It was surely my wonderful wife Diane, with an assist from Dr. Zeegers!

Actually, I shouldn't lead everyone to believe that it's all been going perfectly here. I have had some problems and we'll be staying here, probably another week. I'm glad the forum was down for the last few days, or I'd have been posting my fear as I grew worse and worse; Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I still cannot sit up through a meal and I still have a great deal of pain that is not normal after a 2-level procedure.

The good news is that it doesn't seem to have much to do with the prosthesis, or even the surgery for that matter. Since my accident, I've suffered with episodic muscle spasm problems. They have been on, full-time, for several months. About 2 1/2 weeks pre-op, I stopped taking the anti-spasmodics, anti-inflammatories, and AD's. My main problem is due to the muscle spasms, not the incision pain or low back pain. Wednesday night, I started taking the muscle-relaxers and NSAID. I had already restarted the AD's on Tuesday. (I think it was a mistake to discontinue all three meds prior to surgery. I was being too cautious. The fact that an NSAID inhibits fusion doesn't mean it should be d/c'd prior to ADR surgery.)

I have olive skin. When we went to see Zeegers on Thursday morning, I was still so pale I looked yellow. He took one look at me and said that I should not be trying to travel home on Monday. He wants me to stay here at least until Friday and do PT. I already started PT and as with the clinic, it seems to be much better than what I've been able to find in the states. Anyone heard of Gyrotronics? It is available in the US. I'll know more in a few days. BTW, my therapist will come in on Sunday when the clinic is closed, so I don't have to miss a day of PT. I can't wait to see the German prices, compared to my $200 sessions at home.

So, I still have no reason to expect that I won't be a success. The question is, are my muscle spasms a symptom of my low back pain, or are they a separate problem that will not be addressed by the surgery. Most of my back muscles are very weak from being sedentary for 3 years. That may be the problem in a nutshell. Only time will tell.

Although it's been tough, I'm very up and positive. I'm hoping that extending the stay will mean that we'll get to enjoy more of Munich before we have to leave.

Thanks for being here for me! Love to all,

You are so much in my thoughts and prayers lately! I'm sorry you're in so much pain, but the fact that it's from muscle spasms is a lot less worrysome, IMO, than if it was from the prosthesis or surgery. I agree that you probably didn't need to stop all those drugs before the surgery, and getting back on them should help you out a lot.

Keep us posted - good days or bad days!

Jim

You've just been through major surgery, things will only get better. Hang in there.

Take it easy and get a strong as you can. Atrophy can have such a devastating effect.

Take care friend.

You JUST HAD SURGERY, give yourself a CHANCE TO RECOVER DO NOT RUSH IT.

From my perspective, the very fact that you have increased your stride is progress. That was the first thing I noticed when I started to really decline back in 1994 was muscle cramps and declining length of stride when walking on a treadmill.

You WILL improve day by day. But again, you just had surgery, be kind to yourself.

Thanks for sharing.

Spine surgery takes its time in healing. You know the drill - first weeks/months are touch and go, and then slowly but surely you begin to rise from the fog. You'll be fine given some time. Please relax and please do overdo on the PT! Thanks for posting, you've been in everyone's thoughts.

Joanne

Love Lisa

My take:

* Regardless of the fact it was ADR and not fusion...you still had a TWO LEVEL back surgery. Hello...that CAN'T feel *good*.

* You haven't really done anything for 3 years! You may have been a bit over zealous at the hospital and now you're inflamed as all hell and spasming. While the effects of this surgery are seen more quickly than fusion, you still have to take into account that those poor back muscles have been sedentary for so long. You're putting them into shock right now. They can't just magically get strong and play soccer. Not to mention, you had an anterior procedure...so take all of the above statements times 10...the back muscles have to work FOR the abdominal muscles now (instead of *with* them).

RELAX! You will be OK. Don't let frustration and anxiety make you lose sight of your goals and you'll be alright. And, besides, you still owe me that soccer match!

You take it easy and slow and hopefully soon you will have some strength back and those spasms will slow down too. We are all rooting for you as you know!

Still sending prayers for your recovery!

Hugs from the States,
Bo

The only way to take recovery from any spinal surgery is day by day, so hang in there!

Hugs, Jacquie

------------------
Friends helping friends....

--50yrs old - Mom of 2 grown kids, married 27 years
--MVA on 5-1-99
--Disc buldges at C3-C4 and C4-C5
--Also rotator cuff tear, rt. carpal tunnel
--Surgery 2/01-lami and cyst removal L4/L5
--Pain and cyst returned by 7/01
--Second surgery 4/24/02 - L4/L5 fusion with instrumentation.
--I FEEL GREAT!
--Back to work only five months after my fusion
--Case still in litigation, not holding my breath for quick resolution..

E-mail me at jfpresto@optonline.net

*************************