Hi all,
I am back....It seems I always have a question after I leave the doctor. My docotor switched me from Soma to Zanaflex. I have been taking it two days but it seems to wipe me out. ( I fall asleep my arms and legs feel so loose it is almost hard to use them.) The good thing is it does stop the spasms but is this feeling going to get better? I hope to be teaching by the end of next month but there is no way I could control a class feeling the way I do. Does any know anything about this drug and if things get into your system and then it doesnt effect you so bad. Also I have been 3 weeks post op from post and ant fussion L5 S1 how much walking should I be doing. I can walk about 10 minutes but then I am beat.. any suggestions, words of encouragement. I keep thinking I will never be able to walk all day at school at this rate. Thanks for listening and any help you can give:angel:

I'm kind of in the same boat as you with the Zanaflex. My doctor wants me to work up to a "therapeutic dose" of 8 mgs. per dosage, and I don't think I can make it. He started me at 2 mgs., and even at that dosage, the stuff seriously knocks me out. I am scared to death of what the full 8 mgs. would do to me. I was taking it right before bed, and there is absolutely no way I could ever take it during the day. I took the lower dosage for nearly two weeks without any relief (again, he said the therapeutic dose would be 8 mgs.). I'm not taking it at all right now. I've got an appointment with him next week for a steroid injection in my neck, and I guess I will have to talk to him about it then.

I'd be curious to hear what others have to say as well.

Im on zanaflex and it knocks me out for a couple hours. Im supposed to take 8 mg 3x daily but when I take the full 8, *pow* good night. Ive been on it for about a year and still havent been able to stay awake with the full dose it except rarely.

2 mg seems to be the most i can take during the day. I only take the full 8 at night.

Fiesty, I can't speak to the meds you are on. I am so sensitive to meds.. I am on the weaker based ones, which work quite well for me.

You are only 3 weeks post fusion.. you are doing just fine. You will be amazed at the change in you now and in the next 5 weeks. It will be quite dramatic/remarkable. Just give yourself time to heal and gradually increase your walking if you can. It does get easier.

I would doubt that you will be up to standing in front of a classroom all day teaching by then. BUT I think you can do it with the ability to stand and sit throughout your classes. If you can do that, you might be ready to return at that point, if your healing continues to go well.

I am fused 14 weeks now at L4/L5. I returned to my paralegal job at 7 weeks parti-time and worked back to full time. Going back has kicked my butt though. At then end of the day.. I am just beat! The surgery really takes a toll on you. Even if you don't have a lot of pain.. you get worn out so easily. Just gonna take some time. Be patient.

Take care. Tammy:wave:

Thanks for the kind words. It really helps to hear that. I had a great day yesterday and today can't seem to get enough energy to take any walks. I try to take my walks early in the morning before it is above 100. Maybe I should sleep all day and get out at night Las Vegas never sleeps anyway. Again I appreciate the pep talk. We can always use those and it is nice to know that I am not the only one going through problems and good days.:wave:

God bless you Fiesty. I'm a teacher too. I start back next Tuesday, and the kids return on 8/8. I too am very worried. I take nueontin 800 mg 2X/day and it makes me a zombie. I didn't take it yesterday morning, and boy did I pay! I took my pm dose, but I was still up every three hours walking around watching the weather channel with a hot pack on my lower back.

I'm not post up - reherniated a disk July 3. (At least my doc thinks that what's happened; no new MRI yet.) I've had 2 epidurals. The 2nd one helped a little. Or maybe it was the nuerontin the pain guy put me on. Anywho, I'm going to try to live a "normal" day today,(with neurontin) and see how I do tonight. The pain is always much worse at night. My daughter is picking me up for the half hour drive to church this morning. (Getting the mail is torture for me.)Then we are going to run a few errands.

I have no choice but to go back to work. In AZ, teachers can't get disability until they are out for 6 months.:eek: I'm saving my sick days in case I need surgery.

Please let us know how things turn out. Sorry I rambled on about ME. You are in my prayers.

Hi Chebird,
My PM doctor told me- NO HEAT- ONLY ICE,ICE, ICE. He says heat increases inflammaton. Try it, maybe it will help you.:)

Chebird,
Keep me posted on what is going on with you. In NV we can give a sick day to the sick bank and if the powers that be believe that your situation warrent then they will compensate you for the days you missed over your sick days. I have 8 starting in August and pray I do not need to use any. I teach 8th graders and they still do no know about personal space. Last year I had some huggers and boy it was a killer on my back. (gotta love um) Anyway still have time to get stronger. Had a pretty good day but found that I am algergic to adhesive and the bone simulator is attached to my back with some kind of adhesive, I started breaking out. I hope it will not get worse so that it will help the growth since the dr said I have soft bones (whatever that means) Thanks for the words and keep me posted on your situation.
God Bless:angel: