Back surgery anyone?

notjustair · Sep 22, 2016

My rheumatologist told me years ago this farming was going to be the death of me. What a good way to go!

I've been making do as long as I can but I need to have back surgery. He says they can put it off until January if I do some steroid shots in my back, but the disks are gone in several places and squashing the root nerves as they come out of the cord. I think that's what he said. I told him we had to put it off until feeding was the only chore and it was too nasty to do anything else.

Yesterday I got a hold of some 24 hour stomach thing and spent the day in bed. My back hurts so bad now from laying in bed I'm about to spit nails. If they had a gurney right here I'd let them wheel me into the OR!

How long has it taken some of you to be back to the farm after back surgery? January is leaving me enough time, isn't it?

FBH44 · Sep 22, 2016

I had a different surgery, and what saved me [ really] was when I discharged the discharging nurse read me the riot act, she got right up in my face about this far away, and yelled at me NO HEAVY LIFTING, NO WORK, NO TWISTING, NO NOTHING for so many months, and I mean it! She went down the list, a no nonsense gal. I was set back, mu wife was impressed, and it worked. She went down the list of exercises she expected me to do, and no buts about it!!!

Friend of mine did not listen, and after his back surgery years ago tried to cut wood and stack it, he permanently ruined himself, died a few months ago in permanent severe constant pain.

ohiojim · Sep 22, 2016

I had 2 removed in 2009, I can tell you that you won't be doing anything for couple months anyway. better do as they say because if you screw up what they fix you will be in a world of hurt..

jon f mn · Sep 22, 2016

My wife has had 7 surgeries on her back like that with one titanium cage put in. 6 months to back to good is about right for her. My friend Doug has had 2 and he rruined the last one by working too soon. He's in constant pain now. It's aweful to see.

Logan in SE Texas · Sep 22, 2016

I have had 5 surgeries on my lower back and 3 on my neck. Neck was caused by a bicycle wreck in my 20's and genetic condition causing narrowing of the spinal canal. Low back was caused by stupidity when young, lifting too much too often. By all means do exactly as instructed by Dr. if you don't you will regret it! I finally sold my tractor and all implements last September because it just hurt too much to continue using them.

Geo-TH,In · Sep 22, 2016

notjustair,

I needed spinal fusion 12 years ago. After doing a lot of research, I decided have a life style change instead of fusion. Too many back times Dr do more harm than good. Too many people get hooked on pain meds. They become Rx junkies.

After surgery you will be limited to what you can do. You will never be as good as new.
YOU NEED TO MODIFY YOUR LIFE STYLE NOW.

Dr put me on steroids. I felt no pain. Thought I was King Kong. Over did it. When the meds stopped I was worse off than before.

Some neurologists say if you can walk in my office, you don't need surgery.

Surgery won't fix a thing if you don't STOP DOING WHAT YOUR ARE CURRENTLY DOING.

If you put your thumb on an anvil and smack it with a hammer, the pain will stop after you stop smacking it. Same with your back.
geo.

David G · Sep 22, 2016

I have had back surgery, worst thing you can do is heavy work until it heals and that can be several months.

Goose · Sep 22, 2016

I had surgery on my back in 1968 to alleviate an injury I suffered in the Marine Corps. The surgeon who performed the operation was a nationally known neurosurgeon. I said afterward if I'd known it did that much good, I'd have had it done a couple of years earlier.

However, FOLLOW THE DOCTOR'S ORDERS AFTER THE FACT! When I was discharged from the hospital, the doctor told me, among other orders, not to drive a car for two weeks. One evening a week or ten days later, my wife and I set out to visit her parents, some 8 miles away. I told my wife, "Heck, I'll drive". By the time we got to her parents' house, I realized the doctor knew what he was saying. At that point in recuperation, I really wasn't that comfortable driving a car.

Now, a bit of advice, wanted or unwanted. If you choose to have it done, have it done at the largest hospital available by the most noted surgeon who does that type of operation. You don't buy a new car without shopping around, and it works the same way with medical care.

