Hello
Wed. they took out my plates and pins. Ouch of course.Yes it is slow going and pretty much hurts like a mule but I would like to say this to folks who are having them put in...
When they did mine in 98 I had in my mind that all of the pain I was having was being caused by the hardware but it turns out , I think it pretty much feels the same as when they put them in. Its really not the hardware but the shock to them cutting thru muscle and your back..Yeah it hurts like crap but by having something to compare it to I see now its just part of the process. The trouble of getting up and down out of bed and going ahhhgggg when you feel like your going to drop--is pretty normal--but anyone who thinks its more than that should definantly see ther doc. just try to give it some time and let it heal.
Anyway cant sit here too long....Thanks to everone who replied to me--It meant alot....Willis

Willis, Thanks for the update. May your recovery be certain. Peace, MAry :angel:

Hi Willis,
I'm happy to hear that it worked out okay. I would have liked it better if you weren't having so much pain but at least it's done. Well take care of yourself and let me know how you are doing. Kristy. :)

Hope you're feeling better soon! Why did they take out your hardware? Was it broken, or irritating something?

Hey Jessie
---I made the call to take it out --it was put in in 98 by a doc who dropped me like a hot tater after surgery---( you know--next please)---I got with my new doc Dr. B. and for 3 years it has been a option to take them out but he said wait as long as i could. So I did . In the last 3 years the burn around the lumbar hardware went from baseball size burn to about football size. This year I also had 3 Bone spurs taken off my shoulder -Right side and in 2000 I had cervical fusion --right side pain as well. Well after gradually getting worse . It was locked comp;etely down my right side . I tried Epidurals again in my Cervical to see if it would ease up anything and nothing --so I prayed and decided the less evasive would be to take them out.
Sounds weird I know but I've been battling this a while.
So I know its early yet and yes it hurts from surgery but If i can get just some relief which I think I have this will be ausome. I'm not Greedy.lol
Also i have normally been against pills but this time I got Percocet and -no drowsy or buzz but helps the pain.I had this surg. weds and i actually slept from 10 pm till 6 am this morn.
THe main thing from this one is I think my body remembers the pain and was ready for this type pain and knowing all the tricks to getting around has helped alot.
Hope I did'nt come off wrong about my pain but so far i think I mite have relief in upper back.. I was just trying to say to someone maybe on a 1st time surgery that the pain they are having from surgery is normal but it is prob from having surgery not the hardware agrivating things--We will see bout me. I am weirdly positive about all of this.and everyone is different and untill now I have stayed away from meds untill someone here talked me in to giving them another chance..Thanks ......Willis

Oh yeah --when he explored the fuse looked really good so thats good too......