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  • post surgery questions

    Overall, I think I have been doing great since my surgery on Jan. 5. I wake up a few times in the night with a severe dry throat. My lips actually get stuck on my teeth until I get water. I have ice chips and water by my bed, but that only helps for a few minutes. I felt really good yesterday and walked many laps of our house. Today, my left hip is really painful when I start to stand. I don't know if I overdid it and that would cause the hip pain. I walked up and down 10 steps, too, so maybe that's the problem. I want to heal as quickly as possible by walking lots, but not if it causes me to go backward. I will call Dr. Lenke's office tomorrow if I still have the hip pain, meanwhile, did any of you experience this?
    Thanks!
    Karen

    Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
    Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
    70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
    Rib Hump-GONE!
    Age-60 at the time of surgery
    Now 66
    Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
    Retired Kdgn. Teacher

    See photobucket link for:
    Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
    Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
    tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
    http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

  • #2
    I forgot to mention that I have fever blisters, as well. Anyone else?
    Karen

    Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
    Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
    70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
    Rib Hump-GONE!
    Age-60 at the time of surgery
    Now 66
    Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
    Retired Kdgn. Teacher

    See photobucket link for:
    Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
    Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
    tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
    http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

    Comment


    • #3
      I had plenty of hip pain...for the first few weeks I hurt more in my hips than anywhere else. it goes away over time.

      Nitram
      Pre-Surgery Lumbar 65 degrees
      A/P Fusion T10-Pelvis by Dr. Christopher Good
      Virginia Spine Institute, Reston, VA 3/17/10, 3/18/10
      Post-Surgery Lumbar 19 degrees, and 2" in height

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi Karen,

        I didn't have fever blisters but I did get thrush (oral candidiasis) at around 9 days post-op. My tongue was very sore and thickly coated white, and it would bleed if I tried to remove the coating. I also had an extremely dry mouth with this. I guess this happens to some people post-op. I would suggest checking in with your doc's office about this as they may want to give you something for the fever blisters.

        For the first two weeks at home I tried to slowly walk 5-10 minutes twice a day or so, plus moving around the house a little bit. I was lucky that it was still sunny most days, so I could get outside for a few minutes.

        Keep up the good work. You're doing great so far!

        Gayle
        Gayle, age 50
        Oct 2010 fusion T8-sacrum w/ pelvic fixation
        Feb 2012 lumbar revision for broken rods @ L2-3-4
        Sept 2015 major lumbar A/P revision for broken rods @ L5-S1


        mom of Leah, 15 y/o, Diagnosed '08 with 26* T JIS (age 6)
        2010 VBS Dr Luhmann Shriners St Louis
        2017 curves stable/skeletely mature

        also mom of Torrey, 12 y/o son, 16* T, stable

        Comment


        • #5
          Karen

          You have been doing great! We can just tell by your posts.

          Hip pain or almost any other pains can be expected so early in recovery...Just take it easy right now, and slowly build up into your exercises. Healing takes time....

          Pains will see-saw through recovery with constant improvement.

          Ed
          49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
          Pre surgery curves T70,L70
          ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
          Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

          Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

          My x-rays
          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

          Comment


          • #6
            I will call tomorrow about the white tongue and cotton mouth. My hips feel better today. I took a mirror and looked at my back and couldn't believe it. It really looks straight. I still have bloating which Kelly told me to expect .
            I am getting my hair washed in the am and planning to walk a lap or 2 at the y.
            I would have to say that during the day I am slightly uncomfortable, but I dread the nights. I just can't find a comfortable position and then I worry that I might have twisted accidentally.
            If no complications develop, I can already say I am glad I had the surgery.

            The magnesium citrate worked. I pretended to chug a beer in college.
            Karen

            Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
            Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
            70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
            Rib Hump-GONE!
            Age-60 at the time of surgery
            Now 66
            Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
            Retired Kdgn. Teacher

            See photobucket link for:
            Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
            Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
            tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
            http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

            Comment


            • #7
              Karen- sounds like things are going great! Bernie told me early on, when I had some concerns, that I would experience aches and pains and weird feelings over the next several months and not to be too concerned. I still get weird sensations even now at 5 months post op. Hip pain is fairly common I think. You may have overdone the stairs. They told me to walk a lot but no incline initially on my treadmill and start with stairs only once a day and build up. Glad the magnesium citrate worked. Drink, chug a lug! College was a good time!
              Age 56
              Wore a Milwaukee Brace for 3 years in hs
              Fused L4-S1 for high grade spondylolisthesis Jan '09 in Indy
              Thoracic 68
              Surgery Aug 31, 2010 T3 to L1
              Dr Bridwell St Louis
              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...1&d=1289881696

              Comment


              • #8
                You sound great Karen! Apart from the thrush which is easily fixed. I wish I had mag. citrate when I was newly pre-op. Though it could have been one of the many foul-tasting things they gave me in hospital.

                I hope your walk at the Y is the start of many good, healing walks for you.
                Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
                Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
                T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
                Osteotomies and Laminectomies
                Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

                Comment


                • #9
                  I'm pulling for you, Karen!

