Hello everyone,

One week away from my surgery. Now the nerves throughout my body are going haywire! I know it is just the fear of having the fusion surjury (L5-S1 TILF Fusion w/ 2 rods 4 screws; using BMP) and having to go through the recovery process. However, I am to the point of just canceling the surgery! I guess I could just live with the pain??? Meds work (Oxycontin). Maybe its just the meds talking? Need some support and advice!

Thanks! :cool:

INFO:

Tried: PT, Epd shots, norotin, steriods, and other meds with no luck

Two prior surgeries: MicroDiscectomies

Current: Right leg nerve pain (pain managable) MRI shows L5-S1 reherneated Third (3) time with nerve compressed (DDD). Fusion seceduled next week!

yes or no? :confused:

Taz:
I'm 5 weeks from my fusion and I sure know your anxiety. If you're one week out and just now feeling this, you're doing good. I've been put off work while waiting because I got to hurting so bad and became such a basket case.

I am sure it's all normal.

Is there a chance you can see your doctor in the next day or so to help you with your anxieties. That's what I've done. I made an apt to just have another consultation - one more time - to answer those questions that have popped up since my initial "shock" visit. For me, that's all I need. You obviously trust your doctor, or you wouldn't be seeing him/her. I think just another consultation to clear the air will help you some - or at least help you reach a conclusive decision.

I am also betting that if you're like me, reading this board does both good and bad. I put a lot of weight in those who say "Most of the people who are doing great are no longer using this board. Those who have had problems are here shedding insight to the others". So hopefully, your anxieties are more from the fact that you're well-informed and fear of the unknown.

Call the doc.
Hope to hear from you before next week.
Hunni :wave:

Hey there! I am 2 months out of L5/S1 fusion, and doing fine! It was a rough couple of weeks post-op, but after that, steady improvement. My jitters didn't hit hard until the night before surgery. I remember just crying myself to sleep, wondering if I was doing the right thing or not. It is a hard decision to make, and definitely one that only you can make for yourself. Don't feel bad about asking all of the questions you can, as Hunni said.

Recovery is long, but then again, if you've been in pain for a while, you may be ready to bear it. I had tried all of the conservative measures before surgery, and was ready to get my life back (I'm 36, with 2 kids).

The main thing that helped me was family and church friends all pitching in and taking care of me, and helping with food and housework. I knew that my job was to heal. Period. I did walk alot, and early in my recovery. At first just a few steps around the house, then to the next door neighbors', then on down the road, etc.

I am already glad I did it, and I didn't have nerve pain down my legs. So...I didn't have the big "Wow! My leg pain is gone/better!". I am happier, and seem to have less pain at the area of my break/slip. My stamina is less, but then again, I am still recovering. I am hopeful that I'll continue to improve, and will be much better.

Know that, for me, my expectations for how horrible recovery was going to be were far worse than actuality. I was so much dreading not being able to care for myself, etc.....I thought I was going to be an invalid for months afterwards. Yes.....I am limited, but there are ways of doing things safely, and I just live with it for now.

I wish you both luck with your decisons/surgeries!

Melinda

Thanks Melinda and TXHunni,


I feel that every time I tell myself its a go on the surgery I see another negitive thread! This time it was the one about the screws broken after a few years! Now thats scary! I want this to be my last surgery! However, I will keep my head up :bouncing: and hope for the best! Thanks for your support! June 21st is the big day! I will keep you posted a week after my surgery. Thanks again! :cool:

Taz

G'day,

im 19yrs old and am just about to come up to my 5 month post op mark.
i had a PLIF L5-S1 with rods, screws, bone graft, and all the rest, and i'm doing very well, of course you have your slight up's and downs but you expect that in the 1st year. I can't remember a lot about my 1st week in hospital, they give you enough painl killers so you will be fine, if not make sure you ask. So many of us have been through this and all managed to get through it, im sure you will too :)

good luck and try and do somethings you enjoy before you go into hospital :)
Take Care

Monas

My husband is facing a fusion soon. I can understand your anxiety!

