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    i am 5 weeks out of surgery and i had no intention of driving for quite some time but i will have to drive next week. i am in a doctoral program which is taking longer because of this back surgery and the year before hip replacement surgery. Anyway i have to interview for practicum positions and I have 2 next week. i thought my husband could take me but he can't so i will have to drive. I thought i would try it out over the weekend. anyone else drive at this early stage?
    1987 Lumbar Laminectomy (forget which levels)
    2005 A/P fusion, L2 - L5, 2/2005
    2009 2 Posterior fusions, T6 - Pelvis, 2/10 & 2/18,
    Dr. Frank Rand, NEBH

  • #2
    Avis,

    I started driving (just locally) at 6 weeks. At that point, I was on about 5 pain pills per day. I didn't feel at all sedated, which the doctor said was just fine. It wasn't bad, but then again I was just going to & from the grocery store at most.

    I definitely felt more confident in my driving after I was off all pain pills.
    __________________________________________
    Debbe - 50 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

    Comment


    • #3
      I drove at 5 weeks post op. I was terrified every single second that I was going to be hit by someone that didn't know how to drive on icy, snowy mountain roads. I made it through just fine but discovered that it was really hard to clear intersections I had to cross that weren't controlled by a signal. That whole not being able to twist thing sucks! Good luck!
      Geish
      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
        I did not drive for two months. By then I was off Percocet. My doctor would not prescribe this drug if he knew I was driving. At three months I drove myself to my post-op appointment which was a three-hour commute round trip in heavy Chicago traffic. It was a bit too much too soon. I came home exhausted.

        Comment


        • #5
          i drove on pain meds before surgery so i will drive on them after surgery. the turning is the part that will get me as it did the last time i had a fusion. It's just something I must do so I have to do it. It's further than I would like to go, but fortunately it's not turnpike driving or highway driving, more of the local type thing so that's a little better. thanks for everyone's response.
          avis
          1987 Lumbar Laminectomy (forget which levels)
          2005 A/P fusion, L2 - L5, 2/2005
          2009 2 Posterior fusions, T6 - Pelvis, 2/10 & 2/18,
          Dr. Frank Rand, NEBH

          Comment


          • #6
            Avis,

            Believe it or not, I just recently figured out a better way to turn. Instead of just turning my head and neck like I used to, I turn my whole body starting from my butt to look behind me when I need to. It's not a very large turn; it's just enough to get a look behind the car. Turn from the butt, not just from the neck! It works for me!
            __________________________________________
            Debbe - 50 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

            Comment


            • #7
              My mother-in-law gave me this devise for the car, it's sort of like a lazy-susan type thing with a cushion that you sit on. She used it to help her get in and out the car as it turns with you. I'll find out what kind of store she purchased it in. I have not tried it yet in the car, I actually use it on my chair by my computer.
              Dolores A
              June 4, 2009 Anterior L3 - S1
              June 8, 2009 Posterior T4 - Pelvis
              Mark Agulnick, MD FAAOS
              NY Spine & Scoliosis Center

              Comment


              • #8
                Hi Avis,
                Another suggestion until you can get something better is to put a plastic bag on your seat. You will be able to move you butt easier. If you have leather seats, you won't need anything since they are much easier to slide around on.
                Good luck!
                Sally
                Diagnosed with severe lumbar scoliosis at age 65.
                Posterior Fusion L2-S1 on 12/4/2007. age 67
                Anterior Fusion L3-L4,L4-L5,L5-S1 on 12/19/2007
                Additional bone removed to decompress right side of L3-L4 & L4-L5 on 4/19/2010
                New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, MA
                Dr. Frank F. Rands735.photobucket.com/albums/ww360/butterflyfive/

                "In God We Trust" Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Hey Avis! Wow! Its been that long already huh? Time seems to fly! The plastic bag on the car seat worked really well for me. My aunt remember the "trick" as my grandma has hip surgery and her doc. said to use it for her! I DESPISED even riding in a car...mainly becuz of the getting in and out part(sometimes, even w/the bag...just seemed like an un-natural movement to me) but also due to bumpy roads. As I felt better 4-5 weeks-ish, I became more gutsy and started going for car rides more frequently, which was good as getting in and out got easier. At about 7 weeks, one day before my 1st post op check, I decided that if it was so easy to get in & out of my car, then why couldnt I drive? I was not on any of my hydrocodone anymore, just a muscle relaxer at night w/my nerve pill, and I didnt feel loopy or out of it, so I gave it a shot and it was GREAT! Sweet freedom!! It was so nice to regain some indepandance again. After my fabulous post op check I drove more and more, almost on a regular basis...mainly becuz I'm by NO means a home-body & always feel the need to go somewhere/do something! SO, I say if you feel fine & are comfortable, take it easy & drive away!!

                  Good Luck!!

