Back Surgery and Neck Surgery
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Sun, 11/08/2009 - 08:02
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
_____________
L4/5 spondylolisthesis with severe left foraminal stenosis compressing L4 nerve root.
Advanced right sided L4/5 and L5/S1 facet joint degenerative change
Discectomy/laminectomy L4/5 April 2008 - didn't help
ALIF L4/5 19th October 2009
Oxycontin 10 - 2 twice a day - stopped taking
Endone 5 mg for breakthrough pain as required
Gabapentin 300 mg - 1 twice a day
Paracetamol - 2 four times a day
Phenergan 25 - 1 as required for nausea
Discs L3/4 and L5/S1 worn - further surgery may be required later on - wait and see situation.
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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"
"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. "
- Dolly Parton
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 and spine de-rotated from 68 degrees to 22.
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
L4/5 spondylolisthesis with severe left foraminal stenosis compressing L4 nerve root.
Advanced right sided L4/5 and L5/S1 facet joint degenerative change
Discectomy/laminectomy L4/5 April 2008 - didn't help
ALIF L4/5 19th October 2009
Oxycontin 10 - 2 twice a day - stopped taking
Endone 5 mg for breakthrough pain as required
Gabapentin 300 mg - 1 twice a day
Paracetamol - 2 four times a day
Phenergan 25 - 1 as required for nausea
Discs L3/4 and L5/S1 worn - further surgery may be required later on - wait and see situation.
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.
Awaiting 3 level Anterior Lumbar Fusion L3-S1.
Car accident at 15yrs old, percutaneous discetomy at 16yrs (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,
Meds- Cymbalta, Baclofen,Celebrex, Vicodin/or Percocet
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
L4/5 spondylolisthesis with severe left foraminal stenosis compressing L4 nerve root.
Advanced right sided L4/5 and L5/S1 facet joint degenerative change
Discectomy/laminectomy L4/5 April 2008 - didn't help
ALIF L4/5 19th October 2009
Oxycontin 10 - 2 twice a day - stopped taking
Endone 5 mg for breakthrough pain as required
Gabapentin 300 mg - 1 twice a day
Paracetamol - 2 four times a day
Phenergan 25 - 1 as required for nausea
Discs L3/4 and L5/S1 worn - further surgery may be required later on - wait and see situation.