ALIF L5/S1 Impossible0ne

[ImpOssibleOne]

Thanks everyone.

Well I hit my first bump today which probably had to happen at some point. Maybe all the nerves have finally noticed that the neighborhood has changed and are having to rearrange themselves accordingly.

I always hear you guys talking about the ups and downs so I'm not worried. It also think there's a post surgical euphoria that has worn off. You know..you wake up whole and able to walk, everyone around is relieved and happy. Everyone still is for sure, but now I'm only looking at weeks and months of pain. Plus it's raining.

One question: How do you think Vicodin compares with Percocet? I'm taking the Vicodin but I don't seem to have much tolerance. 1 pill and I'm looped, and not pleasantly so.

Thanks for listening.

[Justin]

Adrienne,

Congrats on being on the other side! Vicodin is acetaminophen and hydrocodone, whereas percocet is acetaminophen and oxycodone.

The percocet is stronger than the vicodin. Everyone reacts differently to different narcotics. I would discuss this with your physician.

Keep your head up and remember it is very early days. We're pulling for you...keep us posted.

[mmglobal]

Amen about the ups and downs.

I'm always frustrated when people post their immediate euphoria, then they don't want to post the negative side of their recovery. I'll call them up and say, "Hey, you are missing an opportunity here... post the negative so people can see what it's like and they won't be so scared when they have a setback!" (They still tend not to post until it's long over, then it's all softened and the fear is gone.) THANKS for posting.

Having said all that, there is a difference between riding out a setback and ignoring something major. If you have a sudden onset of severe symptoms or if your symptoms change dramatically.... it's a question for the doctors if you need to be worked up. I

I hope your setback is short lived and that you can avoid the activities that caused it. I love your attitude that seems to say, "hey what's a few more days, weeks or even months... I'm on the other side of the surgery and on the road to recovery." A year from now it won't matter if you came around at 3 weeks or 3 months or even more. Long term is the only thing that matters here.

I think that the base opiate in Vicodin is hydrocodone while it's Oxycodone in percocet. 10mg oxy = 15mg hyrocodone (Somebody correct me if I'm wrong here! You'll find conflicting information on the internet... take this with a grain of salt and don't look to the internet to tell you about your meds.... talk to your doc!)

[runner]

Adrienne,

I would second that about asking your doctor about the pain meds.
One internet site you could use for information about medications is Drugs.com | Prescription Drugs - Information, Interactions & Side Effects, I found information on there about my medications.
You have to understand that everyone reacts to medication differently, so one person may get relief from one drug and not another. Or the side effects may not be desirable.
Before surgery, I was on percocet as a short-term drug and then oxycontin as a long term medication. So one was short-acting and another long-acting to cover the pain. As soon as I could, I weaned off one drug at a time and didn't have any withdrawal symptoms that I noticed because of getting off of them slowly.

Before I took any medication, I always cleared it with my doctor first. It didn't matter if I had some "extras" in the medicine cabinet, I phoned the doctor first and cleared it with the doctor.

I am allergic to Vicodin and I can tell you that the doc's physician assistant once asked me to take Norco, which is the same drug. I knew that but not everyone would.
So always be alert to what you are taking.

runner

[ImpOssibleOne]

Thanks everyone, for your replies.

How true Mark, all that really matters is the final outcome.
It's like when you're seasick: If you keep your eye on the horizon, far away, the rolls and tosses seem small and you maintain your balance.


I'm beginning to see the bumps will come frequently, maybe many times a day. I think it has to do with the pain meds which don't agree with me. I just find them depressing. My husband (and many of our friends) are ER docs and deal with back pain, though acute as opposed to chronic, all the time. So I'll try different meds out to find the least objectionable.

I'm fine on nothing if I'm doing nothing, but unfortunately rehap requires moving so I have to find something that works.

[Terry Allen Blackburn]

Vicodin is a short acting opiate and tolerance develops quickly where it requires more of the medication to produce the same results. Percocet is the time released ingredient in Oxy-Contin, which has been called; "Hillbilly Heroin", as it has been linked to several overdose deaths from the IV usage of a medication that is supposed to be a long acting opiate. This is all wonderful medication for relieving pain and, sometimes, a double-edged sword. Please discuss the issues, with your medication, with your physician as soon as possible, as it sounds like you are experiencing a reaction to the drug.

Terry Newton

[phylly]

Hi Twin,
I am not doing as well as you yet but I'll be there soon. Your recovery sounds fantastic. Having been through this before I would say to take is easy the first few weeks. Walk and rest a little. Have those around you cluck over you a bit. About the meds, i like the pecocet because it is stronger. I was on a lot of meds prior to surgery so it helps the breakthrough pain. I agree with the others to check with your Dr. before changing the meds. WhAt were you taking before? You might need something less potent. Gotta go PT is here.
Phylly

[ImpOssibleOne]

Day 6

I'm in a lot less pain but the leg numbness continues with a vengeance. I'm finding that if a split a Vicodin in half and take it at 2 or 3 hour intervals, it works much better for me. I can actually follow a movie plot or read a book which makes the time more pleasant. Tried a percocet yesterday and spent the day staring at the ceiling. Bambi meets Godzilla.

I haven't taken a walk outside yet but would feel confidant to do so. It's raining and cold so I just tromp down my hallways. I also think, Vicodin aside, I'd also be good to drive. Can't imagine where I'd go though, I'm still walking very quite slowly and still feel a little too vulnerable to be out by myself.

Meanwhile I have folks coming over with entertainment of all kinds: books, DVD's, games, and GREAT food. In fact my family has never eaten so well. They'll probably want me to do this more often!

[ImpOssibleOne]

Day 10

Yesterday morning was nothing less than hell; I had pain beyond my breaking point, which I've never had before. But by last evening, I was up making dinner for the family. Not really cooking more like arranging the food and heating it. Still it was a big improvement and it goes to show you that the downs do end at some point.

Switched to Percocet in divided doses and that's working better than the vicodin as the vicodin was making me a little anxious. I'm walking (shuffling) 15 minutes twice a day and, more or less, making the best of things.
The weather looks acceptable so I might take a little power mosey outside today.

But for donning socks, I can generally care for myself. Fix a simple meal, shower, dress, etc. I'm even picking up a little around the house, very gingerly of course. I live with men and, as wonderful as they have been through this, the place looks like a frat house.

The best news comes from my cat. She is pleased to note that my incision is healing quite nicely and that she is once again allowed upon her favorite stomach.