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Post by refugeepea on Jun 4, 2017 23:31:17 GMT
How was your recovery time? I do have an appointment tomorrow, but I'm trying to prepare myself. The only other surgery I had was in 1998 for an appendectomy. That is when I learned I'm sensitive to Lortab. I didn't walk straight for 2 months because of all the puking I did for 2 days straight after surgery. I also had a horrendous case of vertigo.
I'm hoping it will be this:
Laminotomy/laminectomy
In a laminotomy, a surgeon makes an opening in the vertebral arch (lamina) to relieve pressure on your nerve roots. This procedure is performed through a small incision, sometimes with the aid of a microscope. If necessary, the lamina can be removed. This is called a laminectomy.
Yes, I did do some googling, but didn't find concrete answers. I'm afraid I'll cry (I'm an ugly crier) if it means a lot of downtime.
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Post by mrgiedrnkr on Jun 5, 2017 0:01:35 GMT
I am not sure if I had a discectomy or laminectomy. But, I had a bulging l4-l5 disc. It is an easy recovery. I think I did it on a Thursday/Friday and was back to work on Monday.
Stacy
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eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Jun 5, 2017 0:19:33 GMT
I had a diseconomy on my L5-S1 in 2000. My recovery was supposed to be 6 weeks. But honestly, I felt SO much better I think I was back to work in 3. I wholeheartedly remember waking up in recovery and not being in pain. I was sore because of surgery but that horrific pain was gone.
My friend recently went to a laser back surgery center (I'm sure it has an official name) and she was back to doing Jazzercise very fast! I was shocked how fast it was.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:46:44 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2017 0:23:35 GMT
Find the surgeon who does the most surgeries a week. That is who you want to go to.
My husband was up and walking right out of surgery.
Aftercare, do the pt!
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Post by fwscrapper on Jun 5, 2017 0:50:12 GMT
My husband's disc was ruptured and insurance still made him do PT before they would pay for surgery. Of course, PT didn't work. Surgery was a relief for him. He had been in so much pain for so long. He felt instant relief and recovery wasn't too bad.
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Post by refugeepea on Jun 5, 2017 0:54:25 GMT
Find the surgeon who does the most surgeries a week. That is who you want to go to. My husband was up and walking right out of surgery. The surgeon I'm going to is well known. He was even interviewed on The Doctors after he did some very risky surgery on a man's skull who had a 90-95% chance of dying when he was brought into the ER. I figured he can touch my back.  |
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Post by refugeepea on Jun 5, 2017 0:56:36 GMT
I'm hoping recovery will be very fast because of my son with special needs. I even applied for assistance with respite through a state agency. Now I'm thinking, it might not be necessary.  |
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Post by anniefb on Jun 5, 2017 1:34:09 GMT
No advice/experience but hope it's a fast recovery!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2017 2:05:56 GMT
I'm hoping recovery will be very fast because of my son with special needs. I even applied for assistance with respite through a state agency. Now I'm thinking, it might not be necessary. You will not be able to drive nor lift anything for a few weeks. And you need to stick to whatever you dr says to do. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2017 2:07:24 GMT
And take the damn pills. You need the muscles in back to stay "loose".
