L5S1 Prodisc-L

[Dulishun]

5 Week Update

I missed last week's update because I was busy at work, which is good and bad. I went into work last week with the intention of working 1/2 days, but it's pretty hard for that not to slip and slide into a full day and then some. I think that this caused me a lot of discomfort and pain as the week wore on. By Thursday and Friday I was really uncomfortable at night and didn't sleep well at all. Surprisingly, I felt pretty good on Saturday and again on Sunday. I think the problem with work is staying in one position too long (in this case sitting). I feel I am getting flexibility back to some degree, but I am not pushing it. As far as meds, I am down to 1 pain pill a day or 2 at most and some days none. Still taking some muscle relaxants as the muscles are not done adjusting to everything and are still a little ornery. Also, daily ibuprofen. In general everything is very good which is not to say I have no pain. It is not constant however and while a little more sharp when I do have it, I can alleviate it by changing positions. If anyone has any questions, just let me know. Good luck everyone.

[dshobbies]

Sounds like you're listening to your back but not paying attention

[Dulishun]

Perhaps, but I think it is a constant balancing act. Yesterday I worked 1/2 day and I will leave today at 2:00. There is a big difference between being sore and being in constant pain like I was before. When I wake up in the morning I do a basic diagnostic in my brain on how everything feels and if it's good then I go in. If I feel like there is discomfort, I can do most of my work from home. It is tricky though. In reality, if I sat at home all day I would probably be uncomfortable there too. I am going to keep listening and hope that my body slowly but surely stops talking! Thanks Dale.

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L5S1 Herniation and Annular tear
Over 10 epidurals,
DDD, 2 discograms (positive),
Countless attempts at conservative therapy.
Surgery date 5-26-09

[treefrog]

It sounds like you are doing pretty good. I was lucky in that I had paid leave time, so I don't have to work. I can instead focus on resting, taking walks, letting my body recover and now I am starting to reduce the pain meds (new problems all together). But I am hoping to go back to work in a few weeks. I can't go back to the same job, they had to fill my position when I left, but I am guaranteed a position with the same company due to FMLA. Next week will be 6 weeks post-op for me, and will be the first time I am forced to drive myself. Have to get my hair done, before having a face to face interview for a job, and then the next day going for the interview.

I just went to a movie on Sunday, but purposefully chose one that had been out for a while, so wasn't expected to be crowded. We sat near the back, so I could get up and stand in the aisle, without disturbing anyone. I did get up once to stand for about 5 minutes, but I also pushed up on the armrests too. I am hoping that by July 15th, I will be ready to sit through an entire movie, so I can go see the new Harry Potter movie.

We had our surgeries on the same day, though mine was in Germany. It seems like we are both doing very well. I know how you feel, about not wanting to have to take the pain meds anymore. But with the length of time I was on them, I know realistically it will take some time to taper off. When I went down in dose the first time, it took about 3-4 days of feeling just a little ill, before I felt normal again. I am hoping the next step down will be easier to handle.

I hope you don't mind the long post in your journal, but I felt like I had a lot of similarities to share with you.

I hope that we both continue to recover well, and look forward to being out of pain in the coming months.

[Dulishun]

Cathy,

Please, don't think twice about the long posts. The feedback is great. I agree about the pain meds. I was on them for about 4/5 years. As I have drawn them down, I have definitely had withdrawal problems such as feeling crappy and insomnia. My approach has just been to try to make progress towards ridding myself of them which has been hit or miss. Generally though it has been positive. Less pain helps a lot. On the work thing, I own a business with about 15 employees and I don't need to go in. I could work from home and if I don't feel right I do. I just want to do my part if I am up to it and it is not physical labor, so I figure sitting at home and sitting at work is a wash. I am going to back it off a little this week. To be honest, I am most uncomfortable at night in bed. I think it is just being in one position for too long combined and the cumulative effects of the day. Do you feel very tight in your lower back muscles and hamstrings? I want to try to stretch a little, but am naturally paranoid about tweaking it. I also considered getting a light massage. My doctor suggested this was OK as long as it was light and the person had some experience with back surgery patients. Once again, I am still gun shy about both.

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L5S1 Herniation and Annular tear
Over 10 epidurals,
DDD, 2 discograms (positive),
Countless attempts at conservative therapy.
Surgery date 5-26-09

[treefrog]

I do feel a little tightness in my back, but like you I don't want to do much stretching. I am going by the rules my doctor gave me, of no bending, twisting or lifting for 12 weeks. And I am wearing a brace anytime I am up for any length of time, which keeps me from moving wrong. But particularly when I first wake up in the morning, I lay on my back and kind of stretch my legs straight, and I can feel a little popping/crunching/something in my lower back. It worries me to some extent, but I am not twisting or bending, so I hope it is all right.

My hamstrings and my quads are very tight now, though my hamstrings have always been tight. But I used to be lay down and put my legs in a cross-legged position, but now I can't. I get a painful stretching feeling down my thigh when I try to do it. So, I keep doing it as far as I can, hoping that over time it will stretch out again.

At 3 months post-op I plan on starting some gentle yoga/stretching to help loosen me up.

[runner]

Cathy,

I just wanted to tell you that the tightness will go away with time and stretching.
I started PT at three months after my ADR and it helped a lot. One of the things i didn't expect was such tightness with the muscles in my body. My hamstrings didn't work well and getting pants on was sometimes laughable. Tying my shoes, out of the question.
Hang in there.