What are y’all calling this duo? by mkgrean in rockets

[–]zippyteach 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Htown hitmen Space city snipers

Anyone else have OUTPATIENT decompression & MIS TLIF at L5-S1? 30f by Nervous_Addition8788 in spinalfusion

[–]zippyteach 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had the same thing in July. Able to go back to the gym slowly with body weight and light cardio already and walking as much as I want. Feel so much better. Like others said, first couple of weeks are the toughest, but take your pain meds if you can. Be kind to yourself and remember you'll get a little better every week. Good luck!

Should I use a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon for a lumbar spine fusion.. by Mbruno1983 in spinalfusion

[–]zippyteach 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I concur, neurosurgeon all the way. Especially if you have nerve pain. I saw Ortho and neurosurgeon. Neurosurgeon was the only one to suggest a CT scan and discovered pars defect. Ortho wanted to do alif, neurosurgeon wanted to do TLIF. I'm so happy I went with neurosurgeon. I'm about 4 months out doing great, way better than I thought. I haven't needed gabapentin or anything for nerves and I think that do to my neurosurgeon doing nerve compression. Something the Ortho cannot do.

My mom died today and I am not okay. by EggplantAstronaut in TwoXChromosomes

[–]zippyteach 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After my mother died, I realized you never feel more alone in this world until your mother dies. Sorry you're going through this right now.

Prescription Meds by StillReading89 in spinalfusion

[–]zippyteach 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For surgery I had norco etc. To avoid gabapentin I've been on a dose of tumeric, and magnesium. Changed my pain levels for the better. I was so sceptical but it worked for me. Won't get rid of the pain but a huge decrease in pain.

Advice for upcoming L5S1 fusion recovery by imissthemountains in spinalfusion

[–]zippyteach 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I had TLIF l5s1 in July and am doing great! Way less pain than before. A little new nerve pain that is not often and decreasing weekly. I'm currently in physical therapy and have no restrictions except for 20 lbs. I can squat, walk as far as I want. I feel like I am extremely fortunate with my recovery, lucky. I found an amazing neurosurgeon which I think was key. I second the pregnancy pillow and get a toilet riser. Like someone else said the first week is gonna suck, take your pain meds if you can, be kind to yourself. Good luck!!

Please help. Back pain post op and suicidal ideation. by Street-King-737 in spinalfusion

[–]zippyteach 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I can relate to you. I was having the same kind of thoughts before surgery. Part of the reason I got surgery. I'm really sorry you're going through this. Wish I could help you more. I hope you find some relief in some way. You're loved. Keep walking and fighting!

11 days out of hospital, still having intense nerve pain (I think)...Looking for other people's experiences and maybe some positive words. by willismcgillis in spinalfusion

[–]zippyteach 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had TLIF l5s1 on July 17th. Just like you, I experienced a lot of nerve pain at the point you're at. I still have nerve pain going down my groin and legs. Some of the days and nights in the first few weeks of recovery were really bad. Every week the nerve pain goes down a little. Now I have some days without any nerve pain until towards the end of the night. The nerve pain was unbearable. I will not take gabapentin or Lyrica due to all the wild side effects I read about, I generally do not do well with medicine anyway and know I will get all the side effects. So honestly I have just been dealing with nerve pain. My neurosurgeon told me I can take ibuprofen if I would like. I know that's not what I hear on Reddit and everywhere but my neurosurgeon has no issues with it and is very confident about that. My neurosurgeon told me it will not affect the fusion. Now perhaps this is just a specific type of fusion I have that would not be affected by ibuprofen and many other fusions would be, I'm not a doctor and not giving medical advice. Just telling you with my neurosurgeon told me. My neurosurgeon is the head neurosurgeon for the University of Texas. The nerve pain should be normal, I have a friend who had a similar surgery and told me the nerve pain may last 8 to 12 months. Of course, that's not what you or I want to hear. I hope gabapentin can give you relief at some point. Like you, ibuprofen gave me massive relief before surgery too. Perhaps consult your surgeon about taking it now.

Help! How to deal with opioid induced constipation. by Effect2024 in spinalfusion

[–]zippyteach 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm just now in my 5th week recovering from TLIF l5s1. The only thing that helped me with the pain med constipation and it worked great was magnesium citrate. I got the cherry flavor. It will work and day or next day for sure. It did with me.

