SURGERY for spinal stenosis & lumbar spinal fusion

Posted by draw @draw, Apr 15 9:58pm

In the near future, I’m supposed to have surgery to correct my severe spinal stenosis + have lumbar spinal fusion on my L3 & L4 and my L4 & L5. Currently taking Gabapentin 3X daily. Has anyone had this surgery & how was your recovery experience? Thank you for any encouragement, advice, information, etc. you can offer.

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jimmurray | @jimmurray | May 16 12:09pm

In reply to @tony1946 "Why not the open mri?" + (show)

When you are getting an MRI of your head/neck, you are wearing a coil (helmet) and your head is inside the machine, anyway. Both reasons for claustrophobia - even with the open mri.

tony1946 | @tony1946 | May 16 1:36pm

In reply to @jimmurray "When you are getting an MRI of your head/neck, you are wearing a coil (helmet) and..." + (show)

Yes it’s been years but the cage is bad,
Also claustrophobic .
Took the pills to relax fell asleep and woke up in a panic in the cage. Won’t do that again.

jimmurray | @jimmurray | May 17 3:10pm

In reply to @tony1946 "Yes it’s been years but the cage is bad, Also claustrophobic . Took the pills to..." + (show)

Good plan - unfortunate outcome!

4440cats | @4440cats | May 18 1:04am

" hello "draw": Had L3-4 and L4-5 spinal fusion like your upcoming one. Pain before was really awful and this surgery was really needed and helpful! After surgery: I was in upper long body support (velcro closure in front) for 3 months with some good bed rest. Made a pillow-padded 45 degree diagonal upright board for resting in bed after good night's sleep. And slept pretty well (!) at night, on my back (supine) laying on a frozen-gel-pain-pack, wrapped in towel, out it under me, next to the back surgery spot - wow! , it really helped, cool off pain and I could sleep! The next 3 months I up got up more and moved about home, and signed up for PhysTherapy with the spine specialist. That helped and got me ready to recover faster and then even carefully drive my car. Be sure to use your protective body brace -- you don't want to chance any car bumps or falls or anything that might hurt you or slow you down while recovering. Then at 6 months "post" recovery, it was really good to realize you made it! Best of luck !

victorkach | @victorkach | May 19 5:59am

In reply to @draw "Thank you for your response. After reading other people’s responses, I’m looking into getting a second..." + (show)

Had my three laminectomies and two disc replacements May 9th. I started to walk "like mad" feel good doing and afterwards as well. Have been on Tylenol for lower back achiness. Sleep exceptionally well especially on my back. Rented ($160/mo) electrical hospital bed. Very helpful in various positions to sleep, to rest, and to read. I bought some 8" offroad walker wheels and skids. Live in rural area. These make walking around ar fast pace easy. Feel great after walking.
My surgery and recovery is amazing.

tony1946 | @tony1946 | May 20 9:53am

In reply to @victorkach "Had my three laminectomies and two disc replacements May 9th. I started to walk "like mad"..." + (show)

Thank you!
I can take Tylenol but no opioids . What did you have for pain?
Tony

jimmurray | @jimmurray | May 20 11:16am

In reply to @victorkach "Had my three laminectomies and two disc replacements May 9th. I started to walk "like mad"..." + (show)

Congratulations. My surgery is coming up, and it is encouraging to read about good outcomes.

victorkach | @victorkach | May 20 12:09pm

In reply to @tony1946 "Thank you! I can take Tylenol but no opioids . What did you have for pain?..." + (show)

I received toradol with Tylenol until fourth day. Day I was discharged. Had to wait until drain collection was down below 40 ml per day. The toradol work marvelously but it interferes with bone growth which is needed. So, I was left with Tylenol every six hours and methocarbamol (muscle relaxant) every 8 hours. Walking helped to keep pain down and laying down on my back every 2-3 hours. Sleep was very restful except for bladder needing to be emptied for a couple of days. The lower back felt fatigued periodically (every 2-3 hours) so I laid down to rest. Tylenol seems to help to keep the pain under control.

jenatsky | @jenatsky | May 26 11:48am

A positive success minded attitude goes a long way to aid recovery. Once you get your PT exercise program postop don’t ever stop doing it. Once you insult your back with surgery it never forgets. And you’ve had a few years with stenosis which didn’t help much either. I had the similar low back surgery in 1988 with SS bars and screws while yours will be titanium. The success rates for these procedures with a competent surgeon are great but the healing and long term effects are on you. I’m paying for not having titanium hardware but my surgery was a success.