First off, Welcome to Spine Health!!! This is a wonderful site - great information - forums, condition descriptions, videos etc. Good luck with your surgery! Let us know how it goes!!! Take care. Again, Welcome!!!

Brenda

Was just thinking of you last night, Lisa. I'll be thinking and praying for you Monday. I'm sure everything will go well, and you will soon be on the road to recovery. Take good care of yourself.

Lisa C

I read several "interesting" books that think they prove that a patient's whole attitude prior to surgery and going into surgery, even during when the anesthetic is being administered has an effect on the procedure.. I put interesting in quotes because I'm not sure how much I buy into the authors concepts...but they are backed up by data....

Anyway I figure anything that MIGHT help a successful outcome is worth a try....

So, spend the weekend getting yourself to a peaceful and positive mental place. Do what you can to find that calm within you. Perhaps you respond to favorite music, soothing sounds, whatever it might be.

It sounds like you have done as much prep work as you can, have done your research and now it is time to muster all the positive energy you can, and focus your attention on finding the positive stillness that lies within you.

Wishing you an uneventful surgery on Monday. Before you know it, the worst will be behind you and you will be on a path toward healing...

I'm probably having more fusion after the new year. I'll think I'll go look for the books and reread them....

Gwennie

I hope your surgery goes really well and your recovery is the best that can be expected. Train those puppy dogs to fetch things for you!

Linda

I will let you know how things go when I can. My anesthesia team is using a new drug to help manage my post-op pain. We use it on many big procedures, but have never used it on a PLIF; so it will be interesting from a clinical standpoint to see how it works...I will let everyone know, if it helps.

Lisa

Hi Lisa I will be keeping you in my thoughts & prayers

I will be very interested to see how this new drug works on you.

Hi Lisa

Wishing you all the best for your surgery tomorrow. Keep positive and think how good it eventually will be to walk without major pain.

When I got home, my dogs sensed that things were different and they were so good and I've found looking after them easy - this was the one thing that was worrying me pre-op. I'm sure your kids will be the same and it will be a joy having them with you.

Trish

Hi Lisa,

I wish you the best. Agree with Gwennie about getting in a good place mentally. Today is all about finding that peaceful place in your mind.

Keep us posted
Denise

Just wanted to wish you luck with your surgery. I'm sure that everything will go great. Hope you have a fast and easy recovery. I'll be thinking of you. Just think it will soon be all behind you.

Debbie

I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful support system here, where everyone understands intimately what I am facing these next few weeks. I'm sure I will need your caring and loving advice in the days to come.

My morning is going great. Me and the "pups" are taking it easy. Trish...I think you are right, because the dogs are already aware and responsive to me when I'm in terrible pain.

Its rainy here in the southeast, so I'm trying to make sure my home is workable when I return.

Gwennie...will be interesting to know how a positive outlook effects outcome. I am so ready to move forward, and have a great life ahead.

Let's Rock n Roll!!!

Lisa

I'm 4 1/2 weeks post L5/S1 spinal fusion related to spondlylolisthesis, stenosis. I just wanted to write something positive. Just met w/my surgeon yesterday, had an x-ray. I feel GREAT (of course with a little stiffness and calf pain, that seems to lessen daily.) I am walking, walking, walking (about 2 1/2 miles a day.) My surgeon seemed to do some things differently than others, and seems to have a MUCH less conservative approach, eg. no brace, only internal sutures, glue used externally, driving after a week. I was walking the night of surgery (a lot, because I didn't want to be in the hospital room with my screaming roommate). I continued walking at home, and did some very minor stretching of my legs in a sitting position-just flexing and pointing, and calf stretches in the shower. I discontinued all narcotic pain meds after about 6 days, and per my Dr., took Ibuprofen (a lot of docs say not to take it). t I was very careful to try not to bend, twist, etc, but did make some mistakes here and there.

So, at 4 weeks, my surgeon said to resume normal activity, within reason, and not to the point of pain. I can even bend! So, yesterday, I raked a bit, shopped a bit, cleaned my kitchen, and it actually HELPED. I feel a little like the tin man who finally got oiled.

