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Laminotomy Recovery?
Hello! I am scheduled for a Laminotomy to relive the symptoms of numbness & intense heat in my pelvic area and left leg (cauda equina syndrome). I am over 70, have stenosis, scoliosis and osteoporosis and am fairly active: swim, Pilates, weights machines, elypical machine. I used to walk for an hour a day, but my symptoms are making that difficult. Has anyone had a laminotomy? How long is the recovery? Any info or tips would be helpful! Thank you.
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Update, I did see the surgeon and I am scheduled in 2 days for minimally invasive surgery. The NP told me they stabilize with the piece of my own bone that was cut out during the laminotomy.
As of this morning a different concern came up, that is drinking chamomile tea two weeks before surgery. I had no idea this could cause potential bleeding. I googled it after being told to stop taking chinese herbs before my surgery and found a few articles saying it is not recommended, that it can cause potentially more bleeding, however the articles didn't say how much tea I would have to drink to pose a risk. The NP said since they are doing minimally invasive this wouldn't be a problem. I really want to do this surgery. It's alot of work doing all this research. I don't think the surgeon would want to risk any problems for me either. I am waiting to hear back again from the NP in the morning, after her first response. I like her alot more now than in the past.
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3 Reactions@annie1
Annie, I'm glad to hear you are on the surgery schedule. You probably didn't drink that much tea, and it should have cleared out if your system. It would have been a diluted version of the herbs. Take a deep breath, I think you will do fine. I think it is standard instructions to say no supplements for 2 weeks before surgery. It isn't that they know problems will happen, but they have no idea what patients are doing and they are being cautious.
Good luck!
Jennifer
Yes I guess I'm still afraid. I'm trying to come to terms with it. I don't have extreme pain all the time which I was told was The Benchmark for doing surgery a while ago. But the fact is my life has been very much compromised I can't stand for more than maybe 3 minutes and I can't walk more than two blocks without my shins starting to hurt. So I have to just like you said take a deep breath.
Do you know if it's okay to take magnesium before the surgery? I was just reading that it actually can help a lot.
It's my understanding that if you are not taking warfarin or other anticoagulants and haven't been drinking excessive amounts of chamomile tea daily, you shouldn't have a problem with excessive bleeding. As long as the doctor knows that you have been drinking the tea, he/she will be prepared deal with any bleeding that might be present. I would not drink any before your surgery but you can safely consume 1 to 2 cups daily as long as you don't have an allergy to chamomile and it doesn't interact with any medications you are taking. Follow you doctors advice about use after your surgery. Chamomile does have mild blood-thinning effects.
@annie1 Not only pain, but loss of function are reasons for surgery. We are all different and experience things a bit differently, and that's OK. I know it's kind of an odd feeling when you find yourself wanting surgery to fix something and being worried if it is the right thing to do. You have to make the decision that you think is right for you. Try and distract yourself with something else that's brings you peace of mind and remember to breathe.
Jennifer
@annie1 You'll have to ask your surgical team. They will probably say stop all supplements. Remember, the anesthesiologist is doing some chemistry with the sedation and bringing the patient back out of sedation. I have no idea if supplements could affect that. You'll be fine without them for a few days. I know that is just the nerves talking because you want to be helpful. How else could you use that energy? Perhaps organize what you need for your clothes and laundry and any chores that need doing because you'll need to take a break and just be lazy after the surgery.
Jennifer
I'm guessing I shouldn't drink any beer, or is ok to have a few sips before say 9 pm the night before the surgery ?
@annie1 Your surgeon is probably telling you nothing to eat or drink after a certain time the night before surgery. I don't know if beer is OK or not, and it probably depends on how much. With alcohol and anesthesia drugs both being suppressants of the nervous system, it is probably best to avoid alcohol, but that is a question for your surgeon or their nurse.
I know you're just trying to find a way to relax. You might want to try the deep breathing to music and see if you can just meditate and get lost in the music. You can try looking at pictures of places you love. I took one of my paintings with me and looked at that while listening to music for hours. If that isn't working, perhaps binge watching a comedy show would help. That is what I did the night before my surgery. I didn't sleep so well, but I did get to sleep. Part of that was anticipation of getting up very early to take a shower with the disinfectant soap and being ready to report at 6 AM.
Jennifer
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1 ReactionI finally had my laminotomy on Friday, March 1 and only spent one night in the hospital. It was a bit rushed, with PT just coming in to watch me walk, then OT for a little while etc. I didn't see the surgeon after as it was a Saturday, but the "weekend" Dr just popped in to my room to see how I was doing.
Now the big job is to trust that my nerves will heal slowly after being compressed for almost seven years. The Surgeon and staff haven't given me any medication or vitamins that help the nerves heal. Do you know if there are any ? Do they offer anything at the Mayo Clinic after decompression surgery ?
Thanks much,
Anne