Re: Follow up decomprewssion L2-S1

Sent: Mon, December 6, 2010 3:14:41 PM

Subject: Re: Follow up this week - still

problems

thanks Janice - know bout drop foot, that is not what I am

experiencing...it is

more weakness when my hip is already in a flex position and yep I am

seeing my

doctor this week about it - I was just wondering if this is anything

others have

experienced..

________________________________

From: Janice <faraway1@...>

Sent: Sun, December 5, 2010 1:28:06 PM

Subject: Re: Follow up this week - still

problems

Mark you should not have to lift your leg to get into a car. Walking

should not

be hard on you as long as your not trying to power walk. Losing weight is

a good

idea it always helps. But if I were you I might be talking seriously about

what

is going on after surgery. Although if the pain gets any worse you might

want to

see a different doctor one who doesn't know your surgeon. You might also

have

drop foot you might want to look it up on the web it's not a fun thing and

it's

for life.

Janice

Follow up this week - still problems

Hi all - I am about 10 weeks post L2-S1 decompression (laminectomy and

foramenotomy) and doing fairly well - even back to work (sitting only)

part time

-But I am still having issues. When I get into a vehicle I find my leg

that is

on the outside is hanging out of the car and I cannot lift it without

using my

hand to do so. Also I am having significant lower back pain still. I knew

the

lower back pain might not be resolved with the surgery but was hoping

since some

here had said they got relief from the same surgery!

One of my challenge now is to lose some weight - I need to work on that so

badly, but the walking is not going as well as it did earlier in my

recovery.

My questions are: has anyone else had the leg weakness after surgery and

if so

did it resolve itself? And is it normal to have ongoing lower back pain

pain

level?

Thanks and I hope for pain free days for everyone!

Mark

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Groups Links

December 21, 2010

So I finally have the answer as to why the surgeon decided NOT to do the fusion

for L2-S1 at the same time as the decompression at the same site in

September...Because I have NO good disks in my back at all so if he had done a

fusion it was darn near 100% that I would need additional fusions above the one

he was about to do and he thought I was too young to do a C7(actually C4 as I am

already fused C4-7) through S1 fusion...He hopes I will have a time of

acceptable pain and mobility before having to to do the fusion of my entire

spine...UGH...this is not good news!!!

I still have lower back pain, I am trying to get off prescription painkillers

but not sure I want to go back to constant pain. So I am trying to ween off them

and the pain is persistent...I am not sure how to turn to..my PCP, my Orthopedic

surgeon (my spine specialist gave me my last prescription this week...), or turn

to a pain management doctor...Anyone know one in Central MD/DC area?

I also figured out the hip issue I was experiencing I think it is my hip, and

probably not my back as far as limitation of lifting my right leg in particular

when it is already flexed...my back pain, and nerve issues were masking it I

guess, or so the PT says and so my non-replaced hip is now limiting my ability

to get in and out of vehicles, and to get up off floors, etc - my hip flexors

cannot overcome the arthritis or whatever degenerative thing is occurring to

lift my leg and I have to pull it up myself with my hands...Off to the

orthopedic surgeon after the holidays I guess...well I already have one hip

replacement might as well be two!

I wish you all Happy Holidays as Pain free as possible, and for those who

celebrate it - A Very Merry Christmas!! To all a happy New Year and I look

forward to lots of caring and sharing on the site in the coming year.

Mark

________________________________

From: Mark R Hardin <gilachub@...>

Sent: Mon, December 6, 2010 3:14:41 PM

Subject: Re: Follow up this week - still problems

thanks Janice - know bout drop foot, that is not what I am experiencing...it is

more weakness when my hip is already in a flex position and yep I am seeing my

doctor this week about it - I was just wondering if this is anything others have

experienced..

________________________________

From: Janice <faraway1@...>

Sent: Sun, December 5, 2010 1:28:06 PM

Subject: Re: Follow up this week - still problems

Mark you should not have to lift your leg to get into a car. Walking should not

be hard on you as long as your not trying to power walk. Losing weight is a good

idea it always helps. But if I were you I might be talking seriously about what

is going on after surgery. Although if the pain gets any worse you might want to

see a different doctor one who doesn't know your surgeon. You might also have

drop foot you might want to look it up on the web it's not a fun thing and it's

for life.

