Hi everyone, I scheduled for a leavel two fusion L4-S1 due to spondylolisthesis at L5 and a bad disk at L4. The surgery is August 3rd but I feel like I am losing my mind due to the pain. My husband wants to go away this weekend, normaly thats a no brainer but there is so much I need to do today before we leave. :eek: I also planed a trip to see my dad before surgery about a 4 hour drive normaly again thats a no brianer now I am not to sure about it and than trying to put on a happy face while I am there for 5 days. :D When I just would just rather scream in pain. Than everyone wants to go to Kings Island the weekend b4 my surgery, I think I am going to tell everyone to go fly a kite on that one and stay home. :p Thanks for letting me vent, I feel a little better now. I am not sure what I would do without my daily dose of being able to read this discussion board, what a wonderful group there is here. Now I need to go fold clothes while I can.
Thanks Diann

I remember when I first went to see my surgeon and he examined me and my MRI's he told me I didn't have a choice, that I needed to have surgery as soon as possible. I couldn't have agreed with him more. After being in pain for six months and being unable to walk I was about ready to perform the surgery myself. Anyway, he had his assistant schedule me for the first surgery available...which turned out to be over a month away. I almost freaked when I found out I had to wait so long, and on top of that he had told me that he didn't believe in prescibing pain medicine until after the surgery. I went home thinking that there was no way I was going to make.
First thing I did was called my mother and begged her for her left over percocet, then I tried to prepare myself for the long wait the same way I used to mentally prepare myself at the beginning of a marathon. My mantra was "get comfortable with being uncomfortable". Try to stay relaxed, breathe easy, and try not to get too moody in this moment. Time will pass, just stay focused here and look forward to getting there.
About a week later I got a call saying they could bump my surgery up to the following week. That's when I broke down and cried while thanking her for thinking of me.

Funny thing is I didn't need any pain medication once I left the hospital.

Call the doctorss office and ask them to call you if anyone cancels. Let them know you can be there at a drop of a hat.

Hey Diann. I'm not waiting for a fusion but I understand your frustration to an extent. My insurance company takes FOREVER to process my referrals, usually around 4 weeks per each one. I've had an on-going problem with L5-S1 (spondylosis) for over a year and I'm just 18, and still not any better. My ortho mentioned a fusion for me but he and my mom are weary because of my age and insist that I just, "tough it out" `till I'm at least in my 20's. Easy for them to say, eh? :yawn: But, I hope time passes quickly for you and your fusions goes well. :)

HOw about a call to your doctor, asking for some stronger meds until your surgery? Tell him you will be prudent, but that your pain is just unbearable.

I really think you should just say NO to the traveling...you are in for a surgery soon and you should be rested, not worn out from stress and pain. You and hubby can go away after the surgery when you are feeling better.

I have found my family doctor will often step in and help sometimes when I am in a jam.

Good luck, and take care....put yourself first right now.

Carol

Thanks for all the reponses, as it turns out I get to stay home this weekend and my husband is still going away this weekend to visit a friend. He is just taking his brother instead of me. :bouncing: My daughter is staying with Grandma for the weekend and the Doctor give me somehthing stronger for the pain. Looks like a get a break in the all the crazyness (is that a word) I will most likely sleep all weekend but that is ok too. :yawn:
Thanks
Diann

Hi Diann..... It is probably a good idea you are not going on the trip, that is one thing my doc told me pre and post surgery is that I needed to limit the length of time I sit, he said that sitting is harder than anything on your back, because it puts atleat 40 extra pounds of pressure on that disc.... believe me I understand.... my doc told me that when I went for my checkup on July 6, which was 4 days past 1month post surgery for me, that I should be able to sit through a 2 hour movie in the theater, well last weekend I tried that...... OH BOY! I was in so much pain when I got out of there...not to mention how much I ached and such all through the movie.... So I think you made the best choice to stay home and not have to sit so long for the travel time...... Good luck with you surgery... hope all goes well, and you pain is soon gone...

April

Peepers,

I had the same exact surgery in 2002. The best advice I can give you is take your meds as they are prescribed. My biggest problem before surgery was I would wait until the pain had began before I would take my meds. When I ask my dr. he told me to take them every 4 hours (this was how my meds was prescibed). If I waited it would take longer for them to take effect.

Hope this helps.

Good Luck with your surgery,

Pam

My IDET's this Friday, and I know how you feel...the hope, nervousness, etc.

If you need something stronger, but are worried about addiction, I would recommend Ultracet. When I was advised to take painkillers, I'd told them I'd already gone through withdrawal once. They then told me about Ultracet, a non-narcotic painkiller. It works pretty well, and although there's always the dependency factor, at least you could avoid the narcotic problem.

Another item of note - when I had my Discography last summer, I was told I could take a small amount of my medication prior to the procedure with a small sip of water. Granted, I don't know what they advise for surgery, but I am allowed to do the same prior to my IDET on Friday. You hopefully will be allowed to do this as well.

Good luck with the surgery...hopefully you're getting a bone graft or BMP. Those 2 appear to have the best results. As much as people have discussed the failure of fusion, the people I've known and questioned about fusion have had successful surgeries (100%), which is great to hear. I think what's important is the surgeon you've selected (his knowledge & experience), as well as how closely you follow post-op recovery guidance. Those two are big factors in your recovery success or failure, I think (and patience, of course).

Rampage
Accident 5/20/2000
PT 2000, 2001, 2002
MRIs 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Sciatica/Piriformis Pinching Nerve Diagnosed 3/19/2001
Steroid Injections (Piriformis, SI, Epidural) 2001, 2003, 2004
Accupuncture 2001, 2002
Chiropractic 2002
Discography 2003
Disc Fissure Diagnosed 8/4/2003