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Chronic Pain
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Posted 10/3/2012 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
I've gotten a few questions this morning asking me how I'm doing, so here it is. I haven't seen a change in the pain levels in over two weeks now. The meds are controlling a lot of the pain, most of the time, but sometimes my pain is just way beyond any help. I'm averaging about a 6, but when the medication wears off, its an 8 or a 9; and I keep getting pain flares that send me right up to 10, and then I'm back in bed waiting for things to die down, I think alot of the higher pain levels are being caused by muscle spasms, but they're powering right through the muscle relaxers, as well as powerful electric shock feelings that I keep getting in random spots.

The pain levels are really the only bad news, as long as the pain is under control, I'm able to move around a lot easier than before the surgery. I have some feeling back in parts of my leg now, though there are parts that are still down for the count, but I can almost walk with out a cane now ( still walking in a granny shuffle though, I'm still just so stiff, and the doctor said he doesn't want me to try stretching or anything yet). I'm trying to do some isometric stuff when I can, like flexing my tummy muscles and holding them that way for a 30 count, nothing major, just trying to keep things going.

As far as that bed sore goes, it's still there, and is very slow to heal, but it is healing. The doctor has said I'm to stay out of bed as much as possible, and prefferably for the whole day, so I think that's really helping the bed sore, but it's not helping the pain any. The doctor told me that I can sit, stand, or walk, as long as I want, as long as I'm wearing my back support and I can endure the pain; he said he doesn't want to put any specific time limitations on it because he want's the bed sore to heal.

Lately I've been spending a lot of my time trying to research different schools and careers; I'm just at a point of almost complete confusion as to what path I should be persueing, but I know that if I tried to remain a wind turbine technician, I'll be back in the operating room very quickly; the term "physically demanding" is an understatement for that job, we had a couple people get hired who were fresh out of the military, and they had a hard time keeping up with the physical aspects of the job. Extreme heavy lifting is a daily task, as well as having to be able to tighten bolts to incredibly high pressures, while you're cramped into an area that a toddler would find small. So I think that career is done and gone. I'm looking into engineering, as well as paralegal, and some other careers associated with law. I'm just not sure which path to go, because money for school is going to be very limited, and I have a 2 year old to keep fed. confused

Well, that's it for now. Things are improving a little, but not in some of the areas that I'd like them to. I'm just taking it one day at a time right now, and trying to be as easy on my back as possible. My next appointment with the Surgeon is on October 22nd, and I have an appointment with the PM on the 25th. We're just in the hurry up and heal phase I think; though they said to keep them posted if I have any more problems, or if I start having medication issues again. I hope this answers some questions, and that everyone else is having a good week.

Posted 10/3/2012 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Matt., Oh, I am so sorry that you have to endure this pain from your surgery, but they say that with this type of surgery, the pain levels vary from moment to moment, even with the break through meds. I know exactly what your going through, as a person with 2 Lumbar fusions, so vent if you need.

Take your time returning to work. your body needs to really heal, especially if your past career or jobs required lifting. Perhaps doing something part-time or having a job that requires less impact on the body is something maybe to think of.

Hope that the pain lessens as time goes on. will be praying for your healing.
Posted 10/3/2012 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
matt

thanks for the update. still sounds like you are dealing with a lot of serious pain issues, wish some of that would subside for you soon. that's a lot to deal with on a daily basis, let alone with a small child in the house.

if you heal properly as expected over time, what is the expected goal or improvement you are hoping to have acheieved?

good luck to you, and don't dare over do anything during these critical healing weeks, pretty sure the pain you describe will keep you in check to some degree

david in sc
Posted 10/3/2012 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
Matt

I think what you have described is pretty much part of the fusion experience. We are all individual, so our pain levels vary. Your surgery was very extensive so I think what is going on isn't anything to worry about. You are still in very early stages and have a long way to go. The time will come when physiotherapy will begin. You know you have a lot of rehab ahead of you, you had so much downtime before the surgery. But I know you will give it everything to get the best possible result from the op.

As for future careers, my impression is you could be anything you want to be. Research seems to be your thing, that will be useful both for working towards the degree but I think you would relish a career which kept your brain and inquisitive nature busy! Law sound good, what about science based careers. Engineering may be hard depending on the type, you will always have to look after that back. One things for sure, you will succeed, I get the impression that failure is not an option for you. Am I right, just curious!!!!???

Take care Matt and keep up the good work. Maybe little walks around the garden would keep things ticking over and the sunlight, if you are lucky enough to have any, would be good for you too.

Take care

Jane
Posted 10/3/2012 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
Matt
So sorry to hear that you have pain everyday. I pray for your pain to diminish and to give you strength as you need it.

Take Care
Betsey
Posted 10/4/2012 7:04 AM (GMT 0)
Thank-you all for the kind and encouraging words, yes David, the pain is really keeping me from doing anything dumb, good thing, since I'm known for pushing things to the limit.

