Recovery issue

[titaniumed]

infection

JamieAnn
If funny how infection can set in quickly. It is something that we posties have to be “diligent” about. I read somewhere that we have to be aware of this for several years....

Don’t be paranoid, just be “aware” of this fact. Its why I started the thread about our immune systems before going into surgery. Someone came back and stressed that we also have to maintain “after” and that person was correct, I just wanted to stress this because its our bodies that will be the “first line” of defense.

Relying on Penicillin’s and antibiotics are and should be thought as a secondary, or backup, just in case. If used often, the body can build an immunity, then if an infection flares up, the process for the Doctors can become problematic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infection

Just be aware, its good to know this material. It’s a mandatory read, even without scoliosis.
Ed

[Ryy]

Thanks Ed for the excellent advice. I hope this new issue is just a part of the healing journey. I really can't believe that this happened though, I was almost ready to drive! Now I'm back to where I was a few days post op it seems grr. Don't worry, I'm staying positive though!.. Last night I laughed hard unexpectedly at something and man, today will be a recovery day just from that. The anterior scar is so sore and the back (mostly left and lower) locked up and is spasming more than ever! The doc took out a rib so this is probably a common thing, to have pain when laughing/coughing/etc. I couldn't help it this time though ha.. And yeah, I have strong opinions on the overuse of antibiotics for a reason that I won't get into and bore ya with..

Happy to help, Jamie. It's still a pleasant surprise to be in contact with you, being we both had our ops on the same day. Take care

[JamieAnn]

I was put on 10 days of 2,000 mg per day of antibiotics after I got home because of the leakage in my incision. I had also been on antibiotics the entire hospital stay (I know this varies). I cannot imagine having to go back on antibiotics again.. I feel for people with infections moreso than ever!

Ryan, when do you think you will go back to work?

[backissues]

Ed,
Thanks for your advice. I am still pre-op but am printing out these postings because it is important to be able to read if I get discouraged and impatient while recovering.

Irene

[Ryy]

Jamie,
I'm hoping to be back to work by Jan or Feb. I have an office type job. Yourself?

Irene,
That's good that you're getting as prepared as you can. Papers are easier to handle than a computer for the first few days/wk post op..I am a bit discouraged with this 180 that happened but I'm sure it will work itself out. Staying positive and as busy as I can, with reading, videogames, laptop, etc..

[Ryy]

now 5 weeks post op..I'm back on the right track as of 4-5 days ago, back on the up and up. Just a little 1.5-2 week setback that I had going on here in this post. I'm doing much better now, able to do much more. I've been off the pain meds for a few weeks. The main issue now is my lower back locking up sometimes if my body is in a position it doesn't like, but it's slowly getting better. That, and i'm a tiny bit worried about junctional kypho, as my neck is still a bit forward and my upper back is a tiny bit more curved than your normal persons back would be, but hopefully i'm just overthinking it.. Still going to be a couple weeks 'til my back muscles are calmed down enough to drive if i keep on the right track as i am now.. Thanks for all the support guys =)

[titaniumed]

Ryy

Sounds good.

When I first started driving, they were short drives. Probably about 1 mile each time....
Ed

[JohnV]

I might be having a problem with my scoliosis not sure

I am a young man, just turned 31 years old. About a year and a half ago, I started to develop a slight tremor in my left forearm/hand. Over time, the tremor has gotten more exaggerated. Just recently I have noticed that my left lower leg/foot has felt heavy and stiff and I cannot move or rotate my foot as well as my right one. I have jogged a couple of times recently and although, while running I was okay, afterwards, this caused lower back ankle/foot pain. When I stand or walk for an extended period of time, I have pain in my lower back and ankle/foot. Sometimes when turning my head quickly, I get a pinching type pain in my neck on both sides of my neck.

When I sleep, the tremor goes away. When I wake up with the sensation of pins-and-needles in my arm from sleeping on it, although it is numb, as it normally would be, I have complete use of my hand and fingers, normal dexterity, without the tremor, until normal feeling comes back, usually up to about 5 minutes. The more relaxed I am, it seems, the less the tremor. But the stiffness or lack of dexterity of my fingers stays the same. Also, a drink or two of alcohol suppresses the tremor.

As a twelve year old, I had scoliosis surgery, placing rods in my back, from “T-4 to the end plate of T-10 and T-11 through L-3’. Also, about 10 years ago, from a target shooting gun accident, I have a .22 caliber bullet fragments remaining in my upper left arm. At first, we thought the bullet fragments were the cause since only my lower left arm was affected but since the EMG shows normal nerve conductivity and now that my left leg seems to be affected we don’t think this is a factor..

I was told, when I had the scoliosis surgery that possibly, down the road, I could experience problems from my neck. Currently, as stated earlier, I get some neck pain and stiffness and lower back pain. Earlier, in the summer, after doing some strenuous yard work, I had acute lower back pain that lasted for several weeks. I took Skelaxin, a muscle relaxer, which helped. This is the first time I have ever had that extensive pain in my back.

We have been to several different neurologists, without much success. I have had a brain MRI done, a neck MRI, 2 different EMG’s, extensive blood work and an EEG done as well. All reports are included. You will see that the Brain MRI shows normal. The EMG shows that the nerves and muscles of my lower arm are normal. The blood work and EEG are normal as well. The Neck MRI is, we believe now is the area of focus, as the report says that I have “significant reversal of the cervical lordosis and a moderate to large, right sided disc herniation at C6-C7, (there are three herniated discs c4-c5, c5-c6) The neck problems seems to have been overlooked to date by doctors as originally, the diagnosis was that I had an anxiety related tremor because when I concentrated on something else, the tremor went away, briefly. Also, there was some concern from just one of the doctors that it may be Parkinson’s disease. However, most of the doctors felt that the frequency of the tremor, 10 Hz doesn’t suggest it. Also, in trying Cararbidopa-levodopa, 25-100MG tablet, which should have stopped the tremor, if it was Parkinson’s, did nothing but made me nauseous. It had no affect on the tremor.

Speaking of medicines, to date, I have been prescribed the following medications with literally no results. Starting from earliest date to most recent…
Trihexyphenidyl – 2MG, taken twice daily – (this made me dizzy, headachy,weak.)
Pramipexole Dihydrochloride, (Mirapex) - .5MG, taken 1 tab, 3 times daily – (this caused
diarrhea)
Lorazepam - .5MG, taken one tab, twice daily. (this lessened the tremor slightly for just
a day or two but it kept me awake).
Carbidopa-Levodopa – 25-100MG, taken 1 tab, three times daily, (Made me very
Nauseous, with no affect).
Clonazepam - .5MG tab, taken 1 tab, twice daily. (no affect)
Amantadine – 100MG, taken 1 tab twice daily. (Lessened tremor for just a day or tow but
then made me nauseous, headachy).
Propranolol – 20MB tabs, taken 1 tab daily. Since there was no affect, this was
Increased to 3 tabs, 3 times daily. (No affect at either dosage).
Prednizone – Tried a metered dose pack to see if it would reduce inflammation hoping
to reduce the tremor some. (There was no significant affect).

I am currently not taking any medications other than occasional Advil for pain in my lower back and neck stiffness. Additionally, I tried acupuncture for 8 appointments. While on the table, relaxing, the tremor went away, then, after getting up, the tremor came back.