KathyEarhart; Active L; L4/5; March 2009

Kathy · #1 (**permalink**) 09-20-2010, 02:10 AM

Wow, I can't believe it has been over a year since i updated! I'm 18 months post op and doing wonderfully. I still have minimal pain, but I am able to manage on 7.5-15mg of Hydrocodone a day. I am completely off of the muscle relaxers, Lyrica and Cymbalta; the only prescription I take for my spine is hydrocodone. I am able to do anything I want to and generally don't have to suffer because of it.

After much planning and discussion with all of my doctors, I am now pregnant with my 3rd baby! We are completely thrilled, as we thought that this would never be possible. I'm 11.5 weeks and feeling no extra pain. Morning (all day) sickness has been kicking my butt, but I've been given a good anti-nausea medication from OB that is helping now. I initially was having less pain and only needing 1 hydrocodone a day, so hoping once this first trimester is over I can go back to that and be off completely.

Thanks again for all of your support as I went through my pain and recovery journey. I'm so happy to be a success!

Maria · #2 (**permalink**) 09-20-2010, 02:35 PM

Kathy,
Congratulations on your pregnancy as well as wonderful recovery!
Please keep us posted and thanks so much for enlightening update!

steve55 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-21-2010, 04:19 AM

This is great to hear Cathy. You and I sound the same, lol. I too still have some pain, and take hydrocordone and ibuprofen as needed, mostly in the evenings but in still far better than before surgury and am able to be pain free with a little meds. Of course, I don't have my ADR's anymore like you do. : (

Kathy · #4 (**permalink**) 01-27-2011, 01:10 AM

I'm almost 2 years post op, 7 months pregnant with baby #3 and completely pain free. I am on absolutely no medication and have zero pain! I have been doing crazy amounts of nesting and working around my house and having no pain. The first of October was when the rest of the pain went away, at 18.5 months post op. When the morning sickness left, the pain went with it. My OBGYN is amazed that I'm having no pain, as most women who don't have back problems are having them at this stage in pregnancy. I'm so very thankful for all who helped me on my journey to ADR.

Oh and I'm having a little boy to join my 2 little girls! Due late March/ early April.

From a month ago, but here is me and baby!

mmglobal · #5 (**permalink**) 01-28-2011, 09:09 PM

Kathy, you look great! I am so happy for you. What an amazing story about the pain leaving with your morning sickness.

Please keep us posted... I know a few, but there are not many women who have delivered post-ADR. The question occasionally comes up. I've discussed this with many of the spine surgeons I know and they say there is no reason not to have a normal delivery. I'm looking forward to seeing you as the poster, ADR mom!

All the best.

Mark

Kathy · #6 (**permalink**) 07-06-2011, 08:32 PM

Thanks Mark & Maria. Took me awhile to see this.

I had Eli Thomas born on March 25, 2011 weighing 8 lbs. 9 oz. and 21 3/4" long. He is now 3 months and we are doing great. He's sleeping through the night (hallelujah) and growing so fast. His big sisters adore him and are a great help. I finished up the pregnancy with no back pain, had a c-section (which caused a bit of back pain for a few weeks, from the instability), but I'm back to pain free now. I can do whatever I want and am doing things I never dreamed possible. I actually 'played' at a gymnastics party with my kids, doing the obstacle course bounce house, flips and jumping in the foam pit (way easier in than out) and didn't have a bit of pain after. I'm thrilled I had the ADR and got to have another baby!

Here is Eli (not sure where the red hair came from- LOL)

Maria · #7 (**permalink**) 01-29-2011, 02:55 PM

Kathy,
how wonderful that you're doing so well! It's an amazing testament to the change that this type of surgery can have for women of childbearing age as well as non childbearing age. I didn't have kids because of my back which at the time seemed like the only viable option given how badly I was doing for such a long time however there weren't the options available that there are now (plus pain meds were totally frowned upon back in my day during pregnancy).

While I know of women that have gotten pregnant and had a baby post fusion (even multilevel fusion) it's really great to hear that one can successfully do so post ADR as well.

Please keep us posted and take good care! Maria