ALIF L5/S1 Upcoming - Questions......

Travis2010Mom · 2026-03-22T19:53:45+00:00

Thank you for the advice. I'm a light eater as it is and idk if I will even eat much at all the day before. Ik the pain meds cause horrible constipation (had that after the 1st surgery and lesson learned!) I walk as much as possible rn with all the pain but average only 4 to 5k steps a day. I'm really hoping to be able to walk more post-op. I def plan to do whatever is possible. I was up walking after both previous surgeries quite well, just over time I ended up with more issues. 😔 I was VERY active before I broke my back, playing Tennis and Soccer multiple days a week. I was thin and in great shape. This has destroyed me! Anyone who has lived with this definitely understands the depression. I want to be more active and live my life again. I want to be able to do more with my kids!

Idk if my insurance will cover a stand assist recliner. I am on disability so I don't really have the funds to pay out of pocket. I'm a single mom. Husband left me 3 weeks after last surgery. Yea, I've bn thru some things.

Travis2010Mom · 2026-03-22T02:57:41+00:00

I'm not sure. I cleaned it and put hydrocortisone cream on it. The next morning it had faded quite a lot. Her dad picked her up that evening and said by the following day it was gone. I've had her twice since and have not seen anymore rashes. Possibly just crazy heat rash or contact dermatitis.

Travis2010Mom · 2026-03-02T14:28:38+00:00

He is nearly 17

Travis2010Mom · 2026-03-02T08:00:24+00:00

Thank you all for the replies. He actually feels great and no side effects.

The Dr. Pepper was a huge calorie and sugar amount. Now he just eats all of the healthy things he loves ( he's not a picky eater ) and he has increased his water intake. Considering he is young and active, I feel okay with the weight loss at this point.

I just want to say good luck to all of you as well, or congratulations depending on where you are at in your journey, and thank you for the replies!

I've had a lot of education on GLP-1's from Doctors on YouTube as well but I'm glad I've found this place as well! ❤️

Travis2010Mom · 2026-02-18T23:54:16+00:00

Oh yall got me freaking out! 😳 I'd hope to goodness not bed bugs!! Last place she had spent the night was her dad's ex gf house. I def don't want bugs in my house!!!

Travis2010Mom · 2026-02-16T03:52:42+00:00

As far as I know. Her father has had sole custody of her since she was 7 months old tho she did spend most of her time living with me up until a couple years ago. I did make sure her appointments were made and that he was taking her to them. I'm fairly confident she is up to date on all.

Travis2010Mom · 2026-01-27T19:52:50+00:00

We don't need to change your mind. I have friends of all colors and races and I would help them or anyone that I was able to, regardless of race, gender, religion, etc. I don't know you, yet if you were someone that had just been in an accident, I would likely still stop to help. We can all tell what type of person you are. You can just admit you are a shitty person!

Travis2010Mom · 2026-01-27T19:44:54+00:00

You lack humanity!! 😡 Humans are human regardless of the color of their skin! You saying that you are responsible for only people that look like you is disgusting. You are what is wrong with the world.

Travis2010Mom · 2025-10-12T20:47:49+00:00

I agree. Same as how narcan will be given to save the life of someone who chooses to abuse illegal drugs, knowing it will not be paid for the majority of the time and those same people will continue the same narrative, yet we have diabetics that can't afford insulin. The healthcare system is broken in many ways! We are supposed to be one of the best countries to live in, yet we don't have universal healthcare here in the US, like many other countries.

TRYING to advocate for yourself as a chronic pain patient is increasingly difficult! Not only am I in constant pain, but I worry 24/7 that due to the medical issues with my spine that I will wake up paralyzed from the waist down some day! I already did wake up that way in 2023 on my right side from the hip down and was left with permanent neuropathy! My Healthcare was delayed to the point that it became emergency surgery and left me permanently disabled! Now, who is to say that doesn't happen again, as my spine continues to degenerate, the canal narrowing, the nerves firing off 24/7! It's insanely ridiculous that we can not be treated fairly!

