Re: Scared....Surgery Planned Soon: Laminectomy/Discectomy

[Guest guest]

Anzar, I can relate. Before my surgery in October 04, I used to wake up in

the middle of the night in a cold sweat and in a complete panic, concerned

about the operation, my upcoming hospital stay and the pain I might

feel. I almost cancelled due to my apprehensions. I'm glad I didn't. The

truth is, I was on a morphine pump immediately post-op and was as

unconcerned as I could be to be in a hospital at all. Now I know that.

Then, I didn't.

It sounds like you have severe lumbar stenosis, like I had. Believe me, I

know how debilitating that can be. I tried epidurals, too, which worked

for just a little while. Eventually, surgery was the only way to get some

relief. But in order to do a lamenectomy, my surgeon also had to fuse

three lumbar vertabrae, as well, since my back was so unstable. At least

your hospital stay won't be as long as mine was, since it doesn't sound as

though you're having fusion surgery, too.

Ask your surgeon about pain management immediately after your surgery and

what you can expect to happen. Also tell the anesthesiologist at the time

of your PAT that you're concerned about post-op nausea. I brought this up

for my last two operations with general anesthesia, was given something for

it, and I was just fine.

Ask your doctor or his/her NP about all the aspects of your surgery so you

won't worry about the unknown. My doctor's staff was great about making

sure I knew just what to expect, and it helped immensely. I knew I'd wake

up with two drains, a catheter a pain med pump and would not be going to

the bathroom by myself for days after and why. Everything they told me

about happened just as planned, with no surprises.

I think there are horror stories connected to any medical procedure. You

have to take what you hear and read with a grain of salt. I can truthfully

say that most things I've read about the things I've had done to me have

been very much exaggerated in some instances.

Good luck to you, and I hope your procedure goes well.

http://thebacklog.blogspot.com/

At 03:09 PM 2/25/2006, you wrote:

>I am mentally ready for surgery (Laminectomy+Discectomy). But I am scared

>of surgery....How will i feel just after surgery, i hate the growgy

>feeling of post surgery nausea that same feel. I hate hospital....most of

>all WILL I RECOVER ?.

>There are horror stories about Back surgery, are they true ?.

[Guest guest]

Anzar, I can relate. Before my surgery in October 04, I used to wake up in

the middle of the night in a cold sweat and in a complete panic, concerned

about the operation, my upcoming hospital stay and the pain I might

feel. I almost cancelled due to my apprehensions. I'm glad I didn't. The

truth is, I was on a morphine pump immediately post-op and was as

unconcerned as I could be to be in a hospital at all. Now I know that.

Then, I didn't.

It sounds like you have severe lumbar stenosis, like I had. Believe me, I

know how debilitating that can be. I tried epidurals, too, which worked

for just a little while. Eventually, surgery was the only way to get some

relief. But in order to do a lamenectomy, my surgeon also had to fuse

three lumbar vertabrae, as well, since my back was so unstable. At least

your hospital stay won't be as long as mine was, since it doesn't sound as

though you're having fusion surgery, too.

Ask your surgeon about pain management immediately after your surgery and

what you can expect to happen. Also tell the anesthesiologist at the time

of your PAT that you're concerned about post-op nausea. I brought this up

for my last two operations with general anesthesia, was given something for

it, and I was just fine.

Ask your doctor or his/her NP about all the aspects of your surgery so you

won't worry about the unknown. My doctor's staff was great about making

sure I knew just what to expect, and it helped immensely. I knew I'd wake

up with two drains, a catheter a pain med pump and would not be going to

the bathroom by myself for days after and why. Everything they told me

about happened just as planned, with no surprises.

I think there are horror stories connected to any medical procedure. You

have to take what you hear and read with a grain of salt. I can truthfully

say that most things I've read about the things I've had done to me have

been very much exaggerated in some instances.

Good luck to you, and I hope your procedure goes well.

http://thebacklog.blogspot.com/

At 03:09 PM 2/25/2006, you wrote:

>I am mentally ready for surgery (Laminectomy+Discectomy). But I am scared

>of surgery....How will i feel just after surgery, i hate the growgy

>feeling of post surgery nausea that same feel. I hate hospital....most of

>all WILL I RECOVER ?.

>There are horror stories about Back surgery, are they true ?.

[Guest guest]

I ha a discectomy in 2003 . Pain went away, but never lost the numbness in my

leg and foot . I have since reherniated the disc (L5-S1) . I am looking into

either fusion or ADR.

Anzar <anzar_afaq@...> wrote: 6-7 years history of Lower Back

pain, Recently L4-L5, Herniated Disc,

almost 05 months, Severe Pain When walking in Right Leg, None when

sitting, a little when Lying....Almost disabling when walking. Always

severe muscle spasm in back. Pain killers helps a little. Two

Orthopaedics suggested Laminectomy and microscopic discectomy. They

also said that try Epidurals under floroiscope, 02 of these didn't

worked few years back, I am suspicious of trying them again.

I am mentally ready for surgery (Laminectomy+Discectomy). I am sick

of pain and my confinement to sitting. Can't go anywhere anymore,

putting up weight....But I am scared of surgery....How will i feel

just after surgery, i hate the growgy feeling of post surgery nausea

that same feel. I hate hospital....most of all WILL I RECOVER ?.

There are horror stories about Back surgery, are they true ?. Any

reason to continue suffering pain and not going for surgery ?. Will

this severe episode go away if I wait for long time ?.

PLease give me some real feedback to help me makeup my mind.....

Thanks !

Anzar

[Guest guest]

Before my lumbar fusion, I was also very scared and asked for advise. Several

people said that what we imagine in our minds is always worse than what we

actually go thru. I have found that to be true.

I talked to my dr about my nervousness and he gave me a mild sedative to take

before leaving the house. I left the house at 5am for a 6am surgery time. My

surgery ended up being delayed a few hours, but I didn't care...LOL. Everything

went smoothly. I was alert and aware, just mentally numb. Kinda like

" Okay...whatever you want to do " feeling.

Post op was great. Had a morphine pump and that took care of all my pain for

several days. When I felt ready, I switched to oral meds and the occassional

pain shot.

Take care of YOU and make sure you have plenty of help at home. You are going

to need it for a few days/week.

You also need to know that if there is nerve compression, waiting will make it

worse or permanently damage the nerve.

I still have pain, have good days and bad, and still on pain meds...but my

surgery got me off all the narcotics so I can now have a more enriched life. I

still have a few Percocets for " just in case " but haven't needed them in several

years.

Anzar <anzar_afaq@...> wrote:

...But I am scared of surgery....How will i feel

just after surgery,

Vivian Harkness

http://www.geocities.com/southeastsearchandrescue/index.html

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