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Post by Patter on Nov 10, 2014 15:56:08 GMT
My daughter had a discectomy and laminotomy on 10/30. She has been doing great but Saturday she was unable to walk up the stairs without great pain. She can't even take the first step, and she says it feels like her back is ripping open (to the left of her incision). Going down causes the same pain. Since this happened Saturday, she has only done the two stairs to go outside of our house but she can no longer go up to her room to sleep. I called the doctor's office, and the nurse that called just said to avoid the stairs and ice it. She has not been overdoing it by any means. I didn't really care for the nurses response, and she has been avoiding the stairs and icing it since Saturday--no change. I told the nurse that, and she said to call back in a couple of days if there is no change. Has anyone that has had this surgery had this kind of pain? Thanks!
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Post by gonewalkabout on Nov 10, 2014 16:02:47 GMT
I have no advice to give but just wanted to say I'll send prayers for a solution and speedy recovery. I'm sorry she's in such pain.
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Post by gajitldy on Nov 10, 2014 16:05:04 GMT
I have no experience with this, but so sorry she has to deal with this. I would, however, call again and insist on speaking to the doctor or leaving a message for Dr to call you back. Prayers for her continued recovery.
Diane
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Post by Patter on Nov 10, 2014 16:17:14 GMT
Thanks for the prayers girls. We appreciate it. I will definitely call back tomorrow and speak with the doctor. Figure I should give it one more day of trying that nurses recommendation. LOL!
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Post by FrozenPea on Nov 10, 2014 17:09:40 GMT
I had this done 2 years ago on my neck C5-C7. I had no problems. Sounds like your daughter had her back done. I can't believe the nurse was so nonchalant about her pain. Is she straining to go the bathroom? That could add to the pain. I hope the ice & rest is helping. I definitely would call back & talk to the dr. Has she had her follow up appointment?
I will say a prayer for her.
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Post by Patter on Nov 10, 2014 17:17:27 GMT
Thanks Kristin! She had L5-S1 done. And her follow-up is not until Dec. 3rd. I will ask her about the bathroom. I know I have been having to give her Dulcolax.
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 9:10:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 17:23:52 GMT
She should not be that much pain , since the purpose of the surgery is to get rid of pain.
and she should not have gone up or down stairs without help. She should not drive or lift anything for 6 weeks. . She should do nothing more than gentle waking in good shoes. She should not sit for long periods of time. And always with her legs elevated. She should use a pillow between her knees.
And she should be going back to PT soon my husband went about a week after.
This all should have been explained to her before surgery or as she left the hospital.
A back cushion for chairs and cars help a lot.
And no twisting!
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 9:10:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 17:27:15 GMT
And going out on a limb. She may have tore stitches. There are a few I think my husband had 8 or so.
Is the area warm or hot to the touch? Or swollen?
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 9:10:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 17:28:57 GMT
I had the same procedure done in the same location 4 years ago. I do remember having more "back" pain after the surgery. After the disc ruptured and before surgery, I had severe sciatica down my left leg. However, I would say that her pain doesn't seem normal to me. My dr had me walking 30 minutes a day right after surgery to build back the blood flow to the area. Is it possible that she twisted? I know that can cause issues with tearing. I would definitely schedule an appointment with the doctor right away. It's easy to make things worse by not moving correctly this soon after surgery. I'd want to rule out that possibility.
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Post by Patter on Nov 10, 2014 17:39:04 GMT
megmc, she saw an OT in the hospital that went over all of that with her. She has been VERY diligent at doing everything just right. She has never gone up/down stairs without assistance (me). She also will not have any PT, and does not have any stitches (external). They closed with glue.
And Tearisci, she hasn't twisted. The OT even showed her how to get in and out of bed so she won't even twist there. She has done really, really well and has been walking great except now this "step" issue. It's strange because otherwise she is not in pain.
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Post by traceys on Nov 10, 2014 17:45:37 GMT
I've had one, and did not have those kinds of issues. I think she needs to have the doctor's input. I do remember that I was not allowed to use the stairs for maybe the first week....I had to sleep in our downstairs bedroom.
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Post by micpea on Nov 10, 2014 19:10:26 GMT
I had this same surgery a year ago....L4, L5 S1 ...I had such severe pain before surgery that afterward I didn't require any pain meds until I had to stand & wait at the dr. ofc 2 weeks later. I knew by the time I got home what caused my pain.
If you're concerned or she is worried....follow your gut! You only get one chance to heal!!!
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Post by cahwoo on Nov 10, 2014 19:43:30 GMT
I had a laminectomy in June. I was still having pain even last week and I had a spinal cortisone shot. The Dr explained the surgery was to relieve pain from the nerve which is did. My leg is no longer numb but the nerves are still sensitive therefore it can sometimes take up to 6 months depending on the extend of the injury as to how long some pain will last.
