Hey guys!

I am 17 day's in post op ( TLIF 2 level ). Got to say it has been rough at times. I am walking everyday, just got to the 2 mile mark!! Wish I was sleeping better, feel really stiff and sore at night ( mostly in my hip and knee ). Just getting frustrated with all these limitations, tired of the constant ache and pain I feel, tired of the pain pills ect.. I am sure all of you know what I am talking about. I get so tired of hearing, "well you just have to deal with it and you are getting better" I know this!!!! That is what I am doing dealing with it and trying to get stronger. I just have been feeling a little down the past few days. I feel like I should be grateful for everyone who is helping me and happy that I am getting better. But sometimes I just want to scream and cry my eye's out. Wish they understood what this is like. I can not wait until the pain eases off and I can get on with my life. I sound like a spoiled brat! so embarrassing! I just had to get this off my chest before I explode!

Rose

Rose,
I am sorry to hear you are having a rough time. I am 4 weeks post op lumbar laminectomy. I hear what you are saying. I get very frustrated being so limited and yet knowing it is for the best in the long run. I too am tired of the pain pills and wish I was done with them. My family has been awesome but they get to leave during the day and I am left home alone with the TV and the dog...I see how easy it is to get depressed. I need to be able to clean my house and cook dinner for my family...there are days I don't even get dressed or put make-up on...why bother. Who will see me? I have 3 more weeks of limitations until I see my DR again and hopefully things will get better and I can go back to work. Keep the faith and I am around if you need to "talk" to someone. It can get very lonely and others try to understand, but they can't....Mjam

Rose,

I think before so many of us get to surgery we are mentally exhausted and are desparte to feel better, we want to be off the medicine, and we are definitely wanting to be more active. My advice to you is to remember you are recovering you are only 17 days out, it takes time for your body to heal physically and emotionally, and you need to follow your surgeon's advice, no matter how hard it is, it just takes one wrong move and it could hamper your recovery and extend it.

Good luck

Hi Rose, Hang in there. I had my L5-S1 surgery on Nov.8, had to go back to the OR because of a spinal leak. Keep corresponding on this board. I think it really helps to talk to people who have been there done that. They are all very supportive, and very well informed. I wish you a Happy New Year. Kathy

Hi,
17 days out and walking almost 2 miles!!!! OMG you are so far ahead of where you should be, please dont be discouraged you are doing so well. I know the pain and isolation you are feeling is horrible at times, but it will get better the first month or so is the worst. But really it was way past the six month mark before I could walk around the block, I had 2 level fusions front & back.

Pleae give your body and mind the time it should have to heal properly, it takes about 12 months for your body and mind to heal 100%, now don't take those deep breathes and roll your eyes just yet, the major healing is done in the first few months, then PT and slowly building your body back up starts. You didn't get this way over night and it will take time to get better. No matter how much I would LOVE to tell you it will end in 8 weeks, the honest truth is it will take much longer than that. I'm sorry but you will find that no one on here will lie to you about anything, thats why we keep coming back here we get real truthful honest answers even if we don't like them.

It's ok to be down and to even get down right depressed, it's all a part of chronic pain. You can even get some depression meds to help you thru that part of it if need be, don't try to be the big hero and tuff it out either. There is no such thing as no pain no gain here, actually more pain (emotional & physical) can inhibit your recovery more than help it.

So get it out of your system right here, we are here to listen, to help you thru just like others have helped us thru it. I can't begin to tell you how much help I have gotten on here, I then in turn give it back when I can. So go ahead and scream & cry you will feel so much better afterwards, trust me you will!!!

Good Luck & God Bless

Carol

I haven't had surgery, but two miles is AWESOME...give your body some credit!!!!!!!!!!! That is a big accomplishment!!!! AFTER 17 DAYS ARE U KIDDING ME, that is awesome news!!!!!

