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  • Pain coming back 3 months post op

    Hi everyone,
    I had my surgery in October 2007. The doc says that everything is healing well....but my sciatica has returned on the left side, sneezing and coughing very painful and I'm also having a lot of neck and shoulder pain and stiffness.
    the doc has started me on lodine, but it kills my stomach. So now he has prescribed nexium 40 mg to take with the lodine. The doc says that I'm just doing to much and that it has only been 3 months since the surgery. Anyone know anything that might help. I can't even do lite housework or shave my legs without paying for it.
    MarieMarieMarie

  • #2
    Myree--I'm sorry you are having those problems. Are you still taking any pain medication? Hopefully this new bout of medicine will help you. I'm not familiar with taking iodine, so don't know much about that... I just remember as a kid getting "painted" with iodine for little cuts and that it stung and was a funny color.

    If your doctor thinks you are on track, except that you are pushing what you can do a little, that's good news. Hold off on the housework, even if it bothers you to see a little dust/dirt, etc. Maybe you can host a dustball party and invite a few friends over for a house cleaning event. I recently heard a tale of an older (and funny) lady who had invited people over to play some games. The main one was to see who could get the longest peel (no tearing) off an apple. When the "game" was over, all her apples had been peeled... No one realized ahead of time that was her main objective!

    I hope things start looking a little more "up" to you soon.
    71 and plugging along... but having some problems
    2007 52° w/ severe lumbar stenosis & L2L3 lateral listhesis (side shift)
    5/4/07 posterior fusion T2-L4 w/ laminectomies and osteotomies @L2L3, L3L4
    Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Rush Univ. Medical Center in Chicago

    Corrected to 15°
    CMT (type 2) DX in 2014, progressing
    10/2018 x-rays - spondylolisthesis at L4/L5 - Dr. DeWald is monitoring

    Click to view my pics: pics of scoli x-rays digital x-rays, and pics of me

    Comment


    • #3
      Be careful of the Lodine. It can build up in your liver very easily. Make sure your Dr runs liver enzymes blood tests to check this every few months. It can cause severe liver damage. My ALT and AST elevated in about 2 months but wasn't caught for almost 5 months and then only because I was extremely fatigued.
      Geish
      47 years old, dx at 13
      +30* to the right, +60* to the left, +30* to the right
      Surgery 12-13-07 - fusion from T4 to sacrum.


      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...tachmentid=267 Pre surgery
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...tachmentid=268 Post surgery
      http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/DSC01091.jpg Xray from the side
      http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...1089-1-1-1.jpg Xray from the back

      Comment


      • #4
        making sense now...

        Thanks for posting that, Geish. i was really confused (and you could tell!) about taking "Iodine" as a med--makes sense that it is something called Lodine. Some of us just don't have much drug savvy...
        71 and plugging along... but having some problems
        2007 52° w/ severe lumbar stenosis & L2L3 lateral listhesis (side shift)
        5/4/07 posterior fusion T2-L4 w/ laminectomies and osteotomies @L2L3, L3L4
        Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Rush Univ. Medical Center in Chicago

        Corrected to 15°
        CMT (type 2) DX in 2014, progressing
        10/2018 x-rays - spondylolisthesis at L4/L5 - Dr. DeWald is monitoring

        Click to view my pics: pics of scoli x-rays digital x-rays, and pics of me

        Comment


        • #5
          LOL I only knew what it was because I have taken it and gotten sick from it! Because of Lodine I have be careful with any anti-inflammatory I take now. I really worry about liver damage.
          Geish
          47 years old, dx at 13
          +30* to the right, +60* to the left, +30* to the right
          Surgery 12-13-07 - fusion from T4 to sacrum.


          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...tachmentid=267 Pre surgery
          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...tachmentid=268 Post surgery
          http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/DSC01091.jpg Xray from the side
          http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...1089-1-1-1.jpg Xray from the back

          Comment


          • #6
            I worry some about that too, but it seems like all the arthritis meds have either been recalled or have warnings. I went through several that way. My family doctor said not to worry too much about it, but.. hopefully the one I'm taking now won't cause me any probs---diclofenac (generic for Voltaren). I guess time will tell.
            71 and plugging along... but having some problems
            2007 52° w/ severe lumbar stenosis & L2L3 lateral listhesis (side shift)
            5/4/07 posterior fusion T2-L4 w/ laminectomies and osteotomies @L2L3, L3L4
            Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Rush Univ. Medical Center in Chicago

