charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

Wish me luck everyone. I'm leaving for the hospital for lower back surgery. Should be in the hospital for 1 or 2 nights.

Chuck

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I hope all turns out well!

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Best wishes, Chuck!

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Best of luck, prayers your way. That is something I may go through in the future, MRI shows my L1 to L5 pretty messed up, and I am recovering from a pinched sciatic nerve in the left leg on the meds this time.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I've had my left sciatica go off a couple of times...
It can be excruciating to say the least!
Not enough to pass out or bring tears to my eyes, but definitely takes one's breath away!

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

My prayers are with you Chuck. I had back surgery on St. Patrick's Day in 2020. It was successful and I have appreciated the surgical tem since. I can walk farther and with little discomfort plus I can stand for longer periods of time without needing to sit or move around. May your surgery result in similar and better results for you. Good luck and let us know.

Another Chuck, and also in Pennsylvania.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Best wishes. I need it but I won't get it. I know too many folks who wish they hadn't. Sure hope you aren't one of them.

mr spock Loc: Fairfield CT

Good luck Chuck

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Felt like someone was running red-hot blades through the muscles from my hip down to my foot. Plus the hip and knee both on fire.

I couldn't sleep more than 10-20 minutes at a time, and then "twilight" instead of full sleep, sitting up only, couldn't lay down because the pain got worse. Right on the edge of tears and some very creative mental cussing involving every cuss word I ever heard in several languages (I taught 5 years at one high school with 41 languages.) interspaced with mental primal screams more suited to a steam locomotive whistle. Two visits to the ER, first one, painkillers, second one 3 days later for more powerful painkillers plus steroids to promote healing and something they said would tone down the nerves transmission of the pain.
My wife is a retired Surgical RN/OR Charge Nurse, and she said the only meds more powerful than what they gave me would have required me to be admitted to the hospital to take.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Best wishes and be patient!

Aug 30 I had L4 and L5 fused and a cute little disc inserted. The pinched sciatic nerve suddenly became so debilitating that my surgery was done ahead of schedule. My biggest issue was lack of patience beginning the first morning and instead of little walks around the hospital, I pushed. And paid the price. After a three night stay I returned home, took care of my bird feeders and did easy walking in view of my house. And paid the price. It took about five weeks before I could do non-stop 2 to 3 mile walks, but I just wish I had been a little more patient. In my seventies and in a big hurry for whatever reason. I should have stayed on meds longer, but Tylenol Arthritis worked well with occasional help from coated aspirin.

I wish that I had worked with a good physical therapist to prepare for the operation. I had been exercising regularly for several months and that helped, but practicing getting in and out of chairs, reaching for things, rolling over, getting out of bed, etc, would have paid huge dividends. It sounds simple...

A titanium cage was put in place for protection and support. Surgeon said he used the longest screws ever. I was not impressed!

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

Good luck Charlie and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Good luck Charlie

Xanadu Loc: Clay County FL

All the best. Doc would not touch my lower back - scoliosis, stenitis and spondylolisthesis.

Tdearing Loc: Rockport, TX

Very best of luck to you.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Prayers for a quick and complete recovery.