Calling all Spinal Fusion TW members

Yes I'm still here. I'm doing pretty good these days. I did fall down Friday while fishing. Scared the crap out of me, but luckily I used my arms to keep from hitting the ground(Rocks) with my back. Now my shoulders hurt like hell from catching my full fat ass body weight. Going back to the Neurosurgeon at the end of the month for new Xrays, and he'll tell me if everything looks okay. I'm hoping for a positive review from him. I still have everyday pain, but not like it used to be. Going to try fishing from a boat today. Told my buddy if my back starts hurting we'll have to call it quits. So sick and tired of Covid-19, and all the Bullshit rioting going on. I guess the word for the day would be "Insanity", or maybe Chaos, or revolution, you decide.

 

Good luck with your recovery, and listen to your doctors. Don't overdo it, and wait on your body to heal properly. You'll be glad you did in the long run. I'm healing up pretty good, but I still have to tell myself that I'm only going on 5 months since surgery. Take care and good luck.

 

One more thing I thought of posting here. It seems when you have fusion surgery, it seems that you trade one pain for another. What I mean is, now that my lower back is doing better, I'm having problems higher up. Maybe the L1-L2 area, not sure. Before this last surgery, I was always humped over when walking, because it seemed to ease the pain somewhat. Now when I try to stand up straight for a period of time, I'm having really bad pain higher up. It's where 2 discs are making contact with each other. The good news is I can sit down and rest and relax for awhile and the pain goes away. The surgeon was originally going to operate on both places, but decided to concentrate on the lower spine. I'm going to talk with him about this other area wen I see him this month. Maybe I'll be lucky, and he can go in and just take a little bone material out of the way, to keep them from making contact. This seems like being on a roller coaster ride that never ends. I hope that everyone is doing well, and enjoying life as much as they can. I've had so much fun going fishing and being outside. Friday was so nice here, that I just sat on a bucket, not really catching any fish worth keeping, but just really enjoying being outside. After being cooped up in the house for 6 years, it was literally a breath of fresh air.

 

That us called hinging, the stabilized areas with hardware are stronger putting more stress on the next weakest link.
one step at a time I guess...

With my lumbar hardware removed I feel much better (couldnt even have pants with belt loops the area bothered me so much) BUT I have severe arthritis....and being 60 im in constant pain...but oh well...could be worse.

 

that was a few years ago.....zero issues with the cervical ACDF

 

FWIW, I take Swanson Celery seed supplements for my arthritis pain. It doesn't get rid of the pain, it ... kinda pushes the pain back? If I stop to think about it, the pain is there, but if I don't mentally search for it I don't notice the pain. 4 pills seems to be my happy place, 6 & I start to smell like celery - LOL, less than 4 & the aches are more intrusive. You might give a bottle a try, see if it does anything for you.

 

If you don't mind me asking, what brand did you get. Is it a pillow top, or a flippable one. I've bought 3 over the last 10 years. I'll never buy a non flippable one again.Bought a really nice Sealy, and couldn't get them to honor their warranty. I'm currently using the "Original Mattress Factory" one. It seems that all of them after about 3 years, start to sag in the middle and turn into a bowl, which for the money we spend on them, they should last a hell of a lot longer. I had a really old Sealy, that a friend gave me from his moms house. It was in the guest bed room and was made in the 80's. It was really firm which I liked at the time, and my brother is still using it with a foam mattress topper.

 

We bought a beauty rest. So far so good.

 

C4,5,6&7
With multiple other injuries, they never finish the surgery because of needing a transfusion on the table and insurance crap after being stable.

Blacked out and rode a Raptor 450 into the corner of a stuck-o wall when a car pulled out in a ally.
8 months recovery

 

have you ever had the chance to test out a Tempur-Pedic
near weightless sleep, no pressure/strain on any joints

 

Feel for you all! Back in 2010 had my C5 and 6 fusion, then in 2016 had my S1 L5 fusion. Now having problem with arthritis in my right wrist and fusion is the next step.