Janice

Follow up this week - still problems

Hi all - I am about 10 weeks post L2-S1 decompression (laminectomy and

foramenotomy) and doing fairly well - even back to work (sitting only) part time

-But I am still having issues. When I get into a vehicle I find my leg that is

on the outside is hanging out of the car and I cannot lift it without using my

hand to do so. Also I am having significant lower back pain still. I knew the

lower back pain might not be resolved with the surgery but was hoping since some

here had said they got relief from the same surgery!

One of my challenge now is to lose some weight - I need to work on that so

badly, but the walking is not going as well as it did earlier in my recovery.

My questions are: has anyone else had the leg weakness after surgery and if so

did it resolve itself? And is it normal to have ongoing lower back pain related

to the surgery that will resolve itself later or is this my new normal pain

level?

Thanks and I hope for pain free days for everyone!

Mark

December 22, 2010

By all means, Mark, have your second hip replaced. I have had both hips

replaced and it eliminated a lot of my constant pain and loss of mobility.

Somehow it just seems easier to deal with pain from one source.

Judy McG

>

> So I finally have the answer as to why the surgeon decided NOT to do the

fusion

> for L2-S1 at the same time as the decompression at the same site in

> September...Because I have NO good disks in my back at all so if he had done a

> fusion it was darn near 100% that I would need additional fusions above the

one

> he was about to do and he thought I was too young to do a C7(actually C4 as I

am

> already fused C4-7) through S1 fusion...He hopes I will have a time of

> acceptable pain and mobility before having to to do the fusion of my entire

> spine...UGH...this is not good news!!!

>

> I still have lower back pain, I am trying to get off prescription painkillers

> but not sure I want to go back to constant pain. So I am trying to ween off

them

> and the pain is persistent...I am not sure how to turn to..my PCP, my

Orthopedic

> surgeon (my spine specialist gave me my last prescription this week...), or

turn

> to a pain management doctor...Anyone know one in Central MD/DC area?

>

> I also figured out the hip issue I was experiencing I think it is my hip, and

> probably not my back as far as limitation of lifting my right leg in

particular

> when it is already flexed...my back pain, and nerve issues were masking it I

> guess, or so the PT says and so my non-replaced hip is now limiting my ability

> to get in and out of vehicles, and to get up off floors, etc - my hip flexors

> cannot overcome the arthritis or whatever degenerative thing is occurring to

> lift my leg and I have to pull it up myself with my hands...Off to the

> orthopedic surgeon after the holidays I guess...well I already have one hip

> replacement might as well be two!

>

> I wish you all Happy Holidays as Pain free as possible, and for those who

> celebrate it - A Very Merry Christmas!! To all a happy New Year and I look

> forward to lots of caring and sharing on the site in the coming year.

>

> Mark

>

> ________________________________

> From: Mark R Hardin <gilachub@...>

> Sent: Mon, December 6, 2010 3:14:41 PM

> Subject: Re: Follow up this week - still problems

>

> thanks Janice - know bout drop foot, that is not what I am experiencing...it

is

> more weakness when my hip is already in a flex position and yep I am seeing my

> doctor this week about it - I was just wondering if this is anything others

have

>

> experienced..

>

> ________________________________

> From: Janice <faraway1@...>

> Sent: Sun, December 5, 2010 1:28:06 PM

> Subject: Re: Follow up this week - still problems

>

> Mark you should not have to lift your leg to get into a car. Walking should

not

> be hard on you as long as your not trying to power walk. Losing weight is a

good

>

> idea it always helps. But if I were you I might be talking seriously about

what

> is going on after surgery. Although if the pain gets any worse you might want

to

>

> see a different doctor one who doesn't know your surgeon. You might also have

> drop foot you might want to look it up on the web it's not a fun thing and

it's

> for life.

