L5S1 Prodisc-L

[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.

[Dulishun]

7 Week Update

Sorry I missed an update or two, just been swamped at work. Feeling great. No pain to speak of. Occasional soreness, but nothing out of the ordinary. Working full time (and then some). Not a huge fan of sitting for long periods, but who is? Next appt is August 5th. Surgery has fixed my issue so far. I am really optimistic about the future for the first time in years. I am tremendously grateful to have had this opportunity (no thanks to United Healthcare who has put me in semi permanent debt!). Still being smart with lifting, stretching, etc. It is really euphoric to worry about things other than pain.

[dshobbies]

Wonderful news. Keep up the caution and you'll do great.

Dale