I'm now 5 months out from my revision surgery! It doesn't seem possible! I have been having some difficulties, so I wanted to see if anyone here had similiar issues/advice.
I'm fused T2- L5 (I think- can't remeber the exact vertebrae- all I know is it is a long fusion!!) with osteotomies and a VCR. I'm 27- had my first fusion when I was 12. I have a severe lung restriction issue- my lung function is very low- because of the way my lungs grew with the brace I wore for 10 years as well as the compression of my spine on them. Does anyone else have breathing issues? Is there anything you can do to make it any better? I've seen multiple doctors for it- pulmonary specialists, ect., and nothing they do seems to make a difference. Inhalers don't work because it's obsrtructive not restrictive lung disease.
My other question is about pain. I am still having a lot of pain control issues. I'm taking 15mg of Methadone (as a pain reliever) in the am & pm, and then Percocet 10mg 3X/day. This works well to control my pain as long as I dont *do* anything. But as soon as I go out shopping, the movies, a picnic, anything- the pain is terrible. They are hesitant to give me anything stronger long term because of my severe lung dysfunction. What do you guys do for pain relief? I can change my activity level some and not do as much, but I want to have a life as well. I'm still young and have a lot of life left in me! I feel like I shouldn't be in this much pain all the time.
I'm currently not working and my doctors are recommending social security disability. That is a huge blow to me as well- I definitely wasn't expecting that at this point in my life.
Anyways, any advice is appreciated! Thank you!
I'm fused T2- L5 (I think- can't remeber the exact vertebrae- all I know is it is a long fusion!!) with osteotomies and a VCR. I'm 27- had my first fusion when I was 12. I have a severe lung restriction issue- my lung function is very low- because of the way my lungs grew with the brace I wore for 10 years as well as the compression of my spine on them. Does anyone else have breathing issues? Is there anything you can do to make it any better? I've seen multiple doctors for it- pulmonary specialists, ect., and nothing they do seems to make a difference. Inhalers don't work because it's obsrtructive not restrictive lung disease.
My other question is about pain. I am still having a lot of pain control issues. I'm taking 15mg of Methadone (as a pain reliever) in the am & pm, and then Percocet 10mg 3X/day. This works well to control my pain as long as I dont *do* anything. But as soon as I go out shopping, the movies, a picnic, anything- the pain is terrible. They are hesitant to give me anything stronger long term because of my severe lung dysfunction. What do you guys do for pain relief? I can change my activity level some and not do as much, but I want to have a life as well. I'm still young and have a lot of life left in me! I feel like I shouldn't be in this much pain all the time.
I'm currently not working and my doctors are recommending social security disability. That is a huge blow to me as well- I definitely wasn't expecting that at this point in my life.
Anyways, any advice is appreciated! Thank you!
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