Starting to hurt really bad!!!!! Fusion 8/15 - Back Problems Message Board

Shorty39 · 08-25-2006, 07:46 PM

thanks for all the replies.

lfoster21 · 08-25-2006, 08:11 PM

At 2 weeks, you are really too early to do much of anything (without pain following it). You will likely find it hard to sit very long, anywhere, for several weeks. All I can say is to please take it easy. Even when you start to feel good...you need a lot of rest in order for the fusion to take. My Dr. said that walking should be the only excercise I get until 2 mo. post op and then I could add water walking. Remember not to bend, twist or lift even when you feel alright. I am not trying to scare you...I just want you to know that you are right where you should be at 2 weeks. Please take it easy and keep us posted.

Lorie

caszyman · 08-25-2006, 08:24 PM

My daughter's dr pretty much followed the same guidlines as Lorie's dr. She could only walk for the first few months. Like Lorie at two months he allowed her to walk in the pool at the Y. She was not even to be a passenger in a car until we went to see him for her two week post op appt. She really did nothing for the first few weeks. She watched lots of dvds and slept. Then it was just walking, walking and walking. She did not need to wear a brace and sitting never really bothered her post op. I did have her sit in a nice dining room chair with arms and she sat on a pillow. Take it very slow and easy. Follow your dr's directions exactly. Best wishes. cas

Suzy-Q · 08-25-2006, 08:45 PM

Hi Short-
Good grief - I'd have thought your medical staff would have kept you from even attempting an outing like this at this time! My doc made it clear I wasn't to even get in the car until I came for my first post-op apt. I am 9 weeks post-op and haven't eaten a meal out yet and I haven't driven more than 7 miles alone and wouldn't try to. I have started making trips out with my husband but I lie down for the drive into town and we time things so that I am only up and walking for about 20 minutes and then back in the car for another lie down between stores.
Your tissues/muscles just haven't had enough time to heal and they will not be able to work for you yet. Worse, once you overdo it at this early phase (oh, despite all my wisdom I have over-done it a time or two) you can get into spasms that will take years off of your life! After my first back surgery I decided to go to the grocery store with hubby at 6 weeks. Well, I made it to the rice and stuffing isle and thought I'd be leaving on a stretcher! I know you know what I mean. This time around I am very careful. I have gone into the store but for bread and milk - not a whole week's shopping. Baby steps.
And though it may seem like a terrible loss to have to wait so long to resume 'normal' life - that normal life just gets further away with every setback we cause ourselves when we over do it.
I'm so very sorry you were in such terrible pain. Relax. Take it easy. Enjoy take out and pizza for a while. Best of luck - Suzy-Q

technomom · 08-25-2006, 09:19 PM

Oh my goodness... I had my fusion on 8/17/06 and I spend my day watching TV, reading & carefully walking inside my house. My doctor said no more than 25 mins of any activity at a time and no more than 30 minutes of sitting in every 3 hour period. I was told no riding in cars until my first post op appointment, which is next Friday. I expect to be on pain meds for at least the next month. The fusion surgery is hard on your body, so you need to give your body time to heal. A fusion isn't a magic cure-all. It is the begining of the healing and pushing yourself too hard doesn't give your body needed healing time. Just give yourself the time you need and the pain should go away.