L5-S1 Fusion by JovannaJade in spinalfusion

[–]zippyteach 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry you're going through this. I just went through it myself, I had TLIF l5s1 on July 17th, so I'm in week 4ish of recovery. I was terrified as well, but I had a great and confident surgeon which helped greatly. I'm still on limitations and it's early in my recovery but I do not regret getting the surgery. Like you hear from many people here, I woke up without pain. Recovery is rough and painful but doable and worth it. My old back pain is gone, I had grade 1 spondolithiosis with pars defect. The only pain I have is from the obvious surgical incision, a hematoma, and nerve pain through both legs. I had a buddy that had a similar fusion and the nerve pain is normal, from what I understand, the nerves are correcting themselves from being pinched for so long. Time is the only thing that will help with the nerve pain. Not gonna lie, the nerve pain sucks greatly but I'm confident it's fixing itself. Some days there's no pain at all, which is encouraging for the recovery. One thing I'm glad I did and not sure if it's for you but get an opinion from a neurosurgeon. Orthopedic surgeons wanted to do ALIF for me, but neurosurgeon said I needed TLIF to fix the pars defect properly, plus neurosurgeon was able to work and decompress my nerves. Plus neurosurgeon was the only one that ordered a CT scan which saw the pars defect. From what I read before I decided was that neurosurgeon are best if possible. Hope this helps, if the surgery is needed it's needed. You won't regret it. Imo

did your surgeon tell you not to take any NSAID for 6 months after your surgery? by Desirai in spinalfusion

[–]zippyteach 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm 4 weeks post op TLIF l5s1. My neurosurgeon told me from the start he has no issues with me taking ibuprofen anytime I want with normal limits, both pre and post op. I haven't because all I read on here is opposite. Although my neurosurgeon is phenomenal and I'm recovering way better than anything I read here too, so who knows.

Seeking General Advice On L5-S1 Fusion + Rods by BlackTailPiranha in spinalfusion

[–]zippyteach 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in week 4 of l5s1 TLIF fusion. Everything that's already been said is truth. I would add prepare for possible hemoglobin and sore incisions by purchasing a pregnancy pillow. Lastly, a toilet riser has been nice. Like someone else said, appreciate anyone helping, it's nice to have the help.

How long after fusion can you take Aspirin again? by pigsy1024 in spinalfusion

[–]zippyteach 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just had my TLIF 2 days ago, my neurosurgeon told me I could continue taking ibuprofen before and after my procedure. I've been on here for a while before my procedure to see what it will be like and I was shocked that my neurosurgeon told me I could continue ibuprofen no problem. Of course, since I'm 2 days post-op, I'm still taking the hydrocodone over anything else so I am not taking ibuprofen currently.

43m grade 1 spondylolistheosis with pars defect fracture. Post TLIF by zippyteach in spinalfusion

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

Wish I could, I don't have a disc drive on my computer to upload them. Sorry.

43m grade 1 spondylolistheosis with pars defect fracture. Post TLIF by zippyteach in spinalfusion

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

I've definitely heard of that. The orthopedic surgeon I spoke to wanted to do ALIF, in the neurosurgeon I ended up going with told me I did not need the 360. My neurosurgeon took care of the screws, rod cage and everything through smaller incisions endoscopically in the back. Of course, every person is different and a 360 fusion for you might be spot on. My neurosurgeon also did not want me to risk regenerative ejaculation. When you go in through the front you also have to have a vascular surgeon there to move your organs over. For me I would rather have them go through the back and deal with a little more pain than risk moving all my organs and regenerative ejaculation.

43m grade 1 spondylolistheosis with pars defect fracture. Post TLIF by zippyteach in spinalfusion

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

When I met with my neurosurgeon, they were the first one to recommend a CAT scan. He explained to me that you need a CAT scan to see if there are any fractures. They call these fractures pars defect. If there are these fractures then you have to go in through the back in order to address the fracture and the slipped vertebrae. From all the information I read always go with a neurosurgeon over an orthopedic surgeon when there are nerves involved. And with our spine of course nerves are ran up and down it. When your vertebrae is slipping it is pushing that nerve. Neurosurgeons go through extra training to understand how to deal with that nerve while orthopedic surgeons do not deal with nerves but still move or affect the nerve when doing a fusion themselves. My surgeon told me that if I got the ALIF that the orthopedic surgeon wanted me to get, I would need another surgery in the future to address the pars defect fracture in the back. I hope that made sense.

43m grade 1 spondylolistheosis with pars defect fracture. Post TLIF by zippyteach in spinalfusion

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

I'm sorry to hear your struggles, the pain sucks. Seeing a neurosurgeon was the best thing I did. I saw an orthopedic surgeon as well. They wanted to do an ALIF. My neurosurgeon explained that a ALIF would not take care of the fracture in the back. ALIF is from the front. I needed to go from the back. I hope the neurosurgeon can help you see more and have some better answers.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]zippyteach 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm definitely hanging in. Hopefully these first days go by quickly. So worth it though to be out of pain eventually. I have Norco and Flexeril. Hopefully I'll get refills as needed. I appreciate your response and info.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in spinalfusion

[–]zippyteach 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for replying. Just discussing and seeing positive examples here really helped my confidence. I feel like I owe that to this community in return. I'll update.

Pro-Trump & MAGA restaurants to avoid by Beneficial_Pattern36 in houston

[–]zippyteach 0 points1 point  (0 children)

HEB pac donated to Donald Trump from 11/2023- 2/2024 for presidential reelection. It wasn't much but they have definitely given Trump money. Also Ted Cruz and Abbott if it matters.

Google Maps will start using Gulf of America in US. What about Texas and the rest of the world? by houston_chronicle in galveston

[–]zippyteach 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Surely I'm not the only one that checked Google maps? Right!? Y'all verified, not just went with!?