                  I don't know for sure if it's problematic with thrush but to keep your lips from sticking to your teeth, you could pretend your a Pageant Queen and put a little vaseline on your front teeth.

                  Keep up the good work! You're putting my fears at ease, so thank you!!!! (hugs)
                  Female, age 38
                  4 years of bracing, concluded at 42*upper/38*lower
                  currently 64*upper/40*lower
                  Fused T3-L4 on Feb 23 2011
                  now 32*upper/18* lower

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Hi Karen,

                    Any word about the problem with your mouth?

                    I bet it felt wonderful to get your hair washed!

                    Take care,

                    Gayle
                    Gayle, age 50
                    Oct 2010 fusion T8-sacrum w/ pelvic fixation
                    Feb 2012 lumbar revision for broken rods @ L2-3-4
                    Sept 2015 major lumbar A/P revision for broken rods @ L5-S1


                    mom of Leah, 15 y/o, Diagnosed '08 with 26* T JIS (age 6)
                    2010 VBS Dr Luhmann Shriners St Louis
                    2017 curves stable/skeletely mature

                    also mom of Torrey, 12 y/o son, 16* T, stable

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Hi Karen!
                      It sounds like you are doing wonderful! I am amazed at how much better each day gets. These last couple have been pretty decent. Not great, but not as bad as I was excpecting.
                      Yes, it is wonderful to see my back so long and straightened out, and the hump nearly nonexistant. The nerve pain I've had for 15 years in my hips, thighs and down to my foot is gone. Even with surgery pain, I am more comfortable at night than I have been in years. It is amazing. I, too, am already so glad that I bit the bullet and did it.
                      I took a long hot shower last night with my hubby's help and a shower chair. It was HEAVENLY!!!
                      I have cotton mouth and throat, too. I drink a full 32 Oz. water from 2am to 6am. My life revolves around pill schedules...
                      I live in the mountains in a forested area, so I can't walk outside, and my house is a pretty small cabin in the woods, so I feel like a lion pacing in it's cage. I am anxious for nicer weather so the snow and ice will melt off the roads, at least.
                      I look forward to our journey to healing and health. Keep it up!!!
                      Jenee'-52
                      Bend, Oregon

                      Braced 3 years in high school
                      Lumbar 70'+ Thoracic 70'+
                      I had 3" shrinkage in 6 months...

                      Surgery Jan 10, 2011
                      9 hours
                      T3 to S1 with pelvic fixation
                      Both curves now 35'

                      Possible revison for Flatback Syndrome
                      Non-fusion
                      Loose/broken hardware-awaiting CT results

                      Here is the link to my before and after pics..
                      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt......&highlight=

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Jenee' you amaze me, being only 10 days out!
                        Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
                        Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
                        T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
                        Osteotomies and Laminectomies
                        Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I am really amazed at how well you are doing at only 10 days out! I am 11 1/2 weeks post op having had thorasic fusion with instrumentation T-2 to T-11 and I dont recall feeling that good. Walking is essential though to healing. Start slow but gradually increase. I live where the weather stinks for walking outside safely in the winter on the roads too ( MN ), but I do when the roads are clear. I worked my way back up to 2 miles but other issues ( fluid and swelling in knees ) is regressing my walking now. I did some research, you may want to do the same, and I found the Senior center here has a wonderful treadmill and another leg machine for seniors to use for free. I inquired with my condition if I could come and use it as well even though I am 5o yrs old and not QUITE a senior yet and they said yes and are allowing me to use it whenever I need to.
                          Best best wishes, I hope you heal well.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I can't believe that i will be 1 month post surgery in 2 days. I don't know where the time went. We had about 3 days in a row of sunny days in the 40's, so John and I walked outside. It was sure more interesting than the laps in our house. Kelly told me today that I could go to the pool at the y and walk in the water. I thought about the scar, and then thought of it as a badge of courage, so what the heck? The Y also has a nice indoor track that I will use. I get my hair cut and colored tomorrow-Yeah!
                            Karen

                            Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
                            Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
                            70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
                            Rib Hump-GONE!
                            Age-60 at the time of surgery
                            Now 66
                            Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
                            Retired Kdgn. Teacher

                            See photobucket link for:
                            Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
                            Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
                            tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
                            http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              it's amazing you are where you are so soon after surgery! i got a dry mouth too and realized gee, they told me i had to sleep on my back. so.... the mouth relaxes at nite, opens up and voila, dry mouth! I just learned to keep water with bendy straw in hand's reach. got a cold sore but from grimmacing so bad when I got a thoracentesis. the sores do come up when immune system is down. abreva is a miracle.
                              XLIF 7 discs replaced L5-T10 lateral PEEK implants, pedicle/facet screws, rib resection
                              Pre-surgical: 40 d lumbar-thoracic, sponylolisthesis, kyphosis, all discs ruptured, stenosis
                              Post-surgical:12 d, 1" taller
                              Surgery: 8/27/2010 Dr. W Smith, Las Vegas University Medical Center
                              53 yrs old

                              Comment

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