Can't believe that today is that magical 6 month date I've had my eyes on since I had the surgery back on december 27th 2010.
I had my visit with my surgeon last week, and everything is looking great! I don't have to wear the bone stimulator any more (woohoo!) and I can now start bending and twisting (although he did say the less i do both of those the better)
I am only taking 1 flexeril (muscle relaxer) a day now, usually before bed, and 2 gabapentins (for the residual nerve pain in my leg).
I am getting a massage every other week, and that has REALLY helped with muscle stiffness in my neck and the leg pain. I still lay on my back, and she doesn't go near my incision. I also bought a foam roller, and that has really helped too with the tight muscle that runs down the side of my leg, that had been getting pain signals for the last 4 years from my compressed nerves. Now that it's not getting as strong a signal, massage really helps where it never really helped at all pre-op.
I am sleeping a lot better now, even compared to a month ago. I hardly wake up at all when I need to roll over. It's amazing how much you can improve in just a month.
I am doing more now at only 6 months post-op than I have in years. I drove 2 hours by myself up to visit family last weekend, for the first time in at least 3 years. I had no pain while driving, and no pain after. AHMAZING. My attitude and spirit have been lifted as my pain continues to decrease. I was never much of a "downer" but now that I feel better, I realize how awful I just felt all the time. Now I want to go out and do things, make trips, hang out a little later, because I know I won't "pay" for it later in more pain. I can also work longer and harder, without the constant distraction and frustration of an aching back and leg.
So, for all of you out there about to make the plunge, I'm living proof that this surgery can radically improve your life. It was the hardest, scariest thing I've ever done. But I would do it all over again if I had to. I can't believe I've had such a smooth recovery, and I am so thankful.
Blessings!
Rebecca
I had my visit with my surgeon last week, and everything is looking great! I don't have to wear the bone stimulator any more (woohoo!) and I can now start bending and twisting (although he did say the less i do both of those the better)
I am only taking 1 flexeril (muscle relaxer) a day now, usually before bed, and 2 gabapentins (for the residual nerve pain in my leg).
I am getting a massage every other week, and that has REALLY helped with muscle stiffness in my neck and the leg pain. I still lay on my back, and she doesn't go near my incision. I also bought a foam roller, and that has really helped too with the tight muscle that runs down the side of my leg, that had been getting pain signals for the last 4 years from my compressed nerves. Now that it's not getting as strong a signal, massage really helps where it never really helped at all pre-op.
I am sleeping a lot better now, even compared to a month ago. I hardly wake up at all when I need to roll over. It's amazing how much you can improve in just a month.
I am doing more now at only 6 months post-op than I have in years. I drove 2 hours by myself up to visit family last weekend, for the first time in at least 3 years. I had no pain while driving, and no pain after. AHMAZING. My attitude and spirit have been lifted as my pain continues to decrease. I was never much of a "downer" but now that I feel better, I realize how awful I just felt all the time. Now I want to go out and do things, make trips, hang out a little later, because I know I won't "pay" for it later in more pain. I can also work longer and harder, without the constant distraction and frustration of an aching back and leg.
So, for all of you out there about to make the plunge, I'm living proof that this surgery can radically improve your life. It was the hardest, scariest thing I've ever done. But I would do it all over again if I had to. I can't believe I've had such a smooth recovery, and I am so thankful.
Blessings!
Rebecca
Comment