Hi all! Got out of the hospital yesterday. The ride home was painful at times. Taking turns, hitting bumps/potholes, and just normal stops at red lights (could not imagine the pain if we had to brake at 100%) were all painful. I am staying in the uptairs master bedroom, but I may have to consider moving to the downstairs guest bedroom. Last night in the middle of the night I felt like being on the laptop or turning on the TV but I knew I would get the "eye" from my wife. Some things I learned that you all have shared that have helped alot: grabber device, I had it at the hospital and it came in handy. The nurses were so busy and shortstaffed, I couldnt get them to help me for some things (I had to press a call button and a receptionist would ask for details on why I needed help) - I was on my own if something was out of reach. They were supposed to do hourly checks but they almost never did, until I complained to the charge nurse. Another thing was to stay on top of my pain medicine. After they took the PCA pump away, I was on PRN (as needed) oxycodone. The problem with this was if I was sleeping I wouldnt get any pain medicine and blood levels would fall too low. One time the Doctor had to be called at 2 am because I was so bad. Medicine wasnt prn after that ;) .
Things I can share that may be helpful to others:
If you have a cell phone, get a bluetooth device that does voice activated commands. This eliminates having to reach for a phone or hold it while eating, using walker, etc. I use cell instead of house phone.
Bring hard candy with you to have after surgery. The first 2 or 3 days, my throat was so sore and dry from the tube that had been used in surgery and from the medicine. The Jolly Ranchers saved me!:D
For the men, bring talc baby powder with you. Makes things move/slide around better when general mobility is a problem and there is no showering for a time.

That is it for now. I have my follow up appt in 2 weeks. I feel as if I am progressing well. Incision looks good. I do have a lot of bruising on my lower back/side (love handle area). But I am able to get in and out of bed, walk with a cane only, though I use the walker when possible.

I'm sure you're glad to be back home!

I got a headset that connected to my bedroom TV wirelessly so I could watch TV after my surgery while hubby was sleeping if I was in too much pain to sleep myself. He didn't like the light from it, but he sucked it up since he at least couldn't hear it.

Take it easy now! You're full time job is to recover! Rest and walk, rest and walk, rest and walk. And you've already learned how important it is to keep your meds up.

I know you're happy to be on the other side of surgery! Let us know if you have questions.

Take care,
Emily

Im glad your out of the hospital and it seems like things are on track , post surgery wise. I can sympathize with the ride home.....my ride home took about an hour and 1/2 as I went to another state for my surgery. Thankfully I got out of the hospital on the weekend so traffic was less. When I went there to have my surgery, it took about 2 1/2 hours with the traffic. I even told my father, who drove me home, pleaaassseee try not to brake hard! Boy does hurt. Even when going around turns & corners when you go to brace yourself for the turn, its like agonizing almost. ANd my incision was only about 5 inches or so ( I had multi level laminectomies but no fusion).

You might also think about getting a raised toilet seat extension and maybe a shower chair. Oh, and one of those long shoe horns unless you have shoes you can just slip on.

Take it very easy and follow docs orders and hopefully you will have a succesful recovery and end up with no more pain.

And it may take a few weeks for that horrible hospital smell to go away;).

Glad to hear you got home and hopefully things will start looking up for you on a good recovery. Take it easy and do what they doctors told you do. Prayers and good wishes your way.

Linda

Welcome home 2be, I am glad to hear you are doing so well. I am about 5 1/2 weeks ahead of you, my how time flies. It sounds like you have things under control. I wanted to ad that if feel worse at about 7 days post op don't freak. No one warned me but the meds they give you during surgery wear off around then & you may start to experience new or different pain. It may not happen to you but I know it does to alot of people and I don't want it to freak you out. Other than that no advise here but rest, walk an take your pain meds. Any questions, feel free to ask...................Debbie

OK, so as I near the end of my 1st day at home, I am feeling pretty good about having surgery. I stayed in bed much of the morning, but by midday, I was going downstairs and walking around with the walker. Then later on I used the walker less and less. The stairs were not too bad going down, however, going up I had to go very slow and use my arms on the rail to take some of the weight off of my back. I actually ate healthier and less calories today as I recognize that I need to lose about 40 lbs to help my back. The next thing I need to do is have a plan on tapering down my pain medicine. Many have said that week 2 can be dissappointing in that the pain may actually increase. Does any one have thoughts? Currently, I am on Oxycontin 10mg 2x per day, Carisoprodol 350 3x per day, Lyrica 100 3x per day, Oxycodone 5mg- 1 to 3 tablets every 4 to 6 hours as needed. (this seems the logical choice for reducing in order to minimize pain and minimize pain med consumption). Any thoughts or sharing on your experiences would be welcomed!

Peace and Prayers,
Brett

L5S1 microdiskectomy 10/2004
L5S1 Fusion with Laminectomy/Decompression 2/2008

sounds like you're doing great.............don't over do it............sometimes you'll feel really good but don't forget to pamper yourself.


I'm only taking 1 Darvocet every 5 hours surgery was almost 3 weeks ago...
I've heard and learned some people are taking too many meds and you get too woozy....

You'll find the right balance for you...you will also feel new little areas of oain/burning every day...but it changes....it's your nerves waking up again..

Hang in there, you sound like you're doing great.can I ask how old you are? You sound like you were in pretty good shape before? I'm 54 and tried to do as much core strengthening that I could stand before surgery...I do think it helped a bit..

Regards,

LAF:)

Hi LAF, I am 43 yo. I was in the best shape of my life in 2004. I then had the bicycle accident and a few months later, I had my 1st surgery. I tried to resume my exercise program but I would have a lot of pain in my lower back, hips, and the upper half of my legs. It would take more time to recover. Gradually, I would do less and less to find that place that was just right. Eventually, I could not work out any more. The weight came back on and eating healthy was no longer a priority. I assume that my conditioning from those years is helping me now. Plus, I have never smoked, and I dont drink.
My big challenge is keeping my pain under control. This morning, I cut my 2 am and 6 am dose of oxycodone to 10mg from 15mg to see if I could start tapering. By 9am, my pain was edging up to a 7. I took 1 more 5mg oxy and that brought me down to my place where I am comfortable, I call it a 4. I may have a tolerance to the meds and I may be less able to withstand pain than others (this is something I have always suspected, but how do you know?):confused:
I appreciate your feedback and it gives me perspective. I welcome more input!

Hello 2BB ~

I've been reading "your story" although I haven't commented prior to this. I had a one level PLIF almost 7 weeks ago...so I like to hear how others are doing!

First, I'm glad you're making such excellent progress. Second, I'm wondering why you're in such a hurry to cut back on your pain meds? :confused: Is this something the doc has recommended to you or are you doing it on your own? I've always thought the doc gave us those meds for a reason and that we should take them as prescribed.

It takes the body a certain amount of time to heal. I don't believe there is alot one can do to hurry along the process. Ths isn't a race. The "veterans" on the board have convinced me that healing can take longer when you cut back on the meds and end up in pain. Then the muscles tense, etc. and it makes the job of healing a little harder.

Take good care....:angel: