recovery after surgery

[moodylink]

Just wanted to say hello and ask a question.

A little about me-

I was 35 when I was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis and Degenerative Disk Disease when I developed bone spurs in my hips and could not tolerate the pain anymore, (I'll be 58 in April). I followed all of the recommendations of my Ortho to help control it, weight loss, exercise, NSAIDs, nerve root blocks, pain control meds, massage therapy, but gradually over the years I have progressed to having 2 herniated discs, degenerative spondylolisthesis, lumbar spinal stenosis, and scoliosis.
My Ortho and I have worked together over the years to keep the back muscles strong with exercise (gardening is one of my chosen exercises)and to control the biggest complaint of all sufferers of this disease, PAIN. I use Fentanyl 100 every 48hrs. and if needed, Diladid 8mg every 4 to 6 hours. Surgery has always been the last resource and the only reason we feels it is now time is due to the paralysis in my legs whenever I reach up and my back is now seizing up and sending me to the hospital.
I've had all the pre-admission tests and will be having the surgery on March 15th.

My ortho is considering fusion of L2 through S1.
I know it will be about a year for good recovery and does anyone know how restricting this length of fusion will be after that. I am an avid gardener and outdoor enthusiast and was wondering if I will be able to continue doing physical work such as gardening ,landscaping and snowshoeing in the coming years?


Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.


Moodylink

[Tuckamore]

Welcome.

Sorry. Moodylink is no longer active on MedHelp. I doubt she'll see your comment.

This is a very old thread. Please begin a new one (Question Icon). We'd love to hear from you and you'll get better visibility and more responses with a new thread.

Thanks,
~Tuck

[MissRubySFO]

I was diagnosed last February with L2 & S1 issues. I will be 57 in November. I heard today that tomatoes might antagonize joints with excessive swelling when I mentioned my right knee was suddenly extremely larger than my left. I am working on losing A LOT of excess weight to strengthen my core & relieve my lumbago issues. The epideral was NOT an option for me & surgery is unnecessary. It's a slow process.
I hope your surgery went well ... and you have found the answers you sought.

[moodylink]

I didn't hear anything about tomatoes and oranges as no-no foods but then again I have been on strong pain and inflammation meds for over ten years and take equally strong stomach meds to prevent problems due to the irritating nature of these type of medications.
I find that as long as I stick to a fairly balanced mix of food types that I don't have problems with my stomach.

Moodylink
  

[writehanded]

Has your Doctor ever mentioned that acidic foods, like tomatoes and oranges, antagonize your condition? I am new to osteoarthritis, and had LRTI surgery this month. I have had degenerative
disc disease in my spine, stemming from a car crash. I want to know more about chemistry of foods and pain. I pray that you will begin to heal.