One week post-surgery update (C7-T1 Posterior bilateral foraminotomy)

[Bo Zarts]

/Good news: Surgical wounds almost totally healed. Zero pain at the incision sites.

/Bad news: Nerve pain is far, far worse than I thought it would be. Nerve pain might last weeks or months, according to the post-op instructions. Everything that comes off of C-7 is lit up.

/Quit the oxycondone on surgeon's orders as of last night (thank goodness!). Back on tramadol with gabapentin for nerve pain. After one dose of those together I can sit here at my desk for short periods. That is encouraging.

/Maybe I can get that article finished for Idaho Magazine. Deadline looms.

/My iPad, which I use in bed and is indispensable, basically bit the dust this morning. So I ordered a new iPad Pro 12" with 1TB of storage. That should solve the problem. But it will be two weeks before I get it.

/Follow-up appointment with the neurosurgeon on Monday.

/I'd post a photo of my surgical wounds, but I'm no LBJ. Besides, FaceBook would probably pull it.

Have a good weekend!

[Walleye]

1. Lots of luck on your recovery. Hope the pain lets up

[irisblue]

2. Thanks for the update. How often is PT/OT& what does the therapist say?

[Bo Zarts]

3. No PT/OT yet ..

I think that program will be set up on Monday, when I see the neurosurgeon.

[Vinca]

4. From my experience, gabapentin is a miracle drug when it comes to nerve pain.

Very safe, too. It takes a bit to be really effective because you have to titrate the dosage up, but I'm sure it will help you. Good luck. There's nothing quite as excruciating as nerve pain.

[Tribetime]

9. Good to know thanks

[SergeStorms]

16. Doesn't do a thing for me.

I'm 20 years post-op from an L4, L5, S1 spinal fusion. They've tried every "miracle" drug under the sun, and nothing works. I still take the Gabapentin and Methadone, although my dosage was cut in half with the big opioid scare.

I took the same dosage for 16 years and I managed to stay alive, but all of the sudden it was going to kill me. My current dosage doesn't put a dent in the pain. If junkies want to get high, they still get their supply on the black market. For the people who actually need it though, tough shit.

Quality of life has suffered tremendously, but that's life, I guess.

[Vinca]

21. Everyone is different. Sorry you've got the problems you do. Fortunately, I didn't have to stay on

anything a junkie would want for too long. Wish I had a solution.

[Biophilic]

5. Good to hear you're on the mend.

Sorry to hear about the pain, but as I recall that's, unfortunately, pretty normal. I was a geriatric OT until 5 years ago. I worked with a few patients with this type of surgery. The first couple of weeks seemed like the hardest. Hang in there. Every year they are better and better with these types of surgery. Remember to breathe through the pain and yes, positive thinking actually seemed to work. Think about how you felt sitting up on that mountain top. Awesome, I bet. Hopefully you'll get through this stage quickly.

[mopinko]

6. if the gabapentin stalls out, get lyrica.

have lingering parastesias after c4-6 surgery.
had tried gaba for fibro, but didnt rly help. lyrica was a godsend. i believe there is a generic now.

it's an age of miracles and wonder.

[zuul]

12. There is a generic version of Lyrica:

Pregabalin.

I take it with Tramadol for stenosis in both my upper and lower spine. The combination takes the edge off the pain.

[LyndaG]

7. Take Care

Hope your pain disappears soon and you continue to improve.

[Tribetime]

8. Thanks for update I have back surgery scheduled

Sept 7 L4-5..L5-S1 laminectomy L4-5 instrumentation Posterior interbody fusion..posterior lateral fusion.....Im told Ill be out of work for 6 to 12 weeks....have to somehow figure out lost income.

[Bo Zarts]

11. Stay strong.

As soon as I recover from this, I go back under the knife for L4-5 work.