I had back surgery way back in 1979. I was only 19!!! Well, come to find out, the neurosurgeon in Dallas..he is super great I may add...didn't remove the disc. Of course, back then, we didn't even know what all this stuff was. I totally healed and had such a speedy recovery, it's insane. YOUTH WAS ON MY SIDE. We are still not sure how this happened, but I was a Jr. College Cheerleader, and also a gymnast. I think gymnastics are bad for ya, although my daughter was one and mnow my grand daughter.. oh well... 5 yrs. ago. I was laying in bed and all of a sudden, out of the BLUE I had the worst pain of my LIFE! My right leg, (same one as before) was hurting so bad, ( and only folks with back or disc problems know this pain) I told my huibby.. I could cut this leg off.. of course i didn't mean that! But...I had many test, and went back to my original neurosurgeon at Medical City Hospital in Dallas. I do have a herniation at l5-s1..and a bulg at 4. I have very little feeling in my right foot on the right side.. and heal.. feels like it si someone elses foot. But this doc. said there would be no guarantees with surgery. I had physical therapy for about 4 months and learned to walk again without dragging my right foot. NOW.. THE NEW PROBLEM.. About 2 months ago..I pulled a muscle in my lower right back. We all know the diff in a muscle and disc by now huh?? Well, it just will not heal!! I sometimes feel as though my back will "collapse."!! Now, I've noticed that right where my under wear elastic is at the groin, IT IS NUMB!!! Scard out of my mind about htis one!! Could it be from the disc?? There is a pretty large area where if thereis an itch, and I scratch it, it feels like I've had a shot of novacaine!! HelP! Sorry this post is so long.. Mimi in Austin

Rose, I know what you mean. The therapist keeps telling me I am doing great and progressing but I'm still in pain. Now the disc in my neck are killing me and I may have a tear in the elbow tendon. I'm sick of taking the meds. I'm still in pain. I wonder will it ever end. Now if I have a tear in the elbow what is next? They say god gives you what you can handle. I think I have had enough. I think the weather is depressing too. It's starting to get cold now. I hate the cold. I was going out everyday and walking in the nice weather. They are trying to get me more therapy visits. I've had 10 surgeries for various things. Had the L4/5 fusion, Laminectomy, Discectomy etc in Sept. Still in pain. Things will get better. Happy New Year

Mimiof3, I believe any sort of loss of sensation in the groin area is considered medically significant and should be reported to your doctor ASAP. Sometimes it can be associated with something called cauda equina syndrome which needs immediate medical attention. Better safe than sorry, give the doctor a call and make sure everything is ok. :)

Sitting here, just had a really good cry. You where right mamakitkat, I feel a little better. Mamakitkat, your post made me cry! so true about needing to scream sometimes! Thankyou so much for your understanding. Mjam, so kind! Reallly I do need a friend, thank you for your offer. Pain sucks. 123dietdrpepper, your post was most kind, thanks for reminding me of one day at a time. Kdk819 thanks for your words of encouragement! means more than you know. Yvette777 thanks for thinking its great about my walking, sometimes I think it is the only thing keeping me sane. Mimiof3, thanks for your post, please go see a doctor!! I am worried about you. Hessie28, ten surgerys! wow! thank you for your kind words. Well guys, I am still feeling down, I just feel so alone sometimes. I am feeling a little less alone knowing you all are out there. Thanks for letting me know if I ever have a question or need something I can come here. I will stop by here everyday from now on. I just hope to cheer up a little, friends of mine have invited themselves over to my house for new years ( could be interesting ) really not in the mood for company, but maybe it will make me feel better for a little bit. I cannot tell you how much it has ment to me to read reply's to my post, really touched my heart. Thank you for sharing some happiness and warmth my way. Hope everyone's new year is a happy one. Love to all.:wave:

Rose;)

Hi Rose. We truly are in a class of our own. Unless people you know have had chronic pain themselves.. they truly do not understand what you are experiencing.. even though they think they have.

What you are feeling is extremely normal, and we all just need a good sit down cry every now and again. Hell, I keep a few party favors around for a private little pity party now and again myself still.

There is no shame in feeling down. If you find that you just can't quite pull yourself out of a slump.. then it's time to talk with your doctor about it. It's extremely extremely common for us all to get depressed over this. We are all mostly young that this happens to and it's quite a life altering experience not only in pain, but in our new limitations as well. There is nothing pleasant about the situation, but still we manage to turn out issues into something positive and go on with our lives.

You truly will begin to see some HUGE changes in the coming weeks in a very positive way. The waiting period stinks.. but you just had major back surgery.. and that does take some time to heal. Give yourself that time and enjoy the time relaxing and healing.

2 miles so early on.. I think you are doing marvelously well! Hang in there gal! Tammy:wave: