@dancermurphy, @jenniferhunter
HI!
I am also a spine surgery patient.
My chronic pain actually began with cerival pain. Remarkably, after one shot, the pain was gone for years and years. It started up again about 2 years ago. My pain doctor tried many different things, but they did not help. I had pins and needles down my arm and violent headaches would wake me up.
In addition to the cervical issues, I also had lumbar issues with unrelenting pain. I saw 5 different pain docs. The last one I went to was able to help me. He procedures would give me anywhere from 1 month to 4 months of pain reduction. It was something I could live with. About 2 years ago, at the same time I had issues with the cervical spine, my pain doc was not longer able to help my lumbar.
After over a decade of suffering, I had enough. There were months, even a couple of years when I couldn't walk because of the pain. It was then I decide to confer with a neurosurgeon.
After looking at my test results, he suggested doing the cervical spine first. Instead of having a fusion, he replaced C5/6 with artificial disks. He went through the front of my neck. For me, after a couple of days, the surgical pain was gone. Within 2 weeks, my headaches were totally gone as was the pins and needles.
I healed very quickly and easily so I started PT at 6 weeks post-op (instead of 8 weeks).
Then came the lumbar. What a difference!!!!!!
I had what was called and X-Life fusion of L4/5. The recover was HORRIBLE and VERY PAINFUL for me!!!!! I was on pain meds longer than I had every been. Then suddenly, at 4 months, the pain was suddenly gone!!!
I still watch myself VERY carefully as if I just had the surgery. Too many people start to carry on the way they did before surgery and then the pain returns. They say the surgery was not successful, but I PERSONALLY THINK it is because they didn't take care long enough. Even though the scars and pain might be gone, it could take over a year for the cervical spine to completely heal and up to 2 years for the lumbar.
That being said, I don't lift anything heavier than a gallon, I don't bend without bending my knees, and don't reach and hyperextend, I still use the gripper I got after surgery, I don't turn my head or body quickly, etc., etc., etc.
So that's my story!

Ronnie (GRANDMAr)