I wouldn't want to have surgery again tomorrow, but all in all, it was well worth it, and I feel like every day gets better. I really think it has to do w/MORE activity, not less. (Clearly, go with your surgeons instruction, but I just wanted to share my experience.)

Best wishes for speedy recoveries for folks.

I'm wishing you much success on your surgery and recovery.

I'm going to be watching your posts very carefully because I'm scheduled for a TLIF/PLIF (depending on what they find when they get in there) on L4/5 in early January.

I so hope you get some relief and that you have a good recovery. Please post back when you can and let us know all the details.

Again, good luck and I'll be thinking about you tomorrow.
Cath

Lisa,

You'll do just great! It is very helpful to go into this with positive thoughts, and such a mental relief to be on "the other side" so recovery can slowly begin and you can get back to living.

I'm only 4 days post-op, but am showering by myself, walking and in between taking it easy. Because of my brace I am laying down more than sitting because that is more comfortable. I think when the belly swelling and incision pain lessen then I will not be laying so much.

I am home, please feel free to PM me with questions or just to chat. Good Luck!

Oh, by the way, if I have to answer those "pesky" e-mails I can get a quick escape from my Mother-in-Law if she is "helping" me that day!

Did I mention my nickmane for her is "Cruella"?

Be well, Lisa B

Lisa, your positive attitude is really inspiring. I will be thinking about you as well and sending positive thoughts for a smooth surgery & easy recovery afterward. I'm sure you will get lots of snuggles from your pups when you return home. They look very cute from your avatar.

My thoughts and prayers will be with you tomorrow too. I am trying to avoid surgery, but trying to learn all I can about it on here, just in case. I'll be very interested to hear how you get on.

Best wishes and we'll be thinking of you!

My surgery went well. Surgeon said it was more unstable than he thought.
Post op has been hell..Demerol injections every 3hrs didnt cut it. Luckily, he went out of town yesterday, and the doc on call has me on oxycontin, percocet for breakthrough pain, and soma. I just took my 3rd dose of the oxycontin. Still in the hospital. Got nauseated for the first time today.

The kicker of this experience is that they put me on a floor where the nurses don't know how to take care of a fusion...unbelievable!!!!! They admitt to not knowing how to log roll me, so I'm scared to death, every time I get up. Several other things have happened. I always make them show me the drug name before I allow them to give it to me.
Well, they had me down for a drug for high blood pressure...my pressure has been very low 82/54. That could have killed me. There were several other big issues, as well.

Hopefully these new drugs will help. I've thought about you guys and what you have been throudh, and its just crazy that we can't have optimal care.

Thanks for allowing me to vent!

Lisa

Lisa,

I think you're being "polite" in what you are calling venting! That low of blood pressure and they wanted to give you "lower the BP meds? incredible!!! I am not surprised that the nurses don't know how to deal with you. I had that on my last fusion (neck) with one of my nurses. I refused to let her give me any meds - especially where there is a huge sign on the door to my room, and OVER my bed saying NO LATEX, and here she is with the Latex gloves on! Thankfully only one nurse like that for me!

I hope it gets better for you. Hopefully you can let your doctor know all that is going on so he can help you! Sorry that you are still in the hospital, especially on this day which should be with family and friends! Lisa, take care, rest and get better! *HUG*

Brenda

I'm so sorry you're still in the hospital. And I'm doubly sorry that you're still in so much pain. I'm surprised they didn't have you on the PCA. I'm glad you're checking your meds - geez! That is just awful. I hope you'll get to go home soon -- you'll no doubt feel much better there.

Linda

I was hoping to hear from you soon. Glad the surgery went well and that now your pain is being managed better. Thank God you are knowledgable and question your meds!

Little by little it will get better. I remember the pain from my PLIF and you are right, its pure hell, but it does slowly go away. Just keep on top of your meds (sorry, I just remembered you are a Nurse and don't need me telling you that!)

Hopefully once home you will be in a better place for healing and resting.

