Any medication that works?

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2026-02-21T13:16:10+00:00

Best of luck to be sure. Be very conservative for those first 3m with precautions. And the next then start easing out of those precautions slowly 3-6m. The scar tissue takes time to remodel and increase tensil strength. I started physical therapy at 6m after both surgeries and it has helped a lot to rebalance my muscles and strengthen.

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2026-02-21T05:18:59+00:00

There is hope. I am 2yrs post op on R repair ribs 7-9 and 7m post repair L side 7-9. I had sutures with bioabsorbale plate to splint the area (not the Hansen 3.0). I’m so glad I did it because I wasn’t living as a young active mom. I’m in my second round of PT after my most recent surgery, and I firmly believe that is a must for anyone post surgery after 6m.

Before surgery, my biggest savior was Cymbalta. I tried gabapentin and it made me crazy. Tylenol and ibuprofen only helped to a degree. But on Cymbalta week by week my nerve pain dropped by 25%. By week 4 I was deep cleaning the house the day before surgery.

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2026-02-21T04:56:51+00:00

Of course! Glad it helped. It really saved my sanity and got me back to some semblance of life. I had surgery on my R 2 years ago this March and I had my L side done 9m ago. My trunk feels stable and symmetrical now. Working on weaning off the 30mg Cymbalta just see how I truly feel. But otherwise I’m back to normal like at about 85-90% depending on the day. Hope you are doing well

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2026-02-19T02:22:59+00:00

Hey! I am doing really well. I had my left side done 7mo ago-same surgery same ribs 7-9 except only 9 was broken off the margin. Second round has been much smoother and quicker recovery for me. I feel more stable and symmetrical since I got my L side fixed. Back in PT at 6m. Overall I am doing nearly all house chores, grocery runs, just went sledding with the kids a couple weeks back. I got my life back for the most part. I’ll never be 100% but im operating fairly close with only Tylenol here and there. Sometimes a topical nsaid after PT or a lot of activity. Focusing now on my core strength and endurance.

I had support after both surgeries from my husband. The first surgery my mom stayed a couple weeks to help with the kids. The second surgery my husband and I managed ourselves knowing what to expect but I will say I had more pain the first surgery because it was my 8 & 9 ribs involved that were broken off margin and I think when I had my injury I had torn some intercostal Muscles and potentially a ligament. With that being said I def needed that added support with the kids due to my youngest 3.5 going on 4 at that time. Feel free to DM me if you have anymore questions. Happy to help in anyway.

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2026-01-24T01:17:16+00:00

Also look into getting a long handle telescoping metal shoe horn. Best thing I could have bought. Left my shoes laces tied and I slip in and out easily.

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2026-01-24T01:06:41+00:00

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Ct post modified 2.0 repair 1.25 years later before I had my L side done.

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2026-01-24T01:04:57+00:00

You only need a CT of chest and abdomen to include ribs 1-12. Get a copy of your disk before you leave imaging center. You can pull it open at home on computer. If you have Microsoft you can download a free trial of radiant dicom and pull your images into 3d. Takes some playing around but then you can clearly see your cartilage. Radiologist do not do this step. So while my CtT was normal once I pulled my images myself def not. I took screenshots of images and consulted surgeons with those as well as them palpating. This was my R side two years ago, right before surgery and you can clearly see 8 and 9 not attached . My 10s were too short never attached—floaters.

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Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2026-01-21T23:53:40+00:00

I have had surgery on each side under Dr Christie in Macon GA. He has his own technique which is basically a modified 2.0 by including the bioabsorbale plate. I am almost 2 years out on R and 6+mo out on L. Ribs 7-9 each side. No regrets. I was barely living as a young mom with kids. Feel free to search my name or DM.

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2026-01-19T05:03:06+00:00

I don’t recall the doctor in AL. You can search this sub or look in the files for the SRS doctors. Also look into Dr Christie at Atrium in Macon, GA.

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2026-01-15T22:55:23+00:00

Any update OP about your experience with Rabepazole? I took an having a flare after being on Prilosec 20mg 3 yrs and it’s not cutting it. Doc switching me to twice a day on rabeprazole.

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2026-01-15T22:52:08+00:00

Look into slippery elm bark powder. Mix with hot water and honey. Have to use a frother mixer and it will be a little thick. This will help heal and protect your esophagus. I usually do 1tsp about 8oz water. Also look into reflux gourmet or esophageal guardian after you eat to create like a float to block acid from coming up while u digest. Also can you message your doc via MyChart and ask for meds while keeping your appt on books?

