Spinal fusion

[Jainarayan]

On Nov. 9 I am having a spinal fusion at L4/L5 and L5/S1. The intervertebral discs are gone. What there was of them in last year's x-rays are no longer there. I'm losing strength in my foot also due to a nerve being compressed. At some point in the future I need surgery on my neck. Levels C2-C6 are all but gone also. I knew this was coming. I'll be in the hospital 4-5 days, at a rehab for 4-5 days, and out of work for 3 months. The surgery itself is 5-6 hours. The surgeon has to go in through my abdomen as well as my back to put the hardware in properly. He asked if it bothered me to have a scar on the front. I said no, GQ hasn't called me to come in for my photo shoot, so I'm not worried about it.

 

[BSM1]

Dude! Hang in there. That sense of humor certainly will come in handy.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Oh wow. Hugs for you. <3

 

[Quintessence]

You can tell people it's a battle scar. Some people find that sexy.

Take care, though, man.

 

[Jainarayan]

Dude! Hang in there. That sense of humor certainly will come in handy.

I said to the doctor "but can't you put little rubber washers in there like you do in a faucet?"

 

[BSM1]

I said to the doctor "but can't you put little rubber washers in there like you do in a faucet?"

Good luck finding a doctor with a sense of humor, lol.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

On Nov. 9 I am having a spinal fusion at L4/L5 and L5/S1. The intervertebral discs are gone. What there was of them in last year's x-rays are no longer there. I'm losing strength in my foot also due to a nerve being compressed. At some point in the future I need surgery on my neck. Levels C2-C6 are all but gone also. I knew this was coming. I'll be in the hospital 4-5 days, at a rehab for 4-5 days, and out of work for 3 months. The surgery itself is 5-6 hours. The surgeon has to go in through my abdomen as well as my back to put the hardware in properly. He asked if it bothered me to have a scar on the front. I said no, GQ hasn't called me to come in for my photo shoot, so I'm not worried about it.

As a fellow sufferer of disappearing discs (L4/L5), I empathize with you, and wish you good luck. Mine hasn't gotten to completely debilitating, but it has it's moments. Oddly enough, about half an hour ago, roughly the same time you posted your OP, mine decided to act up while I was walking down the hall. Muscle relaxer, pain pill, and now moving very carefully to keep it from getting worse.

Take care of yourself, and take it easy on yourself in recovery! Best of Luck!

 

[morphesium]

On Nov. 9 I am having a spinal fusion at L4/L5 and L5/S1. The intervertebral discs are gone. What there was of them in last year's x-rays are no longer there. I'm losing strength in my foot also due to a nerve being compressed. At some point in the future I need surgery on my neck. Levels C2-C6 are all but gone also. I knew this was coming. I'll be in the hospital 4-5 days, at a rehab for 4-5 days, and out of work for 3 months. The surgery itself is 5-6 hours. The surgeon has to go in through my abdomen as well as my back to put the hardware in properly. He asked if it bothered me to have a scar on the front. I said no, GQ hasn't called me to come in for my photo shoot, so I'm not worried about it.

Take care.
Everything will be back to normal soon. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and good health. It seems lots of fun awaits you even at the hospital.

 

[FearGod]

On Nov. 9 I am having a spinal fusion at L4/L5 and L5/S1. The intervertebral discs are gone. What there was of them in last year's x-rays are no longer there. I'm losing strength in my foot also due to a nerve being compressed. At some point in the future I need surgery on my neck. Levels C2-C6 are all but gone also. I knew this was coming. I'll be in the hospital 4-5 days, at a rehab for 4-5 days, and out of work for 3 months. The surgery itself is 5-6 hours. The surgeon has to go in through my abdomen as well as my back to put the hardware in properly. He asked if it bothered me to have a scar on the front. I said no, GQ hasn't called me to come in for my photo shoot, so I'm not worried about it.

Good luck and best wishes, take care of yourself.

 

[Jainarayan]

As a fellow sufferer of disappearing discs (L4/L5), I empathize with you, and wish you good luck. Mine hasn't gotten to completely debilitating, but it has it's moments. Oddly enough, about half an hour ago, roughly the same time you posted your OP, mine decided to act up while I was walking down the hall. Muscle relaxer, pain pill, and now moving very carefully to keep it from getting worse.

Take care of yourself, and take it easy on yourself in recovery! Best of Luck!

Thanks. Man, I hope yours improves too.

I always say that our problems with the lumbar spine are the price we pay for walking upright. Lots of downward pressure. I patted my stomach and said to the doctor "I know, I know, this isn't helping". He said that wasn't really a problem. Maybe because he's a huge husky bear himself.