Feel free to PM me anytime or post here for everyone, as you know, we are a very helpful and supportive group. Take care, Lisa

You'd think log rolling would be a relatively basic knowledge for nurses....or they'd call an orthopedic floor for consultation! And cheers to you for being your own advocate. Unfortunately you have to do so these days. I hope you get relief and get to go home soon!

Linda, my surgeon does not do PCA pumps...so, I thought he must do some kind of cocktail of drugs to keep people comfortable. No, he gives Demerol every 3 hours in the muscle. I asked for Morphine 5mg Iv For breakthough pain, and he said (get this)...you can have one or the other, but not both. He told me this as I was having a 10/10 pain rating. I was mad, my family and my friends were upset, that I had to endure this. Its very conterintuitive to give a patient an Injection in the hip or leg, when you have a perfectly working IV.

I have to see him in three weeks, and though it is water under the bridge now, I am having nightmares about it. They also wanted me to go to the restroom with no pain meds on board...1st day postop. I screamed at them, and I'm not usually loud and obnoxious. Well, the entire instances set me back a couple of days.

Anyway, I have oxycontin, percocet and soma for pain/spasms, and I'm much better. I had not eaten anything in 5 days until today. I had a half a cup of soup with crackers.

The moral of this story is; you must talk with your surgeon before the surgery date, and pin him down on drugs that he uses, and drugs that you think would work well for you. Don't wait till after surgery.

If my surgeon had not gone out of town for the holidays, I would have gone home on his regimen, and right this moment would be in severe pain.

Everone have a painfree day!

Lisa

It sounds like this surgeon is a real charmer. I'm so sorry to hear you had to endure that type of pain with so little compassion. The nightmares will become less frequent, but I have to admit I still have them. Oddly enough, my doc is conducting a study of PTSD in spine surgery patients. I have to answer a series of questionnaires each time I go for an appointment.

Have some more soup - you need to get your strength up - and be good to yourself. You deserve some special consideration after being through all that.

Linda

Your experience sounds horrendous!
I really hope that they have now got your pain under control and that you can start to move forward and feel like you are healing.
These are the type of stories that make me really try to avoid surgery. It sounds so scary!

I hope and pray that you won't look back now, but will eventually be glad that you did have surgery.

Trying to manage the pain today so that I can shower. The pain was severe when I woke up this morning, and of course, getting out of bed causes muscle spasms. Everytime I take one of my meds, I write it down, so I can visualize what I have had in a given day. Sometimes, I just can't remember what Ive taken 4 hours ago..lol

Jellyhall, before my surgery, i was told that I had slight spondylolisthesis, but when the surgeon got in there, he said it was much worse, and had to do more to stablize it. So, for me, I felt my only shot was to have surgery to stabilize the spine. I want to be active again, one day. I felt if I let it go to long, that the repair would be even more difficult.

Wishing everyone a wonderful and painfree weekend!!

Lisa

Your posts are a huge help to others, like me, that might be facing a fusion. I have added "pain management" approach to my list of questions.

It seems this is a large part of people's recovery post-op. I appreciate it.

Like you, I'm a freak about writing down what they are giving me and having them show me what they are giving me. It's hard to remember and you have to be your own advocate. They see so many patients and meds make you groggy . . the key is to write it down or have a family member track it for you.

Glad to hear you are still in positive spirits and I'm sure you are looking forward to the shower even if it is just a quick one.

Oh Lisa, I'm so sorry you are having such a tough time after surgery. I'm sure it must be incredibly discouraging to have to not only deal with the pain but lack of good medical care after surgery. You will be in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope you begin to feel better soon.

Lisa

It will get better!!! You had a crappy beginning, but thankfully you are now home (or are you staying with your parents? I can't remember).

Let your body rest as much as it needs. Besides the physical trauma you also had psychological trauma from the hospital staff. Let others help you, you are your #1 priority. Wishing you well, Lisa B

PS: pm me anytime if you want to chat.

Hope that you are continuing to improve and that your pain levels are going down.

What caused your spondylolisthesis?

Yesterday was a fairly good day; it was my 50th Bday also. Today has been difficult, more painful. Getting out of bed in the mornings is the most difficult. Sleeping on my back is the only way I feel safe, plus turning myself in bed feels like I have a 50lb weight on my body keeping me down. So, the in the mornings I'm stiff and have muscle spasms. I guess this is probably typical. Logrolling is the pits!! Is it Ok to sleep on your side after a PLIF?

