L4/5 L5/S1 Mavericks

[trkdoc714]

Thanks Justin and Kathy. I had a little of a setback Tuesday though. My wife, son and I all came down with a fast moving virus around noon. It hit us that quickly. I had a dry throat and runny nose at noon and by 2 I had a fever, congested sinuses and very sore throat.

I hadn't posted anything about this until as I was concerned it would be transformed into one of those diabolical plots by the Stenum (you know, some sort of delayed bug they implanted during surgery).

As far as pain levels go, normally I'm at a 2 or 3 at worst but it went up this morning after a coughing session (end of the virus). I think I pulled some muscles as I was standing up when it hit. I overreacted and rushed for something to grab onto like I used to before surgery. I'm sure you all know the scenario. I took 5 mg Percocet around 11 AM and the effects have lasted 8 hours (so far).

Thanks again for your kind thoughts!

Bob

[Kathy]

Bob,
You are hilarious, I love reading your posts, make me laugh out loud everytime (husband thinks I'm a little kuko). I can not believe that you are not taking any pain meds, or just 5 mg. I am still taking either 40 mg of Percocet a day or 60 mg of Vicodin a day. That is amazing that you are doing so good.

I was sick last weekend and it didn't matter what I took, I hurt bad. I guess the healing of the surgery coupled with an illness, is just too much for the body to take. I layed and moaned in my chair for 4 days. I was taking a muscle relaxer every 4 hours, taking max pain meds and still felt like dying. I fortunately have a friend who had some medication for severe nausea and stomach upset (she has Crohns disease and suffers constantly from this). I took the medication and didn't even need pain medication for hours, my stomach had been upset and it was making my back hurt. I think my constipation has been making me hurt as well. The other day, I got out of the car to pick my daughter up from school, by the time I made it to her classroom, I was in a near run to the restroom. I spent 30 minutes in the classroom restroom (the bell had rang, my daughter is opening the door asking loudly "mommy are you pooping", the teacher is asking if I am ok, daughter keeps opening the door (so the everyone left in the room could see me and the door had no lock, since it is a kids bathroom), extremely embarassing ). I finally got to where I felt I could leave the restroom and make it home, then spent another 10-20 minutes in the restroom and finally felt better. Amazing how one little thing can affect the rest of the body so much.

Well, now that I have hijacked your thread with my crappy story, I'm gonna get. God Bless!

[treefrog]

Heh, Kathy you are pretty funny yourself. Well, I know your story wasn't meant to be funny, and I can well imagine the pain and discomfort you felt. Constipation is the bane of back pain sufferers. I know exactly how you feel about the pain that the constipation elicits.

I lost 2 lbs in the past couple of days, and I am pretty sure it is because I started taking more Benefiber each day than I had been.

Anyway, Bob. I am glad that you are doing good, and your recovery is going well. How much are you walking? If you could give more details on your every day life, I'd appreciate it. I just want to know what I am in for, after my surgery.

Hope your recovery continues to go smoothly.

[trkdoc714]

Cathy,

Well I can't do much walking on my street as it's too hilly. Walking to the addition entrance truly is uphill both ways. I've been walking around the perimeter of my yard several times a day (maybe 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile).

I'm doing the low, low impact execises I was shown at Stenum (great hospital by the way) and my wife will massage my lower back if needed.

I won't climb the stairs of the house to put Sean to bed which is one of my favorite events. I can't pick him up (nothing over 5 lbs) either, that's been the worst of the whole operation.

Friday will be 6 weeks post-op. I'll start tackling the golf course cart paths behind the house. My energy level is at an all time low since I've gotten back. I was walking about 2-3 miles a day before I injured my back. That was 3 years ago so I'm going to pace myself to get there at 6 months post-op.

Cathy, this recovery is the perfect doctor's excuse if you were looking for that elusive "stay home, watch TV and drink beer" note for work. You'll want to take it easy. Do exactly what the doctor orders and don't over do it. Allow yourself the time and patience to let your body heal. I feel like I've been given a great opportunity to have a new back and I'm not doing anything to jeopordize this gift. Regardless of who you choose for your surgeon or which disc you settle on, I wish you only the speediest, easiest, most pain free and successful recovery.

Godspeed,

Bob

[treefrog]

Thanks for those kind wishes Bob.

I am in exactly the same situation at home. We live at the top of a hill. I tried walking some on the weekend, and coming back up the hill was difficult (even going down the steep part was hard), and I know it will be impossible for some time after surgery. I plan on starting with walking in the house. Then I will walk around the top of the hill, it's maybe a block or a little less (I live in a townhome community) when I am ready to start outside. If I could get someone to drive me somewhere to walk on a flat surface, that would be cool, but I'm not sure who would do it.

Thanks for the details. Keep them coming as your recovery progresses. I hope you make great strides, slowly of course.

[runner]

Bob,

Don't beat yourself up about how you are feeling. It took me months to get over that sluggish, low energy feeling post-op. Feel better.

K

[trkdoc714]

Runner,

I feel great today. The bug has left the building. I've had only 25 mg of Percocet in the last 9 days. Once the cold/ virus symptoms abated, I feel noticably better (from the surgery) than I did before the cold hit.

I hope you're getting back to livable pain levels.

Godspeed,

Bob