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Spinal fusion and possible laminectomy have been recommended!

Posted by bobcinem @bobcinem, 4 days ago

My orthopedic doctor and a spine surgeon in his group have recommended spinal fusion and possibly laminectomy. The more I read about it, the more terrified I become! And the success/failure rate (checking multiple sources) is not that great! Recovery from the fusion could take up to 6 months. I also have EDS which could extend that time! I am 73 years old, petite and thin. Does anyone have anything to comment, pro or con? Thanks so much!

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bobcinem | @bobcinem | 3 days ago
In reply to @beancat425 "Thank you so much... I'm fearful of the after pain too and how long it will..." + (show)
@beancat425

Thank you so much... I'm fearful of the after pain too and how long it will be. My younger brother by 5 years had the same surgery and was back to work with Fedex delivering packages so that makes me feel a bit better. My husband had it from the front last year and doesn't have the pain any longer but has other back/spine issues. I didn't like his pain level at all. So I'm really apprehensive. I see my doc for preop tomorrow and will express my concerns. I have low back issues also. I actually went in the day of surgery back in 2007 and changed my mind after undressing. It still lets me know it's there but to this day I don't regret NOT having the surgery. Will keep you posted.

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Oh dear! I’m so sorry for all you’ve been through. And what’s hanging over your head!
I’m going for another opinion, hopefully two. And there’s a type of physical therapy that I am going to look into… (I feel like I have been going for physical therapy for 100 years!
Keep me updated 😘

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | 3 days ago
In reply to @beancat425 "Thank you so much for this. My anxiety is through the roof!" + (show)
@beancat425

Thank you so much for this. My anxiety is through the roof!

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@beancat425 Don't forget to breathe. Long slow deep breaths will help lower blood pressure and think happy thoughts. Relaxing music helps too as you can escape in it. You can even bring pictures of things you love to look at. Fear makes pain worse, so anything you can do to relax will help.

After my cervical surgery, I didn't use my pain medicine. It just nauseated me, and I could handle the pain without it. At that point it is healing pain, so think of it differently. Before surgery you tend to think about pain as holding you captive. After surgery, pain is to heal the incision. I don't know what your procedure is, but I do know what anxiety feels like. I was having panic attacks every day for 4 months until I decided to try to deprogram them and figure out why it was happening.

Good luck!

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