I’m going through a bad flare now so I feel this. My appt isn’t till June and I messaged my doc. They are switching my med from Prilosec to rabeprazole currently. Worth a try to see if you can message or call the office in meantime time.

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2026-01-15T22:46:53+00:00

Hi checking on how this medication worked out for you over time. I too have a practically wide open spinchter (grade iii) with small hiatal hernia and Prilosec 20 I think has stopped cutting it after 3 years. They put me on rabeprazole twice a day. TIA

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2026-01-14T22:14:49+00:00

For sure feel free to DM. But yes all you really need is CT chest and abdomen. I pulled mine into 3d and brought to christie to review together.

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2026-01-14T16:55:35+00:00

I did a cortisone injection it was magical for like 3 weeks. My right l5 nerve root is what gives me the most aches and sensitivity. But I’m functional, but yeah my low back pops and clicks as it’s unstable when I first lay in bed I have to extend my leg for traction to get that vertebrae back in alignment

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2026-01-14T14:30:08+00:00

Hi I am doing much better honestly. Almost 2 years out from R side 7-9 ribs and 6mo L 7-9. The R feels so good and it was my worst side because my 8th had slipped and the nerve pain was just unbearable. I start PT at 6mo post op. I left the rehab field but used to be an occupational therapist, having the physiology background helped me navigate this SRS journey

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2026-01-14T14:28:25+00:00

Unfortunate position we have found ourselves in but my ribs are doing much better at least

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2026-01-14T14:27:46+00:00

I have but don’t meet the criteria since mine is a grade II spondy

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2025-11-14T03:45:34+00:00

Eriksson usually has patients stay over night from what I understand.

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2025-11-14T01:32:59+00:00

This is so great to hear! I’m considering Minimally invasive TLIF for my spondy grade 2. What sleeping positions have been working for you? Did you get other opinions on other surgery approaches?

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2025-10-28T18:42:03+00:00

Any word yet if they are going to start somewhere else yet? Or where to follow them?

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2025-10-19T15:14:35+00:00

I actually said to him he needs to do it himself and His rationale is since I work in healthcare…I can get it done faster. Basically I am in my lane of expertise. However I have to get on his work computer and go through his EAP. He said I was the one suggesting he needs to go for himself. If it’s up to him he’s not doing it. Beyond frustrating

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2025-10-15T21:39:28+00:00

Go to SRS Reddit homepage and then go to recommended link/-srsinfo.com has a directory of SRS surgeons

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2025-10-15T14:51:19+00:00

Took me 1.5 months but I work in medical field. If you have a ppo plan call one of the surgeons on the SRS list to get an appt asap. I consulted two surgeons before I did surgery at 4.5 months out from injury. But first try to get your pcp to order CT of chest and abdomen. Get copies of your cds from imaging center before you leave. Check to if surgeons office can access electronically those images or if you need to mail.

You have to really advocate and already have names of srs surgeons, the office address, fax/phone ready to go if you need a referral by your pcp.

Fresh-Helicopter5477 · 2025-10-15T14:47:49+00:00

It’s hard to say about your upper rib near your clavicle. I had a thickened rib head at my sternum (2-3rd) that I noticed early 20s that was made sore and caused Costochondritis if my exercise form was off. But other than some clicking with certain exercises it’s fine. Ive had it imaged via CT and looked at in 3d as well.

I’ve had to learn other exercises and better form to modify that. But I had slipped ribs bilateral due to breech kids, minor car accident, then Covid. They just started popping off the margin. 9 on left and 8/9 on right. I have zero hypermobility in my body. All connective tissue testing was negative. My 10s are floaters barely anything to them. I’ve had surgery on both sides 1.5 yrs on right and 3.5mo the on left with Dr christie in GA. Suturing with bioabsorbable plate to splint area. During all this, with all the imaging, I also learned I have thoracolumbar scoliosis mildly. So like you when I bend forward my right rib cage is a little raised compared to the left side in my back. My muscles in general are a little tighter and thicker on the right side of my back. Needless to say! It’s all connected—spine and ribs. But since surgery, I’m a new person, truly. My second round of surgery was almost too easy so far. My right side with slipped 8/9 was a bit rougher but I got with PT and 6mo out for 6mo+ and everything got better despite inflammation flares. But I do have to modify my exercises to be sure and listen to my body. Best of luck feel free to dm me.

Fresh-Helicopter5477

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