Got home from the Hospital.....

**Spaz** · 11-22-2006, 06:32 AM

Originally Posted by BK49

Trouble, you are doing just fine, and you will make a complete recovery. I know some things are downright painful, but in the long run you'll be glad you finally got it fixed. Hang in there, it'll be worth it.
Bob

All of them?How do you know? Which things in particular?"it" being Trouble you?
Glad to see you,

bob
.

**GOT1GOAT** · 11-22-2006, 06:41 AM

Get well soon T. As a 2 time recipiant of back surgery, I feel for you. Just know that you will be better from the modern proceedure (titanium screws) My second surgery versus the old days. My first L4/L5 was a laminectomy that held for @20 years But the screws will definately help. After your recovery from the trauma, you will experiance some pressure sensations (you are now jacked up and will be taller) from these screws.
I do want to caution you about the oxy/perc.s because of the strength of them you will become dependant and of course, you will still want to take them when you don't really need them. I am only speaking from experiance and had to bring this up because it can hinder your getting back to productivity.
Again, Get well soon Bro.

P.S. You will also want to take a laxative every day so the med.s dont bind you up. Just a helpful tip.

**Trouble maker** · 11-22-2006, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by anewconvert

I have taken part in these surgeries. part of my old job was to monitor your spinal cord and peripheral nerves to make sure the doctor doesnt damage one, or place one of the pedicle screws too close to your cord. (that causes immense pain...) Its a fun surgery to watch, but likely isnt fun at all for you.

If you are lucky you will feel much better for years. And I hope you do. Some people however feel worse, and it becomes an uphill battle. Did you rupture a disc??? Why the fusion? If you ruptured a disc was an artifical disc an option? I have seen those installed, and THAT is a painful 'looking' surgery, but is supposed to be fantastic for the patient.

Hope you feel better soon. After the major healing is complete you may want to start wheening yourself off of the percacets. They can be habit forming rather easily.

BC

The reason for the fusion was because there was no disc left at the L4-L5 Level.Disc replacement was ruled out by two surgeons,because I had leg pain and numbness.The disc replacement surgery has not been around for that long,and I feel that they have a lot of improvement to go in that area,even if I was a candidate for replacement,I would have passed.There was a vascular surgeon present,and he was the one that cleared the path for my spine surgeon.By reading your response,It's clear that you have dealings in the area of the vascular surgeon?thanks for the info,I have taken myself off the percacet(last one three hours ago)I have a supply of vicadin on stand by,that they said I could take..The percacet is rough stuff,and I could see how one would become addicted!

**Trouble maker** · 11-22-2006, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by BK49

Trouble, you are doing just fine, and you will make a complete recovery. I know some things are downright painful, but in the long run you'll be glad you finally got it fixed. Hang in there, it'll be worth it.
Bob

Thanks..I notice a "different"kind of pain,and it seems my numbness in my leg and foot is gone also..

**Trouble maker** · 11-22-2006, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by GOT1GOAT

Get well soon T. As a 2 time recipiant of back surgery, I feel for you. Just know that you will be better from the modern proceedure (titanium screws) My second surgery versus the old days. My first L4/L5 was a laminectomy that held for @20 years But the screws will definately help. After your recovery from the trauma, you will experiance some pressure sensations (you are now jacked up and will be taller) from these screws.
I do want to caution you about the oxy/perc.s because of the strength of them you will become dependant and of course, you will still want to take them when you don't really need them. I am only speaking from experiance and had to bring this up because it can hinder your getting back to productivity.
Again, Get well soon Bro.

P.S. You will also want to take a laxative every day so the med.s dont bind you up. Just a helpful tip.

Thanks also,Laxatives are on the way!!I am still very gassy,I can feel that pressure that you are relating to.Percasets are gone,and I am now relying on an as needed vicadin(night)I was presrcribed these before surgery,they said that I can slowly ween myself off these too.I got my fingers crossed,and I am just waiting for the second week of March,so I can head on down to Tuszon Arizona,for a few days of dry heat,and watch some whitesox springball!!I got my calendar with a few red x's marking the countdown!!LOL Damn am I board!!!!

**Trouble maker** · 11-22-2006, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Sassy Cassie

That sounds ruff! I hope you heal quickly and get back to enjoying life a.s.a.p.

