Lumbar L5-S1 Charite - djscal (Dan)

[djscal]

Wow, I can't believe how quickly I bounced back from this surgery. My incision pain is nearly gone and closed. The back pain is low. I feel like I have decent mobility and flexibility in my back. Overall, I'm almost as good as I was before the surgery. (Which amazes me at 3 weeks post op).

The bad news is that I am having some nerve distraction pain. The right foot tingling has returned. I have some weakness in my right leg. I have some pain in the right hip area. Sitting still brings moderate level sciatica pain in both sides of my butt.

In reading the other post op reports from the board I am not at all surprised and will be patient for this to heal. I started taking neurontin 100 mg during the day and 300 mg before bed. Neurontin has been helping a lot, but I think I have noticed it has changed my mood for the worse...?

I switched pain meds from 1/2 vicoding ES to 1/2 of a percocet 5/325. Its about the same pain relief, without the vicodin headaches. I tried getting off all of the narcotics, but the pain level is still too high for that. On the narcotics the pain level is well managed and low.

The first few weeks I could notice improvements every day, now that they are happening slower I will have to measure them by the week. I am being careful and taking it slow. I am walking a lot and doing some gentle stretches recommmended by the FAQ's.

Well thats about it. Thanks so much for everyone's support!

Dan

[Harrison]

Dan, congrats on your milestone! Don't worry, your sitting tolerance will get better....take it slow!

[Deuce]

Dan,

Great news! I too am having a great postop success. I have yet to experience any secondary nerve pain, abdominal and low back ache from placement at this time. I have not been very brave to sit much, but do walk alot and lay down otherwise. Time will tell. Slow and easy seems to be the norm for all patients. Good luck.

Mike

[djscal]

Thanks Mike and Rich! Good luck to you too Mike!

[ans]

Excellent news and I too hate Vicodin headaches.

Allan

[SenecaGirl]

Take it easy...I had distraction pain in my leg for 3 weeks, then I was pain free for about a week. Overdid it, then got really bad pains in my foot at week 5. Started heavy doses of Neurontin, Oxycotin, and Steriods. The pain finally went away at week 8.

To this day, I still get hurtful, tingling pains in my left toe a few times a week for about 2 minutes each -- like a residual thing. Whenever I get them, I lie down, take it easy for a while.

Keep up the positive attitude on your progress -- you are right when you say you have to look at progress by week now vs. daily. SG

[Rick]

Hey Dan...glad to hear about your progress. I know what you mean about the neurontin. For me, I hated the fogginess during the day so I just take it at night...300 mg.
I hope your distraction pain goes away...I believe for most people it does. As you know from the meeting at the beach, I'm one of the ones that still has significant trouble 1 1/2 years post surgery.
I personally think it's pretty important to take it very easy at first.
All the best,
Rick

[rickz68]

Dan,

Good news on the progress!

I hope the distraction pain doesn't last too long. I'm sure you'll heal up just fine if you take it slow and be consistent in your rehab.

I've got 19 days to go and then I'll be joining you on the other side.

[luvmysibe]

Greetings ADR community,
My recovery from my L5 ADR surgery on July 18, 2005, is progressing very well. The radiating pain down my right leg and the compensatory pain in my left shoulder disappeared upon my waking in recovery and has not returned. Four weeks after my surgery I began water therapy. This week I am completely medication free! I am looking forward to physical therapy is another two weeks. All of the information and testimonies here have helped me in my quest and recovery.
Best wishes,
Crystal Beget
--------------------------------------------------
Shattered L5 - September 24, 2004
Charite with Dr. Howard and Dr. Summa - July 18, 2005

[Alastair]

Well this is all great news from members, take it easy folks and remember "slow and steady wins this race"
best,
Alastair