Just wondering if there is anyone out there who after 3 to 6 months post op felt they had a failed ADR surgery and now have recovered and are glad they had the surgery. I am at my wits end right now with the pain and I am just looking for some uplifting success stories to give me peace of mind and to continue to fight the fight. I do not want to give up and I want to think positive, just looking for some reassurance that everything is ok and it some do take longer to heal than others.

Hi Sharon,
you can get a very false impression from people that they are 100% better after two or three months. A minimum I have always found has been six to nine months, the people who look like exceptions and go off doing " big and brave" things, invariably have a relapse and have to start at the beginning again.

There are exceptional cases which I can count on the fingers of my hand when people have made a quick recovery but 99% just find that you've got to take your time and build your muscles and stuff back slowly. It's known as pacing http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif

Its Slow And Steady Wins This Race

Give your body time to heal
Best,
Alastair http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif

I agree with Alastair:

I am over 5 months now and still have ligament pain in the lower lumbar region, nerve pain in the feet, nerve pains that float in the legs and buttocks area, difficulty and pain with rotations, etc. It is not an easy recovery for anyone as it is major surgery. I still work out and am building up slowly to start the cycling season. Also put on a little weight in the winter that I am working at taking off. Being so fit takes work that is difficult to achieve in the winter months unless I am out x-country skiing which I avoided this season for obvious reasons.

Give yourself time Sharon. Everyone heals at a different pace though most take time.

Go with God.

Terry Newton

Terry,

I would like to talk to you about your surgeries. I had a ruptued L4-L5 many years ago and have had several lumbar and cervical sports injuries over the years. I have ddd in the cervical and was recently told by my doc to have a two level fusion of C5-6 and C6-7. I am trying to find out more about ADR and who can do multiples. Do I have to go to Europe and what about a combo fusion and ADR? What is better for staying active in sports?