Post-op Laminectomy. Week 2. This recovery is hard. Should it be?

Good question Tony. A personal decision hard to make. But I can share about my circumstances.
During gym exercises I could not lie flat without sharp pain. I could no stand comfortably in line at pharmacy. I could walk but not for long distance. The deterioration from activity with monor pain to the condition just described occurred within six months. Decided to get the laminectomies and fusion procedures and it couldn't happen fast enough.
The procedures were completed six days ago. I can sleep comfortably in all positions and can walk with vigor.
If the deterioration is inevitably, I would have it done.
Praying that God gives you wisdom for right choices.
By the way, I'm 80 and very active.

Denman55, I mentioned in another reply to you that I would pray for you. In this reply, I will answer your question according to my experience.
Laminectomies and fusion completed on May 9th. Given Toradol and Tylenol for pain every six hours. No opiods. No pain. Stayed in hospital until May 13th. Toradol was removed and only Tylenol given. I finally felt the pain but it was tolerable. Bowels moved very slowly on May 11th and May 12th. More on May 13th and a lot on May 14th. Patience is the key. Walked a mile in the hospital each day using walker; walked every two hours. It felt good.
Today seems to be more whole with little stress. Going home after seeing doctor for release. I'm glad he kept me in hospital, two days in hotel, and now home.
Persevere. It WILL get better and FEEL better. You will recover your vigor and diminish your pain. Walk!

I am in Pain. I am taking Oxycodone for pain every 4-hours along with Ibuprofen and Lyrica every 8-hours. Saw the surgeon yesterday - I have to complete the MRI that was started on Monday but the Radiologist needs to complete with better resolution before he can document his results and findings. I see the surgeon again in 1-week. He told me he may have to go back in and operate to find out what is causing this severe Sciatica down my (R) butt and leg - it appears the Laminectomy did not fix the problem. Walking is to painful at this time - can't put weight bearing on the (R) leg - to much butt and leg pain, definite signs of Sciatica. Don't know how this will ever get fixed.

Denman55, it will get favorably resolved but will need to persevere through this "hell" you are going through. I will pray continuously for especially for peace and comfort.

I disagree. I can walk 2 mi now. Couldn't walk 5 ft before. No pain.

I wish I could walk but right now I have severe Sciatic pain in my (R) leg which prevents me from doing any type of real walking - this pain is just horrible and I don't know what the surgeon is going to do to fix this.

@denman55 - Good morning and I hope you're beginning to see some recovery progress. You had a major surgery and you should set recovery expectations accordingly. It can be frustrating - but the doctors generally do a below-average job in preparing their spine surgery patients as to what to expect post-surgery. I had a four-level surgery like yours one year ago and I'm still in recovery mode...a longer period than I expected for sure.

As you appreciate, recovery is hard to predict. Every surgery is different. Every patient is different (age, weight, pre-surgical physical condition, etc), and every surgeon is different. I love that your surgeon is taking your discomfort seriously and is forging ahead to develop a new plan of action.

Be patient (easy to say and hard to do), stay optimistic (a positive attitude is an important part of your recovery), and know you have lots of support on Mayo Connect!

Thank you for your kindness and your concern. It is much appreciated now in particular as I am still in such horrible pain (Sciatica down (R) leg, butt) making my life miserable. I just had a new MRI done and hopefully when I see the surgeon on Monday he will have a new plan of action to remedy to fix this current problem after reviewing the results of the MRI. I am hoping for the best, but I believe I am headed towards having another surgery in the near future after my meeting on Monday.

@denman55 - Wishing you the best on Monday. Whether a new surgery or continued pain management - please keep a positive attitude!!!

I don't know how many days out you are post op, however, I had this surgery, plus discectomy, cage/spacer placement, and quite a lot of cleaning out bone spurts, so my spinal nerves could be freed up prior to the cages/spacers/disk replacements could be placed. I also experienced sciatic like pain post op. I say sciatic like, because it resolved, within 14 days, and has never again returned. That surgery was 3 years ago. I have had many. I have a congenital syndrome which causes a ton of orthopedic issues plus advanced osteo arthritis and rheumatoid. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your take, the pain will pass, if you continue to try to move as much as possible, by walking, be that around your room, down and up a hallway, or wherever it works and provides additional distractions. 5 steps down and back, is better than 0 steps. Then after a while, 6 or 7 steps down and back, changing the numbers as you see fit. Add ice to the pain control, you'll be pleasantly surprised! I promise. I do better with ice than any ingested medication. 20 surgeries and counting. Push yourself, but get behind the pain control first. Toss some ice packs on the area, get in a rest, and then try. Slow and steady wins the race. There will be pain. Surgery will result in pain post, and pain meds will not reduce that to zero while healing. It is the inflammation that causes the pain, which is organically how the body heals. Be patient with yourself in accepting that. Keep trying. The ice will help a ton if you just tell the brain to shush up a minute, and try some. Honest.