u/Practical_Price_5270

Hello all,
I figured while I’m laid up I would write about my journey. This could be used by anyone considering receiving a surgery or anyone who has recently undergone one which what helps me. I’ll add it in order so you can skip through to whatever part.

How it began:
It all started around a year ago, I received a spinal tap for something unrelated, suspected to have MS. All results came back clean for MS indicators, however it was a severely traumatic lumbar puncture that lasted about 20/30 mins with them in my nerve cluster, Before a different doctor came and got it in all of 20 seconds. Ever since then I started having back pain. This was around October/December 2024.

Next steps to identify what was the issue
I followed up with the Nuerosurgeon about the back pain and he contributed it to muscle spasm. At this time it was primarily located on my lower left and center back near my L5 region. He prescribed me muscle relaxers Flexeril 10mg, which were horrible I took one and it took me out and made me drowsy for a whole weekend. I then switched to tiZANadine 2mg which happened to work really well for me, they had some drowsiness but not nearly as bad and actually helped relieved some pain. So with this in mind I contributed it took just muscle spasm.

Moving across the country and receiving new MRI
I moved across the country around June/July 2025.
At this point I was always planning on recording a follow up MRI, more so to clear the possibility of MS, but also to look into the back pain and maybe shed some light. I received my MRI in September 2025. See attached for for image of MRI findings. I only included my Lumbar MRI, I also had my T and C vertebrae’s images. My T were unremarkable, and my C4-T1 had all mild bulges and mild spinal stenosis.

Way forward and leading up to surgery
Due to the bilateral pars defect that was discovered in my L5-S1 level my L5 was slipping. It was only grade one so it’s not usually serious, however it was severely compressing my L5 nerve root. I started my process in October 2025. I had to go through the whole enjoyable spinal process… I started with physical therapy, when the physical therapist reviewed my imaging he stated there’s nothing he could do to help me, he can only help me in trying to prevent it from getting worse and if I need surgery then help with the recovery by working on the stabilizer muscles. He also stated that I cannot do a chiropractor due to the nature of my spine being unstable. After about 3 physical therapy appointments he sent me a referral to pain management and the Nuerosurgeon. The pain management appointment was about 2/3 weeks before the Nuerosurgeon appointment. I receiving a caudle steroid shot at pain management. It did provide very slight relief for about a week, it was hard to say how much relief, because I didn’t notice it until it was worse pain a week later. The main thing that was concerning me this whole time was the sitting pains primarily down my left leg and occasionally down my right. And the leg numbness, almost fell a couple times at work due to it, if I was doing a lot of bending, lifting or twisting at work it would essentially put me out of work for a few days. After meeting with the Nuero surgeon, I started surgery was not my intended way forward, I would like to try other means first. I was on a lot of limitations such as no running, jumping, lifting heavy things , repetitive bending or twisting. He recommended I received another steroid shot placed in a different location. Talking with the pain management clinic after their exam, I had noticing difficult and pain with my SI joint. The proceeded with a shot there which provided no relief other than the first approx 36 hours. The numbing medication was amazing. Then I went back to the Nuerosurgeon He prescribed me some new medication, I’m not a huge fan of medication so out of all he prescribed me to include Nortriptyline, gabapentin etc I told him I didn’t wanna take them due to the side effects and we settled on celebrex. The Celebrex and Tizanadine combo worked out pretty good and made it bareable. The plan was to test this out for a couple months and schedule a tentative surgery just in case in the mean time. My original surgery was schedule for end of April, but due to unseen circumstances at work and availability with the vascular surgeon it needed to be postponed.

Decision to move forward with surgery
During my follow up with the Nuerosurgeon where we discussed the surgery needing to be postponed and to confirm if we would go thru with it. We discussed the medicine, at this time the medicine was helping but my condition was definitely worsening, the shooting pains were getting worse, and the numbness was also becoming worse. It was pretty miserable to be honest. I s was still hesitant about the surgery until he started to me that with my current condition he recommends it, it is only going to continue to get worse. So we scheduled a date for 24 Jun 2026 for surgery

Morning of surgery (24 Jun)
I arrived at the hospital at 5am, did inpatient paperwork and went to preop. At preop they give me a lyrica (pegabalin) 75mg and Tylenol to assist with pain and allow me to calm down. I was obviously super nervous but also excited. I went back around 730/8ish for surgery.

Actual surgery (24 Jun)
Once I got into the OR my nerves were all over the place between excitement and not being able to wait for it to get done, and also nervousness on if it was the right decision. Thankfully I had the absolute best nurse! She explained that due to the length of the surgery I would be receiving a catheter, and also I would be receiving a breathing due for when I was under. So if you are going through a surgery expect that! Then it was the best sleep/ nap I have had in a long time. The surgery I had was an L5-S1 ALIF, which was conducted through the front and then the bars and screws put in the from the back. I have a pretty large incision on my stomach right by my belly button going verticals, and two smaller approx 3/4 inch incision on my back on each side of my spine going vertical.