Thanks SAS!!I seem to be healing at a much faster pace than normal.The hospital P.T.said that people usually don't opt for the stairs on the second day,as I did!!LOL

**Spaz** · 11-22-2006, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Trouble maker

Thanks SAS!!I seem to be healing at a much faster pace than normal.The hospital P.T.said that people usually don't opt for the stairs on the second day,as I did!!LOL

You are quite welcome!

Perhaps I'm just expressing my own concern about it.

I am glad to hear that you are healing at a much faster pace than normal.Since when.I'm glad you find this amusing.

**Trouble maker** · 11-22-2006, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by Spaz #2

You are quite welcome!

Perhaps I'm just expressing my own concern about it.

I am glad to hear that you are healing at a much faster pace than normal.Since when.I'm glad you find this amusing.

They were only a set of three steps(up and down)+I was wanting out of there,and you have to do the "stairs" in order for your discharge,Iwas like ....ok.......lets go!!

**anewconvert** · 11-22-2006, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by Trouble maker

The reason for the fusion was because there was no disc left at the L4-L5 Level.Disc replacement was ruled out by two surgeons,because I had leg pain and numbness.The disc replacement surgery has not been around for that long,and I feel that they have a lot of improvement to go in that area,even if I was a candidate for replacement,I would have passed.There was a vascular surgeon present,and he was the one that cleared the path for my spine surgeon.By reading your response,It's clear that you have dealings in the area of the vascular surgeon?thanks for the info,I have taken myself off the percacet(last one three hours ago)I have a supply of vicadin on stand by,that they said I could take..The percacet is rough stuff,and I could see how one would become addicted!

My work was done more with a neurosurgeon than vascular.

Its definitely a good thing you got off the percs. They are a lot of fun, but if you arent careful they can easily get to be too much fun and next thing you know you are hooked.

The disc replacement is definitely new to the US. FDA only started allowing it a couple of years ago, and the criteria for the replacement are still pretty strict AFAIK. Europe has been doing it a bit longer, and evidently with less stringent criteria. In a few years the rules here will likely back off some.

In either case, hope you feel better soon.

BC

**Trouble maker** · 11-24-2006, 03:43 PM

Here is the back incision,in which the screws and cage went in...

**Trouble maker** · 11-24-2006, 03:45 PM

and another..the back incision is around six-eight inches also..

**snaggeltooth** · 11-24-2006, 04:55 PM

Now that looks nasty ...lol...
My uncle is haveing some back problems ..What/why did you go to Doc to have you back looked at ...???

**Trouble maker** · 11-24-2006, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by snaggeltooth

Now that looks nasty ...lol...
My uncle is haveing some back problems ..What/why did you go to Doc to have you back looked at ...???

I was in work hardening therapy,five days a week/5 hours a day,and I was doing a lunge exercise with weights/when I had a burning type pain down my right side...xrays.mri's,followed by epiderals,nerve blocks,etc..doctor ordered discogram,which showed exact disc..recommended fusion,since no disc was left..and here I sit!!.....wouldn't go through this even if they paid me three million dollars!!this is brutal...oh and not to mention the left hip bone they used from me to fuse into the space betweenL4-L5.....I feel this too!!

**snaggeltooth** · 11-24-2006, 06:03 PM

I mean what happened in the first place .. He drove a 18 wheeler for 20+ years and now he has deterring disc too...

**snaggeltooth** · 11-24-2006, 06:03 PM

Oh sorry you have so much trouble with it ... Hope everything works out...

**Trouble maker** · 11-25-2006, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by snaggeltooth

I mean what happened in the first place .. He drove a 18 wheeler for 20+ years and now he has deterring disc too...

Gotcha..I was in the bottled water field(Delivery end ,10 bay truck)never had back issues until I was off work for a year (following two arm and hand surgeries)Thats why they put me in a hardening program,I was out of shape from not working a year.I did this job since I was 12 years old,(my dad owned a division that he later sold)when I was 16,I obtained my CDL,did this for another 18 years.Doctor told me I had this degenerated dosc for 5-10 years!Could have fooled me!They terminated me from this job a year and a half ago,they said that I did not report to my job for over a year,and that they cannot hold my position..nice company to work for right!!Nestle Waters North America(Ice Mountain,Polar Springs,perrier h2o,Etc,they own alot of different brands,from the west coast,to the east coast,and internationally.)