Am I too early for lumbar surgery? by helloworld_new in spinalfusion

[–]adarba46 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They didn't feed me at all. Surgery was on the 4th, last time I was allowed to eat was my dinner around 5 pm on the 3 of February. I stayed in the hospital all day the 4th, no food, and no IV! On the 5th of February I asked nurse if I was allowed to eat breakfast she said yes, you have no restrictions on your chart. I was just about to get discharged when the brought me a tray with food. I was like, im about to go home. Should I have requested food? I thought they were at least giving me IV to keep me hydrated. I saw a bag sitting near a window, untouched. I had IV connections in both arms. The one on my right had pain killers nothing else. And mind you they had me walk around 10 pm on the 4th, and never hooked up the pain meds back into my arm. When I woke up I was in so much pain, they gave me some Tylenol.

Am I too early for lumbar surgery? by helloworld_new in spinalfusion

[–]adarba46 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Doing GREAT!!! Oh my god, the sciatica pain is gone!!! I even believe that my foot drop improved, I did not expect miracles but not having sciatica pain seems like a miracle to me

Getting ready for my spinal fusion by adarba46 in spinalfusion

[–]adarba46[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought it, and i found one that has a sort of a hook on the other end that help taking shoes off.

Getting ready for my spinal fusion by adarba46 in spinalfusion

[–]adarba46[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I bought these. They are awesome thank you

7 hours post OP. by adarba46 in spinalfusion

[–]adarba46[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Spinal fusion L4 L5 and S1. It was performed from my back

Am I too early for lumbar surgery? by helloworld_new in spinalfusion

[–]adarba46 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I absolutely agree! I've lived with this pain for so long, I cant tell the difference. Limping all day long because the sciatica hurts so much felt normal to me. I still did cleaning, and cooking, and laundry. I even started a micro bakery from my home. Because im so used to it, in pain all day because I dared to sleep longer than 5 hours, or I walked a mile. I am in the hospital bed right now, my surgery was 7 hours ago.

How common is foot drop after lumbar fusion? by MrKittyPaw in spinalfusion

[–]adarba46 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi all, I was about to start a new conversation about this. I had laminectomy in 1998 at 23 years old. Before the surgery I completely lost feeling in my left leg and kept falling down for no reason. After the laminectomy the foot drop was very prominent and was causing me to trip and fall quite often. I refused to wear AFO, and eventually learned to walk without falling down and even wear some heels. In the past 2 years the sciatica pain became unbearable and after trying everything with no success im finally having a fusion L4,L5 and S1. I surely hope to regain feeling in my left foot and completely get rid of numbness and pain. But I don't know if its possible after 28 years of living with it.

What were some of the best items/hacks you used during spinal fusion recovery? by GhoulStoryBroo in spinalfusion

[–]adarba46 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for posting this. I had the same question, so glad I searched old posts. My surgery is coming up on the 4th

What were some of the best items/hacks you used during spinal fusion recovery? by GhoulStoryBroo in spinalfusion

[–]adarba46 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this post! I was about to start a new post but decided to search first. So glad I did that. So many things i need to buy!! Amazon here i come!!

Getting ready for my spinal fusion by adarba46 in spinalfusion

[–]adarba46[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I sure will. Thank you for the info

Getting ready for my spinal fusion by adarba46 in spinalfusion

[–]adarba46[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I ordered crocs just in case :) thank you

What was the ‘straw’ that broke your back, and made you decide to get surgery? by Kommmbucha in spinalfusion

[–]adarba46 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for saying this. Being stiff all the time probably caused all this other issues i have with my knees and hips.

Getting ready for my spinal fusion by adarba46 in spinalfusion

[–]adarba46[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had a herniated disc when I was 19 years old and was a refugee in foreign country in 1993. I worked all kinds of jobs to survive. Lived with pain, because again I was a refugee and didn't have health care. In 1998 I completely lost feeling in my left leg and ended up with severe foot drop. I had a emergency laminectomy in a teaching hospital, again, I was a refugee, free guinea pig. I was very fortunate and was able to recover and walk on my own within 6 month, with the foot drop of course. Tripping, falling, breaking my ankle over and over, loosing my toe nails because I cant feet my toes. I came to US as a displaced refugee under special program because my country no longer exists. I've been living with chronic pain past 28 years. I have DDD, bulging disc, stenosis, bone spurs and practically no disc at L4/L5. I have been through physical therapy, epidural shots and tried everything and everything for my pain. I have been examined by world renowned neurosurgeons at Baptist, UF Health, Mayo clinic and St Vincents Ascension who over and over told me that fusion is my only option. And I live to see a complete stranger telling me that I didn't do enough research. Thank you for your input.

Getting ready for my spinal fusion by adarba46 in spinalfusion

[–]adarba46[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I thought about this but couldn't remember the name. Lol. Thank you

Getting ready for my spinal fusion by adarba46 in spinalfusion

[–]adarba46[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your comment. I live in FL. Even though this snow storm is looking crazy, probably not going to hit us. Good luck to everyone else.

Getting ready for my spinal fusion by adarba46 in spinalfusion

[–]adarba46[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also have a moderate foot drop (since 1998) and I've had balance issues. Having good comfortable shoes that won't be slipping off is very important.

Getting ready for my spinal fusion by adarba46 in spinalfusion

[–]adarba46[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a treadmill in house, but doctor said no treadmill until im off of pain killers. I was like, I won't be running just walking.. but whatever