            Corrected to 15°
            CMT (type 2) DX in 2014, progressing
            10/2018 x-rays - spondylolisthesis at L4/L5 - Dr. DeWald is monitoring

            Click to view my pics: pics of scoli x-rays digital x-rays, and pics of me

            Comment


            • #7
              I just read the Lodine post and just had to reply. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 15 and have taken so many anti-inflamatories I think everything that is wrong with me is related to some former medication. I have had good luck with Lodine though. I have taken it for over 10 years now, but I do have to take Zantac for my stomach, along with the Lodine. My liver has been fine and the Lodine helped with the pain (The only anti-inflamatory that ever helped). I had to stop the Lodine for my scoli surgery in October, 2007 and have not gone back on it and don't think I will. I take so many meds for various reasons that it is wonderful to get rid of just one.

              Good luck with your tests and pain control. Take care all, Susan
              Susan, Age 60, getting accustomed to my new back!
              A/P Surgery Oct. 15 and 22, 2007
              Spinal fusion T10 -S1 with Segmental instrumentation
              Thorocolumbar pre-op curve 63 degrees: post-op curve less than 10 degrees per Dr. at 6-month appt.
              Dr. Robert A. Hart @ Oregon Health & Science University, (OHSU) Spine Center, Portland, OR

              Comment


              • #8
                Myree, my husband is calling for me so didn't finish my post. Just wanted to let you know that I have the problem of doing too much or dropping something and trying to pick it up and then paying for it. I got so tired of looking at the dirt I even tried to vacumm a couple of days ago. I am still scared of what I might have done. Gotta go, just wanted to say I understand what you are going through. Susan
                Susan, Age 60, getting accustomed to my new back!
                A/P Surgery Oct. 15 and 22, 2007
                Spinal fusion T10 -S1 with Segmental instrumentation
                Thorocolumbar pre-op curve 63 degrees: post-op curve less than 10 degrees per Dr. at 6-month appt.
                Dr. Robert A. Hart @ Oregon Health & Science University, (OHSU) Spine Center, Portland, OR

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by SusanGP
                  I just read the Lodine post and just had to reply. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 15 and have taken so many anti-inflamatories I think everything that is wrong with me is related to some former medication. I have had good luck with Lodine though. I have taken it for over 10 years now, but I do have to take Zantac for my stomach, along with the Lodine. My liver has been fine and the Lodine helped with the pain (The only anti-inflamatory that ever helped). I had to stop the Lodine for my scoli surgery in October, 2007 and have not gone back on it and don't think I will. I take so many meds for various reasons that it is wonderful to get rid of just one.

                  Good luck with your tests and pain control. Take care all, Susan
                  I wasn't saying that Lodine won't work, only to be careful. I was one of the lucky ones that took Vioxx successfully for 5 years. When they pulled it off the market I had trouble finding a replacement because I have allergies to sulfa. I couldn't take any of the other wonder drugs because of that. I was given naprosyn but it did nothing. The Lodine worked well except for that troubling little problem of building up in my liver and making me so ill. Personally I wish Vioxx would come back on the market, at least for those that it worked well for, it really helped me and I miss it!
                  Geish
                  47 years old, dx at 13
                  +30* to the right, +60* to the left, +30* to the right
                  Surgery 12-13-07 - fusion from T4 to sacrum.


                  http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...tachmentid=267 Pre surgery
                  http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...tachmentid=268 Post surgery
                  http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/DSC01091.jpg Xray from the side
                  http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...1089-1-1-1.jpg Xray from the back

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    thank u all

                    Thank you all...I know I shouldn't push myself, but I just can't stand not being able to do what I used to do...

                    The only pain meds he has me on now is the Lodine, it helps but I'm still hurting.
                    My surgery was on the L5 S1 and it took 4 years (at least) to get my regular doc to send me to a specialist. When he saw the MRI, he said I shouldn't be walking at all. I have scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, osteoarthiritis and most likely rheumatoid arthiritis too, and I'm only 36.

                    I'm just very disgusted with doctors that have none of these problems and no clue how I feel...how do I get them to understand how this is affecting my life.

                    I used to be very active and I find that I'm becoming very depressed.
                    I miss working...I was a doctors office manager before this...but now I can't sit or stand for long , no bending, twisting or lifting...
                    what work can I do???
                    and the whole disability processes is intimidating....
                    MarieMarieMarie

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Geish - I miss Vioxx too. It worked wonderfully for me. Most medications I have tried since have side effects, or I developed an allergy to them, or they don't do anything at all.