                  Lynn
                  Lynn -30.... something
                  DxD @ 8 yrs old: 10* curve-no brace-no nothin'!
                  At age 26: Thorasic 48*/Lumbar 50*
                  At age 34: Thorasic 58*/Lumbar 60*
                  Posterior T5-L4 Fusion Jan 14th, 2009 w/Dr Tribus
                  UW Madison, WI Hospital
                  **AFTER: less than 10* Thorasic/15* Lumbar**

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Hi everyone,
                    I just found out I am getting a cat scan tomorrow, which means that I have to drive. I am really scared to death. The good thing is that it is not that far from home maybe 10-15 minutes but I didn't expect to get the appointment so quickly. It is really good that the appointment is tomorrow but boy oh boy please think of me tomorrow around noon and send off good driving wishes into the universe for me.
                    thanks
                    avis
                    1987 Lumbar Laminectomy (forget which levels)
                    2005 A/P fusion, L2 - L5, 2/2005
                    2009 2 Posterior fusions, T6 - Pelvis, 2/10 & 2/18,
                    Dr. Frank Rand, NEBH

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Wow, I am so impressed with all of you driving! I still can't. I'm on too many meds, plus car rides are AWFUL still. That being said, I have a 4 hour trip to Wisconsin in 2 weeks. Wow, I am just so impressed!
                      theizzard- good luck with your driving and your CAT scan
                      25 years old
                      double 70+ degree curves before surgery
                      Anterior on 11/11/08
                      Posterior on 12/2/08 with titanium rods
                      nearly perfect correction
                      fused t-10 to pelvis
                      with a hemi-vertebral osteotomy at L4

                      Broke right rod at L4-L5 on 06/26/09
                      Broke left rod on 10/24/09
                      Revision surgery on 11/5/09 with vitallium rods
                      Broke both rods again

                      Had posterior than anterior revisions on 03/11 at the Twin Cities Spine Center
                      Declared "FUSED" on 12/6/11

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by theizzard View Post
                        Hi everyone,
                        I just found out I am getting a cat scan tomorrow, which means that I have to drive. I am really scared to death. The good thing is that it is not that far from home maybe 10-15 minutes but I didn't expect to get the appointment so quickly. It is really good that the appointment is tomorrow but boy oh boy please think of me tomorrow around noon and send off good driving wishes into the universe for me.
                        thanks
                        avis

                        Avis,

                        Is there a neighbor or anyone else who could drive you? I hate that you have to drive feeling so unsure of yourself. If I were close, I'd take you myself!
                        __________________________________________
                        Debbe - 50 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

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          thanks debbie. this surgery has been really bad in terms of people helping me out. While I have had tons of wonderful well wishers online and the phone, other than my husband, I can't get anyone to help me out. Unfortunately, the problem is made worse because my husband has been out of town on business every other weekend since I have been home. That's why I have to drive tomorrow. I kind of feel like people did for me for my other surgeries but this is just one surgery too many to get help. i used to have a girlfriend come up from the Jersey shore to help me out and then I also would pay her to clean my office for me but now she sends email greetings. Somehow and I am not sure how I did it, I have worn out my welcome I guess.
                          avis
                          1987 Lumbar Laminectomy (forget which levels)
                          2005 A/P fusion, L2 - L5, 2/2005
                          2009 2 Posterior fusions, T6 - Pelvis, 2/10 & 2/18,
                          Dr. Frank Rand, NEBH

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Avis, That message made me feel so sad! Maybe people don't remember to offer help because they are wrapped up in their own things. Maybe they don't want to pester you while you are trying to regain your independence. Have you talked to your husband about this? I'm wondering if he thinks you should ask others for help if you need it, or maybe he could do it for you.

                            I know you don't know me, but I am also a patient of Dr Rand. My surgery is scheduled for April 28. I've been paying close attention on your posts because we have that in common. Good luck with the driving. We will all be thinking of you. Jo
                            -Jo

                            Diagnosed at age 12
                            Milwalkee Brace worn Faithfully 1971-1977
                            Posterior Fusion T-9 to Pelvis- April 28, 2009
                            Dr Frank Rand, NEBH, Boston

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              new to this

                              Hello everyone......I am new to this!

                              I am a 55 year old woman. I have always known that I had scoliosis.......my parents chose to do nothing....so now at 55 I am I faced with the surgery decision. I recently had an xray and my curve is "S" and the thoracic (?) 57 degrees....and lumbar of 52 degrees. I went to see Dr. Lebwohl at University of Miami, FL. Has anyone heard of him? He said that he could straighten my back. but he is worried about my eyes. (I had a retinal vien blockage...it has completely cleared up and I can see fine except close up! but I think that is normal for someone my age) He also said that there is a risk of 1 out every 700 going blind without any issues.Of course this worries me, nevertheless.

                              He also says the progression is 1 degree per year...........Is there anyone out there that can ease my fears?

                              Thank you, Pat

                              Comment

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