Lynn, it's coming to the point that work comp won't allow me to return to my previous job. It's at the top of their chart for physically demanding jobs. I liked the work, but it's time to move on, and find a career that will protect my back, but also, something that will give me time with my son; I have a close friend who owns a growing auto insurance company, and he has offered me a job, when my doctor will release me to sedentary work, won't be the best pay, but it should pay the bills.

Jane, the doctor, at my last visit, called it a 360 fusion, and said it takes more time to heal than if only one method had been used. Not only did they replace the disc with a graphed containing cage, but also removed the lamina and put a large plate of cadaver bone in it's place, it's kind of creepy, thinking about that, but if it works, awesome. Also, we have had more than our share of sunshine here, wish I could share some with you. It was very hot today.

David, I'm not sure what you were meaning about goals, the goal of the sugery was spelled out to me plain as day from the start, stabilize the level, and prevent further nerve damage, or other problems. If you were talking about personal goals, I just want to do whatever it takes to get working again, and I'd like to find an area that I can earn more than minimum wage. I sold myself short, the last time I was in college, and now I want to get the education that I should have gotten before. I'm really leaning towards a degree in law, either paralegal, or the full nine yards as an attorney. I found out years ago that I have a knack for it. I just need to jump through the hoops and get on with it.

Again, thank-you all. I know the pain should subside at least a little at some point, I'm just hoping it will happen sooner rather than later, and with as high as it can get, getting down to a 6 on the scale is a God send, I hurt, but I can move around the house a bit at that level.

Oh, one quick question, I've been wearing these TED hose, and propping my feet up every time I can, and have switched to straight water, but my feet and ankles are very swollen, and getting pretty tender to the touch. All the doc said about it was "it happens". Any ideas on how to combat this? Yesterday, I couldn't even get my feet into shoes. And it just keeps getting a little worse so far.
Posted 10/4/2012 7:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Matt,

Glad to hear things are a bit better. Back surgery takes a looooong time to heal. Did you put in for short term disability?
Posted 10/4/2012 7:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Kaely, I'm actually receiving disability through work comp. But if that changes, and Im not able to return to work at that point, I can file for state disability. I have been put under the impression that California is the only state that pulls mandatory short term disability insurance out of everyone's pay checks, but its a nice system to have available for those of us who couldn't afford a regular STD premium.
Posted 10/4/2012 12:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Matt, i hope you're feeling a little better today. If you like research, you will like the legal field. I have a paralegal degree and school was actually quite exciting learning-wise. However, i don't use my degree. I was offered a job while i was in school, and i was desperate for income at that point, i had been unemployed for 13 months, so i had to take it. However 9 years later and I'm still working at the same place that gave me a chance and I've never looked back, basically it stared out as clerical, but now I'm the office manager and i couldn't be happier.

I guess my point is, there are many things that you might find mentally challenging in a sedentary type job that can be just as fulfilling as the old physical job that you loved.

Take care and sending gentle hugs to everyone and hope everyone has a low pain day.
Posted 10/4/2012 12:42 PM (GMT 0)
 

     ..Good morning Matt!

           Thank you for the report!...and really it sounds pretty normal and I remember it much the same way. As time goes on, the walking will get better, but again,...this process takes more time than a person would think. Please don't be lured into the mindset that you should be doing better at this point. I think you have an excellent outlook there, and are trying to stay positive...and that my friend will help.

    Take care, and I wish you the very best with  your healing process.

   SE wink

Posted 10/4/2012 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Matt...thanks for the update..

It really is a day by day process with surgery like this..And as mentioned, you are still so early in the process so there will be good days and bad ones..

Especially the more you move and start PT/Physio it will bring on more soreness. But just keep following the Drs. orders to a T and keep that positive approach.

I think there have been quite a few of us who had to redirect our paths in life once we found out our spines were just not up to the task of such a physical job or hobby. I had to give up being a volunteer Firefighter/EMT as I had done for 10 years prior to my first surgery.

But the world is your oyster!! LOL...So just take your time and discover where you think you want to go and what you might enjoy doing each day.

As far as the swelling goes....as you are doing..drinking plenty of fluid..at least 10-12 glasses a day (unless you have been directed otherwise with another health issue) and try and stay away from salt anywhere in your diet. You had mentioned some things you have been cooking/eating so I wonder if that has added to it as well.

And then try do as many mini stretches as possible while you are laying or sitting down with your toes, feet, ankles, calves...And continue trying to be moving as much as your Dr. is telling you to.

Obviously if it gets worse or they get really red then contact your Dr. again asap.

Just keep plugging along:)
Posted 10/4/2012 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Matt thanks for the update. Taking this healing one day at a time, trying not to exhaust yourself is very time consuming. Do you have your son back full time now?

My grandchildren are all getting pumped up for Halloween there are so many costume ideas, picked them up some spooky fingernails yesterday.

You seem to enjoy researching so paralegal could be your niche or maybe something else in that vein. I know you still have some time to find the perfect fit for you.
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