L4/L5, L5/L6 (S1) Prodisc-L - treefrog (aka Cathy)

treefrog · #1 (**permalink**) 07-06-2009, 08:54 PM

I think it was definitely well worth it, in my mind, to go to Germany and have the worlds expert on ADR perform my surgery. The travel back to the US was uncomfortable, and I am glad that I was able to get a first class seat. I didn't book business or first class when I made the arrangements, instead I waited to see if I would be able to handle sitting in coach. There are some people who have been okay flying back coach, but I don't think I would recommend it.

I would definitely do the surgery again. I have no doubt that I will be pain free in the coming months.

I was still pretty mobile and flexible pre-op, though I did have pain.

My disc height was still pretty good, in comparison to other people's. But I don't know the exact height.

The ProDiscs I had put in are both size M, 10 mm core, both upper plates and one lower plate are 3 degrees, and the other lower plate is 8 degrees.

treefrog · #2 (**permalink**) 07-07-2009, 10:47 PM

Today is 6 weeks post-op!! I was able to drive today, get my hair done and do a little shopping. I was out of the house for about 3.5 hours. I don't feel like I have extra pain, and hopefully it won't sneak up on me overnight, since I have an interview tomorrow morning.

I am waiting until after my interview to reduce my pain med dose again, and to reduce the stiffness of my brace. But I am ready to go back to work, though I don't think I am ready to handle full time yet.

Michelle Maree · #3 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 04:14 PM

Amazing!!!...... unheard of in the world of fusions. You are very lucky.
I wish I had have trusted my intuition earlier and gone to Germany 2 years ago before my facets degenerated. But I listened to doctors and physiotherapists and Pain Management who want you to put it surgery off untill it can be too late. This is usually o.k with fusions but with ADR it can put you out of the race for good.
You really do have to be your own advocate through all of this and do the research find out for yourself whats best because sometimes the discouraging people you come across really dont know!!!!!
Kudos to you Cathy for having the wisdom and strength to have a vision for yourself and working towards it. Because it can be hard enough to organise to get to the surgeons in your own town when youre in pain let alone across the other side of the world.
Congratulations on the start of a bright new future,
Michelle.

Michelle Maree · #4 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 04:15 PM

Can anyone tell me why my dot is red?

Michelle Maree · #5 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 09:06 PM

......Oh,yup just worked it out.

jessmith07 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-10-2009, 01:39 PM

Hey Cathy!! I'm SO happy to see that you're doing so well!! I'm still on the Arthrotec once a day, and I can really tell if I don't take it...not pain wise, just a stiffness that isn't there normally...

I just had my flexion and extension x-rays done, and they looked really good. Everything looks nice and straight, and the discs appear to be moving like they should. I follow up with my neurosurgeon (the one who did my first surgery) next Thursday. I was very happy that he decided to keep seeing me for follow-ups...

Let me know when you're ready to come to Charleston and hit the beach with us!!

Jess

treefrog · #7 (**permalink**) 07-14-2009, 03:09 PM

Update:

My interview went well, though by the time I got home my body was pretty tired. I was up and out of the house by 8:00 am, and got home around 12:30 pm. And I spent a lot of time standing and walking around, visiting my old lab, as well as sitting for an hour during the interview.

Later that evening is when I reduced my Opana-ER dose again, and reduced the stiffness of my brace. By the next day I started having severe nausea and a terrible headache. I was pretty much incapacitated by the withdrawal symptoms. The day after that I found that the anti-nausea med my PM had prescribed for me to take to Germany, could be used for withdrawal, so I started taking it. And it did help. I have found that it takes about 4 days of withdrawal symptoms, before I start feeling like myself again. The reduced stiffness of the brace was inconsequential in comparison, though I did have a little extra back pain. But again that pain is not constant, and doesn't last long.

Today is 7 weeks post-op, and I am still doing very well.