Thanks. I was definitely nervous about it!
Personal Who else has a Fu#@!*up back?
- Thread starter Grateful Dude
- Start date
Day 1 update:
It definitely feels like someone cut a hole in my back lol.
Most of the pain now is because they had to cut through my low back muscles to get to my spine/disc. It's hard to move without engaging those muscles in one way or another. Hurts like a bitch, but tolerable with meds. I have to walk around with a walker, and I'm supposed to do 10-12 short walks a day to keep the muscles going. Other than that it's resting. And I have some kind of breathing device (don't know what it's called) that I'm supposed to inhale through a few times throughout the day. They said it helps get all of the anesthesia out or something.
On the bright side, the nerve pain I was having is about 90% gone. And I'm regaining feeling and sensation in my lower leg and foot. It will take a bit for that nerve to calm down, but definitely moving in the right direction with that.
It's just a different kind of pain to deal with post op. Probably going to be rough for a few days, but should ease up as those muscles they cut start to heal.
Baby steps. One day at a time
Thank Jesus for pain meds. Makes a huge difference as far as being able to lay down or sleep.
It definitely feels like someone cut a hole in my back lol.
Most of the pain now is because they had to cut through my low back muscles to get to my spine/disc. It's hard to move without engaging those muscles in one way or another. Hurts like a bitch, but tolerable with meds. I have to walk around with a walker, and I'm supposed to do 10-12 short walks a day to keep the muscles going. Other than that it's resting. And I have some kind of breathing device (don't know what it's called) that I'm supposed to inhale through a few times throughout the day. They said it helps get all of the anesthesia out or something.
On the bright side, the nerve pain I was having is about 90% gone. And I'm regaining feeling and sensation in my lower leg and foot. It will take a bit for that nerve to calm down, but definitely moving in the right direction with that.
It's just a different kind of pain to deal with post op. Probably going to be rough for a few days, but should ease up as those muscles they cut start to heal.
Baby steps. One day at a time
Thank Jesus for pain meds. Makes a huge difference as far as being able to lay down or sleep.
I think it was about a week or so for the surgical pain to subside the first go around. Pain meds and moving around were my saviors. I definitely think you should do the walks. It helped so much.Day 1 update:
It definitely feels like someone cut a hole in my back lol.
Most of the pain now is because they had to cut through my low back muscles to get to my spine/disc. It's hard to move without engaging those muscles in one way or another. Hurts like a bitch, but tolerable with meds. I have to walk around with a walker, and I'm supposed to do 10-12 short walks a day to keep the muscles going. Other than that it's resting. And I have some kind of breathing device (don't know what it's called) that I'm supposed to inhale through a few times throughout the day. They said it helps get all of the anesthesia out or something.
On the bright side, the nerve pain I was having is about 90% gone. And I'm regaining feeling and sensation in my lower leg and foot. It will take a bit for that nerve to calm down, but definitely moving in the right direction with that.
It's just a different kind of pain to deal with post op. Probably going to be rough for a few days, but should ease up as those muscles they cut start to heal.
Baby steps. One day at a time
Thank Jesus for pain meds. Makes a huge difference as far as being able to lay down or sleep.
My second surgery was a whole other ballgame since they went through so much scar tissue to get to the disc.
Good to know. The walking and moving around definitely helps. It loosenes me up a bit. Doc said no more than 100 yards, 10-12 times a day. For now I'm using the walker and doing laps through the house. It'll be nice when I can move those to outside walks.
Did you get one of these things?
The nurse had me using this every hour or so in the recovery room. And she told me to do 5-10 puffs several times a day. You inhale through it and try to hold the floater in the "best zone". She said it helps get the anesthesia it of your system or something like that. The nurse said "hope I don't offend you, but I'm an old hippy and the easiest way to say it is, hit it like a bong" lol. No problem, instructions I can understand hah.
Time for some walking.
Thanks
@gangsterkathryn
Did they use stitches or a laser? My doc said he's changed recently to stitching me up outside, but then just letting the hole in the muscle inside heal on its own. He said the micro sutures and laser he used to use on the muscle caused too much scar tissue. It's pretty wild how this type of surgery has evolved even in just the last few years. Not too many years ago this would have been an open back surgery. Fuck, I can't imagine.
