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Post surgery recovery from L 345 laminectomy and discectomy
Two days out of surgery and this is so painful and limiting. What should o expect for recovery time?
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Two days out of surgery and this is so painful and limiting. What should o expect for recovery time?
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.
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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.
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3 Reactions@denman55 - Wishing you the best on Monday. Whether a new surgery or continued pain management - please keep a positive attitude!!!
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1 ReactionI 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.
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5 ReactionsIt is not easy, but it is worth it.
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1 ReactionApril 23rd hemi- laminectomy; discharged same day; within 24hours sciatic nerve pain was off the charts for me; result was late-night ER trip for heavy-duty pain shot. Week later got on Oxycodone for 10 days. I’ve experienced all that you’ve described. We’re both about 5 weeks since, and it’s slow going but I believe the expected recovery is certain but likely longer than we might have initially expected based on results of others. Hang in there - pray that God’s grace abound unto you in this healing process
I will pray for a surprising turn in your nerve pain as your spine become calm and healing. That you will rise and walk with minimal discomfort sooner than you imagined possible.
Tony
Hi Folks,
I have the pleasure of having recently a spinal fusion/laminectomy for severe spinal stenosis. I suffer from severe constipation so I opted out of any pain killer post op except for acetaminophen. No opiods. Recovery for the first 4 weeks was like out of a horror film, but I made it and am now in week 7. Started p/t for back/legs and only have tingling in mostly left foot. The real issue for me is this chronic constipation. I have tried everything but pharmaceuticals either make me extremely crampy, bloated, nauseous, full, no appetite, et.al. I have also tried fiber supplements and I believe I ingest enough water, but that doesn't work either. RD's suggestions for a fiber smoothie only cramps me up. I literally do not know what else to do. I have good days followed by very bad days. Sad thing is that the constipation affects my walking (significant pain), hence back recovery. Any thoughts?
Beth
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1 ReactionAre you using stool softeners correct dosage and eating prunes or drinking a large glass of prune juice.
@bkatz43 Hi Beth. Some spine issues can cause constipation because of nerve or spinal cord compression. If you're in good shape now with your spine since your surgery, another reason for constipation can be low thyroid function which is very common. It also will depress your appetite. That may be worth a discussion with your primary care doctor.
Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer! I have had complete blood panels taken a few times in the past few months. Thyroid is good. I wish it were the case. Appreciate your comment to me!
Beth
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