                      Myree - I'm right there with you. I miss work too, and when it comes to being active, if you were here I could demonstrate for you how my friends/colleagues do their impressions of me. Picture this: short, chubby person, head down, fists clenched, bending forward, feet churning, running from one end to the other, never stopping. It was hysterically funny, even if it was at my expense!
                      I'm off work for two years now. I was finally making what I thought was an enormous amount of money, and figured I would continue working until my official retirement age, pay off any bills I still had, then retire and travel, travel, travel. Well, I can kiss that **** goodbye. I still think I will eventually be able to go back to work, but it will have to be something different. My previous career was too stressful and too physically demanding.

                      I think your doc is right that you are trying to do too much. The L5-S1 is the toughest area of the spine to "fix" and three months is too soon to expect complete recovery. I'm heading into my 4th surgery next month for additional surgery at L5-S1. Believe me, you are not alone on this forum in having trouble being inactive and having to ask for help. But you need to take whatever steps necessary to get yourself through this and to heal properly. The physical limitations you have now won't last forever. You are still young and time is on your side.

                      Good luck and please try not to be too hard on yourself (or your doctors!)
                      FeliciaFeliciaFelicia
                      10/24/00 posterior fusion T4-L4 at age 57
                      8/5/05 posterior surgery for spinal stenosis at L4-L5; laminectomy and fusion
                      5/14/07 posterior revision with fusion to sacrum
                      2/11/08 anterior discectomy L5-S1, and reinforcement of fusion with plate attached to L5-S1
                      3/9/2011 and 3/11/2011 revision surgery with Dr. Lenke, St. Louis - complete revision and fusion with instrumentation from T1 to sacrum, one lumbar osteotomy.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Geish, Believe me I'm not pushing Lodine - we all have different bodies and react differently to each medication. We must all be careful with these drugs. I have been allergic to so many that I felt lucky when Lodine did work and no noticeable side affects (note the noticeable).

                        Myree, you sound just like I feel with not being able to do the things I used to be able to do. The absolutely most horrible problem I have right now as far as dressing myself is that I have severe leg vein problems and have to wear support hose. Well, I can't put my own shoes on let alone support hose. My husband has to do it for me before he leaves for work. He says he doesn't mind, but it is such an ordeal each day - he minds alright! I can't wait to find something to help. I think I have every tool they make and so far nothing works.

                        Talking about disability and stupid people. I mean myself with the STUPID. I filed for SS Disability in 1994, took it all the way to Federal Judge. I was denied, told I could find a job of some type that would allow me to lie down and rest periodically, etc., etc., what a joke. Anyway I started my own home-based business, secretarial services, medical transcription, and bulk mailing service. I worked harder than I ever had in my life. The business grew, I had two employees, made money but had too much overhead and did not pay in to Social Security for myself for ten years. Now I do not have enough quarters in to qualify for disability and definitely can't work. When I have recouperated (in a few months I hope) enough I will try to find any kind of job to add to the household income to help. I too, get very depressed, then I have to remember to be thankful for the blessings that I do have. It is hard, but us scoli people are strong - we have to be don't we... Anyway, keep the faith and this forum is a great help too!! Hang in there,
                        Susan
                        Susan, Age 60, getting accustomed to my new back!
                        A/P Surgery Oct. 15 and 22, 2007
                        Spinal fusion T10 -S1 with Segmental instrumentation
                        Thorocolumbar pre-op curve 63 degrees: post-op curve less than 10 degrees per Dr. at 6-month appt.
                        Dr. Robert A. Hart @ Oregon Health & Science University, (OHSU) Spine Center, Portland, OR

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Marie-

                          Are you using a bone stimulator? They work miracles for the healing of your lower lumbar and S-1 fusion. I had a friend tell me her pain was eliminated after her doctor put her on hers to heal the failed fusion. I am not implying have a failed fusion, but sometimes they don't heal as fast as the other fusions. I am so sorry you're having these difficulties, sweetie...Hang in there...
                          Lisa age 47
                          T curve 69 degrees
                          L curve 40 degrees more or less - compensatory
                          fused to from T-3 to sacrum
                          anterior and posterior surgeries completed June 1, 2007
                          pushing hard in recovery !!

                          Comment

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