Three weeks post op two level lumbar decompression

Glad you are feeling better :) I am about to go through a fusion this summer with decompression. It's always nice to hear success stories with any back surgery. Good luck to you

Glad to hear you are doing better. Life is so short when you look back from the far end of it. Guard your health because that is your most valued possession.

Last Edited by JoeNeubarth on 06/01/2011 10:20 AM

Thank you.Your avator looks like my mom:)Good luck with your fusion.Go to barlowes herbals and see if there is anything there that might help.I would say the velvet deer antlers,not costly.Cat claws for swelling,always try and find natural ways to get your body ready for the surgery.Good luck and dont worry as hard as that is not to do.There is a herbal as well for that,.Take care and ty

ty

Awesome, riderr! Congratulations!

These days, there is life after back surgery!!!

I actually heard a back surgeon praise the effects of Glucosamine Sulfate by Enzymatic Therapy years ago, when only they had the patent; i've used it and have recommended it to many, with amazing results.

There are lots of herbal anti-inflammatories.

Please also remember that any pain is not good long-term, although I'm sure you're through the worst of it. Pain sends stress hormones into system as you know.

Not sure why you're avoiding all narcotics but there are some considered lesser evils, that are effective. If you have to take them to alleviate pain at this point, it should help knowing it only gets better from here - - just don't over-do! Eat fresh live foods, water ... assure rest.

laughter is best medicine of all!

happy healing

Well Riderr, you had a few folks on here praying for you when you first posted about this. Looks like God came through for you! I am happy for you, and happy you had non-judgmental Docs.

[link to www.youtube.com]


Ride on Brother!

Yay!! Excellent news!! You're smart to stay away from the opiates. Keep strengthening your body and take care with it.

Awesome! I'm 3 yrs post op from cervical fusion of three vertebrae - besides a tiny bit of residual numbness in my right index fingertip I'm good as new.
You will feel better and better but don't overdo it for a while...it'll set you back. I know from experience : )

Congrats, riderr.

Last Edited by SwampWitch on 06/01/2011 11:11 AM

Thanks!!!Really,everyone

Thank you :) I will check into the herbs you suggested! I appreciate the suggestions very much!

The avatar is actually me, LOL :) I know a lot of people don't use pictures of themselves but this one is a real one :)

Keep me posted on your recovery!

I am glad to hear of your good fortune!

I am not sure if your in chronic pain.Or if you are taking medications,opiates.Make sure you discuss how your pain will be handled after the operation sweetie.
I am doing well,took a one mile ride on my bike.I have lots of muscles in my back that can easily tear any sutures under the skin.Had a little issue today.Ice took care of it.
No numbness or loss of feeling in my feet,full power in my legs.You are always,or I am on the edge of how far to go.
My body is telling me it needs more time.so I will keep my rides short for a while longer:)

Thanks,I was going to offer you membership.but donated to T.If I get more,I will:) cool dude you are

Thank you again for the suggestion :) I will definitely remember to do that. I have tried to stay away from meds as much as possible but after 7 months of being off waiting on workers comp, i'm in chronic pain at this point. Some days are better than others. I unfortunately do have to rely on a muscle relaxer and synthetic opiate for pain relief. The spasms are the worst and there isn't a whole lot that helps them.

That is awesome that you were able to ride that distance :) It is so refreshing to hear when people feel good after back surgery. It's wonderful that you don't have any lasting nerve damage.

Listening to your body will be a lifelong experience now. No more pushing it to the max. I will have to do the same. Hopefully your recovery will be short. I expect mine to be months due to the type of fusion i'm waiting on. Everyone is different though so maybe I will be a lucky one and recover quicker than most. It's good to stay hopeful :)

Keep up the good work

I cant say how I appreciate those prayers.there is power in this.amazing:)

On my next ride,I will pray your you.Its the only way for me to meditate to where my prayer will be heard.Workers comp huh?You file for ssdi yet?If not,please do.or ssi.Workers comp is ok.I got mine in 98 after a bad big rig accident.I was cut off and did not want to hit the car.I suffered a TBI.That I have over come.I am some what beyond that,I learned how to spell and function well as a single parent.That was a tough one.I will be praying for you,and hopefully others will join in:)

Before you have surgery look into vax-d vertebral axial decompression. This is a secret of the elites. This cures back issues, ie. Herniated disks, lumbar compression, and so forth. I was a secretary at a clinic in Beverly hills ca for this for two years. I saw people walk in fully bent over unable to stand and within three months had their life back completely. This is no joke. Insurance won't approve because it would take a lot of money out of the low back band aid industry. It was invented by Dr. Dyer in Florida check it out. It really really works!

Most interesting.care to post a link?ty

I will join you in prayer for TrixieMama, riderr. And I'll keep you in my prayers, also.
TrixieMama, try to prepare yourself as much as possible for your upcoming surgery..mentally, emotionally, not just physically.
I have to admit, the 1st 24 hrs post-op I had no pain
-ZERO!- but I still had IV painkillers on-board from the surgery.
The 3rd & 4th day, I was in A B S O L U T E A G O N Y.
Like nothing I've ever felt before.
(This, from a woman who gave birth to three kids with no drugs whatsoever...before I'd reached my 19th birthday! I can take pain!!)