> Janice

> Follow up this week - still problems

>

> Hi all - I am about 10 weeks post L2-S1 decompression (laminectomy and

> foramenotomy) and doing fairly well - even back to work (sitting only) part

time

>

> -But I am still having issues. When I get into a vehicle I find my leg that is

> on the outside is hanging out of the car and I cannot lift it without using my

> hand to do so. Also I am having significant lower back pain still. I knew the

> lower back pain might not be resolved with the surgery but was hoping since

some

>

> here had said they got relief from the same surgery!

>

> One of my challenge now is to lose some weight - I need to work on that so

> badly, but the walking is not going as well as it did earlier in my recovery.

>

> My questions are: has anyone else had the leg weakness after surgery and if so

> did it resolve itself? And is it normal to have ongoing lower back pain

> level?

>

> Thanks and I hope for pain free days for everyone!

>

> Mark

>

December 22, 2010

I'm sorry you got bad news. At least the doc was honest enough to tell you

that rather than go ahead and do the surgery and then you be in pain again in

less than a year with the next one!!

Why are you trying to get off the pain medication? Have you tried any of the

ones that are not addictive or opiate based like ultram/ultrax(sp?) or anything

like that? Nobody should have to hurt every day of their life.

Good luck to you.

Barbara

>

> So I finally have the answer as to why the surgeon decided NOT to do the

fusion

> for L2-S1 at the same time as the decompression at the same site in

> September...Because I have NO good disks in my back at all so if he had done a

> fusion it was darn near 100% that I would need additional fusions above the

one

> he was about to do and he thought I was too young to do a C7(actually C4 as I

am

> already fused C4-7) through S1 fusion...He hopes I will have a time of

> acceptable pain and mobility before having to to do the fusion of my entire

> spine...UGH...this is not good news!!!

>

> I still have lower back pain, I am trying to get off prescription painkillers

> but not sure I want to go back to constant pain. So I am trying to ween off

them

> and the pain is persistent...I am not sure how to turn to..my PCP, my

Orthopedic

> surgeon (my spine specialist gave me my last prescription this week...), or

turn

> to a pain management doctor...Anyone know one in Central MD/DC area?

>

> I also figured out the hip issue I was experiencing I think it is my hip, and

> probably not my back as far as limitation of lifting my right leg in

particular

> when it is already flexed...my back pain, and nerve issues were masking it I

> guess, or so the PT says and so my non-replaced hip is now limiting my ability

> to get in and out of vehicles, and to get up off floors, etc - my hip flexors

> cannot overcome the arthritis or whatever degenerative thing is occurring to

> lift my leg and I have to pull it up myself with my hands...Off to the

> orthopedic surgeon after the holidays I guess...well I already have one hip

> replacement might as well be two!

>

> I wish you all Happy Holidays as Pain free as possible, and for those who

> celebrate it - A Very Merry Christmas!! To all a happy New Year and I look

> forward to lots of caring and sharing on the site in the coming year.

>

> Mark

>

> ________________________________

> From: Mark R Hardin <gilachub@...>

> Sent: Mon, December 6, 2010 3:14:41 PM

> Subject: Re: Follow up this week - still problems

>

> thanks Janice - know bout drop foot, that is not what I am experiencing...it

is

> more weakness when my hip is already in a flex position and yep I am seeing my

> doctor this week about it - I was just wondering if this is anything others

have

>

> experienced..

>

> ________________________________

> From: Janice <faraway1@...>

> Sent: Sun, December 5, 2010 1:28:06 PM

> Subject: Re: Follow up this week - still problems

>

> Mark you should not have to lift your leg to get into a car. Walking should

not

> be hard on you as long as your not trying to power walk. Losing weight is a

good

>

> idea it always helps. But if I were you I might be talking seriously about

what

> is going on after surgery. Although if the pain gets any worse you might want

to

>

> see a different doctor one who doesn't know your surgeon. You might also have

> drop foot you might want to look it up on the web it's not a fun thing and

it's

> for life.

