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Posted 12/3/2013 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
I found out yesterday that I need surgery for L5/S1. Very freaked out and nervous. I am 47 male avid biker (200 miles a week). Golfer with 2 handicap and do hot yoga. I have had back pain on and off for a few years. Got so bad year and half ago had MRI and had small protruded disk. Had epidural shot and was awesome for a year and half. Had bad pain couple weeks ago and went back in for another shot. This one did not work. Had MRI and now have herniated disk triple in size and pain from butt to foot. Have beginning of dropped foot. The MRI was bad enough that doctor is having me see surgeon this week and hopefully surgery next week. Seeing top neurosurgeon in city and people come from all over country. Please note I have done everything possible not to have surgery and it is the last thing I want but left with no choice. I have been looking on line about recovery etc and it is all over the board. Not sure what is real and what is not. Very scared not to have life back but I am a positive person who enjoys life too much. My question is has anyone had surgery and is biking or playing golf. I was training for the winter racing season but looks like that is on hold??? I also travel a lot for business and pleasure and want to know how soon I will be able to fly. Heading to vegas for New Years but that may be off too however I see that walking and standing is good so crossing fingers. Thank you in advance for feed back.
Posted 12/3/2013 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Landdev & welcome to the chronic pain forum. Thank you for starting your intro post. Surgery of any kind is scary for all of us. I will caution you to be very, very careful who you discuss your surgery with. Some people tend to really go overboard and want to plant the worst case scenario possible. All that does is scare the person to death. Reality is, if these surgeries crippled everyone they would not be doing them every day. Ask your neurosurgeon questions, he is your best source. Make a list & take it with you to the appt.. Educate yourself about your condition & surgery. An excellent website is www.SpineUniverse.com. This site is devoted to nothing but spine issues.

Your dr is the best one to ask about when you can play golf, ride the bike & travel. A lot of this will depend on how well you do & feel after your surgery. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise right after surgery.

If you will look here at the forum PieNic has a thread going about his micro surgery. He has provided a lot of info so check out his thread. He is the most recent one to have this particular surgery.

Take care.....Susie
Posted 12/3/2013 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Susie. Appreciate the input and I agree. If I you talk to people about any type of surgery you are always going to hear a lot of negative. Being active is key. I am going to keep posting for others so the next person like me will know.
Posted 12/3/2013 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
Please do keep us updated with your journey as it important information for others that may be facing the same surgery. Yes, being active is important and be sure to get from the dr what he wants you doing post op to help you recover in the best possible way. One of the bigger mistakes we see is people trying to do too much too soon then they have a huge setback which is just not worth it..

Keep us posted......Susie
Posted 12/5/2013 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
I just had a fusion and laminectomy for spondylolisthesis. I too was very scared, especially reading stories on various forums. You tend to find a lot of horror stories, because I think those with negative outcomes are more likely to post their stories.

I had/have pretty severe sciatica, which will take some time to heal, but my lower back is pain free after 2 weeks. I love it!
Posted 12/7/2013 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
Post op. Day 1 24 hrs later. It is my hope I can help someone else who has doubts and going through this. Pain in leg gone. Back is really sore but they do a lot in there so expected. I was up walking hour after I woke up. Short walk maybe 20 steps. Today walked 3 times in hospital no longer than 5 minutes. Suggestion. If you can stay over night please do it. Makes huge difference and eliminates a ton of concern for you and your family. Also I have had a zero gravity chair delivered it is great. Last thing. Please do your research and find the best neurosurgeon who does a lot of back work. Do not settle.
Posted 12/7/2013 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Land, so good to hear from you. Very glad to hear the leg pain s gone, that is a good sign.
You have given some great advice about doing their homework & finding a good neurosurgeon, Keep up the good work.

Susie
Posted 12/8/2013 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Landdev ,

Happy to hear you woke up after surgery with no leg pain . Greatest feeling in the world :-) . Strange how some people stay at the hospital and others are Out Patient . I wonder what determines that . I didn't have a choice . lol . An hour after surgery I was on my way home. Also what is a What is a Zero Gravity Chair ?