Here's a good note: I spoke to a friend today, and it turns out a good friend of hers recently had a fusion (I don't know what level) about a year ago. He had the brace, not driving or doing much for 6 weeks, the whole bit. But he is doing so much better now and is very happy with his surgery. She says it's a noticeable difference, like he is a new man!

My personal advice if you are a person of faith: pray. Ask God to guide you to make the right decision and give you comfort as you go through this. I am doing a lot of praying for my husband right now, and I feel we will be guided to make the right decision. After that, it's in the Lord's hands.

Hi Taz.....

Just to let you know that there is someone out there facing the exact same fears as you. My surgery is 3 days behind yours........ so let's hang in there and be optimistic! :)

Surely we can't live in this pain for the rest of our lives.... and if we did, what kind of life would it be on pain killers forever? My quality of life pretty much sux right now as it is........

It's gotta get better for us! I'm sure the screws breaking was a fluke.... I wouldn't think that happens often. Just do as I'm doing, and put your faith in God. He's in control anyhow.

:::: cheering for us:::::: :bouncing:

Misty

Taz, I'm having my fusion in 6 weeks. What made me finally decide to go ahead with it was when the Dr. told me that my leg pain was due to nerve damage and the longer I go without it, the damage could become permanent. I am sure deep inside, you know what is best for you situation. Please know that I am praying for you.
Good luck and God bless,

Lorie :angel:

I just wanted to wish you luck and let you know you are in my thoughts. I am now four weeks post surgery and doing pretty good. I had a lot of nerve related issues and my leg is already stronger and I'm noticing definite improvement. I realize post-surgically it is still early for me; but given the improvement I've experienced; I am glad I had the fusion.

Jo :wave:

I would like to thank everyone again for replying! Your support really helps!

I found this web site that shows an animation of my surgery and it really helped to bring down my fears!

Thanks again!

Taz :cool:

Aloha TAZMZN, :wave:

I just thought I would jump in here to give you another vote of confidence. Having the jitters is a good thing, if you didn't have any anxiety going into next week, I would definitely think something is wrong with you.

I am 16 weeks post op and feeling great compared to before my surgery. I still have a ways to go…but I have absolutely no regrets! (PLIF L3 through S1, I have eight screws, two rods and six cages, they harvested the bone from my hip).

I won’t inflate this into another one of my sermons, I just wanted to say that you will be in my thoughts and prayers, and good luck.

You will be out and about before you know it. Sure there will be some discomfort, pain and recuperation time. But aren’t you already experiencing that? Surgery may be your ticket back to functionality, but, echoing the others, it can only be your decision to make. Don’t let the horror stories, or even the exciting, positive stories sway you one way or another. Use that inner voice, talk to God, what ever it takes, but if you do decide to have your surgery, go in with your head held high, and tell yourself that you are doing the right thing. Think nothing but positive thoughts and God will take care of the rest. Oops, I said no sermons, sorry. Good Luck! ;)

Carl

Hi TAZ,

I am definitely rooting for you! I am 1 week post-op from the EXACT same surgery you are going to have. The first few days afterwards, I wanted to be put to sleep (but then again I am a drama queen :) ). It wasn't the pain that was horrible, it was the anestheia that made me so sick. I am a smaller female and I guess I couldn't handle it well. But after the first 2 days, it got so much better. I made up my mind I was going home as soon as possible and I did! The main thing is to just have a POSITIVE outlook! I need to go for now, but please let me know if you have any questions I can answer since it's fresh in my mind! I wish you the best and keep us posted!

Take Care and a Positive Attitude!

Heelsgal :)

Hello Heelsgal,

Thanks for your concern! I do have a few questions:

- When they got you up for the first time to walk at the hospital did you feel anything in your back move around?

- How many days did the doctor tell you that you would be in the hospital and how many days did you actual stay?

- How long did he say it would take to fuse?

- If you have staples in your incesion how long until they take them out.

- How big was your inncesion?

you said I could ask questions! Thanks again!

Take care!