> Janice

> Follow up this week - still problems

>

> Hi all - I am about 10 weeks post L2-S1 decompression (laminectomy and

> foramenotomy) and doing fairly well - even back to work (sitting only) part

time

>

> -But I am still having issues. When I get into a vehicle I find my leg that is

> on the outside is hanging out of the car and I cannot lift it without using my

> hand to do so. Also I am having significant lower back pain still. I knew the

> lower back pain might not be resolved with the surgery but was hoping since

some

>

> here had said they got relief from the same surgery!

>

> One of my challenge now is to lose some weight - I need to work on that so

> badly, but the walking is not going as well as it did earlier in my recovery.

>

> My questions are: has anyone else had the leg weakness after surgery and if so

> did it resolve itself? And is it normal to have ongoing lower back pain

> level?

>

> Thanks and I hope for pain free days for everyone!

>

> Mark

>

December 22, 2010

i found this meditation CD when i had gastric bypass surgery.

i used it when i had both knees replaced.

and i use it NOW because i was diagnosed with scoliosis, severe spinal stenosis,

disc that are bone on bone, and a disc bulge.

Please check out this site. it is awesome. and the PAIN CD helps me so very

much. i listen to it when i go to bed at night. and sometimes if my back is

really bad i listen to it throughout the day.

there are other CD's on this site that belleruth napersek created. she has such

a calming voice. i recommend her specific CD's. the other ones i have not liked

as much.

click on this site. and then the pain link.

but if you have friends with other issues, please share with them.

my surgery is not scheduled yet. the doctor has to wait until i am worse (cant

walk) and have lost some weight since it is a very risky surgery.

there is a surgery CD too.

bless you all enduring pain. i understand,

elonda

________________________________

From: " jarcher107@... " <jarcher107@...>

Sent: Tue, December 21, 2010 6:37:28 PM

Subject: Re: Follow up decomprewssion L2-S1

Â

If the pain killers are not causing you any problems, I[d simply continue

with them. I also have mingled hip and back issues/pain, and it can be

hard (as in 'impossible " ) to sort out what is causing each pain.

Given you r overall situation, I'd say a pain management specialist (and

hip surgeon) would be where to go next.

In a message dated 12/21/2010 3:58:33 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

gilachub@... writes:

So I finally have the answer as to why the surgeon decided NOT to do the

fusion

for L2-S1 at the same time as the decompression at the same site in

September...Because I have NO good disks in my back at all so if he had

done a

fusion it was darn near 100% that I would need additional fusions above

the one

he was about to do and he thought I was too young to do a C7(actually C4

as I am

already fused C4-7) through S1 fusion...He hopes I will have a time of

acceptable pain and mobility before having to to do the fusion of my

entire

spine...UGH...this is not good news!!!

I still have lower back pain, I am trying to get off prescription

painkillers

but not sure I want to go back to constant pain. So I am trying to ween

off them

and the pain is persistent...I am not sure how to turn to..my PCP, my

Orthopedic

surgeon (my spine specialist gave me my last prescription this week...),

or turn

to a pain management doctor...Anyone know one in Central MD/DC area?

I also figured out the hip issue I was experiencing I think it is my hip,

and

probably not my back as far as limitation of lifting my right leg in

particular

when it is already flexed...my back pain, and nerve issues were masking it

I

guess, or so the PT says and so my non-replaced hip is now limiting my

ability

to get in and out of vehicles, and to get up off floors, etc - my hip

flexors

cannot overcome the arthritis or whatever degenerative thing is occurring

to

lift my leg and I have to pull it up myself with my hands...Off to the

orthopedic surgeon after the holidays I guess...well I already have one

hip

replacement might as well be two!

I wish you all Happy Holidays as Pain free as possible, and for those who

celebrate it - A Very Merry Christmas!! To all a happy New Year and I

look

forward to lots of caring and sharing on the site in the coming year.