I can walk up stairs ok now most of the time. Your daughter should call the Dr now and make sure she talks to the Dr not a nurse or receptionist. The Dr can help.
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Post by Patter on Nov 10, 2014 19:54:08 GMT
Tracey S., our neurologist said she could do stairs as much as she wanted as soon as we got home. But from what we read, we knew that would not be a good idea. The most she did stairs was 1-2x a day. And she handled them fine with me beside her. Now that's not the case.
And micpea and chawoo, her leg pain/numbness has gotten SO much better since surgery, and we know it will take a good 6 months to a year before she may see the full benefits. She already has been SO very excited that she can even walk because she was using a wheelchair prior to surgery. This is definitely a new/strange pain so not sure what it is. I will be calling back tomorrow.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 19:55:40 GMT
Nerve pain and numbness are extremely common. Nerves have been compressed and take a very long time to heal. Husband still gets shooting pain down his left leg.
My husband has numbness on the inside of his left foot that will never go away. His brother has numbness in both feet, but his us getting slightly better.
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Post by Patter on Nov 10, 2014 20:14:47 GMT
Nerve pain and numbness are extremely common. Nerves have been compressed and take a very long time to heal. Husband still gets shooting pain down his left leg. My husband has numbness on the inside of his left foot that will never go away. His brother has numbness in both feet, but his us getting slightly better. Yes, we knew that. And her nerve pain comes and goes. Her neurologist said it is a great sign if she is already having moments without nerve pain and numbness. She has numbness always in her heels. |
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Post by micpea on Nov 12, 2014 23:35:12 GMT
Patter how is your daughter doing?
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Post by Patter on Nov 13, 2014 10:58:20 GMT
Patter how is your daughter doing? Thanks for asking. You are very sweet. She is still in a lot of "searing pain" when going up or down stairs. We are only doing the two steps off of our porch so she can walk outside. Otherwise, we have stayed away from all steps since Saturday. She was put on 800 mg of Ibuprofen three times a day to see if that helps, and she is to continue to take her muscle relaxer. If the Ibuprofen does not help, the doctor will look into something else on Friday when we call back. I will update again in a couple of days.  |
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Post by momof3pits on Nov 13, 2014 11:03:46 GMT
Fx that her pain starts to ease up or that the Dr can come up with a cause and solution!
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Post by peasapie on Nov 13, 2014 13:09:56 GMT
My son had a laminectomy and a fusion in his lower lumbar area two weeks ago (10/28). I realize that is different from what your daughter had, so I can't speak to her specific surgery. He has had less pain every day, for which we are grateful. He tires easily and still has soreness, but he went back to work yesterday. He's only able to take tylenol because of the fusion - he has avoid NSAIDs for 3 months. I would feel as you do - concerned that she seemed to be progressing and then suddenly had this terrible pain. I don't know if this is normal or not, but it's good you are consulting the doctor. Please continue to update us, and best wishes to your daughter and you. I know what a scary time it is -- big operation!
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Post by Patter on Nov 13, 2014 13:34:03 GMT
Thank you momof3pits and peasapie! And peasapie, I pray your son continues to do well. Funny that our kiddos had back surgery within 2 days of each other.
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Post by gorgeouskid on Nov 13, 2014 14:40:22 GMT
I did. I was in the hospital overnight and sent home to face a flight of stairs to get in my bed. The thought of my bed was the only thing that kept me going. It took about ten minutes to navigate (with my mother's help) and get into bed. The next day, I had to go to the bank to set up my receipt of my grandmother's trust. It took so long, I thought I was going to die. It took twenty minutes to get up those stairs (again with my mother's help. It was another week before I left my apartment.
It got easier- ice, keep ahead of the pain with meds, and rest.
ETA- pain from back issue (sciatica) resolved from surgery pretty much in the hospital. Remaining pain was from the incision. I was off work for three months.
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~Susan~
Pearl Clutcher
You need to check your boobs, mine tried to kill me!!!
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Jul 6, 2014 17:25:32 GMT
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Post by ~Susan~ on Nov 13, 2014 17:02:07 GMT
Sounds horrible...I hope she is able to get some relief soon.
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~Susan~
Pearl Clutcher
You need to check your boobs, mine tried to kill me!!!
Posts: 3,259
Jul 6, 2014 17:25:32 GMT
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Post by ~Susan~ on Nov 13, 2014 17:02:22 GMT
Sounds horrible...I hope she is able to get some relief soon.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2014 17:05:28 GMT
Best wishes to your DD. I started having back pain when I was 40. I thought I was way too young to be dealing with this, but I can't imagine how your daughter must feel. I hope she feels better very soon and gets her life back.
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Post by Patter on Nov 13, 2014 19:58:08 GMT
Thanks scrapbooker and trezmom! |
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