A cousin of mine passed away within hours of having had surgery on her back. She had insisted on having a surgeon imported to their small local hospital because it was closer to home. The operation itself went well, but they lost her in the recovery process. The fallacy that occurred was the imported surgeon who did the operation had the proper skills, but when a problem occurred in recovery the small hospital didn't have the staff or facilities to cope with it. It's impossible to say for certain that she would have survived in a different venue, but the question is there.

I'll get off my soap box. Good luck, and keep us posted.

Case Nutty 1660 · Sep 22, 2016

I wish you all the luck in the world to get relief, but I will never have any done on me and I had back issues for years,, I have seen at least 5 of my friends got through this and all are about in a wheel chair now and addicted to pain meds Bad,, I know they have some real good luck with it as well,,, as for me Not going to happen,,

DoubleR · Sep 22, 2016

My wife had surgery at age 40. She hurt so bad I finally dumped her off at the doorway to the ER, she could hardly walk. They did surgery the next day. She was like a new person and was out walking a mile a day about a week after. That was 28 years ago and has had no problem with it since. She can lift about what ever I can lift. We moved a big couch the other day, one on each end. She rode on the back of my motorcycle for a 4000 miles trip last summer.

1206SWMO · Sep 22, 2016

I have seen the same thing with 4 of my friends...They are way worse off now after surgery but one went back to work way too soon......12 years ago my wife was advised to have back surgery but got a second opinion...This specialist of 30 years said to tolerate the pain the best you can because you may never walk again after surgery..So far she is getting by..She has spinal stenosis..

However,I do know several people that are much better....They say the odds are about 50-50..

Wheres Waldo · Sep 22, 2016

My daughter is an 'RN' and she'd be the same way. They CARE. When someone ignores the Dr's advice, the Nurse takes it personally. They want you to get well.

D beatty · Sep 22, 2016

I have been through 2 back surgeries that both failed after 6 years and they then went in and did 2 sets of injections on each disk. I went back to work about 8 weeks after both surgeries. It has left me with some numbness and I have to watch what I lift as your back muscles are never the same after they cut them.For people that say they never will have back surgery you will have it done when your in so much pain that you can't seat ,stand or lay down without being in pain.

John Deere D · Sep 22, 2016

I had back surgery L-4 L-5 in 1997. The operation was successful. The recovery time was as per surgeons request. FOUR months off work with a vigorous routine of exercise with NO lifting. I also had to drop my weight to 200lbs (5'11") 38" waste. Biggest thing I had to do for myself,was to listen to the Surgeons recommendation for Post Surgery, and implement those recommendations. Weight has to stay at or below 200lbs,never jump down off a Tail Gate, invested in a high end Bed Mattress, wear shoes with plenty of support, and I had all tractor Seats/Cushions made with plenty of padding!.

All the best:

Bob...

radjames · Sep 22, 2016

Hey here Notjustair. Back Pain is not fun.

You need to ask your doc for an Epidural Steroid Injection now!!! Should get you some relief then I would see a good orthopod in your area for a workup. You need a MRI and maybe a myelogram of the lumbar. Depending on your case, you might buy some more time with some epidural steroids, neuroforaminal steroids and perhaps a radiofrequency ablation where the problematic nerves are burned. Before an ablation, they should do a few trials with a couple different "caine" meds to see if you get relief.

Think if the Epidural Steroids as a "shotgun" treatment of a larger area and the Neuroforaminal injections as a more targeted and precise deposit of the steroid right where they need to go.

You might ask around for a good neurosurgeon to do the surgery as well. The neuro guys are very caring of the nerves..

One additional thing,

radjames · Sep 22, 2016

Sorry, I ended my message too quickly.

The things mentioned above are only going to buy more time and some relief. If you have some underlying issues that need surgical intervention, there isn't much getting around that!

I have had my cervical spine fused at 37 years old. Too much football and fun when I was a younger man.

Take Care.

old · Sep 22, 2016

I had back surgery on Jan 5th 1996 and while it did give me back my left leg it did not bring me back to what I had been.

Get it done earlier then Jan because you will or should be down for at least 6 months.

By the way I turned 40 the day I had that surgery.

