Back Surgery and Neck Surgery
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Sat, 11/07/2009 - 12:44
Surgery 11/3/09 Update
I had my 2 level (L4-S1) anterier fusion on tuesday (11/3/09) and I am currently in the hospital hoping to go home tomorrow (Sunday 11/8/09). Here is how the surgery / recovery went: Arrived at the hospital at 6am tuesday and there was no wasting time getting me in. Suregery took three hours and went as planned, I was in recovery for an additional two to two and half hours. First thing I remember is waking up vomiting - a lot, in recovery. The following days of recovery have been rough. The first problem I noticed was that I had breathing issues when I would get up out of bed; that gets better as I exercise more. This is somewhat concerning because I have never had breathing issues before (asthma etc.) Other issues I have had are initially going to the bathroom after the catheter was removed - got that figured out now, an acheing pain in my left leg that came a couple days after surgery and I thought that I would be walking a little better by now; I am pretty dependent on the walker. My pain has been between a 4 and 8 since the surgery, we are currently "experimenting" with the pain pills, steriods for my acheing leg, and anti-nausea medicine. All in all I know I just need to keep walking and resting and the pains will hopefully work themselves out with time and medicine.
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I'm sorry to hear you're having a somewhat rough go of it, but I hope you will continue to improve daily. Getting home will no doubt help alot.
All the best,
Linda
Ruptured discs L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1 May 2007
One ESI in 2007 with lots of PT
Microdiscectomy and foraminotomy L5/S1 December 2007
Worsening of symptoms (back pain, sciatica, right leg weakness) June 2008
New MRI and Discogram show all three discs torn through the annulus, left to right, all three levels
2 ESIs unsuccessful in managing pain
PT, Duragesic pain patch and percocet for break-through
Was told nothing could be done for me because I had three levels and DDD
Given option of three-level fusion after being told nothing could be done
Surgery was November 19, 2008 fusing L3/4 to S1
Attempted PLIF (from both sides) on November 19th.
Rods and pins were placed, but scar tissues prohibited removal of the old discs.
On November 24th, I had ALIF (opened from top of pubic bone to the bottom of my left ribcage) and removed the torn discs, placed dowels with cadaver bone, and some of my own bone marrow mixed with BMP. I left the hospital on the 26th of November.
Currently suffering temporary (hopefully) nerve damage of both legs and total numbness of right foot. Strange tingling in both feet at 4.5 months out of surgery. Numbness still exists in right foot at almost 9 months out.
Weaned off Fentanyl patches and only take occasional percocet for pain.
Lost my reply somewhere ..
Anyway - here we go again:
The nausea was the worst thing for me - worse than the pain even. Best of luck on that - Phenegren (sp?) was what finally helped - at times it was so bad I couldn't take it orally.
Glad to see that you've made it through the first few days. Do watch for the dreaded bowel issues that usually crop up about now - Milk of Magnesia combined with Prune Juice usually take care of the problem within 2 hours.
Take it easy and take care - the next few weeks/months are tough ones.
Car accident 10/2005.
My mantra: Mind over Matter: If you don't mind; it don't matter.
Have done PT, Physiotherapy, Cortisone. Don't tolerate meds well.
4 ankle surgeries / 1 shoulder / 2 back - all in less than 4 years.
Discogram 4/2008
7/21/2008 - S1-L4 PLIF fusion
Developed new rt. leg numbness
7/23/2008 - Second surgery to explore possible hemorhage and to remove BMP and other tissue
Right leg still numb. Dealing with major leg cramps in the numb parts (pretty much painless, but disabling in severity)
Meds: Tylenol PM as needed (nightly)
Sorry to hear you're not feeling well. I was really nauseous in the hospital too. They gave me something in my IV that helped a lot.
Feel free to PM me if you want to talk. I hope you feel better and are pain free very soon!
27 years old, suffering from back pain for 11 years.
Two disc herniations at L4/L5 & L5/S1
Discogram done 10-06-09
Minimally invasive TLIF & laminectomy for L4/L5 done on 11-03-09
Medication: Nucynta, Lyrica, Metanx & Flexeril