@sandymorse Do you think water aerobics or light swimming would cause pain?

He did not want me to go back to PT because they had me doing things that a post vertiflex patient should not do. Laying on my stomach is very painful for me and they would put a pillow underneath my stomach and leave me on my stomach for 15 minutes. My surgeon said one should never do anything that causes too much pain. He said that a fusion is not the same exercises as the vertiflex ones. For now, he just wants me to walk as much as I can tolerate until I see him in May. During Covid, I have been pretty sedentary so I need to take my time healing and getting back into shape. Whenever I'd go to the store, the grocery cart is the first thing I look for even if I was only getting one thing. He explained that because of the severity of my spinal stenosis, it will take me longer to heal. I have to admit that I do feel a lot better not doing all the exercises from PT. Maybe the physical therapists need to learn more about Vertiflex. Mine did not know what it even was.

Sandy, I think I might be doing better. I am trying to wean off some of my pills at night because that is when I have the most pain and cannot sleep. I will have a couple of good nights and then one bad one. Instead of 2Tylenol PMs and gabapentin am trying Melatonin. It does not last as long....also Ice bags are my friends. But during the day I find I am able to do more and do not take anything. I am able to shop without leaning on a grocery cart. Big deal but oh well. I am really wanting to stand up straight....but I am still leaning over. I feel old and tired but trying to keep a positive attitude. I understand that Mayo has a stem cell research program for spinal stenosis so plan to read about that. I am waiting for the pools to open in my state and will try that too. I just wish we could hear from more people. I might check out FB and see if there is a group for this but I am not really fond of that idea.