PLIF Surgery - help

[Tuliptoday]

I have read so much stuff I am thoroughly confused and would just to know what it is actually like. mines in 6 weeks time. Pain meds have not helped much at all, I've had pain management, physio injictions etc etc. and had morphine tabs, caps patches, sublingulal the lot, they either dont work or I get such awful side effects. I would just like to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Disc degeneration at L4/L5/S1 severe facet joint arthritis, stenosis. Cant sit for longer than 5 mins and sciatica in both legs that is a killer.

[Frances144]

Yup, there is definite light at the end of your tunnel.

Hang on in there. The operation will help, hopefully, enormously. I am 6 months post-op and I can ride a horse, do light housework (wouldn't do heavy even if I could!) and am off most pain meds. I obviously have good days and bad but I did what I was told post-op and if I stick to that, I should be fine.

Today is a good day. I have been out photographing my ponies. I have had to make some lifestyle changes but all I can say is that I am glad I had the op (Plif - L5/S1 and Wallis ligament L4/L5 to stabilise). I travel, I fly, I go shopping and I am doing far more than I would've pre-op.

So, good luck. Ask questions, make lists of questions and write down the answers. Knowledge helps your recuperation because you are less in the dark and scared.

One thing, post-op, I read, was to walk, to walk and walk as much as you can so I did and that really does help.

[Tuliptoday]

Thanks - no ponies but I can certainly do the walking thing!

[ajj1001]

the actual op isn't that scary, just inserting a bit of scaffolding! posterior is way less of an ordeal than an anterior op. take plenty of pain meds and even more laxatives. be prepared to feel worse for a bit and then you won't be disappointed. are you having a two level? what instrumentation/bone are you having. i go in for a two level on 23rd June.

[Frances144]

Honest? I can pop a pony in the post! Just say the word!

Anyway, if you want to talk or are worried about anything to do with this op, give me a shout. I can be found through my website (Thordale Carriage Driving Centre) and am the end of the phone if that helps.

I was a trained nurse in the dim and distant but obviously not practising now. I have been what you are going through and it is totally manageable if you know what to expect and how to cope with it.

Yell! You know where I am!

[ajj1001]

have you seen the list of helpful stuff, as you are limited to no bending lifting or twisting then any prep you can do beforehand is really useful -

Spine Surgery Recovery: "Must Have" Items & Postoperative Tips

[Kimberly]

Best of luck to you with your upcoming fusion. I'm scheduled for a 2-level ALIF in about 3 weeks (so I'm a little sooner than you.) I'm right with you on the terrible medication side-effects. It stinks that it's oftentimes a choice between the little bit of relief they offer and the sleepy, dizzy sluggish bowels that follow.

Are you finding the waiting to be terribly difficult? I am. I think I'd like to just take care of this tomorrow and be "done" with it all and finally be on the road to something better. I feel like I'm just watching the calendar at this point. But that seems to be what I do best lately...wait. For the next appointment, the next treatment. sigh.

Well, my thoughts and prayers will be with you (on the other side of the world . I'm in California- West Coast of U.S.)

Wishing you better, pain-free days! Take care,
Kimberly

[Tuliptoday]

Thanks for all your replies, it helps to know there are others who've been there and done that!

[Katie]

Tulip, have faith that things will be so much better in a few months, as our Shetland friend said

I had two level fusion at L4/5/S/1 just over a year ago, but an XLIF & ALIF, but just fusions in the end like yours. It took awhile, I won't say different, but I'm gardening for hours, playing with my horses and now able to sit/work for hours with a few breaks. Before surgery, I was almost bedridden and unable to walk much at all, so a huge difference! Every month of recovery was like a milestone in how much better I got, after the first three to five months. The first three were rough, but like childbirth, I can barely remember that now

I'm looking forward to your posts in a few months, saying how much you are enjoying life. Follow that light at the end of the tunnel...it really is catchable

And Frances, I'm thrilled that you are able to ride again! I didn't realize that you had progressed that much...but don't let it get in the way of your photos...they are stunning! Would love to see more in your posts.

[ajj1001]

And Frances, I'm thrilled that you are able to ride again! I didn't realize that you had progressed that much...but don't let it get in the way of your photos...they are stunning! Would love to see more in your posts.

she is on flickr and has taken some amazing shots, the ponies are so beautiful.

The waiting is definitely one of the worst bits. its been nearly a years wait for me and i've had enough. one last hurdle on friday with my second pre-op. think i'm going to spend the last few days eating nothing but prunes so everything starts flying out the other end!