Expectations, lumbar decompression 4 months post opp

Hello scott

i also was an emergency I lost control of my bowel and jumped the queue. 

My surgeon told me that it may come back. Oh I hope not.!! 

I take 1 X 10mg nerve tablet nightly ( begins with A) and paracetamol. But I must say, today I went to my pharmacist and asked if I could take something stronger. She suggested  ibrufin 400mg - 1 tablet 3 times a day. I must say I hate taking pain control tablets because they only camouflage the symptoms and pain. What do you suggest ?? Any help will be appreciated

kind regards Bonnie B 

 

 

Hi Bonnie,

Have you done any Physiotherapy?

I imagine your A meds will be Amitriptyline? I'm on 100 mg a day of this plus Diazepam 5 mg and Carbamazepine 600 mg, that doesn't include normal pain Meds paracetamol, ibuprofen and Dihydracodiene .

I know what you mean by not wanting to take pain meds but you are given them for a reason. If you need them you need them.

I'd ask to see your surgeon again. They know best.

Hi Scott,

yes the A is what you said. I take 1 X 10 mg at night. Paracetamol and Iv just started taking ibrufin. Wow, you're on a lot of medication. I really don't want to go there. 

I think I will request to see my surgeon, that's  a good idea, thank you for that. 

Regards Bonnie 

What about Physio? Have you been or are you going? Very important.

What I've found is don't stand too long, but don't sit too long. If you can lie down do it.

I'm a teacher and the kids all know I lie down in my office at lunch time simply to get some relief.

Roll out of bed onto your knee and get up to standing from there.

Get a grabber so you don't have to bend to pick things up.

You'll find new ways to do things that help with stopping the pain coming back.

But if you need the meds, take them.

Hi scott,

i forgot to mention yes I had hydro physio and exercises  to do on the bed. 

Im also waiting to restart the back class with physio at hospital. 

I definately need a grabber I can keep in my bag. Can you get retractable ones? When I'm out shopping alone. I'm always dropping things and I have to ask complete strangers to pick it up, or walk away sheepishly. 

Im due to go back to work soon, but I really need to get my pain under control first. 

Thank you Scott. 

Hi Scott, I live in the US and see many references to a "physio", post op.. When I asked my pain Dr about it, he said he hadn't heard of it. Would you mind explaining it to me? I've had a bunch of surgeries that ended with a S1-L3 fusion, and have now been diagnosed with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. My physical therapist is doing dry needling and laser therapy, but we can't do any core strengthening exercises such as using small weights to stabilize my pelvis, because they cause something else to flare up. Chiropractic is extremely helpful and I'm blessed to have one that understands me, but the day after he puts things into alignment they go back out and I'm in lots of pain again, unable to stand. Thanks for your help.

Hi Kathy, Physio here is the same as physical therapy over your side of the pond. I have a specialist unit I can go to privately to do my recovery. I just need to know when I can start so I can book it in.

I'm hoping this works for me as this is my last chance at surgery.

Good luck.

Hi Bonnie, Your phsio seems much better than ours. I've seen other people mention hydrotherapy as being very helpful. All I got following my fusion was being sent to a PT office where the therapist was working with 4-6 people at a time. He had no clue why to do with me when I was unable to perform wat he was asking me to do. I had to stop teaching which I loved, and am now on permanent disability. I'm so happy you're doing well!

Hi Scott, I'm glad that you're returning to the same surgeon again that gave you your first surgery. That seems to be the best choice. I had a terrific outcome following my first laser surgery on L3/4, returning to work a week after surgery. 5 weeks later the other side started to really make things difficult, and I had been told that the MRI showed 2 discs that were becoming worse. The dr was unable to address this properly, and there was no PT given to me post surgery other than walking 20 minutes a day. By the time they were done with the final laser surgery, I could barely stand and things had become much more complicated. We must remember that surgeons only do surgery. Here in the US, anyone I went back to would probably recommend more surgery. That definitely wouldn't work anymore. Have you considered getting a spinal cord stimulator to block the pain? I've read of many people here who have had good outcomes if they have radicular pain which is pain radiating from the nerve. There are pros and cons for both. I wish you success with your decision.