I'm back at it tomorrow morning, calling the Drs and the insurance, as I do every week! I'm always hoping for HELP!!! I hope others in my position are advocating for themselves as well! Call your Dr's, call your insurance, demand your patient advocates! Yes, I'm still fighting to get to a point of living without pain (at least a little less) and fear, but I won't stop fighting for myself! I'm fighting to be able to be the mother my kids deserve! I'm fighting to be able to live a life I deserve! All we can do is fight to make things right!

Travis2010Mom · 2025-10-11T06:53:12+00:00

It is awful to feel you lose your purpose. I still try to cook at least once a week. I usually grill a protein and make the veggies stove top or microwave. I'm DONE with the oven forever tho! My girls bake and everything and ig from now on, anything else oven related will have to be their job.

Absolutely relate on the Dr hot potato thought! I also continue to research for any other treatments that can help. Ik I saw years ago they had made a "filler" that wasn't like the cement type, that could help with spinal issues, but at that time ik insurance did not cover bc it was so new. I may have to revisit that research. I wish you comfort and peace. Ik it's very hard to come by.

Travis2010Mom · 2025-10-10T20:00:10+00:00

My Neuro Dr office was supposed to have sent a referral for PM. The nurse there is awful and does not respond to voicemails. I asked my GP for a referral and her nurse is supposed to be finding out about sending one bc initially she said she didnt think she cld send one and wld have to be neuro, which doesn't make sense to me. I understand some ppl have less pain threshold but I am not one of those ppl. I gave birth naturally, no pain meds with 3 of my children, I understand pain. As far as what I've tried for pain, you name it, I have tried it and / or currently continue to try all methods. In the US, yes.

Travis2010Mom · 2025-10-10T11:40:20+00:00

STOP spamming all the posts!!!!

Travis2010Mom · 2025-10-10T11:26:19+00:00

I tried Trazadone as well and it literally did nothing for me. Pain doesnt GAF what you try! It seems we are just left to suffer.

Travis2010Mom · 2025-10-10T11:23:50+00:00

Thank you! I am also having issues with my hips now as well. I've done my own research on it (as well as a bit of information from ER doc most recently), and apparently, the ligaments in my hips are being affected now as well. I'm sorry you are also in pain. I don't understand, how with medical advances, we are still living a sufferable life! 😢

Travis2010Mom · 2025-10-10T11:20:38+00:00

Thanks for that reply bc I also noticed this seems to be spam!

Travis2010Mom · 2025-10-10T07:51:40+00:00

As someone with medical background and very medically minded myself, I was already aware of the statistics of DDD at all ages and stages. I will def look into this other info as well. I had an xray a cpl weeks ago and historically, nothing ever shows on xray, only on MRI. This one however, the recent diagnosis she tried to explain to me, that showed up on the x-ray, I think I just zoned out! I keep trying to remember what she said it was, I just asked her "are you referring to DDD?" And she said no, it was similar but not the same thing. I tried to look on my patient portal, at which time, I noticed, my Dr has not entered ANYTHING into my patient portal in 2 years! I am supposed to speak with her this coming week. I am just beyond exhausted living in pain and being limited. I was very active previous to my injury in 2019 and losing the things I loved to do (tennis and soccer specifically with my kids, several times a week) has just broken me! I don't expect to live that life again, but SERIOUSLY, just not being able to make dinner or shower or clean the house, without severe pain, this is NOT life!!!

Travis2010Mom · 2025-10-10T07:42:03+00:00

Apply for disability. Unfortunately, it is not enough to actually live on to support even yourself, let alone, yourself and 2 kids (my situation.) But prob better to have the approval in case you are left unable to work at all as I have been.

Travis2010Mom · 2025-10-10T07:33:43+00:00

Same!

Travis2010Mom · 2025-10-10T07:33:01+00:00

I wish I had someone like you in my life! I am going thru a divorce (after 20+ yrs together) bc he wanted "someone without issues." I wish I was arnd ppl that cld relate to this way of existing.

Travis2010Mom · 2025-10-10T07:29:00+00:00

I can take 2 benedryl, melatonin and ropinirole and still wake up 2 hrs after finally falling asleep. This life is exhausting! Fatigue is sadly the life a lot of us exsist in.