Post-Op (24 Jun)
Here I don’t really remember much, it was around 1230 I was still really out of it, I remember a couple of the nurses coming to check on me and giving me my phone. It took me about 15 mins to get into my phone because I kept locking it for 5 mins at a time. When I got into it I went to send some text messages letting people know I was alright and they were pretty ineligible.

Waking up in hospital room (24-25 Jun)
After post op I knocked back out, I woke up around 4/430pm in the hospital room. Obviously at this time the breathing tube was out but so was the catheter so I didn’t have to worry about that traumatic experience. Around this time I recorded another lyrica 75mg and a Tizanadine 4mg. I didn’t want any other medication. My first time pissing was in the jug from the bed. About 1-2 hours later I had to pee again and they said if I could try to stand and go to the bathroom walking would help. I took full advantage and was able to stand and walk unaided. It honestly wasn’t that bad but I think there was still some residual meds in my system.
Throughout the night I had to pee like every 2 hours, I would call a nurse in because they said they had to be there whenever I got up and would go to the bathroom myself. At this point there was not any real pain, just ALOT of pressure. My stomach was very bloated and would get really strained with moving around due to the incision.

Do’s and Don’t’s
Do
Learn how to properly and slowly log roll in and out of bed
Pass gas if it comes it will help with bloating
Try to walk as much as possible but don’t over due ot, take your time walking and if it starts to get sore or hurt lay back down

Don’t
Try to sit up normally…
Try to force gas out of your belly. These will both hurt really bad
Twist when getting out of bed
Expect you will find a comfortable position, especially for more than 30 mins, find a position you can tolerate
Try to sit in a chair. Good luck getting up if you do

Heading home (25 Jun)
I stayed overnight, and in the morning I received another lyrica 75mg and Tizanadine 4mg. I was suppose to be home around 10am, I had someone from work waiting to pick me up, and I didn’t leave until around noon. At this time I was really restless and kept getting up and pacing around and sitting back down. I recorded all my meds, got wheel chairs out to the car and got in by myself. When I arrived home I got out by myself and went to go lay down. I took two Tylenols and laid down.

The good and bad about being home (25-26 Jun)
I luckily don’t have any steps to worry about other than two going to the kitchen to feel up my water so that’s not bad.
I also don’t have any help unless it’s an emergency until the night of the 26th. This is definitely not advisable. I had a firm masters topper on my bed that I ripped off last night due to it almost making my fall on the floor and causing a lot of pain catching myself. Also prior to the surgery I got a really nice nexus bed with an adjustable bed frame. The adjustable frame is SOOO NICE TO HAVE. I haven’t been taking any pain meds, other than an occasional muscle relaxer. It is currently the morning of the 26th. I’ll have help arriving tonight. I also bought a bed rail off of Amazon, and I have a secret labs titan chair. The chair is doable to get in and out of, I recommend if your having surgery wait a couple days until you can stand up by yourself and don’t sit for long periods of time. But pre adjust it where it’s comfortable to sit and stand without straining your back or belly. Last night was really rough, I think the mattress topper was in part and just also overdoing the standing up and sitting down. Also I kinda sucked at log rolling so moving around I would continuously put extra strain on my wounds.
I haven’t been able to sleep for more than an hour or two and also have a really hard time getting remotely comfortable. I recommend if you can get up every 2/3 hours and take a short 5/10 min walk do it. Definitely have someone that can help you in and out of bed.

Also for the medications, I haven’t took the stool softeners or the laxatives, part of it Is I’m not taking the oppressive, but also I would have an incredibly hard time getting off of the toilet. I’ve been eating but limiting my food intake to try to prevent from having to deal with that. I went home with no walker, brace, or canes. I know it’s not super advisable but bear with me. Also me not taking pain meds is not really recommended, I have an incredibly high pain tolerance, and I’m more worried about over doing it if I don’t feel the pain getting worse, additionally the pain is less than before surgery.
I’ve noticed my hips feel really sore, and my whole throat/neck is hard to move. I think this is to be expected having a tub in my throat for like 6 hours, and having essentially my lower spine and hips manipulated for the surgery.

Overall, the experience has not been horrible, especially since I’ve been doing it with no other persons help, or walking aid.

If your planning on receiving a spinal fusion

1. Invest in a adjustable bed frame
2. Practice practice practice the log rolling, don’t wait until you have to do it for real. It’s not enjoyable.
   3.Look into investing in a bed rail from like amazing I think mine was like $50.
3. Ensure you have someone there, and ensure they are able to actually help you move/hold you up if needed
4. Take it slow, but keep moving it helps with the pains

I know this was a longer post, but I wanted to try to cover everything in one go. Please feel free to ask questions either on the post or DM me, I’ll try to be on relatively regular to answer or discuss. Hopefully this helps someone.