Penis pump?
I was going to try that, but I couldn't fit my dick in the mouthpiece, so I gave up on that and just went back to inhaling with it.
Wuddya gonna do.
Have you ever had any steroid injections? I've had a bunch of them over the last 9 years or so. Both epidural and caudal. They don't work for everyone, but I had good success with the injections until this recent issue. I'd have a flare up, get a shot and I'd be good to go at 100% for several months. Just FYI
One thing I liked about my doctors is that they always considered surgery as the last option. The prefer to treat with medicine, physical therapy, etc. instead. Unfortunately I didn't have a choice this time, it was just too fucked up. They also told me that it isn't common for people to have issues with a disc as long as i have. A lot of people are treated with maybe a few injections and then that's it, they're good to go. At least for a long time. Wish I had that situation instead!
Both of mine were open back surgeries, my doctor for the laminectomy is super old school, so he did everything like back in the day. The neurosurgeon had to do open because of the scar tissue. I have two GNARLY scars on my back. My dad had a laminectomy 27 years ago, and my laminectomy scar is larger than his.
I recovered quick from the laminectomy but I was 8+ weeks for the discectomy because of the scar tissue.
I didn’t have one of those, either time.Good to know. The walking and moving around definitely helps. It loosenes me up a bit. Doc said no more than 100 yards, 10-12 times a day. For now I'm using the walker and doing laps through the house. It'll be nice when I can move those to outside walks.
Did you get one of these things?
The nurse had me using this every hour or so in the recovery room. And she told me to do 5-10 puffs several times a day. You inhale through it and try to hold the floater in the "best zone". She said it helps get the anesthesia it of your system or something like that. The nurse said "hope I don't offend you, but I'm an old hippy and the easiest way to say it is, hit it like a bong" lol. No problem, instructions I can understand hah.
Time for some walking.
Thanks
Damn. That sounds brutal.
It was. And I need another but spinal fusion is no joke and they want to fuss three vertebrae. At 28, that’s too risky and scary.
Man, that is no joke. And definitely risky and scary. Do they think the surgery would improve your condition? Or is it a gamble? You are definitely too young to have to deal with such a major surgery. Wish you the best, and hope you don't have to do the fusion.
She's definitely an old hippie if she thinks that's it's real purpose.Good to know. The walking and moving around definitely helps. It loosenes me up a bit. Doc said no more than 100 yards, 10-12 times a day. For now I'm using the walker and doing laps through the house. It'll be nice when I can move those to outside walks.
Did you get one of these things?
The nurse had me using this every hour or so in the recovery room. And she told me to do 5-10 puffs several times a day. You inhale through it and try to hold the floater in the "best zone". She said it helps get the anesthesia it of your system or something like that. The nurse said "hope I don't offend you, but I'm an old hippy and the easiest way to say it is, hit it like a bong" lol. No problem, instructions I can understand hah.
Time for some walking.
Thanks
You're not able to be as active as before. You were just in a hospital with shit shoved down your throat to keep you breathing. You're now at risk for fluid issues and infections. Pneumonia is a mofo that will prey on you when recovering. The breathing exercises are designed to keep the lungs clear and to make then work kind of how they would if you were really able to work.
So it is important to do it until you're able to be active enough to not need it.
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Hope your on the mend quickly buddy.
It will help the pain and release the pressure on the nerve for good, but I will lose mobility, and over time, the vertebrae will wear down and cause more issues. There are other options out there, but ever doctor I’ve been to thinks it is best. I can’t tell if weight loss or luck has helped me this year in not getting a flare up, but I’m continuing to drop weight.
Now that you mention it, she did say it would help keep my lungs clear. Yesterday is a bit fuzzy, but I'm getting my wits back and remembering more about yesterday.
Thanks for the restating of that info, i had kind of blanked out on that.
I am using it every time I get up for a walk. I'll do whatever they say if it gets me recovering properly.
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Thank brotha. Working on it!