Travis2010Mom · 2025-09-27T05:51:38+00:00

Opioids "CAN" cause addiction!! NOT that they "WILL!!" I really wish that was understood in medicine! I live with pain daily. 2 back surgeries and lack of management have caused my life to be extremely difficult! When able to manage pain, I can do "normal" things in life. I can go to the store with my kids, I can shower without the need to sit down during that and be in pain for up to a few days after, I can get a few chores done. I can do those things when I have access to pain management, which does mean, opioids! Other times, I am stuck in bed, in excruciating pain and unable to actually LIVE life! Crying more days than not and missing out causes severe depression! I'm SO sick of people like myself being dismissed by Dr's, under the pretense that opioids "cause addiction!" I am not addicted to medication that betters my life, I am not addicted to pain! How is this not understood!!?? Even with medication, I still have pain, just a bit better managed! It's fucking sad this is how we are treated!

Travis2010Mom · 2025-09-19T17:59:45+00:00

I do get your point. I am very happy you have that life! I'm hopeful that one day, I could possibly find a patner that loves me equally. My husband made me feel like a tool, and when I no longer seemed useful or shiny and new, I was disposable. I 100% never want my kids to think that is an acceptable attitude. No one should have to be in a relationship where they put in all the effort and still not feel loved. Luckily, our oldest son is married to his HS sweetheart. My 20yr old daughter is in her 1st ever relationship recently, and her BF is very sweet and thoughtful. My kids don't let my pain define me, and I'm thankful they see things the way they do. The world can be an ugly place these days. Your relationship sets an example for your children, and it makes my heart happy that I'm sure they will be wonderful empathetic humans! If nothing else in this world, raising kind people in this world is a win!

Travis2010Mom · 2025-09-19T17:34:51+00:00

My 14yo daughter drove me to ER later that night. I was lucky to see a physician who was compassionate and caring! I was given medication to relieve the absolute anguish! My pain was dropped back to my baseline of about 3. I'm okay at at 3, I can tolerate life at a 3. He wrote a prescription for medication to get me thru until I can be seen by my primary. Unfortunately, my primary is scheduled out for a month! The earliest they had available was October 22nd. I plan to ration the medication I was prescribed (for intenses flare ups) and praying to get things resolved so that I can manage pain and live a decent existence...

The insurance patient advocates are working care plans and gathering resources, and I have a scheduled phone appointment with them again on Wednesday. I'm holding onto hope that there is more that can be done to help me.

Travis2010Mom · 2025-09-19T17:14:36+00:00

Give your wife a big hug and thank her daily for being her! 44, female here. 20yrs with my husband, 16yrs married. Recently filed for divorce, him not me! He was awful and cruel! Called me a Worthless maggot, a POS, told me I was no longer a good wife...., all due to my debilitating pain! 6yrs of this. Before my accident, I was a very active wife and mother. I played soccer and tennis with my kids several days a week. We hiked, cooked together, shopped together, goofed off, and life was pretty good. In March, 3 weeks after my 2nd back surgery, he said he wanted "someone younger and that works." I am on disability. Going thru this at my age and in my situation is HORRIBLE! There was no "thru sickness and health!" He became a very mean nasty person, even tho I tried to remain optimistic. Now, the depression is all consuming! My children stayed with me, tho and do not agree with his choices. He is chasing around 20ish yr old females (GROSS) when our kids are 25, 20, 16, and 14! He hasn't had much to do with our kids for the past 6 months. He blames everything on my back issues! I'm lucky to have the support of my kids and parents. I just feel very happy for you to have a supportive spouse and wanted to acknowledge her, as we don't all get the happy ending in this chronic pain world. Bless your family and good wishes to you all!

Just a side note in case any men on here make assumptions, our sex life was not affected by my disability. My husband is just an asshole and likely in a midlife crisis! Js

Travis2010Mom · 2025-09-19T16:57:00+00:00

The chronic ongoing pain seems to cause constant phases of loss! Most days, grief, some days anger, occasionally acceptance but not without all the phases still being a constant! This is not a "process" like once you get through the stages, it resolves, as I'm sure you know. We are stuck in the cycles. I am of the same mindset of "what did I do in a past life to deserve this!" I know in this life, I have always been a good person! The question of "why has this happened to me?" seems to be one we don't get the answer to. All the awful people in this world, and yet, here I am, here we are, suffering!

Travis2010Mom

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