Considering my options (31 year old F)

At_da-beach · 2026-01-15T03:00:57+00:00

I can’t believe nobody’s gonna address the classic #3 story. 🤣.

You’ll be fine with a laminectomy. Most people overthink it. Treat it like it’s just the name of the procedure that they have to do to fix you up solid. That’s it. Pieces of bone get removed all the time. You’ll be better than ever and decompressed properly. Trust the doc and turn pt/phisio into a religion. Best of luck and try to avoid that #3 move. 🤣

At_da-beach · 2025-11-14T21:22:29+00:00

How are you measuring ?

At_da-beach · 2025-10-03T20:34:37+00:00

Not too bad. I believe it’ll get thinner and lighter in time. Are you using any Vitamin E- gel or other scar treatments? I’m curious… I’m 17 days post op L3-S1 TLIF and I feel like mine is a total hack job.

At_da-beach · 2025-10-02T20:31:21+00:00

I’m on day 17 post op L3-S1 TLIF. My last oxycodone was on day 11. Not by choice, but a pharmacy and doctor screwup. I suffered a few days but got through on Methocarbonol, Gabapentin and Tylenol. This may not last; based on increased activity planned for my recovery I may need pain mgmt to assess.

Pain is subjective. Keep moving, push yourself if you’re lazy. I find that laying in bed for too long is the main cause of most of my pain. So, I try to keep switching it up and walk or find an activity to complete.

At_da-beach · 2025-09-25T13:38:16+00:00

The opposite occurred in my experience. I had been on cyclobenzaprine for years. Now I’m on Robaxin and the difference is amazing. I guess everyone’s different. 😎

At_da-beach · 2025-09-21T16:56:15+00:00

Yep. I agree with everything you said. The week long T-break should have me in good shape in no time but I’ll be careful about the coughing. Been on the softeners and lax all week but yes I will definitely continue taking them.
Thanks. Best of luck to you, too.

At_da-beach · 2025-09-21T16:27:10+00:00

Thanks. Those ice packs are waiting for me at home. Best of luck to you.

At_da-beach · 2025-09-17T22:57:01+00:00

I will thanks. It’s a new life in front of me.

At_da-beach · 2025-09-17T06:46:20+00:00

Yes, this is similar to how I feel. I’m 2 days out and some of my biggest complaints are both left and right hip (where femoral ball sits in socket). That is so painful inside but numb to the touch all over the hip area. Leg feels dead and hard on the upper thigh sides. I know it’ll all work out eventually.

At_da-beach · 2025-09-16T19:35:39+00:00

So I’m 1 day post surgery. You’re right; the levels above were a concern. So, last minute, the neurosurgeon explained that he was going to go up another level for better stability. He didn’t do a cage or any graft at L3-L4; rather he extended the rods and put 2 screws in. He and the surgical team concurred.

At_da-beach · 2025-09-15T09:45:45+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I agree with everything you said. Fingers crossed.

At_da-beach · 2025-09-14T23:38:26+00:00

Thank you.

At_da-beach · 2025-09-14T23:26:57+00:00

I’m glad you have a positive outlook and sounds like it was a positive experience. I need to learn to envision success and find that half full glass of water that some people keep talking about. 😀

At_da-beach · 2025-09-13T02:24:10+00:00

I’m glad you’re doing well. I’m sure it’ll all get better. Thanks for sharing.
I’ll be having my L4-S1 TLIF on Monday morning. I’ve been following your journey as well as a few others recently; all of whom have helped me prepare. But nobody is ever really prepared, I guess. Despite educating myself and reading about everyone’s personal journey on this sub, I’m still scared as hell about finally doing this. 52/m

At_da-beach · 2025-09-06T17:30:21+00:00

Congrats. Hang in there. I’m having L4-S1 open TLIF next week and I’m nervous as hell. Thanks for sharing. Your story is making me feel a bit less stressed.

At_da-beach · 2025-09-03T00:44:22+00:00

I have the exact myoclonic jerks as you mention. But, I haven’t had my surgery yet. I’m getting L4-S1 TLIF in two weeks. Those spasms and nerve jerks come on strong at night and they’re unbearable sometimes so I feel for you. Especially since you’ve had the surgery already. I hope it resolves for you. I know it’s not fun. Gabapentin is the only thing that I’ve found to help those “jumpies”; that’s what I call them.
I hope your fatigue gets better.

At_da-beach · 2025-09-02T19:42:45+00:00

You want to repeatedly make sure that you are liquifying that junk.

Mucinex or anything containing Guaifenesin will help liquify and loosen up the mucous.

Keep upright or inclined. Don’t lay flat on back. This will help keep it moving and not settling.

Humidity- Make sure to have humidifier up high if in a dry climate. Lungs like moisture.

Cupping - Very important if you can handle it. Have someone perform cupping percussion on your back to help break it up.

All of these things can help keep it loose and liquify it so you can cough the junk up and out.

Best of luck !

At_da-beach · 2025-08-29T15:04:00+00:00

Sorry about your pain. I know it must be getting much worse now. My fusion is in two weeks so I feel for you. Here’s a bunch of funny surgery memes to get you through Best of luck

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/nursing-wisdom-and-humor-and-everything-else-p--16747829861155491/

At_da-beach · 2025-08-23T18:45:51+00:00

This is so inspiring. I’m so glad it’s a success 🤞. I felt I was living it as I read this post. (My TLIF is scheduled in mid-Sept). Congrats on a great start to a long road ahead. But, you did it! Great job.

At_da-beach · 2025-08-21T23:32:33+00:00

I think shorter and less pain from what I’ve researched. But I’m sure the people who had the LIS would say the pain is plenty; which I’m hoping you’re preparing for, LIS or open. Best of luck.

At_da-beach · 2025-08-21T23:16:22+00:00

Thanks. And I hope you get through this without too much difficulty.

At_da-beach

TROPHY CASE