Pie
Posted 12/8/2013 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Pie. Guess it depends on the time of day you have it. Go to "relax the back" store and you can read up on them. Very expensive but so worth it. Day 2. Sore but no pain. Already walked this morning.
Posted 12/9/2013 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there, I just wanted to let you know that I had back surgery for same area in 2010, the recovery was great! I don't golf or bike but "ride" horses. I was back to riding (just walking at first with horse within 2 months). Now the surgery was a success, just recently have other "discs" that are now herniated. Trying to go without surgery if possible. I just had my first injection and it seems to be working, but as for the surgery, you sound so active and "pro-active", that if you talk to your Surgeon, I am sure you will find that you will recover nicely. Please keep us posted as to how you are doing. (I literally was walking and up within an hour in the hospital and home 5 hours after I arrived)! I expected the pain of recovery would be horrible, but it was not!

Keep positive!
Posted 12/9/2013 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks snov. That is awesome and congrats. Day 3 a little sore in ribs but think it is constipation. Hate to be so detailed but it is what it is. May be from being in bed too not sure. Back still good no pain. Feel good otherwise. Even had a couple glasses of wine last night. Will post daily for first week than weekly.
Posted 12/10/2013 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
Day 4. Feel good a little stiff. One word for today. BORING. Walked 4 time so today for 10-15 per. No drugs today see on how it goes tonight.
Posted 12/11/2013 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
Day 5. Woke up in the middle of the night and had pain on left side. Operation was on right side. Feels fine during the day but gets worse at night. Don't know if I am overusing left side and compensating. Wondering if anyone else has had this. Still pain free and off meds. Think I over did it yesterday and not walking today just resting.
Posted 12/12/2013 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Landdev ,

How far are you walking ? I remember having pain on both sides of the incision. lol. The first week I was instructed to just walk around in side the house.

Pie
Posted 12/12/2013 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
Pie. Walking about a block or two each time. Did not do anything yesterday. Day 6. Today I woke up and could feel a little sciatica in leg. I know it is normal as things are still healing. No pain butl in your mind you know it is there. Any little thing you feel makes you nervous. Hardest part is being stuck and bored. You have to stay positive and as busy as you can. Remember everyone else still has to live their life. By now you will feel that everyone is sick of you lying around not helping etc. be strong. Stay positive.
Posted 12/14/2013 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
One week done. Feel great. Walked further twice yesterday. Still nervous about moving around. Went out to lunch as well. Getting in and out of car not easy. Find that sitting on hard chairs is better than soft. Want to do more but not pushing it. No pain and just little stiffness.
Posted 12/18/2013 1:03 PM (GMT 0)
12 days out. Was walking 1 1/2 miles a day and woke up yesterday feeling soreness and pain in right leg. Have read all the posts about listening to your body and that is what I did. Took yesterday off and just rested. Still have soreness in glute. I had surgery on right side but every morning I am in pain on left side below ribs. Went to ER as my wife thought it might be blood clot but after ct scan all clear and nurse thinks it is from over using and compensating or constipation. Clears up after I am up for an hour or so. Feeling very frustrated since it is so nice and can't do anything. Question to all....how long before sex?? Feel the urge but doc said 2 weeks. Don't know if anyone is comfortable talking about it but would love some feedback. As far as walking I am going to go out today but would like to know how soon I can ramp up the exercise. Another question....has anyone had experience of flying after surgery?? How long did you wait?? How did you handle it?. I am flying in a couple weeks just a short 40 minute flight but have 4 hour flight late January but will be 8 weeks out by then. Thanks for feedback.
Posted 12/18/2013 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Great to hear that you are having so much success! Sadly, I didn't have much of any relief...and my pain actually increase :(

But is awesome that you are doing well.

I'll be brave and answer your sex question. lol (hope it isn't too suggestive).

I'm a very sexual person...so, when the doc told me "no sex for two weeks" as well I was a bit disappointed. Though....as long as you are doing something that doesn't have you bending your part of the spine where you had the surgery, then you should be Ok(don't take my advice and then come back and yell at me!)

There are things you and your wife could do that don't involve hurting your back...but I would probably do something that doesn't involve penetration. As I can't think of any position that would not put stress on your back.