Hi Kathy,

im sorry to hear you had to leave teaching. I'm fearful of when I return to work on 18th. I too will not be able to cope. 

I must say about the nhs when you're in the system there are options on post opp therapy. ( that's from my own observation) I don't know if you got a walk in physiotherapy dept? We have here in Swansea. Ask at your hospital if they provide that. Yes, I did find the hydro helpfull I could do a lot more in the water. And I'm going to keep it up in our local swimming pool. 

Regards shirley.

Hi Shirley. The laser spine Dr I went to actually had a building wth a pool in it for hydrotherapy, so it must have been extremely helpful in the rehab healing process. It had been closed though when I was there. I've heard that due to the buoyancy of the water to ease our aching post op backs, this was part of the recovery protocol in the past. Unfortunately, insurance companies refused to pay for it, so the Center had no choice but to close it. All we were told following surgery was to walk 20 minutes a day in little segments if necessary. Not even given a script for PT afterwards. I found that it was getting more painful for me to not only walk, but just stand with each surgery, so this was very painful. By the time I got the fusion, #9 surgery in 14 months, I was a mess and couldn't do most of the exercises they were asking me to do in PT. I sure hope you get relief soon. Has the dr done a post op MRI to see what's going on? I'd have a different surgeon take a look at it too and get his opinion. My laser Dr looked at the post op MRI's he took, but never admitted that anything was wrong. Every time he put me back under the laser for. "re-eval", he'd take more bone away and create more scar tissue which caused most of the problems I'm now having. Is it possible that adhesions are causing the pain? My PT performs dry needling, (not acupuncture), and she was able to diagnose some sharp pain I was having as adhesions. She broke them up at the next session thank goodness. It still hurts me to stand and walk through. Sending a prayer your way..

Hi Ellen,

yes that's a great piece of advice. I will do that, hopefully I can get a message to him. I must say he was Wonderfull. He took away my leg pain. But now I'm left with terrible back pain and weakness. ( they don't tell you that pre opp) but I had to go through tpwith the opp, or, be left double incontinent and maybe in a wheelchair too. 

Thank you 

Bonnie 

I think it all depends on what your expectations were pre-surgery.

If the surgery was done to release trapped nerves (decompression) then you should have immediate relief with your leg symptoms. Your back takes longer to recover than you think. At 8-10 weeks your muscles and tendons are just recovering as these were detached and/or cut during surgery. It's these that take the time to heal. I use to call it having a 'brick' in your back feeling. Solid, stiff and sore.

This will go away. For me after my first op it was from around 14-16 weeks on! My second op, it never recovered hence my fusion on Wednesday.

Thank you Scott , yes it was for relief of trapped nerve, good luck with your fusion, is this because your back feels week, why did you have to have a second op?

Hi Ann, my second op was an emergency op due to CQ. So it was done simply to cure that as it can't be left longer than 48 hours. I was already waiting to have it done but this brought it forward.

My fusion is because I have bad degenerative disc disease, Spondylithesis and lumbar lordosis. The op will fuse S1, L5 and L4 together, hopefully taking away my back pain. All my issues have been at these levels since 2006. So ten years of pain will hopefully be over.

If you are concerned things aren't progressing as they should then get back to see your consultant. They will either put your mind at rest or realise something isn't quite right and check you over.

Hi Scott, 

have already been back at 6 weeks to see the surgeon, had another MRI, which showed degeneration even further of facet joints.  He said I would prob have to have the fusion.  So loathe to do that.  I am hoping to build muscles to 'hold' back, with Pilates and excercise, just can't see it happening  as it's causing too much pain at the moment.... Maybe too soon.  Going back to see him next week.  Hate taking painkillers all the time too!! 

thanks for the advice and good luck with your op and speedy recovery!

 

Hi Scott...you're having the fusion this Wednesday? Please stay in touch when you're able aand let us know how you're doing. I was in the hospital for 5 days following my fusion instead of the usual 3, and the ride home in the car was terrible. Try and time your pain med so it kicks in by the time you get in the car. ~kathy

Will do, Kathy.