Mark

________________________________

From: Mark R Hardin <gilachub@...>

Sent: Mon, December 6, 2010 3:14:41 PM

Subject: Re: Follow up this week - still

problems

thanks Janice - know bout drop foot, that is not what I am

experiencing...it is

more weakness when my hip is already in a flex position and yep I am

seeing my

doctor this week about it - I was just wondering if this is anything

others have

experienced..

________________________________

From: Janice <faraway1@...>

Sent: Sun, December 5, 2010 1:28:06 PM

Subject: Re: Follow up this week - still

problems

Mark you should not have to lift your leg to get into a car. Walking

should not

be hard on you as long as your not trying to power walk. Losing weight is

a good

idea it always helps. But if I were you I might be talking seriously about

what

is going on after surgery. Although if the pain gets any worse you might

want to

see a different doctor one who doesn't know your surgeon. You might also

have

drop foot you might want to look it up on the web it's not a fun thing and

it's

for life.

Janice

Follow up this week - still problems

Hi all - I am about 10 weeks post L2-S1 decompression (laminectomy and

foramenotomy) and doing fairly well - even back to work (sitting only)

part time

-But I am still having issues. When I get into a vehicle I find my leg

that is

on the outside is hanging out of the car and I cannot lift it without

using my

hand to do so. Also I am having significant lower back pain still. I knew

the

lower back pain might not be resolved with the surgery but was hoping

since some

here had said they got relief from the same surgery!

One of my challenge now is to lose some weight - I need to work on that so

badly, but the walking is not going as well as it did earlier in my

recovery.

My questions are: has anyone else had the leg weakness after surgery and

if so

did it resolve itself? And is it normal to have ongoing lower back pain

pain

level?

Thanks and I hope for pain free days for everyone!

Mark

December 22, 2010

cool I may try it...my sister listened to recordings during here breast cancer

treatments and she loved it and said it saved her mind during it all!

________________________________

From: Elonda Hipkins <purrtoplay@...>

Sent: Wed, December 22, 2010 11:51:01 AM

Subject: Re: Follow up decomprewssion L2-S1

i found this meditation CD when i had gastric bypass surgery.

i used it when i had both knees replaced.

and i use it NOW because i was diagnosed with scoliosis, severe spinal stenosis,

disc that are bone on bone, and a disc bulge.

Please check out this site. it is awesome. and the PAIN CD helps me so very

much. i listen to it when i go to bed at night. and sometimes if my back is

really bad i listen to it throughout the day.

there are other CD's on this site that belleruth napersek created. she has such

a calming voice. i recommend her specific CD's. the other ones i have not liked

as much.

click on this site. and then the pain link.

but if you have friends with other issues, please share with them.

my surgery is not scheduled yet. the doctor has to wait until i am worse (cant

walk) and have lost some weight since it is a very risky surgery.

there is a surgery CD too.

bless you all enduring pain. i understand,

elonda

________________________________

From: " jarcher107@... " <jarcher107@...>

Sent: Tue, December 21, 2010 6:37:28 PM

Subject: Re: Follow up decomprewssion L2-S1

If the pain killers are not causing you any problems, I[d simply continue

with them. I also have mingled hip and back issues/pain, and it can be

hard (as in 'impossible " ) to sort out what is causing each pain.

Given you r overall situation, I'd say a pain management specialist (and

hip surgeon) would be where to go next.

In a message dated 12/21/2010 3:58:33 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

gilachub@... writes:

So I finally have the answer as to why the surgeon decided NOT to do the

fusion

for L2-S1 at the same time as the decompression at the same site in

September...Because I have NO good disks in my back at all so if he had

done a

fusion it was darn near 100% that I would need additional fusions above

the one

he was about to do and he thought I was too young to do a C7(actually C4

as I am

already fused C4-7) through S1 fusion...He hopes I will have a time of

acceptable pain and mobility before having to to do the fusion of my

entire

spine...UGH...this is not good news!!!

I still have lower back pain, I am trying to get off prescription

painkillers

but not sure I want to go back to constant pain. So I am trying to ween

off them

and the pain is persistent...I am not sure how to turn to..my PCP, my

Orthopedic

surgeon (my spine specialist gave me my last prescription this week...),

or turn

to a pain management doctor...Anyone know one in Central MD/DC area?