I think that my doctor said the spondylolisthesis was genetic. Anyway, it was much worse when he got in there than he had expected by the MRI results. So, the repair took a bit longer than he expected.
I'm still not happy about the lack of pain management in the hospital, but I have to work with this Dr. until I am completely well. I appreciate everyone letting me vent about it, so that I can put those issues in the past. I can't sweat the small stuff....

I'm hopeful that tomorrow will be a better day!! I'm going to rest a while....everyone take care!!!!

Lisa

Hope that you had a good birthday.
Hopefully next year you will be feeling great and free from pain and able to celebrate.
I haven't had surgery, so can't comment on how to sleep, but I think I've read that it is ok to sleep on your back or your side using pillows to stop you rolling onto your front. Hopefully someone will confirm that.
Take care

Good morning my spiney friends,

I'm day 17 post PLIF and feel I'm progressing appropriately. I was in a tremendous amount of pain when I came home, and my pain regimen was Oxycontin 10mg every 12hrs, Percocet every 6hrs, Soma every 6hrs. I am now off the oxycontin, but I am going to run out of Percocet and Soma by Sunday, and that is if I take each one only twice a day. I will tell you, I took my Soma/Percocet last night at 7pm and by 7am, I was in severe pain again. It is almost 10am, and finally I have relief, though I would still say I'm a 4 out of 10 on the pain scale. My surgeon does not give his patients much in the way of narcotics. Actually, his partner was on call on Thanksgiving...when I went home, and gave me his regimen(which included the oxycontin).

I now am faced with having to call my surgeon today or tomorrow...and I am scared that he will not give me the meds that I need to maintain adequate comfort.
My goal is to get off the meds at a reasonable time. I have never taken narcotics before, so surely it won't be a problem.

My question is ....is it inappropriate for me to need percocet every 8 hours at this point?? When my pain is under fair control, I feel like I can get around and walk more, take better care of myself, interact with my family, and get the nutrition that I need. Otherwise, I don't want to talk, eat, move...there is no joy in extreme pain...as we all know.

Please tell me honestly your thoughts and maybe how you would approach this Dr. I would like to handle it in a dignified manner.

Thanks as always....everyone have a painfree day!

Lisa

Seventeen days out of surgery is really a very short time for major surgery. I don't think that it's inappropriate at all taking the medications you need to function. What you said, "When my pain is under fair control, I feel like I can get around and walk more, take better care of myself, interact with my family, and get the nutrition that I need. Otherwise, I don't want to talk, eat, move...there is no joy in extreme pain...as we all know." is the reason for taking pain medications. We can only heal if we're capable of moving, eating, sleeping, etc. If you're unable to do that without the medications because you're in too much pain, than I consider that a very appropriate need for them. And that's not even mentioning that pain just plain sucks.

As for how to approach the doctor, maybe explaining it to him like you did to us is the way to go. I'm not very experienced about talking to docs about meds because I've never really had to do it very much. But I'm sure there will be others that will come along with some great suggestions.

Take care, Lisa.
Cath

I realize I had a couple more levels fused than you and my spine was a train wreck before hand, but I think your doc is not being very compassionate. I still have a standing prescription for oxycodone a year out from surgery. They send me a refill prescription when I call and say I need it. This is my PCP who handles my pain meds, but he is great. Sometimes I need no pain meds for a few weeks at a time, then I need them a couple of times a day for a week. Never can tell when things will flare up. Give him call and see if they will give you a refill.

Linda

I still need my Percocet every 6-8 hours and I'm 5 weeks out from my minimally invasive TLIF. I agree with Linda, your doctor is not being very compassionate at all. Please don't hesitate to call your surgeon up when you are running low on medication. What are you fearful of? I was genuinely nervous to call mine about getting more Oxycodone, but then I realized I just had a very major spinal surgery and I'm paying enough for it! I would just call him and say you're running low and don't want to run out because you start to hurt when you do. No further explanation or reason necessary.

