2nd Major back Surgey Log Blog and Expeirence

[grantwb1]

Well I got some problems figured out. You just need the right tools for the job. I am using miralax in my coffee and some mineral oil periodically and the senakot at night. More of all if needed, I went overboard and spent a little more time on the toilet than I think my back liked.

I am really hurting in my right leg. Friday I might have walked too far. Then spent a lot of time in that bathroom. I also think that the chair that I am spending my days in is not helping either. So I am laying down watching tv and playing a lot of video games. It is hard not to get the thoughts that this is going to get worse and that this pain is not going to stop. I am hoping that some of yall could tell me that yes nerve pain at two weeks is normal and that it can fade and just be aggravated nerves. I am really bad about mentally dooming myself cause this nerve pain is bad. I think that the back pain is on pace as far as how my first surgery to this one felt. The area inside feels a little stiffer than the first time but the muscle around and up to the skin is much better than the first go around. Mark and the rest of the surgeons all have agreed that the first surgeon made a huge incision 6-7" and that is what left me so friggin stiff the first go around. If I didn't have this nerve pain I would be peaches. I have an appointment with Dr.Coufal on Wednesday so I can ask him some questions. I really thought that I was doing good but at almost two weeks out nerve pain popping up is spooking me.

I am so thankful that I have a girlfriend that is understanding and that I have family that is taking absolutely wonderful care of me. The bittersweet part of this is I like doing things myself and that I like being the thoughtful and useful person. I feel really lazy and that is the worst feeling to me.

I am still going to win on this one it just feels really dark right now

Thank yall for all the suggestions and helping me win the BM battle!

[dshobbies]

Despair not! You are still in the freshman healing days and nerve pain is normal. It does subside but also takes its sweet time.

During this nerve firing time, you might try Neurontin or Lyrica. They both help and took my level 91/2-10 pain down to 2-3, until the pain naturally subsided over a 2 year span. They kind of make you weird and can cause off the wall dreams but the relief is well worth it.

Also, allow yourself to get help from others. Back surgery is no walk in the park. And glad the pipes are functioning, albeit with some help, again.

Better days!, Dale

[grantwb1]

I must say that I am glad that I can walk and that it does not seem to cause me any discomfort. I have been walking twice a day now. One long walk probably about six or seven blocks total. Then one short around the apartment complex at night. I really would push it and walk a lot further just because of how good it feels to be doing something physical and how good it makes me feel, but I am really scared of over doing it now.

The nerve pain in my right leg is really making me panic bad mentally. I freak out and wonder how I am going to deal with this forever. It has been bothering me for three days now. I don't understand why at almost two weeks I have had no nerve or leg pain then boom I have right leg pain bad. The pain is different every couple of hours, my toe and back of my thigh, then my calf and outer ankle. Then sometimes like now after my walk the whole leg just feels tight and over worked. My right hip feels really tight and my the right side seems to be the one that always has problems. Even the muscles feel tighter on the right side of the incision. My surgery was close to eight hours so I am hoping that my nerves are just pissed off and will settle down. I am getting used to the idea that I will always have pain, I just really hope that the nerve pain goes. That is why I had the surgery to begin with was to get rid of the leg pain. The day after the surgery I remember walking and for the first time in a year my leg felt normal and that felt weird. I wish it still felt that way.

Has anyone else had symptoms like this after fusion that went away? Is having nerve pain similar to preop normal with fusion? I know these might be doctor questions but I would like some personal experience. Does anyone have else have fusion success that had nerve troubles weeks after the surgery. If so I could really use the knowledge of it.

Thank you all for listening and I really wish for a low pain day for all.

[dshobbies]

Can't say about fusion but I had almost no nerve pain prior to my 3 level ADR but severe nerve pain after. My legs became hyper sensative and I couldn't move them. Neurontin took care of the moving in just days but I needed crutches for 5 months and Dilaudid for 6 months. All the while I was maxxed out with Neurontin too. Then the pain began to subside and I decreased my meds until now, 4 1/2 years post op I only take anti-inflamms and either muscle relaxers and/or Norco for any pain when I overdo. My foot an ankle still burn but most often, I don't notice it anymore.

I know you're scared. I thought I'd be on crutches for the rest of my life but I walk just fine. I thought the acute pain in my legs would last forever, but it began to lessen after 6 months. I still have problems and you might too but the anger your nerves feel right now, should ease up as they calm down. Try resting in a zero gravity position which will take pressure off your muscles which will allow your nerves slowly ease tension. Just a suggestion.

Dale

[grantwb1]

I cannot tell you how grateful for your reply I am. I really does have me feeling really hopeful. You have really made my day. I am really spooked about the nerve pain. Thank you so much!!

[grantwb1]

Well today is a good day!! I am about two days shy of three weeks post op. My leg has finally let up. It is not hurting like hell today. It still is irritated but is a lot better. It felt really weird last night. I had cabin fever so I got out to the local starbucks to sit and have tea with my girlfriend. I drove too! It really wore me out to, was out about three hours and it felt like I put in about eighteen hours at work. I woke up this morning and my leg felt like it was going to hurt but it kinda subsided after being up for a minute. I am getting out on walks a lot more too I am still in a good amount of pain and still taking a lot of meds. The pain just seems to be a little dull and not so sharp to the mind. I am noticing that sitting or lying in any position is uncomfortable after a while. I am starting to feel just sore rather than really hurting. I tend to push a lot so I will probably be right around hurting and worn out for a while now. The less I hurt the more I do. I am just stoked that the leg pain has let up a bit. Oh man I really hope that it keeps getting batter and goes away completely. I could deal with my current state though so I cannot complain.

I wish all a no pain day.

[dshobbies]

And I'm sure that day will come. Nerve healing takes much more time than we're willing to give it. Patience is not in our healing song but we have no choice. Keep up the walking, doing and each day will be just a bit better, except of course, for those days when we feel great and overdo!

[grantwb1]

I went back to work today. I do not know if I was necessarily ready for it but I made it through the day and didn't have to take more than my normal meds. I am an IT guy at an operator call center so I do not do any physical labor thank god.

All the people at work threw a welcome back party and had a ton of food for my lunch. They also decorated my cubicle and greeted me at the door on arrival. It was a nice warm fuzzy.

Being back at work was a great distraction. I am just looking for all the changes so that I can get up to speed with what is going on. I am defiantly hurting but I made it through the day. If this was the hardest day I will be alright.

Wishing no pain for my spiney friends!!

[Maria]

Glad you made it back to work~ that is great news!
When I returned to work after my first discectomy (took 3 months off and went back to work part time for 3 months) I had pain for awhile still so I did less of seeing patients and more paperwork (Nurse Practitioner in OB-GYN and Family Practice Clinic at the time).

My last job I did Telephone Triage/Advice Nurse and I modified my cubicle so I could stand at my computer station to work. I had a thick spongy type pad underneath my chair so that I could stand on this and alleviate some of the pressure from standing on just the thinly carpeted floor.

I expect you won't need these types of modifications tho just thought I'd throw that out there in case you have to sit all day and are having some trouble w/that.

My husband is an IT person and he has to sit alot tho tries to stand as much as he can tho I don't think it's as much as he should.. he has an L5S1 disc bulge.

It's good to hear that you've progressed as far as you have and also about Dr.Coufal's good work! He is someone I'd consider having surgery with most definately if I ever had to have a fusion.

[dshobbies]

Life can be good and people can be great. Warm and fuzzy works for me. What a gratifying experience!

Dale

[Maria]

I'm thinking you must be busy with work and life in general so hope that's true and you're going great!