Luckily, it was quickly & efficiently eliminated by a drug that is not actually used for post-op pain (under normal circumstances) but is efficient for neuropathy; I had 'nerve pain' radiating down both arms due to inflammation from the invasive procedure.

I got Lyrica, used it for a few days (I wouldn't recommend it for long-term use - too many adverse side effects) and on occasion (every day or two, once (or twice, after the third day) as compared to 3-4 times a day the first week or so)

Good Luck, you'll do fine! Prayers for you

Thank you so much! I greatly appreciate that! I am a Christian and believe strongly in the power of prayer

In answer to your question, I have not filed for ssdi. It has been 7 months since my injury at work and i'm still receiving total temporary disability from the insurance company. I work for a self insured employer so right now it's all being handled through them and we are not yet at the level of the state. I won't have a rating until i've had the surgery and am at my MMI/maximum medical improvement. CA has set ratings for fusion and you usually get anywhere from a 0-25% for a fusion depending on how bad things are. I guess the number can go up from there depending on a lot of factors.

I wish that my injury were not as severe as it is and didn't require a fusion. Unfortunately I suffered a broken pars and in turn got spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis with lots of radiculopathy/neuropathy. WC denied my first surgical referral/authorization request. I am now seeing a new doctor next week so we will see how things go then.

I had no idea you had suffered a TBI. Big applause to you for overcoming that! What a testimony you have! Thank you Jesus! I have worked with many patients with TBI's and you are very blessed! I too am a single parent (divorced) and it's hard TBI or not, LOL. Seriously though, i'm so thankful that you are doing so well now! I will say some prayers for you!

Thank you for adding me as a friend :) and thank you for the prayers! I have some going up for you as well! Blessings my friend!

Get a room already.

Thank you SO much for being a prayer warrior for me and for sharing your story with me (us). I am so thankful you have recovered as well as you have but am so sorry to hear that you had to go through all that you did.

I have been preparing for surgery since about 4 months ago when it was first posed to me that it was a possibility. Unfortunately because it's workers comp i'm at the mercy of the utilization reviewer who declined the first attempt at authorizing a 360 fusion (anterior/posterior). Now it's just a waiting game. New doctor is involved and of course an attorney. I just wish they would stop dragging their feet before permanent nerve damage is done in my legs/feet.

Pain is a big one for me. I think that worries me the most. Well, that comes second to leaving my children to have the surgery. I'm a single parent (divorced) and it just breaks my heart with all the possibilities. I am a woman of faith though and know that God has a master plan and that everything will turn out the way He has planned.

I am glad that the Lyrica has worked well for you. I totally understand your not recommending it for long term. I dislike the fact i've been having to take what I do to get by and function. It is awesome that you aren't having to rely on the meds too much. It sounds like your surgery was a success! Thank you Jesus

I am hoping that my new doctor will help me find a bit more relief. I don't really want to take anymore meds, i'm just tired of being in pain at this point. BTW, how long ago was your surgery? I have heard the first few days to couple weeks are the absolute worst.

Thank you again for sharing your story and for the advice, I greatly appreciate it. I will keep you in my prayers as well. Blessings to you my friend!

Hey I just came back to see if you looked into my suggestion. I really hope you look at this again. The link is here
[link to www.vax-d.com]

Hows the recumbent?

Glad you are recovering!

Had to park the recumbent.It was irritating in the area that was cut,so I switched back to my road bike.Just got back from a 10 mile ride.I will continue walking miles,and increasing miles on the road bike until the scar and muscle tissue are healed.I am walking fine and have much much less pain.I did say a prayer for my friend.:):red_heart:

I looked at the website :) Thank you! Unfortunately, I am not a candidate for VaxD because of the stenosis and spondy. I consulted with a Dr. to see if this or Prilotherapy would work but he said unfortunately i'm one of the cases that would require surgery. It's a bummer.

Thank you for the link. Hopefully someone else will be able to use it and avoid surgery.

Blessings :)

Thank you my friend

Four weeks.I am riding 20 to 30 miles a day on the recumbent.what did the trick I think.was laser accupunture.Now this is the most challenging rehab from anything I have ever had.I have a Russian dr.He really pushed me.I am so exhausted at the end of the day,That I am sleeping at 9ish.I think the next week should be the end of most of the pain,but who knows really.I am just happy to be walking Jogging,cycling.And tired as well.I will say surgeons just are good at cutting people.You really need a good relationship with a quality pain managment center with PT and accupuncture.I was on the same pain meds after,as I was on before.Which is my fault sorta for not asking for more meds post op.The cardio is the pain manegment for me.Which is pushed by the pt.I am seeing the doc tues.Just wondering what he is going to do as far as pain cotrol.The wound pain can still hit ya hard.But lowering would be good as well as changing my breakthrough pain med.Just to keep the body from getting used to the dose.will update again in the future.The recumbent bike is fast.I can maintain 20 mph easy.But that did spark a flare up in pain so I slowed down a bit,strecthing is most important too.Diet as well,Positive attitude is essential.

Last Edited by riderr on 06/12/2011 07:51 PM

Awesome! Those bikes are that fast, had no idea.

Ride on!