RandyB(MI) · Sep 22, 2016

Well about 4 yrs ago I had the same in my neck along with bone spurs poking my spinal cord and severe narrowing of spinal canal. Was going numb everywhere. The neurologist requested and got emergency surgery. Had to re-learn how to walk,tie shoes,shower etc. DO NOT let this condition go on. Once you damage them nerves by pinching them, they will never work same again. I was probably no more than 2 mos. from being in a wheelchair for good. DON'T screw around with pinched nerves...they DON'T get any better! A lot of things I can't do now but still a lot better than a wheel chair. mine had been mis-diagnosed by MI. Spine & Pain etc for 2 yrs. They had the MRI and it showed the same problem as my neurologist diagnosed and all they wanted was the $$$$ for physical therapy. Like PT will remove bone spurs poking the spinal cord. When the disc is gone the bone on bone rubbing will grow bone spurs trying to regenerate so bone doesn't wear away. Bone spurs cause havoc to exasperate the already pinched nerve. Part of the price we pay for walking upright/and abuse.

01gentdc · Sep 22, 2016

I dont have a glorious story for you , however , I have known good folx thatvfollowed the Dr's directions and were farly productive in 6 monthes and were good as new in a yr or 2 . My Sara ,
HOWEVER ,,.has had 3 surgery s concerning her back and hips ,,. sHE IS A DETERMINED SMOKER, AND SMOKEs THOSE EXPENSIVE ELECTRONIC SMOKES NOW,. SMOKERS HAVE NO LUCK IN GETTING A GOOD HEALING WITH BACK SURGERY ,,. besides that she has chronic urinary tract infection, that I say is because of her 4 -10 can a day DIET DR PEPPER addiction , takes zanex and other sleep inhancers , because she don't do much more than go to the grocery and pik up the mail ,. she sleeps half the day due to her back pain, but CONTINUES TO SMOKE THOSE DaM ELECTRONIC CIGS,.. her back problem showed up about 8 yrs ago, a couple yrs after we married ,, I learned she had scoliosis as a child in sicily ,, no doubt poor diet thru out her life had a lot to do with her current health problems ,,. but , except for her child life in sicily , most of her eating habits were her choice , AND SMOKING IS A DIFINET NO -NO ,.. NOT SURE OF THE SCIENCE THAT CONNECTS WITH SMOKING AND WHY , BUT IT IS A PROVEN FACT,,. I am not saying that if you smoke you will have back problems , but if you continue to smoke after back surgery you are wasting your health , time and the Drs efforts and expertise and Worse,, everyones money,..

01gentdc · Sep 22, 2016

amen ,,, but the patient must adhere to the rules ,,.I think I have done fairly well with my bout with stage 3 colon cancer ,,.they told me to not overdo it ,, to rest when my body demanded rest regardless if the cows were in the soybeans , , ny daily regimon goes like this, I get up at 1st lite , take my meds, and grab a cup of coffe and hop on the 430 case to feed cuople bukets of feed to cows , more or less chek status of everything , then come in and make breakfast,. do phone calls and minor internet with county govmt' ,.. I am a County
COUNCIL Member,. and except for my 2 wweks in the hospital after surgery , I only missed the meeting during that time I was in the hospital,.. than if I feel like it,. I go to bed for a half hour rest or so,.. OR ; I go out and rake , mow or wrench on something , to meet the demands of the day ,,. by 1 -2 in afternoon I come in out of the heat ,,. and will do my running or mtgs , OR take a nap til 4pm maybe ,just depends on how I feel then I go ou t and hit it agian ,.. if I feel well ,.. but the effects of chemo sometimes have nearly bed ridden me ,, it always hits about a day after I get a treatment ,,. and if I stay on top of my meds within 4 or 5 days I can handle a litecwork load ,,. No hay Pitching ,,. I go to huffin and puffin , like I just run 10 miles,my legs feel like theyt are made of jell ,. next Tuesday , I have my last treatment andso far all my tests are declaring I am cancer free ,. HOO-Ray .. Lets Have a P
ARTY
! ,

Gchase24 · Sep 22, 2016

For the life of me I cannot understand why someone can voluntary got to a doctor,pay hard earned money and then Ignore the advice of said doctor.( My rant for the day) 20 years ago I had two ruptured disk in my lower back.Two local doctors wanted to do surgery.Went to a specialist in Houston medical center.Told me I didn't need surgery.He put me in traction and let them heal.Certain excersize Twenty years later no back proplems whatsoever.

