Hi everyone,
I got a posterior spinal fusion on August 30th at Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia. I have 20 screws, 10 hooks and two rods implanted. I also suffer from mild cerebral palsy. I'm recovering nicely with a few aches and pains, but I do have a few questions that I hope you wouldn't mind answering.
1.) I'm a moderate to heavy soda drinker. I know you're supposed to limit caffienated beverages, but what exactly is the reason for it? One doctor told me while I was still in the hospital that it has to do with girls and their bone density. Then, I went back a week or so ago for a clinic visit and my surgeon seemed surprised when I asked him why I couldn't have soda; he replied with, "Who told you that?" He ultimately told me, though, that the sugar makes you feel full when you're not. I've been drinking soda for years and I've never had any problem with that. Basically, what I want to know is, will it have any effect on my back and/or the hooks/rods etc if I continue to drink soda?
2.) I know all about the numbness you suffer from afterwards due to lying on your stomach for a long period of time during surgery (I forget what the vain is called). I was in the OR for 11 hours, and although some of the numbness has worn off, I still suffer from some on my right side in my hip area, as well as my lower back and between my shoulder blades. I'm assuming the numbness/pain between my shoulder blades is due to the fact they cut through a lot of muscle there. I don't really feel the numbness until I take a shower and the water runs over my back; it just feels weird. Anyway, they originally told me the numbness would wear off in 3-6 weeks, though I read about it taking much longer for people. How long is too long?
3.) I'm seemingly suffering from a lot of pulled muscles - what's the best method for dealing with them? I tried a heating pad last night and it helped very little. Maybe I didn't have it in the right spot or something.
4.) When I was in the hospital, I contracted a urinary tract infection from the catheter. Although it cleared up, I now find that I'm going a lot more than I used to (not abnormally though) and that I have to go right away. Is this normal?
Thanks in advance for answering my questions! I look forward to chatting with you all!
I got a posterior spinal fusion on August 30th at Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia. I have 20 screws, 10 hooks and two rods implanted. I also suffer from mild cerebral palsy. I'm recovering nicely with a few aches and pains, but I do have a few questions that I hope you wouldn't mind answering.
1.) I'm a moderate to heavy soda drinker. I know you're supposed to limit caffienated beverages, but what exactly is the reason for it? One doctor told me while I was still in the hospital that it has to do with girls and their bone density. Then, I went back a week or so ago for a clinic visit and my surgeon seemed surprised when I asked him why I couldn't have soda; he replied with, "Who told you that?" He ultimately told me, though, that the sugar makes you feel full when you're not. I've been drinking soda for years and I've never had any problem with that. Basically, what I want to know is, will it have any effect on my back and/or the hooks/rods etc if I continue to drink soda?
2.) I know all about the numbness you suffer from afterwards due to lying on your stomach for a long period of time during surgery (I forget what the vain is called). I was in the OR for 11 hours, and although some of the numbness has worn off, I still suffer from some on my right side in my hip area, as well as my lower back and between my shoulder blades. I'm assuming the numbness/pain between my shoulder blades is due to the fact they cut through a lot of muscle there. I don't really feel the numbness until I take a shower and the water runs over my back; it just feels weird. Anyway, they originally told me the numbness would wear off in 3-6 weeks, though I read about it taking much longer for people. How long is too long?
3.) I'm seemingly suffering from a lot of pulled muscles - what's the best method for dealing with them? I tried a heating pad last night and it helped very little. Maybe I didn't have it in the right spot or something.
4.) When I was in the hospital, I contracted a urinary tract infection from the catheter. Although it cleared up, I now find that I'm going a lot more than I used to (not abnormally though) and that I have to go right away. Is this normal?
Thanks in advance for answering my questions! I look forward to chatting with you all!
Comment