I seem to remember from older posts that you have a doctor who is very stingy with the pain medications, right? I'm sorry you have to deal with this.

Also remember that you body doesn't heal as well when you're in pain. That should be another good reason to give your doc a call and not worry about it

Sorry to post again but I hope you can update us and let us know if you're feeling better.

Im 6 weeks post off from my second PLIF and Im on Morphine 60 mg twice a day and Percocet 10 mg, 2 every 6 hours as needed for breakthrough pain. I also have muscle relaxers that I take when needed.
I get my meds through a pain clinic and have been for awhile now. My surgeon only likes handling the narcotics for awhile after surgery which is the reason I went to the clinic. They prescribed the morphine at first and now regulate all my pain meds.
maybe you should look into going to a pain clinic.
Your doctor needs to give you more help then he is. Noone can function in severe pain and shouldnt have to in this day and age.

Good luck.

Christina

Sorry I haven't posted about my pain mgt issue. I did get more Percocet from my surgeon on Friday. I've been staying with my parents since the surgery; so this weekend I am transitioning back home. My car was at my home, so I have only been driving since Friday. I have felt amazingly better...I think for many reasons. Getting back to my home, in my bed has been so wonderful. Also, the stress I felt about getting the pain meds that I very much needed is gone (for now). I actually walked inside a mall yesterday, and felt like a semi-normal person again. Not to say that everything is completely back to normal; I still have pain and some numbness in my feet, but everyday is just a little better.

I have realized the importance of pain management this week. I was trying to wean myself off the drugs, because I thought that was what my surgeon expected. It had such a profound effect on every aspect of my life. Now, I don't have to worry about it for the next 10 days or so...and I will deal with it then much better than I did this week.

Hope everyone has a painfree day!!

Lisa

one more thing that I forgot to add. Giving anesthesia for so many years, I have always said that the body tells you exactly what it needs...and that could not be more true than when having a fusion...that is for certain!!

Lisa

I can't add much that the other supportive posters have said. They are right: you had a major surgery, my PLIF I was still taking pain meds for 6 months or so (can't recall). It is a huge assault on your body and you should not be suffering in pain, it does make the healing harder, as well as emotionally hit you.

After my PLIF I was also concerned about sleeping. My Dr. said to sleep however I was comfortable. For a while I was on my back with the pillow under the knees, then transitioned to the side with pillow between knees. Just stay off your stomach, not good for the spine in general.

Glad you are home, it is such an emotional lift-up to be amongst your comfort zone. Take care.

I'm so glad you're beginning to feel better. It does take a while to get up and moving and feeling better again. I'm glad to hear your doc refilled your pain meds. As you said, pain management is so important. I left the hospital with a bottle of 500 oxycodone. That's not a pill strength -- that's the count of the pills in the bottle. For a few months afterwards, I had a prescription for 300 -- each month. At the time, I was also on Fentanyl patches. I did, about a month and a half out of surgery, wean myself off the Fentanyl. Also, as you said - your body tells you what it needs and it was plain to me that the meds were no longer just controlling the pain, but I was foggy and way too over-dosed. I got off the patch and started to cut down on the oxycodone. It took me a while to balance being comfortable, but I eventually got there. Then I gradually got to the point where I would "forget" to take the oxy -- I just didn't really need it. As I say, I still have a prescription for oxy when I need it. When I go to the doc and I have to check over my list of meds (I take thyroid, anti-depressant, and prescription vitamins [B-12 injection and D] because of a gastric bypass), the oxycodone on the list has a note by it that says "chronic". I just got over a flare that had me in awful pain, but now I haven't needed any pain meds for over a week. I guess I'm blessed that my doc realizes that our bodies really aren't meant to have these foreign objects in them and that we will occasionally have unusual pain. We can't take NSAIDs because they inhibit fusion, so there has to be something else. We just try to get by on as little as we can, so we don't end up in the Betty Ford clinic for plebians, but we shouldn't have to suffer. I think you're done awfully well to get by on as little medication as you were given. You are a strong woman.

I hope you continue to gain your strength back and enjoy the holidays!

Linda