Whatever it is, I hope you continue without a flare up! Seems like weight loss would definitely help.
Thank you! Keep updating us! I’m glad your wits are more about you today.
Day 2:
So far this morning I feel quite a bit better than yesterday. Still sore, but much more tolerable. I was actually able to sleep mostly through the night, which alone made a big difference. I've been up for two hours so far and don't feel like I need any heavy duty pain meds. Took a couple Advil instead of the oxy. I'm able to walk without the walker too. I'm thinking yesterday may have been the worst of it (hopefully). Still just going to be taking it easy and doing my walks and resting today.
The real positive is that I have almost zero nerve pain or numbness in my leg anymore. It's fucking awesome to have sensation in my foot again.
Additionally, I can shower today and change the bandages. Going to have my wife help me with that since I can't bend over to wash my legs and whatnot. It will be nice to not feel like a greaseball (haven't showered since 4am Monday).
One day at a time, moving in the right direction though! Feeling a bit more human and normal.
So far this morning I feel quite a bit better than yesterday. Still sore, but much more tolerable. I was actually able to sleep mostly through the night, which alone made a big difference. I've been up for two hours so far and don't feel like I need any heavy duty pain meds. Took a couple Advil instead of the oxy. I'm able to walk without the walker too. I'm thinking yesterday may have been the worst of it (hopefully). Still just going to be taking it easy and doing my walks and resting today.
The real positive is that I have almost zero nerve pain or numbness in my leg anymore. It's fucking awesome to have sensation in my foot again.
Additionally, I can shower today and change the bandages. Going to have my wife help me with that since I can't bend over to wash my legs and whatnot. It will be nice to not feel like a greaseball (haven't showered since 4am Monday).
One day at a time, moving in the right direction though! Feeling a bit more human and normal.
Well, I’m 12 days past surgery and doing pretty god damn well. Had my follow up appointment with the doc yesterday and all is looking good. I’m actually pretty impressed at how clean/tidy the incision looks - he did a good job closing me up.
I’m cleared to drive again, with caution (can’t twist to look over my shoulder etc, so gotta be careful). Felt nice to get out of the house and have some semblance of a normal day. I can start easing back in to more activity, but I have to take it slow and listen to my body. Still not allowed to lift anything heavy, or bend and twist too much, but I can start getting back to being more busy/active.
So far so good - I’d call the surgery a success. The nerve pain is 100% gone. The worst part of the recovery was the first 5 days or so, but I haven’t even needed to use pain meds for 5 or 6 days now. I still have some numbness in my foot, but that should get back to normal with more time according to the doc.
I’m still a ways out (prob 8 more weeks) from being back on the trail with my mountain bike, but I can start doing some time on the stationary bike. Boring, but it’s a start. I’m going for a short hike today on some trails that I bike on, can’t wait to get outside and shake off this cabin fever.
I’m cleared to drive again, with caution (can’t twist to look over my shoulder etc, so gotta be careful). Felt nice to get out of the house and have some semblance of a normal day. I can start easing back in to more activity, but I have to take it slow and listen to my body. Still not allowed to lift anything heavy, or bend and twist too much, but I can start getting back to being more busy/active.
So far so good - I’d call the surgery a success. The nerve pain is 100% gone. The worst part of the recovery was the first 5 days or so, but I haven’t even needed to use pain meds for 5 or 6 days now. I still have some numbness in my foot, but that should get back to normal with more time according to the doc.
I’m still a ways out (prob 8 more weeks) from being back on the trail with my mountain bike, but I can start doing some time on the stationary bike. Boring, but it’s a start. I’m going for a short hike today on some trails that I bike on, can’t wait to get outside and shake off this cabin fever.
Oh, my wife went with me to my follow up appointment since she had to drive. Towards the end of the appointment, the doc asked her if she had any questions about what I’m supposed to be doing. All she thought of was “can we have sex again now?” God bless her, she’s a good wife
The doc found that amusing haha
The doc found that amusing haha
How's the back
@GratefulGiarc ?
@GratefulGiarc ?
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I've got my moments. Usually from judo on a frozen soccer field. /QUOTE]
