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Post surgery recovery from l 345 laminectomy and discectomy.
Spine Health | Last Active: Dec 11, 2023 | Replies (20)Comment receiving replies
Thanks for sharing,,, I am one of those who ignored Drs orders when you start to feel better again and instead of squatting until I could barely get back up I started bending and lifting as well as bought a rowing machine ,, with my Drs permission about 6-8 months after surgery,, I then created more damage, all the pain and more severe sciatica came back., I stretch and stretch to stop the pain, take the Oxycodone , I can't take muscle relaxers they knock me out,,, tylenol. motrin, the only help is my heating pad but that is temp, until I get up.. back to square one in just a year since surgery,,, And now what was confined to the right side only is now affecting left., New MRI has a lot of not so lovely things on it,, I have been told at 60 I have the spine of an 80 year old with severe rotoscoliosis and pretty much everything with an S.. I am at a serious crossroads of do I do the intense surgery to straighten my spine,,,?? I should not even be able to walk at this stage but i donlt listen, I push myself to 2 hours on treadmill after 8 hours on my feet at my Shop, I hurt in the ams.. bad,,, btu once I get moving, in the shower I know I will make it to work but boy is every am a challenge for me,, throw in all the other aches, pain, colon cancer issues and i think give me a break, but I suppose i am not due one rather keep saving everyone else in my family.,,.. I will warn as I have seen written here of feelings of anger and depression are very real so do not ignore them , they are very real,,,, And if you are your self supporter and your family of misfit siblings keeps throwing caring for my elderly parents into my lap I am on the verge of busting from suffocation,, Perhaps I need a therapist,, honestly I do think stress in any form can make recovery 10 x longer,,, wish you well, Jacquie
Replies to "Thanks for sharing,,, I am one of those who ignored Drs orders when you start to..."
Regarding additional surgery, I strongly urge you to get a second opinion. If there is a spine center near you that would be the best route under your circumstances. As you have already read my story, you are likely aware that I have had a better outcome than you describe but every case is different. Even though I am doing better, I would not agree to another surgery without getting a second opinion.
In the meantime, I would recommend that you try a TENS unit to help deal with the pain you have. All during the months that I was having lots of pain, my TENS unit became my best friend. It can alleviate the pain while you are wearing it and I wore it a lot. It won't cure the pain but makes it more tolerable and allows you to not be so reliant on drugs. I bought mine on Amazon for about $40.
I think you should also seek out a physical therapist that practices FCS (fascial counterstrain). You can learn about it at counterstrain.com. You can also locate a practitioner through the site. I can't promise how it will or will not help you, but it made a tremendous difference for me. It virtually eliminated my pain in 5 visits.
The important thing is to explore all options. What works for one may not work for another. BTW, I believe that I did mention that I am 77 years old. I have a lot of life left in me and I don't plan on living it in pain. Based on your story you sound as though you have lots of fight in you also. Wish you the best.
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Your are really sandwiched in! With multiple health issues and elder care. This has to be too much! Can you meet with siblings and make an agreement for division of duties?
Right now I’m more optimistic because much of the pain is gone. I’m sure depression would be severe if the surgery did not improve health and a second was suggested. That would be overwhelming to me!
Have you tried to cut back on exercise? I don’t know your age (I’m 73) but sounds like you are being taxing on your back. I’m with you on the heating pad and ice packs….. my two favorite things. I’m off all meds as of four days ago!!!