Kccca · Sep 22, 2016

I could write a book on back surgeries; had 5 of them over the years and 3 of them have been fusions, one being my neck. I can still walk, not pretty but I get there. best advice I could give you is 'do what the doctors and nurses tell you to do'. even if it sounds petty, do it!
I was in a wheel chair for a month and was fortunate to be able to walk after my 4th surgery. I had it on a Wednesday after Labor Day and was not able to even drive a vehicle until the week before Christmas.
Good luck

Larry5681 · Sep 22, 2016

Sorry to hear about all your struggle with the back pain.

Well there's a wealth of knowledge out there about backs. Since I didn't see one like this -- here's my wifes's story. She has disc problems, pinched nerves and stenosis (sp?). Has has drugs, therapy, shots, etc. for 3 - 4 years. The Doctor said it's such a mess it would be life threatening surgery for her and said he would not do it.

Pain clinic and other doctors said try Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS). Look up St Jude Hospital and read about it. Short of it is she had 2 wires run up each side of the spine, inside, connected to a "generator" about the size of a Zippo lighter, has batteries and is implanted with the wires hooked to it. Then she has a Apple Ipod with different programs for diff. nerves and can vary the strength of the generator signal to the wires.

Life changing -- she is a new women and is only a month out. Not for everyone but worth checking into!

dpendzic · Sep 22, 2016

I have had 3 spinal surgery's. all in the lumbar region--One dissectomy,one laminectomy and one spinal fusion with instrumentation. the first two took about 2 months recovery and the fusion about 6 months. Had epidurals and they did help for a month or two

LarryH · Sep 22, 2016

2 rod ----4 screws----1 angle iron worked great took about 8 weeks still farming after 6 years

docmirror · Sep 22, 2016

I had bone spurs impinging on nerves about 9 years ago. They went in with a tiny grinder, and some kind of saw and got rid of them.

There's so many different things that can go wrong with back and spine, it's hard to relate to all of them.

I was on anabolic steroids for swelling reduction and heat pad, and no motion for 3 weeks, then limited mobility for another 5 weeks, then slowly increasing mobility with no lifting and no twisting for months. Once I recovered, it's ok, but can still get a twinge(I'm 60) when I overdo it on a weekend.

So many ancillary things about the back that I found are important, and most people already mentioned them. Lose weight was the big one for me. No smoking(I don't), regular light exercise and walking, etc.

Only thing I haven't seen mentioned is stress. You can't imagine what stress does to your nervous system, and muscles. I got rid of my high paying, high workload, high stress job, and went to a much lower stress environment. In 4 months - I was a new man! Get rid of stress and you'll not only live longer, you'll be so much happier along the way.

Now, finally if you do go into a hospital, and you want to get the feces scared out of you - read this:

http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-uncounted-surveillance/#video-uncounted-animation

bmack95hd · Sep 22, 2016

I had the 2 rods and 4 screws on my L4 & L5 fusion surgery back in 2012. Best thing I ever did, If I knew I was going to feel this good after having it done I would have done it years ago. Now I watch what I get myself into and no more over doing it.

thepumpguysc · Sep 22, 2016

I had a sciatic nerve problem a year and 1/2 ago, VERY PAINFUL..
It was a botched operation and took me 6 months to get up and back to work..
Fast forward 1.5 years and I crushed 2 disks and herniated 2 more..
Going in for a fusion this time, 6 screws and 2 rods and snip the 2 bulging..
Dr. swears I'll be running marathons in 12 weeks..

504 · Sep 22, 2016

About like bmack,Doc said nothing but walking for six months after the cutting and it was a year before he let me go to work(I quit my job so I could have the surgery). My first job was delivering 60# tow motor LP tanks. When the Doc asked what I was doing I thought he was going to pass out. When I reminded him he said if everything went good I could lift 100# a hundred times a day,he then said YEA but I did not mean it. Do what the DOC says or do not have the surgery. Mine was 15 years ago. The Spine Center, Washington University, St.Louis MO. Dr. Bridwell.

Back surgery anyone?

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

New User

New User

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

New User

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads