - 8:02am
L4/5 ALIF - nearly 3 weeks post-op
Hi everyone
I'm doing so much better than I thought I would and it's WONDERFUL to be able to walk without pain - yaaay.
I found walking outside the house, I tended to go too far and started having pain in my left hip and stiffness at the op site, so have found it better to do lots of walking up and down my patio, which is wide. I've got a beautiful rose garden and my house backs onto a creek, so it's quite picturesque and not boring walking up and down.
I can't sit for too long and feel cramped, and that's why I haven't been regular here for the last couple of weeks. It's not the op site but higher up where I've got a scoliosis. I'd love to be able to do the stretching exercises I used to do to help this, but I don't think that would be a good idea. I should be driving soon, so think I'll make an appointment to see my physio. In the meantime, I'm doing the exercises that the hospital physio gave me.
I'm trying to wean myself off the Oxycontin and find it hardest at night when I have to lie still and try to sleep. My legs are so restless and I toss and turn all night. Last night and tonight I've cut an Oxycodone tablet in half and I hope I can get comfortable enough to sleep.
My pot belly is now getting smaller and softer but not sure if it'll go back to what it was, but that doesn't matter - much to better to have had the surgery and be out of pain.
Another bit of good news - I've gained 1.1/2" in height and I can stand up straight. Crikey, I needed the extra height and now I'm 4'10. 1/2".
Trish
_____________
ALIF L4/5 19th October 2009 - successful
Discectomy/laminectomy L4/5 April 2008 - didn't help
Disc degeneration at L3/4 and L5/S1 with right sided foraminal stenosis at L5/S1 with slight flattening and elevation of the right L5 nerve root.
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That is great news! I'm glad to hear that you are gaining more and more relief from your surgery. I would be afraid to gain much more height myself, since I am already pushing the 6' zone. 3 weeks post op is still very early on and don't push it too hard. I bet you find in no time that walking places other than your patio will be do-able. Don't push it on trying to sit, it will come when it's time.
Here's something I did post op when I was restricted from sitting for 30 days. In order to use my computer, I tilted the screen upwards, placed a box in my computer chair on top of that I placed my keyboard and mouse. So I could stand there and check the computer and write a few emails and walk around the house to ease the stress build up in my back. It worked out great and kept me from wanting to sit down to check the computer.
Best wishes,
"C"
“If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.”
Marcus Aurelius
Lovely to hear from you Trish. It's great to hear things are going so well for you. Keep up the good work!
Surgery aged 57 for Scoliosis
Laminectomies, Osteotomies and Fusion T4-pelvis
using autograft, allograft and BMP
March 3, 2009, Brisbane, Australia.
Curve corrected from 68 degrees to 22 and spine de-rotated.
Thanks C and Jen.
That's a good suggestion C. Coz I'm only little, I can stand up and type leaving the keyboard on the desk, but hadn't thought of doing that; so going to do it now.
Going to have a rest now.
Trish
ALIF L4/5 19th October 2009 - successful
Discectomy/laminectomy L4/5 April 2008 - didn't help
Disc degeneration at L3/4 and L5/S1 with right sided foraminal stenosis at L5/S1 with slight flattening and elevation of the right L5 nerve root.
I am so glad to hear that things are only getting better and better. You've been through such a major surgery that's amazing that you can stand up so straight and I can't believe how much it can change your height. I wonder how much mine will change my height. I feel like I've gotten so short but I'm still 5'6. Do they recommend treadmills at all? It's getting cold here in the NW so I'm not looking forward to ice and snow after my surgery. Nice that your weather is still pleasant. Take care and rest up. I know that I've taken Hydroxizine when they wanted me to stretch out my pills but it can make you sleep but then you don't need as many oxy. Happy healing.
Total SUCCESS of L3-S1 Artificial Disc Replacement in Bogen, Germany on 01/29/10
Onset was a car accident in 1991 discetomy of (L4-L5)
Reinjure in 2000 L3-S1 bulging and torn
Birth of son in 2008, reinjure L3-S1 to point of leg numbness, lots of pain,
unable to lift child at times,
No meds now but what helped me for Meds- Cymbalta,
Baclofen,Celebrex, Oxymorphone-Opana ER
You're lucky being 5'6" - I used to be just over 5' and then shrunk.
So far a treadmill hasn't been recommended - perhaps that's what they'll recommend for you because you won't be able to get outside and walk. I find walking the best because it seems to loosen up the whole body. I'm standing as I'm typing now - I put a couple of telephone books under the keyboard - better than sitting, but then I'll have to go for another walk soon.
I'll ask the doctor about the Hydroxizine when I see him soon. At the moment I wouldn't mind sleeping a bit more, especially in the day when I'm a little bored (that'll pass I know) LOL.
Trish
ALIF L4/5 19th October 2009 - successful
Discectomy/laminectomy L4/5 April 2008 - didn't help
Disc degeneration at L3/4 and L5/S1 with right sided foraminal stenosis at L5/S1 with slight flattening and elevation of the right L5 nerve root.
How are you Trish? We haven't seen you around for a while. I hope everything's going ok for you. Would love an update!
Surgery aged 57 for Scoliosis
Laminectomies, Osteotomies and Fusion T4-pelvis
using autograft, allograft and BMP
March 3, 2009, Brisbane, Australia.
Curve corrected from 68 degrees to 22 and spine de-rotated.