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Depressed after lumbar fusion. Week 4... is thisnormal

Posted , 5 users are following.

crista44751
crista44751

I had a fusion on my L4 through S1 . Did great at the hospital . I'm day eight nerve pain set in . I don't steroids for a week which helped with that . But it seems like every other day I'm feeling well and then I'm feeling so depressed I can barely move . If this is normal I am not sure what to do

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • jessica_78456
    jessica_78456 crista44751

    Posted

    How long ago was ur operation
    • jessica_78456
      jessica_78456 crista44751

      Posted

      That's still very early stages you probably not going feel a big difference until between 3-6 month . They say for every hour in surgery is a months recovery . Vitamin b12 is also good to help with the nervous system.

    • crista44751
      crista44751 jessica_78456

      Posted

      Thanks for the encouragement ! I am taking vit b12. I've had three other back surgeries before but none of them were fusion and I feel better in no time.  I don't think I was mentally prepared for the difference in the surgery .

  • Moveebuff1953
    Moveebuff1953 crista44751

    Posted

    Contact your surgeons office & tell them exactly how you're feeling.  Surgeons have more experience with how patients feel after surgery than anyone on this forum.

    • crista44751
      crista44751 Moveebuff1953

      Posted

      i have I have an appt in 2 weeks... was just wondering if labeled moods were normal. I've also lost 10#. I'm not big to begin with... 5-1 and now 120. That worried me at first too but I've learned from other people that weight loss after the surgery is normal and it will then stabilize

  • JMSL345
    JMSL345 crista44751

    Posted

    I'm 12 weeks out from multi level lumbar fusion  I've experience depression too. 

    Opiates seem to contribute to my depression. I try to minimize their use as much as I can tolerate the pain. I still struggle with acitivity and labile mood ut it does seem to be getting better

    • crista44751
      crista44751 JMSL345

      Posted

       I had noticed a relationship between opiates so I take very little drugs.... maybe one Percocet every couple days to help me sleep but that's about it . I read online that sometimes the Anastasia that they use in fusion surgery puts you under a little deeper then and some other surgeries and then Anastasia takes a while to get out of your system and also as a contributor to the depression. So I'm wondering if that's part of it anyway

    • crista44751
      crista44751

      Posted

      I love how iPad auto corrects.... anesthesia ... lol
  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX crista44751

    Posted

    Jedi Mind Trick...  Get to PT immediately.  Start working on strengthening your lower body and core.  I was fused L3 though S1, started rehab a few weeks later and kicked its a$$.  Doing 230-pound leg presses in a month. You have to get serious about PT...no excuses...do the work!!!  You'll feel great in no time!!!

    • crista44751
      crista44751 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

       My surgeon is of the opinion that I have to wear a brace for three months before they start physical therapy so that's where I'm at .  I definitely know my core will need to be strengthened because the braces only adding To weakening my core.  I will do the work when I get the OK .!

    • JMSL345
      JMSL345 crista44751

      Posted

      This is the general opinion of most spine surgeons now , no PT until 12 weeks & after brace comes off. I had my surgery at a large very reputable university hospital in Chicago & this is how they practice as well

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