Lumbar L3-4 Charite L4-S1 Fusion - luv2bfit

[luv2bfit]

Hi Everyone,
On Nov. 12th I went in for a 2 level fusion and 1 level ADR with Dr. Bitan in NYC. The surgery went smoothly and we were told that there was nothing left of my discs, they were dry and crumbly and we made the right decision. The days after surgery were beyond painful but from reading all the posts here I really expected the worse kind of pain. It didn't help any, but there was nothing I could do! By the 4th day I was walking and they taught me to walk up the stairs.
I went home on a Saturday and Sunday night at 1AM I went to the bathroom and came back and couldn't move. I thought there was something wrong with one of the rods. After 3 hours we finally called 911 and it turned out that I had a kidney stone the size of an easter egg. I had to go in for another surgery that Wed. to tie up the stone for the time being. I was having a tremendous amount of pain in my left leg, but feeling ok considering the circumstances. At my post of 10 day visit Dr. Bitan's office determined that the leg pain was due to one of the screws being too close to a nerve. So the next day, they opened me back up for a 3rd surgery in 3 weeks. My leg pain went away instantly but I had to deal with the same pain as the first surgery and in a way starting over. I was very frustrated (still am) but again, no choice.

So now it has been 6 weeks. Every week does bring progress. I am getting around, doing more and more each day. I could probably even do more than I do, but I am lazy, alittle tired and really don't have the "want" to go out. I do lay down alot and watch TV during the day to save my energy for my children when they get home from school. I am able to pack their lunches now and get dinner semi-ready (already prepared dinner brought by friends). At the same time, I am extremely nauseous, passed out on friday and fell face flat on the floor with some pretty major bruises, very depressed, lonely and afraid of being dependant on the medicine which I know I have to get over for the time being b/c it helps me so much. I am on 5mg x2 of Oxy 3 times a day. I have gotten off everything else and don't take anything at night. The truth is, I couldn't really do much without the medicine. It takes away my pain almost completely, makes me much happier, gives me an appetite, and really gives me life and the ability to get around and do things. So for now, I am sticking to that regime. When I am not on the medicine or when the time is "up" to take the medicine again (I always try to prolong the next dose) I feel tiny pain in my legs and discomfort in my back and I feel very tired and winded. I just got off the the 20mg of oxy at night and the withdrawal was bad.


I must also mention what a terrible time I am having with my bowel movements. I get terribly nauseous before they come and get hot and sweaty. They also don't come unless I take a laxative. Every x ray the radiologist notes how much feces is in me. I know it is all from the medicine, but it hurts! I have stomach aches and even to pass gas brings so much nausea and sweats. I am seeing my internist tomorrow for some basic blood pressure and blood work and listening of the belly to see why I passed out and if my stomach is making all the necessary "noises" and functioning.


But overall, for what I have had done and what I went through, I am feeling physically great. I even went out for my first dinner on Saturday night and then next door to shop alittle! To me it's more of a mental battle - I was very social, working out everyday, playing with my children, constantly on the go. And to go from that to lying on a couch all day is very depressing and lonely.

All in all and to conclude for now, I think the medicine has alot to do with my bowels, nausea and mental issues. But of course I need to take it. So I am waiting my time and keep telling myself to take it one day at a time and everything will be just fine!

I am 6 weeks post from 2 level ADR prodisc and I have had the same trouble with my bowels and it is supposedly from the pain pills and the swelling in my abdomen. I hope they are right and yes it is very uncomfortable. Just hang in there hopefully things will begin to get better.
Chris

[luv2bfit]

thanks. good to know-what do they tell you to do for it? what do u take to help it? Any other similarities like the nausea? and how are you doing with the meds? and what are you taking? and how do you feel & how much ru doing?

They reduced my hydrocodone from 10mg x2 to 7.5mg x2. I also take Milk of magnisium 4tbs a day. I dont have nausea but I have severe cramps with gas. I do ok with the meds and llmy body definatly lets me know when its time to take them. Right now they will only let me take the hydrocodone but I am also having problems with mild back spasms which I wish they would do something about. Im up walking around and doing as much as I can but it is very frustrating. Everyone tells me to just take it easy but mentaly its hard to just sit here. I do have good days and bad days and right now it seems like it will be a long time before things are back to normal. you should definatly stay on your meds I tried to stop and the pain got ahead of me and it took a while for the pain meds to catch back up. I hope all is well and feel free to ask and tell I have time to listen it helps me cope.

[luv2bfit]

Your replies help alot too - so thank you!
How many times a day do you take the OXY and did you stop cold turkey? My body definitely feels and tells me when I need the meds and right now I stretch it to 6-7 hours for the day and nothing at night so I know I am doing good. It is just amazing how much better my body feels when I am on it! Everyone tells me exactly what you did - to deal with it at a later time when I am mentally and physically able to. I did have 2 additional surgeries so really its only been 2 1/2 weeks since the last one. I guess its not that bad. Mentally though I agree with you - I cry at the drop of a dime and am lonley and depressed. Had I not fainted I would have tried to drive to my kids bus stop at the end of the street but now I feel like I am so not ready. What is your typical day like?