TAZ :cool:

Thanks to everyone else for your support and advice!

Taz ... can anyone else answer too just in case Heelsgal can't get to her pc right away? I had the same procedure also. ;)

- Said I'd be there 5 days, I left on day # 5 (but prob could've on day 4)

-My Dr. didn't estimate time to fuse (or rather, didn't tell me). But at my last checkup (@ 8 weeks) I didn't show bone growth yet. He wasn't concerned, said the hardware all "looked good" and we might see bone growth at my next visit (which is this Friday).

-no staples, self-dissolving stitches inside, and outside stitches were taken out at 2 week checkup (but most had already disintegrated by then)

-Incisions: midback, it's 5.5", and the one on my buttock (for bone harvest) is 2.5"

Even though I'm not heelsgal, I figured the more the merrier!

Hi Taz,

Let's see...

1. the first time i got up to walk around with the walker, it was pretty painful. it felt
kinda like something was coming out of my back (like a bowling ball). just a
really weird feeling.
2. my doctor said i would be in for 3 days. the day after, b/c i was so sick, he was
thinking it maybe more like 5 days. but as soon as i stopped puking, i made up
my mind that i was going home on friday. my surgery was on tuesday.
3. my doctor didn't really tell me how long the fusion would take either. he just said
after 3 months i would be pretty much back to normal.
4. i actually didn't have stitches or staples....my doc used something called Durabond
which is pretty much like superglue. so i don't have to wear a dressing over it and
i can take showers. i took a shower on saturday.
5. my incision starts at (excuse me) the top of my butt crack and goes up about 6
inches. then i have a hole in my back about the size of a pencil eraser where the
drain was.

No problem Taz, i remember how i felt right before surgery so ask as many questions as you want. Take care and I'll talk to ya soon!

Onthemendnow- how is your place where your bone graft was taken from? Is it painful still?

Heelsgal :)

Hi Heelsgal ... hehe, so you did get to the computer right away!

Yes, the site where the bone was taken is hurting me still. Weird though, it only started about week # 12, nothing before then. That'll be my big question for my visit on Friday.

Ditto about the butt crack and the puking. ;)

I think I'm doing really good ... but I'm 4 months post-op and while I feel much much better than before surgery (because I have no sciatica now!) I don't yet feel back to normal yet. Now you've got me wondering.

Anyway, I'll find out more on Friday; I really can't wait to talk to him again.

Hey Heelsgal & Onthemendnow,

You are both wonderful! Thanks for the detailed information! It helps to understand and ease the worry.

I look forward to telling my story and update soon!

Onthemendnow, How much have you lifted and how often during what week in your progression?


Thanks again to the both of you!

Take care,

TAZ

Lifted? Who me? Mostly I've been leaving that to my husband and big, strong teenage son. The only thing I lift is a laundry basket (bending properly to do so) and a filled paper grocery bag, one at a time. I might be being too conservative, I don't know, but that's all I've been doing. When I went to the doc at 8 weeks, he said my lifting limit was 25 lbs. That's when I started lifting those items ... nothing before then.

Hello :wave: Onthemendnow,

Thanks again!

I am the husband! However, my wife can lift her fare share! The reason I asked is because I have an 11 month old boy who is all over the house... :bouncing: :bouncing: :bouncing: !

He should be walking any day now! (I Hope) We will have to put him in day care because I won't be able to lift him while she is at work! I was just wondering how long I should wait until I can lift him? Maybe two to three months?

I again want to thank you! I have been following your threads (post) for a while now. Thanks for the advice and support. I am glad you are doing great! Good luck on Friday with the hip pain questions and check up with your doc.

What state are you from?

Take Care,

TAZ :cool:

Wow! :confused:

I feel like chopped liver, or the kid who always is picked last in the neighborhood ball game. I guess maybe I do turn people off with my long, sermonesque posts. After feeling left out of this thread for a reason, I have decided to just read from the shadows from now on. This will be my last post on this board. I have received a lot of good info from reading all of your posts...thanks, I wish you all the best, good luck and God Bless!

