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3 months post op
Topic Started: 31 Jan 2011, 04:48 PM (217 Views)
mad_maz
Member
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Hello All

I had my 3 month post op consultation and xrays today, suffice to say that the artificial discs are in place and are fine.

I have really struggled over the last few weeks and have been very low because of it, with headaches, sickness, anxiety, sweats and LOTS more pain throughout my body and NO energy whatsoever.

My consultant pointed out that I have been going through withdrawal from the Fentanyl (which apparently is 80 times stronger than morphine) and he thinks that my GP has reduced it too quickly. He also thinks that I should be on a higher dose of Oxycontin than the GP has given me (to replace the Fentanyl), and that I shouldn’t be taking the Oxycodone (used for breakthrough pain)……..

I need to reduce another of the pills I am on (Pregabaline), and increase one of the others (Amitriptyline). It’s a good job that I make notes during the consultation otherwise I wouldn’t have a clue what I am supposed to be taking!

I don't know why I didn't put all of the additional symptoms down to withdrawal, instead I thought I was literally falling apart. :huh:

Since stopping the Fentanyl I have been aware of increased back pain (besides all of the other pains) and my consultant thinks that it is caused by my GOOD posture. Apparently sitting up straight is no longer seen as a good thing as the back muscles are not able to relax, so I need to try to slouch and relax (I will check this with my physio). I have had GOOD posture since I was a child, when my Mom constantly told me sit up straight and I find it really difficult to slouch….

My consultant reminded me again, that recovery will be a gradual thing and that I am only 3 months in. He gave me a big hug before I left, by which point I couldn’t speak for fear of getting even more upset (yes, I was upset because I am so disappointed with my progress & I thought my consultant would be disappointed in me too).....

On a positive note I start hydrotherapy this week, and will get 8 sessions over a four week period, so I hope that it will help with all of the additional aches & pains.

I hope everyone else reading this are doing okay.

Marion x

1990 back problems started - degenerative disc disease
2001 disc protrusion L5/S1 - physiotherapy & pilates
2002 discectomy L5/S1 (Bruce Summers)
2008 disc protrusions L4/L5 and L5/S1 - fusion offered but declined
2009 disc protrusions L4/L5 and L5/S1
2009 physiotherapy & hydrotherapy
2010 endoscopic lumbar decompression & foraminoplasty L4/L5 (Martyn Knight)
2010 two level ADR L4/L5 & L5/S1
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ajj1001
Advanced Member
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The hydrotherapy will be really good, swimming was the first physio I did five months after my adr, it was so lovely to be weightless in the water. It took me 18 months to recover as much as did. Still really early days for you yet.
Std Meds Gabapentin, MR Tramadol, Paracetemol, Laxatives
2011 Sept PLIF L4 - S1
2010 May Discogram L2/L3 & L3/L4 both looking ok.
2009 May PLG Fusion L5/S1 Charite in situ
April Dismissed
2008 Caudal Epidural failed to work
2007 Deterioration L5/S1 Facet arthritis, Loss of disc height.
2004 Returned to Work
2002 Aug - physio
March 2 level ADR Charite L4/5, L5/S1
2000 Broadbased disc prolapses L4/5, L5/S1
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lois
Member
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Hi maz,
im sorry to hear you feeling down about your progress so far, withdrawal is a horrible thing ive been through that and wouldnt want to repeat it. im sure u will feel much better once you have got through the withdrawal (i dont think anyone could ever emphasise how bad withdrawel is, and once ur through it and feel better , you will fully appreciate how much it impacts on levels of pain etc).
I Hope you feel much brighter soon xx
Aged 31 years
back pain for ten years, which has intensified over the last twelve months
Operation for adr L4 and L5 on 11/11/10
Mr Shackleford-Warrington Hosp
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Lynda
Advanced Member
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mad_maz,Jan 31 2011
04:48 PM
I don't know why I didn't put all of the additional symptoms down to withdrawal, instead I thought I was literally falling apart.  :huh:



Hi Marion,

I'm sorry you're having such a tough time with recovery and hope things pick up for you very soon. I hope you feel a little better knowing the withdrawal is reason for many of your symptoms and you are not falling to bits.

I know three months seems like an age but really its not long since the surgery, please don't be disappointed with yourself. Some people just take longer to recover than others for various reasons....me being one of them, I too felt disappointed that my progress was slow and have cried in the clinic more than once. I seemed to turn a corner around four months and began to make progress from then.

I hope you find the hydrotherapy helpful, like Alison I found it very beneficial and thought it was lovely to be able to move with the support of the water.

Good luck with all the drug changes :blink: Take care and don't despair, you will get through this and it will get better

Lynda

:D

xx
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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Gilly
Advanced Member
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Hi Marion,

I have been reading through your past posts and realised that you were asking for me before you had your op and I am so sorry I wasn't around on the forum so much then (lots of family health problems at that time). I remember we are similar in age and our history of back problems is very similar. Therefore, I would think that our recovery will be very similar too!!! It was a very gradual progression for me and I am still getting there but it is a very positive outcome for me and I am sure it will be for you. Don't get disheartened - it is very hard to build up when the natural state of our muscles now is to be deteriorating anyway so it is an uphill battle all the way. But slow and steady progress is better than stressing and worrying that you are not doing as well as you think you should. I did it too and wish I hadn't compared myself to others as it can be depressing. Take heart in what Mr S has said and give yourself a big pat on the back for getting so far!!! The withdrawals won't have helped either as it is hard enough concentrating on recovery without having other difficulties on top.

PM me anytime Marion and again I wish I could have been around more for you at the time of your op.

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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