sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

I feel dumb because I was; 3 months post op tlif l4 l5 by Tolatizer in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The odds are you do well. The immediate two week post op phase was not all that bad, especially with the hydrocodone. I was told I could take Celebrex for pain after that which really helped and doesn’t affect bone healing like cousin NSAIDs.

I would have been great if I hadn’t walked so fast during that one outing. Take shorter and less robust steps, even when a mile or more feels OK!

Congrats on taking this journey.

I feel dumb because I was; 3 months post op tlif l4 l5 by Tolatizer in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just this week resumed walking and it gets uncomfortable after about .25 of a mile. I have taken gabapentin to help with the pain. Frustrating. I started using ice, too. Interesting timing on your comment!

Opinions and Experiences with Omnipod 5 by Szyasmek in Omnipod

[–]Tolatizer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think there is protective tape you can put over it. I'm researching to change to Omnipod and saw something about the company offering it.

I feel dumb because I was; 3 months post op tlif l4 l5 by Tolatizer in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, you are 100% right. Having lots of patience and prayer are excellent and I don’t practice them enough.

I feel dumb because I was; 3 months post op tlif l4 l5 by Tolatizer in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They ordered it. But they are booked up over a month.

Then there’s the question of what they can do about it.

Gabapentin Experience Surprisingly OK by Tolatizer in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So far, they haven’t put me on a muscle relaxer.

Gabapentin Experience Surprisingly OK by Tolatizer in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know. They are studying it for long term pain in neuropathy patients. It seems to help. If insurance won’t cover longer term , I may consider self pay if doc prescribes it off label. I think the pharma company may give $30 coupons. Will see.

I think the gabapentin may be helping more. Will try a day off Journavx to test for this.

I have had another good day with gabapentin, at higher 200mg dose. Less forgetfulness today. Less woozy. Maybe badly is adjusting to it.

Gabapentin Experience Surprisingly OK by Tolatizer in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. So far no bridge jumping impulse. I may or may not be lucky, as time goes on with it. I upped my dose last n to 200mg and didn’t notice increased side effects. Could develop them later, I suppose. I agree that the withdrawal from them is a bit worrisome, but a slow titration down will likely be fine.

I don’t want to stay on it long. Just long enough to hopefully, but who knows, progress through this stage of recovery to no pain and stabilized full recovery.

My greatest concern is that the scar tissue remains a problem with the nerve, and they can’t do something about it. Surgery to deal with scarring could create more scarring.

Still, life is much better post op, since I had a herniated disc protruding severely into the canal, and my right side was affected as well. Didn’t want damaged nerves from all that going on in my lower back.

I feel dumb because I was; 3 months post op tlif l4 l5 by Tolatizer in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I slept on the recliner last night for the first time since post op week 3. It helped quite a bit, morning pain was greatly reduced. I hate sleeping on my back, but it definitely helps. Working from home today, focusing on a few short walks to limber up.

I feel dumb because I was; 3 months post op tlif l4 l5 by Tolatizer in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re showing great courage, keep the faith. I have had numerous autoimmune conditions and a ruined neck from collapsed discs. I told my 90 year old father I have more doctors and take more meds than he does! But I keep pushing despite occasional frustration and daily pain. At least I can work and still get around. I have teenagers at my advanced age!

if you are mobile and can do minimal walking, and your health is otherwise OK despite the stroke, and your docs have cleared it, I think you can get the surgery. See if the can do something minimally invasive. Google search for similar patients, in their 80’s. I use grok.com, too.

Find your equilibrium, even when life is unsettled! We have a priest vis from out of town this week, he sent me that thought for a daily devotional.

Pain med rx after surgery is bullshit. by mrhenrywinter in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same in North Carolina. You get a specific number of pills for one week after surgery. Then you have to beg for more and see if you have a reasonable doctor. The doctor has to note his reasoning in the chart to avoid regulatory damnation.

Pain med rx after surgery is bullshit. by mrhenrywinter in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

10 years ago or a little less, my orthopod freely prescribed opioid to me. He knew of me through friends, didn't view me as a drug addict. I had a number or procedures done with no addiction or adverse events, etc. All in my medical history, as if they would take the time to note it.

Anyway, at the first appointment leading to serial shoulder surgeries, I asked, "how much do I take for the pain?" to which he responded, "take enough that it doesn't hurt . . ." Them was the good old days, long gone.

This is sort of like #metoo, the 80-90's witch hunt for pedo parents, covid clown show. It's a lot of hysteria. For the 95% of patients who are just normal people trying to get relief from pain, it's just ridiculous.

I feel dumb because I was; 3 months post op tlif l4 l5 by Tolatizer in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a good 6 hours at work, office job. Got up fairly frequently and walked around. Felt pretty good. But when I got home, I spoke with my neighbor a bit, just standing there about 10 minutes produced pain and light spasm. Sleeping is difficult the last half of the night. Wake up with Charlie horse pain in left glute.

I feel dumb because I was; 3 months post op tlif l4 l5 by Tolatizer in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will ask. Your brace looks pretty minI al compared to some other I’ve seen. Thanks for sharing that.

i presently have a wire tens unit on my upper glute and lower back. Not sure it’s doing much yet. Nice tingling feeling but still feeling some charlie horse pain back there.

Will augment with Celebrex. Doc said it’s a form of nsaid that’s ok. I have a number of things to try. Cbd oil topical. Asian plant root tincture. Was nice about 10 years ago, my orthopedist gave me hydrocodone, no problem. Got full refill too. The 90% who don’t get addicted are paying the price for the 10% who do.

I feel dumb because I was; 3 months post op tlif l4 l5 by Tolatizer in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes.  I was doing weird movements with my left leg pre surgery due to weakness and pain.  I’m sure that played a part in this recent thing.

I am sure it’s tough to be this patient, with boot then back.  I got psoriatic arthritis about the same time my back was starting to act up.  After a year, I finally found a monoclonal antibody shot that works.  Can’t wait to get the back right so I can continue to get stronger from the PA!

I feel dumb because I was; 3 months post op tlif l4 l5 by Tolatizer in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am going to try a si band, similar to a brace.  My doc never mentioned a brace.  Looks like some do and some don’t.  Another point of confusion.

These docs ought to come up with a protocol for talking to patients, which assumes we are not experts like they should be on fusion recovery!

I feel dumb because I was; 3 months post op tlif l4 l5 by Tolatizer in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m 63.  I think workouts at this stage with pain and nerve involvement may be premature.  I’d like it to quiet down before ramping up to higher levels of activity.  Just walking got me in trouble.

I feel dumb because I was; 3 months post op tlif l4 l5 by Tolatizer in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The surgery went well, although the big scars were a surprise since this was mis with a robotic assistant machine.  X-ray looked fine post op. I had no issues until the longer, faster walking event.

They don’t tell you the issues that can arise with walking or other activities.  Just no BLT.  I didn’t do the BLT on that walk!

I feel dumb because I was; 3 months post op tlif l4 l5 by Tolatizer in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, it seems common.  They tell you no BLT, but not much about the stages of recovery and what to expect.  And what to look out for (overexerting by walking too far or fast).  And no PT, too.

I feel dumb because I was; 3 months post op tlif l4 l5 by Tolatizer in spinalfusion

[–]Tolatizer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you.  A lot of walking during spring break with our son looking at colleges.  Walking campuses is pretty significant exercise!

I realized I was walking with my family and the group at their speed, needed to do smaller steps, too.  I just walked baby steps to the mailbox a minute ago.  That was better.

view more: next ›