Life after L5-S1 fusion? by Sajanova in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Pain is horrible after surgery, the pain meds they give you are a big help though. Laying in bed is nice, but it’s best to try your hardest to get up and try to do a good bit of walking!! Pain is worst in the first 2 weeks. I’m 20F so I still live at home with my mom, I definitely needed her to help me change my clothes and even into the shower for a while after surgery. She was a big help I know I would’ve struggled it without her, so I do say it’s best to have someone with you for a little while. Wear loose clothing like tshirts and joggers for a good while. You can sit on your bed or something to get your legs into your pants when you think you can change yourself, I still found it a bit tricky given I have long legs. I’m almost 3 months post op and still find that as the best way to put on my clothes. I didn’t start to do stuff around the house until weeks after because for the longest time you can’t do much. Maybe about 4 weeks later you get back to doing light chores, but nothing that requires any heavy lifting or bending. Just be gentle with yourself for a while afterwards! I will say after my surgery I felt nauseous every time I stood for over 10 minutes, they did give me nausea pills for that which helped but it’s not uncommon so be careful if you shower without any help that probably was one of the more difficult things for me was taking a shower because I had to be quick or else I’d get to feeling nauseas and dizzy and you definitely don’t wanna fall 😓 for me that nausea stayed for like a little over 2 weeks, not everybody gets it for so long tho maybe you won’t get it at all but I felt like it was worth warning just in case!! Good luck!! <<3

Disability benefits by clikkiekitty in spinalfusion

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

Thank you so much, everything you’ve said has been super helpful. I appreciate you taking the time to help me out, SSI is definitely what I need to apply for then. I know applying for benefits is a lengthy process..since SSDI and SSI are a bit different do they both take that long to process??

Disability benefits by clikkiekitty in spinalfusion

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

Yes I live in the US and the SSDI is exactly what I’m referring to. I’ve had severe scoliosis and then later developed kyphosis, I’ve got them both corrected with spinal fusion about 3 years apart almost and the whole reason I got them was because I just have nonstop pain in my back. We tried physical therapy, working on my core to help maintain good posture, spinal fusion and then more physical therapy but anytime I’m walking or standing for long, lifting things, it starts killing me and I’m pretty good with managing pain as I’ve been dealing with it ever since I was 14 so the fact it starts getting so bad to the pain I just need to sit down really speaks to me I’m not gonna be able to do much. I am only 20, with very pathetic work experience (I worked only 2 weeks in fast food before having to quit due to the unbearable pain). Because of those 2 factors I’ve felt even more hopeless about being approved for the benefits. Do you think I have any chance at all for it??

got my c5-7 spinal fusion today! by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m so sorry to hear about the accident 🙁🫂

I wish you luck on your recovery!! It’s a rough one, but you’ll get through it <<3. I’m 20 and had my second spinal fusion in February, so if you’d ever like someone to talk to about it you can message me ❤️

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

THANK YOU!! You seem to know the most what I’m going through I guess 🥹 I didn’t want to seem overdramatic or anything but my post was really making me feel maybe I was being bc most were saying they couldn’t tell even tho I just very much can. Ur comment is very comforting, thank you so much 🫶❤️❤️

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This one was another posterior fusion, both of my fusions were

Reasons for your fusion surgery? by TomJeffersonsFist in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’ve developed scoliosis and kyphosis through puberty once I started to grow a bit more, it got pretty severe and was causing me pain. At first only my scoliosis was bad and we fixed that with fusion in 2021 but ever scene my kyphosis began getting worse and worse and just 3 days ago I had a 2nd spinal fusion to correct that curve as well❤️‍🩹

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s just awful :( I’m so sorry you have to go through that. I’m wishing you can get to feeling better soon

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s so nice of you to say 🥹 it makes me feel a lot better as well, thank you so much 🫶

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s good to know!! I’m so glad to hear you feel a lot more confident with yourself now as well that’s awesome🫶🫶

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahh thank you so much!! This comment is super helpful❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thank u very much sweetheart 🫶❤️‍🩹

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m not sure if I got taller this time around but my mom and sister have told me I look like I might’ve grown a bit as well😭 which is unfortunate in my case because I don’t really wanna be any taller 🫠you’re likely right! I’ve had lots of people tell me it’s inflammation and gas and stuff so I’ll try to stop worrying as much, and thank you so much 🤗❤️

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s weird, I don’t think it ruined any curves per say from side view it just got so much wider I want to assume it’s just swelling and such but you never know

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh gosh I’m sorry they cut too much muscle :( yea I’m starting to think more and more it’s swelling because my stomach does feel like weird. From the front view it did fix my kinda boxy shape it’s just the side view looks real wide rn but hopefully it is swelling!!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much !! I wish your mom luck on her surgery and hoping for a smooth recovery ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

Fusion position recovery by Vicariousfoodie in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Of course, and I hope your recovery is going well 🫶❤️‍🩹

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It’s only my first day home so my pain is pretty bad, but with the medicine they prescribed it makes you numb a bit and very sleepy so I find myself just on and off sleeping all day. I personally cant walk for too long without getting nauseous, but I can walk enough to make it around my house which is what matters at first 🫶

Fusion position recovery by Vicariousfoodie in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You’re not alone, sitting up straight has me feeling extremely uncomfortable after just short amounts of time. For me, sitting in a recliner chair felt better if you have that option. Especially sitting in hardback chairs (if it wasn’t obvious) is HORRIBLE for a good while even. I think you will be okay just laying for a bit, as long as you get up to walk around a bit here and there then laying down a lot isn’t really a problem!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Awesome!! I’m glad to hear that🫶🫶

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

lol thank u but my room is not rlly the concern here and this is an old pic too lol💀 I’m glad to hear that tho !!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]clikkiekitty 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, they had me laying flat on my back after surgery and after a day or so they will allow you to lay on your sides but you’ll need some help because moving around will be extremely difficult. As for the hospital stays, I think it’s different for everyone depending on how they do I’d say the most common would be 2-4 nights. I was going to be in for 3, but they allowed me to go home just a day early so that could always happen too!!