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post op 9 months TLIF - when will it be normal

Posted , 4 users are following.

pam54024
pam54024

I had surgery back in December and recovering still from my laminectomy and fusion.  I was able to start working as a hostess at a restaurant 2 weeks ago but standing 6 hours a day is killing me and wondering if going back to work was a mistake..I was in severe bakc pain and leg pain befroe surgery and and I do believe it is beter but I have bad days and good days and the weather affects me terribly with rain..I had physical therapy for 12 weeks and each day I have to strectch and do routine exercises out of bed to have an okay dya..I get discouraged very easily but I do find I have to pick my own battles- ie: do I do light house work before I know I am going to be on myn feet all day or walking a lot...(I only do well walking on tread mills and padded tracks at a high school...) Anyway I don't have anyone I personally know who has gone through this and it would be nice to know when this stiffness and leg pain/groin pain that I still sproatically experience will subside`does it ever go away/ I am mentally drained an frustrated and I know it should get better with time but how long. I complain to my family, cry and even wonder if I should have done this surgery at times. My family says I have improved and made progress but on my bad days I wonder...I also want more good days than bad and get frustrated because I feel that is not the case. Anyone out there who can give me some positive feedback? Thanks in advance!

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • susan72937
    susan72937 pam54024

    Posted

    Hi Pam. Sorry to hear that you are so frustrated. I can't really offer much help because I had my laminectomy and fusion on June 1 and still have hip pain and stiffness in my back and legs. It seems as though you're doing everything right and following doctors orders with PT exercises and stretching. I also follow your advice about picking my battles. I have much less energy for activities so I have to plan out my day in advance.

    From others who have gone through this I've learned that it can take a year or longer to feel mostly "normal".  It's so difficult to be patient but I believe the worst is over and it's uphill from here.  Susan

     

    • pam54024
      pam54024 susan72937

      Posted

      Thanks Susan,

      Hoping you heal quickly and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask me as I have "been there" amd probably "done that"  

      Best,

      Pam

  • cynthia70714
    cynthia70714 pam54024

    Posted

    Pam54024,

    I hear you, I was pushed back to work and all I did was cry from the pain, its so frustrating. I'm in the USA and I was on workers compensation so the Dr pulled me out of work, the rain kills me, I was only 26 when I had mine. But I'm now 44 and I'm getting the nerve stimulator cause I can't take the pain, I've been unable to work since 2008 I was considered a failed fusion, if you can do it give yourself a little more time to heal, if not better talk to your doctor. I'm been in your shoes and still am but surgery in a few days and I am praying this won't fail me. Long sleepless nights and just plain serious pain, I hope you feel better and try soaking feet and taking bathes when possible. Wishing luck and pain free also do they have you on anything for pain. Take care and keep updates

    Cindy

    • pam54024
      pam54024 cynthia70714

      Posted

      Thanks Cynthia,

      Hoping that your surgery works this time..Let me know. nAnd yes, I take Tramadol for night time pain and sleep since that is rare for me I feel. I am unsure what a nerve stimulator is. What is this procedure and why did they wait so long for you to have a second surgery?

      Pam

  • TomasJoe
    TomasJoe pam54024

    Posted

    Hi there Pam ,its hard to explain to anyone who hasnt went through this and dosent understand the pain ,even these so called experts ,my surgery actually made my condition worse and now both legs are painfull enough to leave me housebound 75% of the time ,simple tasks like hoovering or taking a wash out of the machine have to be thought out in advance ,if not there is a price to pay,my thoughts are ,i went back to work too early after the first Laminectomy and after the fusion in aug 2014 its turned into my worst nightmare ,i know everyones different,and i know people who have had successful ops ,but im not one of them ,its the sleep depravation that wrecks me ,when i go asleep i awake several times in the night screaming in pain from spasam type cramps which in turn leave the day full off tiredness and despair ,and im sick of these morons tell me "you have to try and forget about the pain ",if iwhere you i would take some more time off or try a jobshare (if possible) which would allow you some time to rest that condition ,try swimming pool not swimming just stay in the one spot and strengthen the muscles ,im sorry for you as i know this pain is unforgiving , i wonder was the op my best option and in hindsight i wouldnt have gone through with it ,at least before i had some good days ,not now its there all the time .
    • pam54024
      pam54024 TomasJoe

      Posted

      Thanks TomasJoe,

      I hear ya, how do your forget the pain?  I am also lacking sleep and it does make me a different person and exhausted.  I just told my husband I need to talk to the surgeon about my kind of work becuase I think hosting a huge restaurant is not an option right now and may need to keep focusing on my condition a bit more.  I have heard swimming pools are great therapy and may try that. I am like you with my thoughts on weather or not this surgery was the best thing to do because it is so frustrating and now  I am keeping a daily journal as it helps me feel if I do actually have some good days to look forward to. Anyway, thanks again and good luck with you!

  • Mariav
    Mariav pam54024

    Posted

    I understand what t you're going through. I had a microdistectomy/laminectomy 1/2015. I had physical therapy for around five weeks 3x a week. My Dr told me to continue my exercise at home. Around the fifth week of the surgery, I was having pain in the gluteus muscle which radiating to the hip. I was also having back pain while sleeping and felt like my spine was out of alignment. Dr did not seem concerned do I took it upon myself to continue exercises at home. I had another MRI which did not show a problem. I know that sitting or standing too long was s problem. I am happy to say that I am finally feeling better. Get s new MRI to make sure that there is nothing new going on with your back. Continue working out and it will get better. It's nine months now and I am seeing good results.. Hang in there..

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