Carl

Taz/Heelsgal....Just wanted to add one thing on the subject of puking! I have had other non-back surgeries in the past, and ALWAYS woke up with chills and puking.....totally miserable. This time, I mentioned it to both my doc and the anesthesiologist, who told me they'd give me something in recovery for that. WOW! What an amazing difference! I was so relieved to be leaving recovery, going to my room without feeling the nausea. :bouncing: I also told them that morphine caused me to be sick, so I got something else for pain as well. I just can't even begin to tell you what a difference it made it my recovery period not to have my discomfort compounded by a sick stomach! I would recommend asking anesthesia about getting something in recovery to help with that.....

Hey Carl! People are reading your encouraging words! I have also been lurking in the shadows, here! Hee Hee!

Take care, and God Bless! Mel

Hey Carl, :wave:

We are reading your wonderful post! Your advice really does help!

So keep up those great long, sermonesque posts!!! ;) I like reading your post!

You know how these D%# meds make people forget things!

I would actually like if you gave your input to the same questions I asked the others...

Sometimes you just have to jump :bouncing: in and be seen!

Please continue to post!

Take care,

Taz :cool:

Carl ... don't leave! I enjoy and learn a lot from your posts and btw, I don't find them "preachy". Stay! :)

I'm from Long Island, NY and I had my surgery in NYC.

It's gotta be so hard to go through this surgery & recovery with little ones in the house to take care of. As you know, it's not only the lifting with a toddler - it would be the sudden bending, twisting, lifting, carrying ... so much to consider. The day care is a great idea. I'm sure it's hard to make that decision if it's something you didn't do before now but you'd be doing it to try to ensure your health so you can be active for your child for years to come. And for now, your wife can be the strong one in the house! ;)

To all,

First let me introduce myself for this is my first post. Feel free to call me Jerry, Jer, Z, Zman, or whatever...I am easy...lol. I am extremely happy that I found this place. Anyway....

Taz (and to others with upcoming fusions):

I had a double fusion (L5-S1 and the one above it) fused with 4 rods and 6 screws on April 8 of this year. From the things that I have read, I feel very fortunate with my recovery. About 2.5 months later, I am in my thrid week of PT, a little stiffness in my hips and butt cheeks, and still wearing my brace (which is the biggest pain in the butt...lol). I also have some numbness in my lower left leg and foot from my sciatic nerve trying to heal. Therefore, I am not doing as bad as I thought, and I am a smoker. As long as you do exactly what your doctor says, you should be fine. From what I read, complications from fusion surgery is very rare. In fact, most reported cases of complications are with smokers and they are still rare. So, I hope my posting helps to ease your mind and nerves. I wish you luck and will be looking forward to your postings following your surgery to know how things went.

Best wishes,

Jerry

Hello Heelsgal,

Thanks for your concern! I do have a few questions:

- When they got you up for the first time to walk at the hospital did you feel anything in your back move around?

- How many days did the doctor tell you that you would be in the hospital and how many days did you actual stay?

- How long did he say it would take to fuse?

- If you have staples in your incesion how long until they take them out.

- How big was your inncesion?

you said I could ask questions! Thanks again!

Take care!

TAZ :cool:

Thanks to everyone else for your support and advice!

I know it wasn't me that you asked but I feel compelled to answer anyway...LOL.

- When they got you up for the first time to walk at the hospital did you feel anything in your back move around? Nope

- How many days did the doctor tell you that you would be in the hospital and how many days did you actual stay? Surgery was on Thursday and went home on Saturday.

- How long did he say it would take to fuse? From what I read, it takes about 3 months to start and up to 2 years to complete.

- If you have staples in your incesion how long until they take them out. 2 weeks

- How big was your inncesion? About 3-4 inches, I think.

Best wishes,

Jerry

Thanks Easy Z, LOL

(Jerry that is)

Thanks for your input! I am glad to here you are doing well. If I think of any questions before Monday I will look let you know...

Everyone thanks again for all your postings!

Take care,

TAZ :cool:

PS: Where is carl?