I also figured out the hip issue I was experiencing I think it is my hip,

and

probably not my back as far as limitation of lifting my right leg in

particular

when it is already flexed...my back pain, and nerve issues were masking it

I

guess, or so the PT says and so my non-replaced hip is now limiting my

ability

to get in and out of vehicles, and to get up off floors, etc - my hip

flexors

cannot overcome the arthritis or whatever degenerative thing is occurring

to

lift my leg and I have to pull it up myself with my hands...Off to the

orthopedic surgeon after the holidays I guess...well I already have one

hip

replacement might as well be two!

I wish you all Happy Holidays as Pain free as possible, and for those who

celebrate it - A Very Merry Christmas!! To all a happy New Year and I

look

forward to lots of caring and sharing on the site in the coming year.

Mark

________________________________

From: Mark R Hardin <gilachub@...>

Sent: Mon, December 6, 2010 3:14:41 PM

Subject: Re: Follow up this week - still

problems

thanks Janice - know bout drop foot, that is not what I am

experiencing...it is

more weakness when my hip is already in a flex position and yep I am

seeing my

doctor this week about it - I was just wondering if this is anything

others have

experienced..

________________________________

From: Janice <faraway1@...>

Sent: Sun, December 5, 2010 1:28:06 PM

Subject: Re: Follow up this week - still

problems

Mark you should not have to lift your leg to get into a car. Walking

should not

be hard on you as long as your not trying to power walk. Losing weight is

a good

idea it always helps. But if I were you I might be talking seriously about

what

is going on after surgery. Although if the pain gets any worse you might

want to

see a different doctor one who doesn't know your surgeon. You might also

have

drop foot you might want to look it up on the web it's not a fun thing and

it's

for life.

Janice

Follow up this week - still problems

Hi all - I am about 10 weeks post L2-S1 decompression (laminectomy and

foramenotomy) and doing fairly well - even back to work (sitting only)

part time

-But I am still having issues. When I get into a vehicle I find my leg

that is

on the outside is hanging out of the car and I cannot lift it without

using my

hand to do so. Also I am having significant lower back pain still. I knew

the

lower back pain might not be resolved with the surgery but was hoping

since some

here had said they got relief from the same surgery!

One of my challenge now is to lose some weight - I need to work on that so

badly, but the walking is not going as well as it did earlier in my

recovery.

My questions are: has anyone else had the leg weakness after surgery and

if so

did it resolve itself? And is it normal to have ongoing lower back pain

pain

level?

Thanks and I hope for pain free days for everyone!

Mark

December 22, 2010

YES, Do Try IT. I promise it works. It helps to relieve the stress that comes

with pain also. It " saved " my mind too.

Let me know how it works for you.

The thing I like - You can fall asleep listening to it, but your brain is still

" listening " and it works on your subconscious.

For those AFRAID of hypnosis, this is NOT hypnosis.

You are fully aware the whole time.

And it taps into YOUR Higher Power beliefs (God or what every you believe)

without offending anyone.

happy meditation CD listening,

E

________________________________

From: Mark R Hardin <gilachub@...>

Sent: Wed, December 22, 2010 12:13:01 PM

Subject: Re: Follow up decomprewssion L2-S1

Â

cool I may try it...my sister listened to recordings during here breast cancer

treatments and she loved it and said it saved her mind during it all!

________________________________

From: Elonda Hipkins <purrtoplay@...>

Sent: Wed, December 22, 2010 11:51:01 AM

Subject: Re: Follow up decomprewssion L2-S1

i found this meditation CD when i had gastric bypass surgery.

i used it when i had both knees replaced.

and i use it NOW because i was diagnosed with scoliosis, severe spinal stenosis,

disc that are bone on bone, and a disc bulge.