 

Yes, I've laid on several of these new age "Super" beds. Funny you should ask this question. When my Dad came to live with us, he had one of these memory foam super dupers. My Sister and Brother in Law are currently sleeping in that room. When they go back to Texas, I'm going to move that Mattress onto my box springs and give it a try. If I like it, the swap will be permanent.

 

Here's a good Update for everyone. I went to the Neurosurgeon last week, and received the Okay to resume my Limited daily activities. I'll never be able to do what most people take for granted, myself included, but things are looking up. I walked on sun,mon,tue,thurs,and today. Total milage 11.71 miles, which blows my mind when just 6 months ago, I could barely walk to my next door neighbors house. I was always bent over at the waist to try and relieve the pain. So for those of you that suffer like I do, just try and keep a positive attitude. For any of you facing surgery, please ask around and look for a good neurosurgeon, that's the key to any type of recovery. So glad I found this Doctor up in Winston Salem. I've had my bouts of depression in the past 6 years wondering if i would ever be able to walk again, or do anything for that matter. Wish I would have known about him the first time around. I've had a couple of "Stupid" moves, I've fallen down twice, but was able to catch myself somewhat before I hit the ground. But those moments still scare the crap out of me. I'm working on regaining or improving my balance when I'm out walking. On flat parts of the road, I hold my cane in my hand and concentrate on walking a straight line. It seems to be working, I think. It takes me about 3/4 of a mile to limber up, and the last 1/2 mile is kind of rough also. I still have pain, feet, lower back, legs. ect. But I know I'll get relief after walking by just laying down for a bit, or sitting in my recliner. I'm still having RLS problems at night, weird leg and foot pains. Looking at some shoe inserts to see what might help me out. Anyway, I hope that this post my give someone a boost, or a glimmer of hope. Be Safe, and Enjoy the 4th of July weekend everyone.

 

I am going in for back surgery in less than two weeks. I have been following this thread for a while and it has helped with a lot of concerns I have. My time in the service is how my back got to where it is now. Multiple trips to the ER because I cannot get out of bed or move at all. I get really bad sciatica down my left leg all the way down to my foot and it has been like this for about 5 years, most of which was my time in the Air Force. Since separating I am now getting the help I need and am looking forward to what I hope to be pain free days.

 

@PugetSoundTaco , I hope that everything goes well for you. It took four spinal fusions, before I finally got some relief. I'll pray for you, that you don't have to go through that. God Bless, and Good Luck.

 

I will say a prayer for ya!
And I hope so as well!

 

Thanks everyone, I appreciate it.

 

Here's another positive update, I finally broke the 3 mile barrier today. I walked 3.27 miles in 77 minutes. Had to push myself a bit finish, but it was worth it. I found out that if I eat 2 pieces of toast with butter and honey about 30 minutes before I walk, it really helps me keep up my energy. I've walked my regular 2.5 mile walk on an empty stomach several times, and I'm always completely drained by the time I finish. Walking is the one thing my Neurosurgeon told me was the best thing I could do, to help my body heal faster, and it's good for my overall health. I just had some blood work done last week, and there's some issues that need fixing. C02 was high, good cholesterol was low, bad was high, and a few other issues. I have mild sleep apnea, and it might be time to look into a Bipap of Cpap machine to help me out with the C02 issue. I know this sounds redundant, but try and keep a positive attitude when your having a bad day. Believe me I've had more than my share of them. Try to start a walking routine, and start out small. I started just walking back and forth the length of my driveway, and just kept adding a little distance at time, as my body would allow it. I hope that my posts are giving some of you, "HOPE", and that you'll have better days.

 

@PugetSoundTaco , how about an update from your surgery, let us know how your doing.

 

well I've had a small setback. I pulled a muscle in my back yesterday during a sneezing fit, of all things. the muscle that runs up the side of my spine on the right side is killing me. It hurts to breathe, and I'm not going to be able to walk for a few days, which really pisses me off. I'm finally walking 3 miles a day 5 days a week, so this will set me back a bit. Will just have to give this time to heal and get better. Wearing a corset that I received from surgery #2. Its helping immobilize that muscle a little bit. I might go to the drug store and get me wrap big enough to go around my body and try that.