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Happy Birthday Activ-L!; 12 month update L5/S1
Topic Started: 31 Dec 2010, 03:57 PM (240 Views)
elainemeasures
Member
[ *  * ]
Hi all,

Haven't posted for a while but thought I'd let you know how things are going. It's been a hectic year to say the least; a few months after the surgery I had to submit my PhD thesis, and then a few months after that have my viva. We also finally sold our house at the end of the summer (after the sale fell through twice) and moved to my in-laws for a few months before moving to my parents just before xmas. All *very* taxing on the old back... and in hindsight not the best idea, but I never seem to learn :-)

Anyway, after the surgery I took the hospital's advice and came off all the painkillers slowly over a 12-month period (Pregabalin, tramadol, naproxen, paracetemol, amitriptyline, omeprazole). I started one-to-one physio a few weeks after surgery and then completed the 'back to action' physio course at Warrington. I was then advised to go for the 'exercise on referral' scheme so I could start going to the gym. I managed to do about a month of that before moving house. I've now been re-referred for it and am waiting to start the gym again. I was surprised that going to the gym didn't aggravate my back, if anything, I feel so much better for it.

I've been off painkillers for about a month now; I get a small amount of lower back pain on the left side but no sciatica, and the numbness/muscle weakness I experienced in my left leg after the surgery has totally resolved. I get a tiny bit of muscle tightness in that leg but nothing bothersome. The original symptoms of severe leg, back and abdominal pain have vanished. I had my 12-month hospital appointment 2 days ago and had a *very* brief appointment (I didn't see the usual lady) which I wasn't impressed with. I was automically given another 12 month appointment, even though I'd rang the hospital a few months ago and been told I wouldn't have to come back if everything was fine (as we are considering going abroad). I put this to the guy I saw 2 days ago and he said to just cancel the appointment if I wasn't in the country. I seem to get a different answer from different people regarding future appointments!

I haven't gone back to work yet but have applied for some temporary work to see how it goes. Overall, a very positive outcome, and I feel so much better in myself for coming off the painkillers. Fingers crossed it stays that way!!

Hope you all had a nice xmas!

Elaine
2003 Car accident whiplash injury lower back
2007 Abdominal pain, groin pain, leg pain and weakness
2008 MRI shows herniation, annular tear and dehydration of L5/S1
2008 Nerve conduction/EMG results - negative
2009 Discogram for L5/S1 incomplete. Repeat MRI results as above but no nerve compression.
Pain due to chemical radiculitis. SI joint injections.
Had Activ-L disc fitted at L5/S1 on 3rd Dec 09, at Warrington with Mr. Shackleford on the NHS
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Gilly
Advanced Member
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Was wondering how you were doing Elaine , and it sounds as though you are doing fantastically well especially considering how busy you have been. Hope all continues to go well for you in 2011. I go for my year check to Warrington on the 21 Jan so will probably have the same story!!
Best wishes
Love Gilly xxx
1990 MRI - disc protrusions levels 4/5 - fusion offered but
declined due to poor prognosis.
2007 MRI - disc protrusions Level 4/5 level5/S1
2010 2 level lumbar ADR Mr Ian Shackleford Warrington General

2010 MRI - disc protrusions at levels C4/5 C5/6
2011 27 June 2 level Cervical ADR Mr S at Spire (on NHS)
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Lynda
Advanced Member
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:D Hi Elaine,

Thanks for coming back and letting us know how you are....another success story is great to read about. You've had a busy year it seems and its wonderful that you have done so well.

Wishing you all the best for the future, wherever you may be.

Regards

Lynda
May 2008 onwards - Lumbar facet injections - First post-op ones four years post surgery, have lost count of the number I've had since then but they do help. Pre-op they didn't make much difference- Mr Shackleford, Warrington
Feb 2008 - Cervical TDR, (Activ C's) C5/6 & C6/7- Mr Shackleford, Warrington
May 2006 - Craniotomy and resection frontal lobe brain tumour - The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery
Feb 2004 - Lumbar TDR, (ProDisc's) L4/5 & L5/S1 - Mr Shackleford, Warrington
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elainemeasures
Member
[ *  * ]
Just to add to my post..has anyone had an upset stomach after coming off all the painkillers? I was taking omeprazole with the painkillers originally but have come off that too. Also, I mentioned the small amount of lower back pain - has anyone experienced anything similar and seen further improvement after 12 months? I know they say give it 2 years to be the best you can be...

Thanks & wishing you all a happy, pain-free new year.

Elaine x
2003 Car accident whiplash injury lower back
2007 Abdominal pain, groin pain, leg pain and weakness
2008 MRI shows herniation, annular tear and dehydration of L5/S1
2008 Nerve conduction/EMG results - negative
2009 Discogram for L5/S1 incomplete. Repeat MRI results as above but no nerve compression.
Pain due to chemical radiculitis. SI joint injections.
Had Activ-L disc fitted at L5/S1 on 3rd Dec 09, at Warrington with Mr. Shackleford on the NHS
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Alastair
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Alastair
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Hi Eileen,
it's absolutely typical when coming off painkillers and other things and especially things like Valium and the benzodiazepine type medication that you get stomach upsets. It will all settle down in time, whether you will see any improvement to your back situation I'm not sure
many thanks for coming back and keeping us updated
Alastair :D
Founder of this board 24th February 2007
Slow and Steady Wins This Race
Over 23 Years experience and research into spine surgery and over 2500 surgeries discussed and recorded

ADR L5/S1 Surgery with Dr Zeegers 26th July 2002 in Munich
8 facet joint ablations 28 – 8 – 12 with Dr Baranidharan and Jake Timothy in Leeds Diagnosed Forestiers disease
Your Best Asset Is Your Health
I live in West Yorkshire aged 81 now

Knowledge is power
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