Please check out this site. it is awesome. and the PAIN CD helps me so very

much. i listen to it when i go to bed at night. and sometimes if my back is

really bad i listen to it throughout the day.

there are other CD's on this site that belleruth napersek created. she has such

a calming voice. i recommend her specific CD's. the other ones i have not liked

as much.

click on this site. and then the pain link.

but if you have friends with other issues, please share with them.

my surgery is not scheduled yet. the doctor has to wait until i am worse (cant

walk) and have lost some weight since it is a very risky surgery.

there is a surgery CD too.

bless you all enduring pain. i understand,

elonda

________________________________

From: " jarcher107@... " <jarcher107@...>

Sent: Tue, December 21, 2010 6:37:28 PM

Subject: Re: Follow up decomprewssion L2-S1

If the pain killers are not causing you any problems, I[d simply continue

with them. I also have mingled hip and back issues/pain, and it can be

hard (as in 'impossible " ) to sort out what is causing each pain.

Given you r overall situation, I'd say a pain management specialist (and

hip surgeon) would be where to go next.

In a message dated 12/21/2010 3:58:33 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

gilachub@... writes:

So I finally have the answer as to why the surgeon decided NOT to do the

fusion

for L2-S1 at the same time as the decompression at the same site in

September...Because I have NO good disks in my back at all so if he had

done a

fusion it was darn near 100% that I would need additional fusions above

the one

he was about to do and he thought I was too young to do a C7(actually C4

as I am

already fused C4-7) through S1 fusion...He hopes I will have a time of

acceptable pain and mobility before having to to do the fusion of my

entire

spine...UGH...this is not good news!!!

I still have lower back pain, I am trying to get off prescription

painkillers

but not sure I want to go back to constant pain. So I am trying to ween

off them

and the pain is persistent...I am not sure how to turn to..my PCP, my

Orthopedic

surgeon (my spine specialist gave me my last prescription this week...),

or turn

to a pain management doctor...Anyone know one in Central MD/DC area?

I also figured out the hip issue I was experiencing I think it is my hip,

and

probably not my back as far as limitation of lifting my right leg in

particular

when it is already flexed...my back pain, and nerve issues were masking it

I

guess, or so the PT says and so my non-replaced hip is now limiting my

ability

to get in and out of vehicles, and to get up off floors, etc - my hip

flexors

cannot overcome the arthritis or whatever degenerative thing is occurring

to

lift my leg and I have to pull it up myself with my hands...Off to the

orthopedic surgeon after the holidays I guess...well I already have one

hip

replacement might as well be two!

I wish you all Happy Holidays as Pain free as possible, and for those who

celebrate it - A Very Merry Christmas!! To all a happy New Year and I

look

forward to lots of caring and sharing on the site in the coming year.

Mark

________________________________

From: Mark R Hardin <gilachub@...>

Sent: Mon, December 6, 2010 3:14:41 PM

Subject: Re: Follow up this week - still

problems

thanks Janice - know bout drop foot, that is not what I am

experiencing...it is

more weakness when my hip is already in a flex position and yep I am

seeing my

doctor this week about it - I was just wondering if this is anything

others have

experienced..

________________________________

From: Janice <faraway1@...>

Sent: Sun, December 5, 2010 1:28:06 PM

Subject: Re: Follow up this week - still

problems

Mark you should not have to lift your leg to get into a car. Walking

should not

be hard on you as long as your not trying to power walk. Losing weight is

a good

idea it always helps. But if I were you I might be talking seriously about

what

is going on after surgery. Although if the pain gets any worse you might

want to

see a different doctor one who doesn't know your surgeon. You might also

have

drop foot you might want to look it up on the web it's not a fun thing and

it's

for life.

Janice

Follow up this week - still problems

Hi all - I am about 10 weeks post L2-S1 decompression (laminectomy and

foramenotomy) and doing fairly well - even back to work (sitting only)

part time

-But I am still having issues. When I get into a vehicle I find my leg

that is

on the outside is hanging out of the car and I cannot lift it without

using my

hand to do so. Also I am having significant lower back pain still. I knew

the

lower back pain might not be resolved with the surgery but was hoping

since some

here had said they got relief from the same surgery!