I popped a pain pill a few minutes ago and it's kicking in. He gives me percocet 5/325. They're just enough to take the edge off. Believe you me, I'd rather be guzzling down a horn of mead, Black& Tan or Guinness Black. But for sure this is not fun. I had 3 microdiscectomies at L3/4, L4/5 and L5/S1 almost 5 years ago.

 

[Jainarayan]

Take care.
Everything will be back to normal soon. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and good health. It seems lots of fun awaits you even at the hospital.

I have a boat load of books and dvds, and a tiny portable dvd player that I'll bring with me. But as the nurse pointed out, I'll probably be asleep most of the time.

 

[Jainarayan]

Good luck and best wishes, take care of yourself.

Thanks.

 

[MD]

All the best.

Was this from excessive weightlifting (deadlifts, squats, etc)?

 

[Jainarayan]

All the best.

Thanks.

Was this from excessive weightlifting (deadlifts, squats, etc)?

No, ironically none of this, including a bad rotator cuff tear 3 years ago, were from the gym! Can you believe that!? My sister has degenerative disc disease also (her neck). We have a lot of wacky maladies in my family.

 

[MD]

No, ironically none of this, including a bad rotator cuff tear 3 years ago, were from the gym! Can you believe that!? My sister has degenerative disc disease also (her neck). We have a lot of wacky maladies in my family.

I'm sure you already have done these but I have to ask. Have you seen a physiotherapist? Tried yoga? Tried a chiropractor?

Damn that sucks that it's genetic. I'm 31 and weight lift, have been getting minor disc prolapses over the last year. Yoga and pilates have allowed me to continue lifting heavy but I'm a bit worried about my body when I turn 50. Any advice?

 

[Koldo]

On Nov. 9 I am having a spinal fusion at L4/L5 and L5/S1. The intervertebral discs are gone. What there was of them in last year's x-rays are no longer there. I'm losing strength in my foot also due to a nerve being compressed. At some point in the future I need surgery on my neck. Levels C2-C6 are all but gone also. I knew this was coming. I'll be in the hospital 4-5 days, at a rehab for 4-5 days, and out of work for 3 months. The surgery itself is 5-6 hours. The surgeon has to go in through my abdomen as well as my back to put the hardware in properly. He asked if it bothered me to have a scar on the front. I said no, GQ hasn't called me to come in for my photo shoot, so I'm not worried about it.

I wish you a quick recovery.

If you don't mind me asking you though, what happened to your intervertebral discs ? Why did they quit ? No annual leaves ?

 

[Revoltingest]

On Nov. 9 I am having a spinal fusion at L4/L5 and L5/S1. The intervertebral discs are gone. What there was of them in last year's x-rays are no longer there. I'm losing strength in my foot also due to a nerve being compressed. At some point in the future I need surgery on my neck. Levels C2-C6 are all but gone also. I knew this was coming. I'll be in the hospital 4-5 days, at a rehab for 4-5 days, and out of work for 3 months. The surgery itself is 5-6 hours. The surgeon has to go in through my abdomen as well as my back to put the hardware in properly. He asked if it bothered me to have a scar on the front. I said no, GQ hasn't called me to come in for my photo shoot, so I'm not worried about it.

Best wishes, & I hope your nurse is cute.....

...& not homicidal.....

 

[Jainarayan]

Best wishes, & I hope your nurse is cute.....

...& not homicidal.....

Me too! Of course I'll be so medicated I wouldn't know.

 

[Revoltingest]

Thanks.
No, ironically none of this, including a bad rotator cuff tear 3 years ago, were from the gym! Can you believe that!? My sister has degenerative disc disease also (her neck). We have a lot of wacky maladies in my family.

Your gym workouts are unusual too....

I never tire of that gif.

 

[Jainarayan]

I'm sure you already have done these but I have to ask. Have you seen a physiotherapist? Tried yoga? Tried a chiropractor?

Damn that sucks that it's genetic. I'm 31 and weight lift, have been getting minor disc prolapses over the last year. Yoga and pilates have allowed me to continue lifting heavy but I'm a bit worried about my body when I turn 50. Any advice?

Yep, been through it all. In fact, the chiropractor has been a big help.

All I can say is, lift smart and keep up the yoga, stretching, and so on. At the first twinge I stop doing something that gave me a twinge. I love kettlebell swings but they are off the menu for quite a while. I'll probably be able to go back to them waaaay down the road.