ALIF L5/S1 Impossible0ne

phylly · #1 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 04:54 PM

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 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-16-2009, 06:49 PM

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 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-19-2009, 06:20 PM

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.

mmglobal · #4 (**permalink**) 02-19-2009, 07:31 PM

Isn't it amazing how tender the abdominal incision can be??? I'm glad to hear that you are making progress. One of the ways I knew I'd get better was that the setbacks were quickly recovered from. Before my surgery, when I did something that hurt, I always wondered if this would be 3 days, 3 weeks or 3 months. After the surgery a few hours rest and I was up again. If you had a horrible pain episode in the morning, things must be looking up (our you were REALLY hungry. Maybe medicated? Hopefully, just better.)

Thanks for keeping us posted... all the best,

Mark

phylly · #5 (**permalink**) 02-20-2009, 12:00 AM

I had a similar day today. I think it was overdo from yesterday. Nerves do get inflamed and irritated. Have you tried ice? It really helps me to calm down the area. I hope that you are not tackling too much even rearranging food on a plate sounds like a lot to me at day 10. Try to rest a little.
Phylly

ImpOssibleOne · #6 (**permalink**) 02-24-2009, 05:30 PM

The pain an numbness continue and are still worse than it was pre-op, though the location of the pain has changed. Yesterday my surgeon, though he didn't come out and say it directly, said that my pain should be less than it was pre-op at two weeks. I don't know about that one. Since my irritation was chemical, there were no nerves being impinged, and it's not simply a matter of removing the pressure. It's just a matter of taking out the leaky disc and waiting for the nerves to heal. I think my time frame is going to be different but I walked away thinking I was expected to be playing tennis by two weeks.????

Meanwhile I'm walking an hour/day, in divided moseys of 15 or 20 minutes. Popping 2.5 Vicodin + 1 tylenol every four hours or so and this seems to damp down the pain somewhat. If I take an entire Vicodin, I'm out on the couch.

Otherwise, all well. Got the staples out yesterday, which is nice and I'm enjoying an abundance of bad TV.

phylly · #7 (**permalink**) 02-24-2009, 08:18 PM

I am so sorry that your pain continues at such a high level. I have my stitches out tomorrow and have some questions to ask about the fusion. I wonder if you are taking enough medication right now to help the pain? What about some nuerontin to help with the nerve pain. Are your legs or feet numb all the time? What did your Dr. say about that?
Walking an hour a day is a lot. Do you think that is causing more pain? I count walking around the house walking at this point and then one 15 minute walk outside but I think I will get instructions to walk more.
I can't wait to shower when the stitches are out and I won't need help to cover the incision with waterproof bandages. Hang in there, and I hope each day will be better and better.
Phylly