I decided to take my pharmacist's advice and give myself 10 days off the OxyContin before I tried anything. That gave me almost another week to taper using Vicodin before thinking about any big changes. By the time 10 days got here, the taper had gone so well, it seemed like just a few days more would do it. That was Tuesday. Today, Friday, I'll take just 4 doses of 1/2 a regular Vicodin. That may be low enough for me to stop completely tomorrow.

It's still mostly withdrawal pain and discomfort. I have very little low back pain. The muscle pain, because of my very weak back muscles is still there, but less and less every day. This is what determines my sitting and standing tolerance. Early in the day, it's great. As the day wears on, my sitting and standing tolerance decreases substantially. I view all this a temporary and am still looking forward to skiing and playing tennis in a few short months.

So, there is nothing terribly new. My back (and abdomen too) continues to improve. I'm keeping the discomfort level up by rapidly reducing my meds. But that is what will have gotten me pain-med free at 6 weeks post-op. I hope this isn't premature. I'm hoping I can quit tomorrow. We'll see. I'm already starting to taper off the Wellbutrin. That won't take more than 2 weeks. Then, the only thing that'll be left is the anti-inflammatory. Since the FAA doesn't care about those, I'll stay on them a while longer, until I'm convinced that I don't need them.

I did go flying with my father a few days ago. I had quit a couple of months before my surgery because my pain levels were too high. So, after three months, it felt great to be in the air again. My wife and I are off to the farmer's market at the Huntington Beach Pier, then we are off to the Getty Museum. I can't believe that I get to do this again.

So, nothing but good news from here. I'm sending out all the pain-free vibes I can muster for all my spiney friends.

Take care all,

Mark

------------------
*** L4-5 and L5-S1 Disc Replacement (SB Charite III) 9/20/02 by Dr. Zeegers, AlphaKlinik, Munich, Germany ***

2/25/00 Microdiscectomy/laminotomy L4-5, 10x15x7 mm left paracentral protrusion

9/23/00 CANCELED L4-S1 360 fusion CANCELED

9/15/01 emergency microdiscectomy L5-S1, 14x13x10 mm left paracentral protrusion

Both discectomies resolved hip/leg/foot symptoms, but left the underlying back pain. Residual left foot pain and numbness. Lost axial reflex (left ankle).

Researching artificial disc options. ProDisc vs. SB Charite III looks like a toss-up, but you can see which one won.

*** The AlphaKlinik was wonderful. My expectations were high, but the clinic, it's staff, and Dr. Zeegers far exceeded them!!!

Take care, thanks for the support.

I too am interested in the cervical
possibilities of ADR.

I will continue to check here for all
of the valuable knowledge that you can pass
on.

May your days continue to be as pain
free as possible.

Tony J.

------------------

Feb. 1995 C5-6 Lami-Micro Diskectomy
Feb. 2001 Above Re-done
(waste of time:( )
May 29 2001, ACDF C5-6 w/Donor bone, plate and screws. Left with
Chronic Pain in C 5-6 region, down Rt. arm into hand.
Current Meds:
Oxycontin 40 mgs 3x Day, and
Nortryptiline 25mgs 2-3 nightly.
Along with a new regimen...LAMICTAL up to 150 mgs BID

Finally faced up to the fact that even though I am "fixed" mechanically, the nerve damage may never heal properly.

Maybe we'll hit the Getty tomorrow. I'm not sure because I think I'll be trying no meds. I don't know how I'll be.

Take care all.

Love,Lisa

Anyone know how long this will take?

I was talking to my PT recently about ADR and he is very gung ho. When I told him about you, he wasn't even surprised. I know the med stuff is hard, but trusting yourself got you this far, you know? What if you do have to spend the next 6 months to a year rehabbing muscles? At the end of the tunnel you are home free. It's inspiring. Thanks. Take it easy, huh?

Day 1 was long periods of moderate to severe withdrawals, interrupted by short periods of feeling OK.

Day 2 was much better than day 1. Shorter periods of less severe withdrawals, with longer periods of feeling OK. The start of Day 2 really scared me because I felt significant back pain. I thought that I would be unsuccessful at staying off the pain meds because I would still need them. I went swimming in the am for the first time since the surgery. I couldn't believe how exhausted I got after about 150 meters. My arms were so heavy. When I got out of the pool, I was woozy... walked like a drunk. I don't know if I'm still anemic from the surgery or what, but I am not in THAT bad a shape. In any case, the back pain subsided and was VERY minor through the day.

The lack of meds is showing me how my c-spine hurts. I don't know how much of it is related to the withdrawals or muscle spasms, but I'll just ride it out for a while.

It looks like I'm going to be able to stay off the meds. I still can't believe it.

when i stopped the norco after 2 years, the first few days were the worst pain wise... but after those first few days i actually started feeling better than i do right now. My guess is that your body goes back to producing it's own chemicals the way it was supposed... just a theory

my withdrawals lasted a few weeks though.. rotten sleep. the itchy body feeling seemed to take over whenever i laid down to rest. Didn't seem to bother me when i was up moving around. A good reminder to keep me from wanting to ever take the meds again...

You are one hell of a strong man.

I am wondering what your withdrawal symptons are? How would you descibe them?

xxoo,

Karen

Since I started cutting back, withdrawals have been mostly body aches and a nausious, queezy feeling. Sometimes the body aches seem to be in my joints, sometimes it seems to be muscular. These aches get pretty severe. The weight of my covers seems to make every joint in my toes hurt like hell! Sometimes it settles in a particular joint. My right shoulder has been particularly bad.

For the past couple of days, I wake with a severe headache and it really lasts a long time. My sleeping is really messed up too. No matter when I fall asleep, I can't seem to stay asleep beyond 3:30am. I had been sleeping better than ever since the surgery.

Whatever it is, it's all tolerable. I hope you are continuing to do well. Sorry I missed your post about muscle cramps. I've been barely able to keep up the questions I'm getting (via email) from potential ADR patients.

Wattle, Sunday was the swim I described. Monday was a workout in the gym. Treadmill, bike stretching and very light weights. I was only using three plates on the lat pull, chest press, and row - all these machines are very well stabilized, lumbar wise. Every stroke came with shaking back muscles! Minor crunches are very shakey too. I can't believe how out of shape I've gotten.

I paid for Monday's workout with substantial pain in the afternoon and evening. However, it wasn't my old back pain, so that's good news.

I see my local OS for a 6-week check and x-ray this morning. I'm not concerned about the x-ray. I know everything is in place.

Still biking?

Talk to you soon,