Having a Hemilaminectomy & Discectomy on Monday morning!

Hey there, Cn; I'm suprised that your PM is managing your post surgical pain. Usually the surgeon does that. Who would know the nature of your post-op pain better than him. As far as being manhandled, thats par for the course; remember they do many surgeries the days they operate. I would wait till your follow up and see how you feel in 2 weeks before you make your decision about your cervical. After 2-3 weeks rest all I would only think CORE CORE CORE. I can E-Mail you some entry level stuff that in a month you will have a 6-pack. By doing that thelumbar area will have a natural brace hopefully preventing further occurances. I know what the pain is like your having but trust me in 2 weeks or so it will subside and you will know how things can out.

Keep updates coming,

Still Praying

I don't know if I've mentioned it or not, but my husband had the same surgery 15 years ago. So thankfully he understands what I'm going through. My situation is a bit different than his though. He had a massive blow out and sudden. Mine has been over time. I was actually just going through my datebook and saw where I hurt my back at work last year. Didn't realize I had put that in there, but it's possible that's part of where things went wrong.. and then lifting my daughter as she's gotten bigger, made things worse. Can't forget I have several other disc protrusions in my low back, it's just the L5-S1 was the worst. I'm hoping that the pain will go away and become manageable. My neck on the other hand has just been getting more and more painful and sleeping in one position all night is not helping by any means.

I do feel better today - less stiff, but I'm having side effects that I think are from the steroids. I had a low grade fever last night and I sweated nonstop the whole night, with a bit of chills. The thing is, me having lost all this weight - I freeze! So the combination of everything just made me feel crummy. And I don't think it's anything serious like an infection. But don't worry, I'm keeping an eye on things.

As far as my surgeon and PM doc managing my pain - the surgeon gave me a script that was only good for 2 days. And I could not fill it anyway because it's the same medicine I'm already on through the PM. It's surprising a surgeon would only give 2 days worth of medicine after back surgery. But whatever.. the other thing is, my PM has actually dealt with pain himself. He had surgery a lil over a year ago and actually has been partially paralyzed because of it. He's had neck & back problems himself and his surgery was on his hip. I guess something was clipped in the surgery and left him paralyzed. He can walk, with a crutch/cane, but he truly understands pain. I think thats truly what makes him a great doctor. A surgeon can perform surgeries, but if they've never had them done on themselves, how can they truly know how the patient feels. They have to go by the patients word. And sadly, it seems like when a doctor hears you're on PM they automatically think you're a drug addict seeking more meds or to get high off them. When I told the doctor that I was in pain, stating I was above a 10 on a 10 scale, he said that I was on strong medicine already and there was nothing more he could do. The thing is, he was giving me the same strength of meds as I was on PreOp. Can you really say that the meds would work for surgeical pain PostOp just as well? The shot of morphine I got in the hospital, was 10 mg and only dropped my pain down a notch.

I wasn't expecting him to hook me up to a ton of drugs, but I thought for sure he would have understood that surgical pain is a bit more intense. My PM doc had told me he would help manage my pain and medicine after surgery and the surgeons office even told me prior that if I had any issues with pain, I was to see my PM. Every doc is different of course.

It's warmed up into the 50s here today, so I'm hoping to walk a lil bit outside in a lil bit, but I got pretty shaky here about an hour ago and I'm not sure I want to venture out like that. I'm also trying to get my bowels back in order - I was able to go at the hospital, but didn't go at home yesterday, so I'm not back to normal yet. I definitely know that is important. It's especially important since I've had gastric bypass - things start backing up and I end up throwing up when it gets bad. I do not want to throw up just having had back surgery!

Well I think it's time to take a little nap.. I've had people in and out all day here and I'm feeling overwhelmed honestly. So a nap would definitely help!

Thanks for thinking about me White Beard.. :)

I've talked a few things over with my Mom.. we're trying to work out some things. She's been a lil better about being here for me. Tomorrow will be the true test because my husband is going to work for a full day tomorrow.

The pain is getting slightly better in a way.. like I woke not hurting too bad, but after a few mins of being up and about, it hurt pretty bad. My incision is burning and itching so bad! I know itching is a sign of healing, but man I want to scratch the heck out of myself!

I'm still having problems with my finger on my right hand - my middle finger is not working very well! It sure makes typing hard. I don't know if this is related to my neck though. It feels it needs to pop. I really need to take a rest from typing in order for it to heal. But that's impossible to have me do.

I've ventured out for 2 rides so far - the first was on Friday to the DMV. I had to get my tags - they expired on Friday and I had to do it. That was a very long drive and a very bumpy ride. Today I went to the grocery store that's right up the street from me. It was nice to get out. It wasn't as bad. I go to my PM on Tues so that will be the only other trip out for me for a while.

I've been doing a little bit of walking here and there outside of my apartment, but not too much. I'm being very careful. I want to heal the best I can. Tonight though I almost put myself in the hospital! My daughter was asleep in the recliner and she started to roll off of it head first. I started to leap to catch her.. thankfully she didn't fall and I stopped myself before I go too far. Just instinct to leap. I have to turn that off, but it's hard to being a mother. :)

I'm having quite a bit of hip pain, more now than before. But I also found out that my right leg is longer the left. Maybe surgery and the length has something to do with it. My tailbone is hurting too, but it always has since I lost weight.

My neck is still right at the top of my pain.. I think surgery is going to be a definite before too long.

Well I'm going to go relax.. It's been far too long of a day. :)

Riding in the car fresh post op is forbidden because of the risk of being in an accident and messing up a fresh operation. Need to think about this. Walking is the best thing u can do for strength and exercise.

Hi Cnt,

So glad to hear you are beginning to feel better., thats encouraging. Walking is the best thing you can do but you have to start out slowly and build up your tolerance. Don't let your PT take you out on a long walk if you are not walking much inside the apt. Just be honest with her about it and don't let her push you into walking fast. This needs to be done at your pace not hers. Pushing you like that is not going to speed up the recovery, it will set you back.

My ortho after a fusion has his patients limit all of their sitting the first 6 weeks after surgery because sitting puts so much pressure on the spine. He only allows his patients to sit to eat or go to the bathroom. Tough I know, but it works and makes sense. The fusion needs a lot the first 6 weeks after surgery. Walking is the only form of exercise allowed for months too.

I am sorry to hear about your family situation, but right now you are more important than anyone. I know your mom kind of bombed out on you, hope that improves as time goes on. If not you may be better off toughing it out on your own, less stress.

Please take good care of yourself and keep us posted on how you are coming along.

Hello CNT! It sounds like your having a pretty rough time of it there, and I feel for you. As far as the meds missing, I can tell you that we had some missing to, but stupid me I kept them in the studio in plain sight. I have since then put them in a locking safe in our home next to my bed, and I have not missed a single one since then.

I would urge anyone taking these powerful meds to do the same. Sometimes I drop one on the floor, and we have a cat to worry about now, so I make sure I get down on my hands and knees to find it. It can be a problem finding it too, as they can blend in with the carpet and are very small.

Lets hope your PM will listen to your pleas, and get something for you as soon as possible. I will be having surgery as well, and I know that there are no guarantees for a successful outcome.

We will support you all that we can here, and do wish that you get to feeling better soon. Nobody likes living in pain, and it can be so draining to a person.

Take Care now!

Michael