One of my challenge now is to lose some weight - I need to work on that so

badly, but the walking is not going as well as it did earlier in my

recovery.

My questions are: has anyone else had the leg weakness after surgery and

if so

did it resolve itself? And is it normal to have ongoing lower back pain

pain

level?

Thanks and I hope for pain free days for everyone!

Mark

December 22, 2010

Thanks for the recomendation...I may check that out for my upcomming fusion.

" Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied

hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo

From: purrtoplay@...

Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2010 08:51:01 -0800

Subject: Re: Follow up decomprewssion L2-S1

i found this meditation CD when i had gastric bypass surgery.

i used it when i had both knees replaced.

and i use it NOW because i was diagnosed with scoliosis, severe spinal stenosis,

disc that are bone on bone, and a disc bulge.

Please check out this site. it is awesome. and the PAIN CD helps me so very

much. i listen to it when i go to bed at night. and sometimes if my back is

really bad i listen to it throughout the day.

there are other CD's on this site that belleruth napersek created. she has such

a calming voice. i recommend her specific CD's. the other ones i have not liked

as much.

click on this site. and then the pain link.

but if you have friends with other issues, please share with them.

my surgery is not scheduled yet. the doctor has to wait until i am worse (cant

walk) and have lost some weight since it is a very risky surgery.

there is a surgery CD too.

bless you all enduring pain. i understand,

elonda

________________________________

From: " jarcher107@... " <jarcher107@...>

Sent: Tue, December 21, 2010 6:37:28 PM

Subject: Re: Follow up decomprewssion L2-S1

If the pain killers are not causing you any problems, I[d simply continue

with them. I also have mingled hip and back issues/pain, and it can be

hard (as in 'impossible " ) to sort out what is causing each pain.

Given you r overall situation, I'd say a pain management specialist (and

hip surgeon) would be where to go next.

In a message dated 12/21/2010 3:58:33 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

gilachub@... writes:

So I finally have the answer as to why the surgeon decided NOT to do the

fusion

for L2-S1 at the same time as the decompression at the same site in

September...Because I have NO good disks in my back at all so if he had

done a

fusion it was darn near 100% that I would need additional fusions above

the one

he was about to do and he thought I was too young to do a C7(actually C4

as I am

already fused C4-7) through S1 fusion...He hopes I will have a time of

acceptable pain and mobility before having to to do the fusion of my

entire

spine...UGH...this is not good news!!!

I still have lower back pain, I am trying to get off prescription

painkillers

but not sure I want to go back to constant pain. So I am trying to ween

off them

and the pain is persistent...I am not sure how to turn to..my PCP, my

Orthopedic

surgeon (my spine specialist gave me my last prescription this week...),

or turn

to a pain management doctor...Anyone know one in Central MD/DC area?

I also figured out the hip issue I was experiencing I think it is my hip,

and

probably not my back as far as limitation of lifting my right leg in

particular

when it is already flexed...my back pain, and nerve issues were masking it

I

guess, or so the PT says and so my non-replaced hip is now limiting my

ability

to get in and out of vehicles, and to get up off floors, etc - my hip

flexors

cannot overcome the arthritis or whatever degenerative thing is occurring

to

lift my leg and I have to pull it up myself with my hands...Off to the

orthopedic surgeon after the holidays I guess...well I already have one

hip

replacement might as well be two!

I wish you all Happy Holidays as Pain free as possible, and for those who

celebrate it - A Very Merry Christmas!! To all a happy New Year and I

look

forward to lots of caring and sharing on the site in the coming year.

Mark

________________________________

From: Mark R Hardin <gilachub@...>

Sent: Mon, December 6, 2010 3:14:41 PM

Subject: Re: Follow up this week - still

problems

thanks Janice - know bout drop foot, that is not what I am

experiencing...it is

more weakness when my hip is already in a flex position and yep I am

seeing my

doctor this week about it - I was just wondering if this is anything

others have

experienced..

________________________________

From: Janice <faraway1@...>