If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
My doctor absolutely forbid me to drive until 3 months post op. I even called and begged. I have heard and read on this forum that people drive much sooner than this.
Vndy - I drove at 3 weeks, but ONLY because we don't have freeways in Alaska and I was going straight to work and straight home. Realistically, if I had to drive on freeways, I personally would not have felt safe until about 6 weeks. Your neck mobility is not normal after this, and of course you are forbidden to twist your torso. Also, if you have a stick shift vehicle, I think that would be very painful if not impossible for a good time after surgery.
Vndy - Wouldn't driving post-op also depend on the medications one would be taking? Wouldn't going back to work/school also depend on how heavily medicated one would be?
If you have full benefits with your job - have you looked into FMLA and Short Term Disability? FMLA secures your job for 12 weeks if you are worried about losing it.
I was asked to be in a wedding in December. My surgery is on Monday. So, just to be safe - I stepped down from the wedding and will not present for any of activities at this time (bridal/bachelorette parties). That was one of my problems. Another problem I have are my 2 children. 11 and 6 year old boys. They're going to school - they need help with their homework - they need food on the table. The biggest problem I face is I'm also at risk of losing my job after I return to work because of a slow housing industry... I am optimistic about returning to work at 12 weeks - right when my FMLA runs out.
We all have problems. We all worry. It's how you deal with those issues - don't set yourself up with it if you can control it. You can always postpone your surgery too...
Last edited by dajanerz; 10-17-2007, 10:39 PM.
Reason: to personalize the post and correct comments
-----------------
Jane
34 yrs old
Diagnosed at 12; Boston Brace for a year; ScoliTron for 3 months. Curves left untreated after 13 yrs old until 27yrs old.
Pre-Op Upper Curve: 49; Post-Op: 14
Pre-Op Lower Curve: 51; Post-Op: 18 Posterior Reconstruction from T2-L3 on Oct 22, 2007
Dr McNulty - UMC Hospital Las Vegas, NV
Yet again here is a perfect example of everyone's differences in their recovery. I drove at 4 weeks post-op. I think the drugs are a factor as well as your amount of fusion. I have a back up camera that was a HUGE help and I figured out what dosage allowed me to be able to drive safely. I was not able to check my blind spot very well but just made sure to be extra careful IF I needed to change lanes. (I tried not to.)
Comment