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#1
11-06-2009, 04:07 PM
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Driving advice
Just wondering how long it was before all you post-op's were driving? Luckily, I live in a warm climate, so I don't have to worry about tough driving conditions - just want to be able to take my daughter to school and such.
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44 years old. Pre-op thorasic curve of 50 degrees reduced to 18 degrees!! 
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#2
11-06-2009, 04:25 PM
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Quote:
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Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis Now 50, the new 51. "As we should all know by now, when you see an argument about tone, you see somebody who’s avoiding the substantive issues." -- Jerry Coyne, Professor of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago "Science is what we do to keep us from lying to ourselves." -- Richard Feynman, Nobel Physicist and genius
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#4
11-06-2009, 04:40 PM
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It's hard to know sometimes if levity is going to be appreciated.
Thanks. 
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Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis Now 50, the new 51. "As we should all know by now, when you see an argument about tone, you see somebody who’s avoiding the substantive issues." -- Jerry Coyne, Professor of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago "Science is what we do to keep us from lying to ourselves." -- Richard Feynman, Nobel Physicist and genius
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#5
11-06-2009, 06:00 PM
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I started about 6 or 7 weeks post op. By that time I was on maybe 5 or 6 pain pills per day and the Dr. told me I could drive if I didn't feel sedated. I was fine, but a little nervous when the pharmacist told me that if I had an accident and they checked my medical records, I could be sued. I only went to & from the grocery store and other very small trips, and that's about it. Once I was totally off pain meds, around 3 months post op, I drove regularly.
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__________________________________________ Debbe - 47 yrs old Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79 Told by Dr. my curve would never progress  Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees
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#6
11-06-2009, 07:48 PM
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My doctor said no driving until I was off pain meds b/c of the same reason the pharmacist said. I made sure that if I took a pain pill i didn't drive for 4 or 5 hours. At that point, I wasn't feeling the effects anyway. The good thing about wanting to drive, is that it was motivation for me to get off the pain meds! I didn't start doing that until I was about 6 weeks post-op.
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Kathy, 43 Diagnosed as a teen Boston brace 2 years 63 degree lumbar curve Surgery August 26, 2009 Anterior approach fused T12-L4 now 28 degrees
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#7
11-06-2009, 09:26 PM
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Drugs linger in your system for quite some time..... Even after you quit, if they do a blood test and determine that you had chemicals in your system, a jury will be persuaded and it could be expensive if you injure someone.
Food for thought.... Ed
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 Dont forget the foam!49 yr old male now 51 the new 31 Pre surgery curves C12,T70,L70 A/P T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada
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#9
11-07-2009, 09:19 AM
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yes...I did look it up once. Percocet stays in your system for 24 hours and your hair for 30 days!
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Kathy, 43 Diagnosed as a teen Boston brace 2 years 63 degree lumbar curve Surgery August 26, 2009 Anterior approach fused T12-L4 now 28 degrees
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#10
11-07-2009, 09:54 AM
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I drove while still taking a low dose of Oxycontin and thought I was fine...but I will say that after I got off the Oxy and drove, I noticed a big difference in how I felt behind the wheel. That was quite eye-opening for me. I hope I never have to take narcotics again, but if I do, I would never again drive while taking them.
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Chris A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5 Pre-op thorocolumbar curve: 70 degrees Post-op curve: 12 degrees Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York
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#11
11-07-2009, 10:11 AM
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Quote:
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__________________________________________ Debbe - 47 yrs old Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79 Told by Dr. my curve would never progress Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees
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#12
11-07-2009, 12:59 PM
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Barring any pain medication, it was still difficult for me when I tried at about 6 weeks, probably because I'm fused down to my pelvis, scary when I tried to check on my left for any oncoming traffic. It does get better, but I still have that issue. And I also was also driving while on pain medication in the beginning, not a lot, but still should not have. I guess my feeling was it was like I was taking medication for legitimate pain, not like drinking and driving, dumb I know!
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Dolores A June 4, 2009 Anterior L3 - S1 June 8, 2009 Posterior T4 - Pelvis Mark Agulnick, MD FAAOS NY Spine & Scoliosis Center
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#13
11-07-2009, 04:31 PM
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I was a late starter, I was about 11-12 weeks if my memory serves me correctly. I started weaning off the drugs at 6 weeks but I then had 6 weeks of dizziness. Seeing over my shoulder is still difficult. I tried one of those circular turntable type seats (I called it my Lazy Susan) but I didn't find it terribly helpful as my bum was bigger than the circle, which stopped it from turning. I should add, my bum is not that big, so I don't think they'd be a wise investment unless you're reed thin and can sit without overlapping on a dinner plate!
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Surgery March 3, 2009, Aged 57 Dr. Askin, Mater Private, Brisbane, Australia T4-Pelvis, Posterior only Osteotomies & Laminectomies Thoracic curve 68 degrees at time of surgery Now 22 degrees! Now pain-free
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#14
11-07-2009, 06:27 PM
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I was told I could commence driving at 8 weeks (after i saw my surgeon). I had been off meds since day 15 post-op, so he said I could if I wanted to.
Jen, you're hilarious! I actually went to the $2 shop and bought a cheap slippery satin tablecloth to use as my 'lazy susan'! 
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Vali 44 years young! now 45 Surgery - June 1st, 2009 Dr David Hall - Adelaide Spine Clinic St. Andrews Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia Pre-op curve - 58 degree lumbar Post -op - 5 degrees T11 - S1 Posterior L4/5 - L5/S1 Anterior Fusion
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#15
11-07-2009, 08:15 PM
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Wow, ask and you shall receive! Thank you everyone for your comments and advice. I will take all into consideration when the time comes. It's so hard to know what to expect after surgery. You guys are the best!
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44 years old. Pre-op thorasic curve of 50 degrees reduced to 18 degrees!!
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