[Tribetime]

24. You too it's encouraging your progress

Hope the nerve pain goes away quickly

[TheRickles]

10. Medical marijuana can be helpful for neuropathic pain (injured nerves), if you want to go herbal.

The best THC/CBD ratio might take some trial and error to find, but that process could have an upside. And it's not as sedating as gabapentin can be. There's plenty of info online - best of luck!

[hunter]

15. Like any other medicine, not for everyone.

Doesn't play well in me.

[SergeStorms]

17. If you sign an opioid contract....

with the surgeon or pain management clinic any " street drugs", of which marijuana still remains, they'll refuse to prescribe any medications and you'll be forced to find another M.D.

Marijuana remains a federal schedule 1 drug, for insane reasons. I thought Biden was going to take care of that, but I'm sure there are more important things on his mind at the moment.

[SheltieLover]

13. Sorry to hear you are still in pain

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. Thanks for the update, my dear Bo! I'm glad you're healing and sorry you're hurting.

The pain will ease! Hang in there, OK?

[Dreampuff]

18. Bo, I've been waiting for an update from you.

Glad to hear that you are hanging in there! It looks like we can start our own club here. I have also had cervical spine surgery and lumbar surgery and have the spinal stenosis and fibromyalgia, Etc. I have been very blessed with my outcome and I hope the same for you! It just takes time and a lot of exercise, but no exercise for you now yet! Just rest and take care.

[SergeStorms]

19. Good luck, Bo Zarts.

My spinal surgery was on 2001, and I'm sure they've made serious progress since then. The human spine remains a mystery though, and I wish you the best of luck.

Now it's time to go lay down, but you know all about that routine, right?

[Bo Zarts]

22. I sure do ..

Until a brief time this morning, when for a couple of hours nothing calmed the pain, I could almost always lay down on my back and get near-total relief from the pain. Therefore, I could sleep.

I started the gabapentin/tramadol combo this morning. Just took my second dose, eight hours later, and I can report significant reduction of nerve pain.

Thanks to all DUers for the encouraging words!

[Tribetime]

26. That's great

[grantcart]

20. This thread useless without pictures

Looking forward to hearing more good news on your recovery

[Bo Zarts]

23. Here ya' go: "Blue Bayou." Guaranteed to cure what ails you.

Atchafalaya Backwater Bayou, Louisiana
© 2019 Bo Zarts Studio

[Nevilledog]

27. Oooooh

[ProfessorGAC]

25. Good Luck, Bo (nt)

[Nevilledog]

28. You'll love the Big IPad.....it's amazing and it's all I use.

Glad/sad to hear about the progress/pain.

Have you considered weed/CBD?

[Bo Zarts]

33. Can't wait for delivery of the new iPad!

Last question .. yes.

[spanone]

29. Take care....

[GoodRaisin]

30. My nerve pain didn't go away after my surgery either.

I'm over 6 months post op now (C4/C5). I also have a large amount of internal weakness as well. The Gabapentin did me no good at all so they switched me to Pregabalin, which is maybe a little better, still not great at all. I've also had a sympathetic nerve block that didn't work. I haven't tried the Tramadol. I may discuss that at my next follow up appointment with my neurosurgeon this month.

On the positive side I have regained a lot of range of motion and balance slowly over the 6 months since surgery. I've graduated from walker to a quad cane. I have also found that gentle massage from water jets gives a fair amount of relief to my hands, arms and feet where the nerve pain is.

You've still got a lot of healing ahead so keep the faith.

[Bo Zarts]

32. Thanks for the encouraging words ..

I have taken only two doses of the tramadol/gabapentin combo, one at 9 AM and one at 5 PM (3 hours ago). The reduction in my level of nerve pain is significant. But I am a bit loopy. No way could I drive now, but thankfully I don't have to.

I'm holding you in the light, GR!

[GoodRaisin]

34. Thanks Bo.

It's very encouraging that you can say you are already experiencing significant reduction in your nerve pain. That is GREAT news.

[Stuart G]

31. Best Wishes for speedy recovery...K and R