I take my oxy about every 5-6 hours during the day and right before bed. My problem at night is trying to get comfortable and that is tuff. If I lay on my side I pay for it later, the only position that works for me is on my back and I dont sleep well that way. I too also feel alot better on my meds body wise and emotionaly. My days are good and bad just by the fact that its hard to be so isolated and somewhat helpless. I find myself doing a lot of research on the internet and trying to preoccupy myself with little things. I do so appreciate your posts its nice to talk to someone that understands what you are talking about. I feel that my doctor dosent even really know whats going on. So thank you so much it really does help.

[luv2bfit]

Where do you live? And who did your surgery? Just curious. I don't have a problem lying on my side, in fact it's where I am most comfortable and probably do too much of! My Dr. told me not to lie on my back yet though...did your tell you it was ok? We have alittle different hardware so maybe it's different for you.
You are absolutely right about being cooped up. I live in Ny and it's cold and icy out, so where I am I going (Dr. tomorrow whopee!) but I totally understand what you are saying.
I know I asked before, but how much do you do a day? How much are up? Down? Lying down? How old are you if you don't mind me asking? I have kids so I try to save my energy for them (they are 5 &7 - I have TERRIBLE guilt although they are awesome) but I do my most in the morning to get them off and of course when they get home. I take my meds according to their schedule as well so I can sit and do homework and play a game with them at the talle. I am much more comfortable walking around than sitting though. But as you know and as they same and I find it true, it does get better each week. My hubby can't believe some of the things I do and every once in a while he will say "look at you!" so I know I am on the right track. I really don't have that much pain so to speak, that is why I was so concerned with these meds.
Looking forward to hearing from you.

I live in Nebraska and it is cold and icy here too. I am 34 and have not had to deal with the pain as many years as you have. I had a accident at work in March of '07 and had a discectomy in May and finaly the discs in November. My surgeon was Dr.Phillips at the Nebraska Spine Center in Omaha, NE. The problem is I am his first ADR in the US and first ever Prodic patient of his. He basically has no answers for me as in how long till my discs actually fuse and so on. He is reluctant to issue meds and let me do anything, but he at first was telling me that I could be back at work in 6-8weeks and in my career field that cant be. I have to be 100% to be able to go back and that means I have to be able to lift 100lbs and acording to alot of peoples info I have read thats impossible. I just hate not knowing what is going to happen to me. My work is trying to be prepared in case I am no longer able to preform my job ever again and that is scary. During the day I stay on my feet as much as possible because I to feel better standing. I have two boys and thy are 4 and 7mo and they keep me sore sometimes but its worth it. I walk around the house alot and basicly dont do to much. I feel so bad complaining when there you are having delt with this so long that it must seem like a lifetime for you. I can not even imagine being like this for that long. My pain now is more of a ache and I have mild spasms but it is tolerable with the meds. Its great to keep hearing from you and I hope your doctor is more knowledgable about this then mine. Hope to hear back.

I thought I would explain my day a little better. I do not lay down much I pretty much sit and stand and yes I too save my energy for the evenings so as I can enjoy my kids and do the cooking. That is pretty much my day planning the meals and keeping my sanity. I hope that explains a little more Im active to as much as I can be and as much as my meds let me. The days are very boring though! Oh and my doctor never said anything about sleeping positions mabey I should stop sleeping on my back though I will ask thanks for the info.

[luv2bfit]

Wow! first patient! That is very brave of you! And 2 discs! I think you are way ahead of me in any case. I don't stand and sit all day. I definitely lay down more. But I did have 2 more surgeries after the first. I just made my first "dinner" tonight and can't move right now! (on a laptop) but really, I feel the work I have done and am in discomfort. I don't play with my kids in their playroom-they come to me on the couch or we play at the table...are you on the floor playing? I don't know if it's pain, but it doesn't feel good after my little dinner tonight. I also have full time help b/c they also told me absolutely no bending, lifting (now 5-10 lbs) and twisting (BLT).
I couldn't stand or sit all day if I wanted to nor do I have the energy or feel that good to - so good for you! What occupies you standing all day? Would love some ideas!
My Dr. is from France and have been doing these surgeries since 1989. He was my only saving grace going into this. I couldn't and wouldn't have done it without knowing his expertise. He led the FDA trial for the artificial disc and to me is really in a league of his own (for the Charite. Of course, some people may disagree but for me, I felt in my heart that I was in the best hands. (don't forget I had 1 more level than you ) In any case, since he was performing the surgeries for so long in france, he is recognized as performing the most ADR in the US. There is one other Dr. in Texas who has just as a reputable reputation but since I lived in NY it was an obvious choice for me and I was not going out of the country with my children in mind. He does not restrict me from anything. He tells me whatever I can do to do. He did tell me not to lay on my back though so you may want to switch...and they tell me to take the meds. that it is ok and that it is normal and I need it. I hope some of this helps and I feel like finding you today has helped me alot mentionally and emotionally, just knowing that I am not alone.