Will be away from the forum for a while, Having to have surgery that includes putting screws in my spine. What a way to get Screwed! I have 2 fractures, protruding discs, and a few other things messing with me in there. It has caused me pain for months. I literally have tried EVERY form of rehab this summer and nothing has helped me whatsoever, so this is the last and only solution. NoT looking forward to this at all. Will be in a brace for 3 months following surgery. Will miss all of you, your wonderful photography and history. Will definitely ck in when i can. Take care all of you! Things can happen out there!

Best of wishes and hope you make a quick rebound. Thanks for your enthusiasm and encouragement in your daily postings.

Good luck , I'm sure will be worth while in the long run.

Posted by Intrinsic Best of wishes and hope you make a quick rebound. Thanks for your enthusiasm and encouragement in your daily postings.

Thank You for the well wishes and the nice comment on my enthusiasm... that was very kind of you and much appreciated

Post by sleeperspirit Good luck , I'm sure will be worth while in the long run.

Oh, sleeper, Im hoping so more than you know. Thank You!!!

Well, 4 AM will be coming much too soon. SoLONG, Everyone!

Generally the spine is self healing given time barring massive damage.
Pain is your friend. No joke.
Avoid surgery if there is any possibility your spine will heal on its own. Surgery always causes scar tissue to form. Around all those nerves it can cause beau coup pain and problems. Expect at least a year+ to break down that scar tissue and it hurts! If you aren't yet in jeopardy of permanent nerve damage and the possibility of self repair exists, don't do it!

Water therapy (water walking) can be helpful. If possible give it another 6 months or more. Stop doing anything that causes nerve impingement; remember when you do it may not cause pain immediately but you'll notice an odd sensation. In time this will diminish if you stop doing movements that irritate it and build up the muscles that support the spine. It may not work, but it's worth the try. Either way don't expect a quick fix.

Not trying to be a bastard, but spinal surgery is not reversible in most cases. Conservative methods are best as long as they don't increase the risk of greater damage. Try asking the doctor if it was him or herself, what would they do?

thoughts and prayers..

Oh my, wishing you a successful surgery and quick recovery.
Do you have someone to help you through recovery?

You have a strong spirit lady, you'll be fine. Gonna missU, missU.

Thoughts and prayers for you and I wish you a speedy uncomplicated recovery.
Good luck Miss.

Be sure to explore the hospital during recovery.

I've been in for surgery twice for discs (the first one I fractured and there was a glob of disc dancing on the nerves - the second was just a bad herniation). Like you, I tried EVERYTHING for FAR too long to avoid it.

Both times, surgery was the best thing I ever, once I did it. (I mean, the surgery sucks and the recovery is awful, especially in the heat of summer, but being reasonably pain-free is a lovely thing.)

Mind your PT and take care of yourself.

Good news for anyone suffering from intense chronic spinal related pain that doesn't respond to therapy or surgery.
http://news.yahoo....rld-222500524.html

Thank You so Very Much Everyone for your nice Get Well Wishes and concern. I appreciate you Guys! I have a 12 inch lumbar cut where the surgeon did the Fusion with screws, and another cut from the spine across my hip about 10 inches where he obtained bone to graft into the fractured parts of my spine. VERY PAINFUL! I can't begin to tell you how BAD this has been. Ive had a really hard time because i have an allergy to Codeine. So nothing really manages the pain. I have a few pics of my surgery, but will have to share them later. Still Roughing it BIG TIME!! besides, the pics still make me want to throw up.
PS. Let your Curiosity take you anywhere it chooses, Just watch those rotten floors and unsteady stairs. Awesome pics are not worth the pain of a broken back.

Posted by MisUnderstood! PS. Let your Curiosity take you anywhere it chooses, Just watch those rotten floors and unsteady stairs. Awesome pics are not worth the pain of a broken back.

Well put. Ouch.

Bone breaks, grafts, and pins are a peculiar type of pain. Once you know it's normal it's a bit better but it's like a dull red hot poker crossed with a toothache sort of pain. It grates on your nerves... it will lessen in a few days and then go away. Best to try not to think about it.

Be very careful not to fall especially in the bathroom. Been there, done that, right after surgery flat on my face. In a way minimum pain meds is better as you're less likely to injure yourself. Remember to drink lots of water. You'll feel better after the full moon, no joke.
Best wishes on a full recovery

Posted by blackhawk Well put. Ouch. Be very careful not to fall especially in the bathroom. Been there, done that, right after surgery flat on my face. In a way minimum pain meds is better as you're less likely to injure yourself. Remember to drink lots of water. You'll feel better after the full moon, no joke. Best wishes on a full recovery

OhMYGD!!!! NOoooooo! That would just finish me off.

Here is some small pics from a cell phone. I had to crop the full extent of the scars. It goes well into my rectum and looks like a horrid porn shoot. Sorry, But no can do for anyone!

wow, that's pretty gnarly there .

Good luck with you're recovery

Many Thanks 2Xplorations and sleeperspirit. Im on the mend. Its a slow go. I start Therapy in a week or so. So, hopefully i will see some real improvement soon!

Wow, you previously describing what you had to have done and now seeing those pics are two totally different things! And here I thought my injury and surgery was bad. Good luck on the physio... I just came back from mine, and am still noticing improvements every 2-3 days even though it has been 10 weeks since my surgery. So don't scare yourself into thinking that your recovery is starting to plateau. What a bummer about the codeine allergy - I can't imagine! Mine was so strong that one night my wife went out and I was convinced the tiles in my kitchen were part of a floating dock, and that if I went into the kitchen and stepped off of it, I would drown not being able to use both arms to keep afloat. It is just whacked out that you can't rationally decide how idiotic something like that is!

Posted by Ground State codeine allergy - I can't imagine! Mine was so strong that one night my wife went out and I was convinced the tiles in my kitchen were part of a floating dock, and that if I went into the kitchen and stepped off of it, I would drown not being able to use both arms to keep afloat. It is just whacked out that you can't rationally decide how idiotic something like that is!

Hahahaha! Thanks for that bit of info. Made me LOL. I sure have had some WEIRD dreams though. I think that anesthetic is wearing out of my system and creating some vivid mindblowers.

ALL surgery is bad when screws and, or rods are used. Don't sell yourself short.
Im just glad there is some light at the end of this dark tunnel. Enjoy your Meds! I wish i had something strong many of nights. Not fun to be wired backwards.
Take care! and tell your wife how much you appreciate her...its not easy on them either.