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Post by refugeepea on Jun 5, 2017 2:28:03 GMT
And take the damn pills. You need the muscles in back to stay "loose". I've been taking damn pills for 2 months. I was hoping to take less of them.  |
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Post by refugeepea on Jun 5, 2017 2:28:58 GMT
You will not be able to drive nor lift anything for a few weeks. And you need to stick to whatever you dr says to do. Damn! This is what I need to brace myself for.  The driving part sucks. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2017 4:31:48 GMT
You will not be able to drive nor lift anything for a few weeks. And you need to stick to whatever you dr says to do. Damn! This is what I need to brace myself for. The driving part sucks. I am sure it has to do with the chance of braking hard. |
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Post by JaneB on Jun 5, 2017 8:36:04 GMT
I had L4/L5 disectomy in November 1992 and, unfortunately, again in February 1993 because it popped out again the day after Christmas Day. The first time they had me up walking within the week, not bad considering I walked with calipers on both legs then. The terrible nerve pain was gone instantly, and I did manage without pain relief, but I do have a high pain tolerance after a life of operations. My second operation they kept me lying down for a week - not taking any risks. This time I told my surgeon I'm giving up walking; there's no point, it's painful anyway, I can't walk far and I can't sit in a way that supports my back so I'll end up with more problems. Again, the awful nerve pain was gone instantly, even the day of the operation and I didn't need the painkillers. Considering that I couldn't sit up without screaming for three weeks this second time it was heaven. The only thing I didn't do was physio - it wasn't offered here (UK) perhaps due to my overall disability which makes it awkward. So, have physio if offered. After any surgery it's the scar tissue that will cause residual pain. It can be limited by keeping supple and moving - for example Andy Murray the tennis player had similar surgery and moves as well as ever. I didn't drive for about three months but then I use far more of my body for driving than an able-bodied person. And, of course, I wasn't into lifting things either, so i have no idea how long those should be avoided. Going forwards, sit properly, lie down properly, no more curved slouching. I occasionally get some nerve pain if I sit on something too soft, or slouch. And because I sit in wheelchair all day my ability to keep mobile and supple is reduced. You should be able to do better than me there! Good luck I hope it takes away the pain, just like it did for me and you'll have a great recovery. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2017 11:12:02 GMT
My daughter had two laminectomies done within a few months. The first time was super easy. The second time was bad, and she could not move her legs. They had to take her back to surgery three days later only to find a huge blood clot causing the problem. Once that was fixed, it was another easy recovery. But she regressed again, and she ended up needing a spinal fusion. So she now has rods and screws, and she has been great since (2 years now). Last year she had two open heart surgeries (which were rough), so the back stuff was easy for her and us. Hoping it's easy for you too!
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Post by LisaDV on Jun 5, 2017 11:29:28 GMT
No advice/experience but hope it's a fast recovery! Yeah, that! |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2017 12:01:37 GMT
Damn! This is what I need to brace myself for. The driving part sucks. I am sure it has to do with the chance of braking hard. If that were the reason, you'd not be "allowed" to ride in a car, either. Save |
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Post by genny on Jun 5, 2017 13:00:52 GMT
I have a bulging disc in C6 - my neck hurts constantly due to the nerve it's pushing on. As a result I hold my head funny to compensate I guess, so the muscles in my shoulders and neck are always tense and knotted on top of the nerve pain. I am terrified of having surgery on my neck, I'm glad to her so many positive stories. Makes me feel better.
Good luck, OP and I hope you get some relief!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2017 13:13:05 GMT
I am sure it has to do with the chance of braking hard. If that were the reason, you'd not be "allowed" to ride in a car, either. SaveActually my husban's doctor didn't want him riding around either unless he was in a reclining position. We were fortunate to have a friend with a truck. My husband went to work in the back of that truck for a year. 8 months before surgery and 2 months after. Each person has a different outcome to the surgery. What was good for my husband may not work for somebody else. |
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Post by refugeepea on Jun 5, 2017 20:10:40 GMT
Had the appointment and the surgeon came in, instead of the PA we were told was going to see me!  He was surprised I wasn't taking harder pain meds. He said I was starting to get atrophy in my left leg. When he tested my reflexes on my left ankle, it didn't move at all. He said the type of surgery I needed should take up to 2 weeks to recover. I am so relieved! Now, it's getting surgery approved, so next week or the week after. The way it's been with them, I'm planning on 15 days. |
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Post by smannes on Jun 5, 2017 20:32:52 GMT
I had a L4/L5 disc herniation and was in constant pain for 7 months. I had done physical therapy and had gotten a couple epidural blockers. It was to the point where I couldn't move. Had to be taken out of work (I'm a teacher) for almost 3 weeks. The only pain meds that would work was dilaudid, and that only worked a little. I couldn't take it anymore so I went to a surgeon. I was set to have surgery and was told that I couldn't be in a car for 5 weeks. That freaked me out because I couldn't imagine being home all day every day for that amount of time with nothing to do and no one around as my DH would have to work. Anyway, about 10 days before my surgery date I noticed that I was able to walk a bit and I wasn't in as much pain. Then a week before my surgery date, about 85% of the pain went away. I was shocked. Waited another couple days to see how I felt and it continued to get better. Called up my surgeon and canceled my surgery. That was 3 years ago. Since then I haven't had any major issues. Sometimes my back hurts a little but I've found ways to ease and loosen up my back.
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The driving part sucks. 
He was surprised I wasn't taking harder pain meds. He said I was starting to get atrophy in my left leg. When he tested my reflexes on my left ankle, it didn't move at all. He said the type of surgery I needed should take up to 2 weeks to recover. I am so relieved! Now, it's getting surgery approved, so next week or the week after. The way it's been with them, I'm planning on 15 days.