As a hint...go back to your teenage days :)

Sadly, can't help you as far as flying after surgery...but I would suggest not sitting for too terribly long. Get up at least once an hour if possible.
Posted 12/19/2013 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Landdev ,

Sorry to hear that you had to go to the ER. Are taking any pain pills or muscle relaxers ?

Also when you are going on your walks do you break them up during the day or walk 1.5 miles in one walk ?

Oh and on the sex question you should probably wait in till you have your stitches removed and do it in the supine position . Do you have a 2 weeks post op visit ? Shouldn't be to long from now .

As for your flight questioned I haven't been on a plane yet . You should be fine on your 40 min flight . I don't k know about a four hour flight . I know I wouldn't be able to handle that right now and I am almost 6 months . But you could be better off than me . Everyone is different . Maybe you can take a couple of pain pills to get you by .

Keeps the updates coming really enjoy reading them .

Pie
Posted 12/19/2013 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for feedback. As far as questions. I have been off pain pills since day 4 so have not taken muscle relaxers. When I do walks it has been 1.5 miles at one time. Probably need to split them up. I do not have post op until January 7 which will be almost 5 weeks. Not because of surgeon but I am going to be gone for week over New Years. I don't think they will remove ditches as they go away themselves. I am going to give sex a try over New Years and will report back. I am able to start driving and did so yesterday. Little awkward getting in and out of car and driving was not fun either. Felt every little bump. I had a lumber support that I use for office chair and used it in car last night and what. Difference. Still looking for anyone who has flown after and have any tips. I am not concerned about short flight but 4 hours is scaring me.
Posted 12/19/2013 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Land, yes, break up the walking, walking should be done several times a day & slowly increase the distance. You may want to talk to your dr about getting a muscle relaxer. Muscle spasms can really cause back pain & pretty much anyone that has had back surgery has muscle spasms!!!

The 4 hour plane trip is going to be a little tough. Here is something to consider because it is a fairly long flight. Go to a pharmacy or even Walmart & in the drug section where they have durable medical equipment, look for compression socks. This helps with swelling of the feet & legs. People are warned about developing blood clots in their legs from sitting for long periods of time like on an airplane or car trips, anything with prolonged sitting. A friend of mine was planning a trip that involved a long plane trip so I told him about these socks & he bought some & loved them. They do make your feet & legs feel better. I have them in black and nude, they look like trouser socks. Get up & move walk around in the plane that is a must.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.....Susie
Posted 12/26/2013 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
Three weeks in. Have been feeling awesome however yesterday I bent down to grab something instinctive and was hurting all day. Woke up today and felt better but still a little sore. For anyone going through this I am finding two things. First I feel great and feel like I should do more but after yesterday I realize you need to take it slow and easy. Second every little pain or twinge I am nervous that something bad is going to happen. I cannot get the nervousness out of my mind. For me right now seems more psychological than physical. Flying tomorrow on short trip and will report back about flying experience. I did talk to someone yesterday who had same procedure two years ago and says he feels like he never had a problem. Very encouraging to hear.
Posted 1/7/2014 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
One month in. Feeling good. Was able to fly on a hour trip and enjoyed 5 days in vegas. Please listen to your body. I did a lot of laying around but over all was good trip feeling wise. Walked 3 miles two days Ina row and was a little stiff day three so I did not do anything. Was in car for hour and a half yesterday and got stiff. Doctor follow up this week
Posted 1/26/2014 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
7 week report. All is good. Feel like I can do more than what allowed but when I do I am reminded that it has only been 2 months. Please do not listen to all the negativity on some of the posts it will make you over analyze. Find the top neurosurgeon and don't settle for Anyang less.
Posted 1/26/2014 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Good morning Land, so good to hear from you and even better to read how well you are doing. Keep listening to your body and try not to over do, as that is crucial. But, we are only normal and I think its just human nature to try and do a little more as we feel better.

You are so right about finding the very best neurosurgeon available. That makes all the difference in the world and we cannot stress that enough here at the forum for anyone contemplating surgery.

Please keep us updated on your progress.......Susie
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