Having L4-L5 done with Prodisc

[Sniper8541]

I spoke with the surgeon today and I am having it done within the next two weeks! He's using a prodisc. Any pre-op suggestions, other than the oral care Harrison has told me- which I appreciate!

[Running11]

Congratulations, dental care is so important. Most of us are in so much back pain we don't even realize that we have a tooth infection or need a root canal!
Please check -in with your dentist! I needed a root canal!

Good luck … you'll do great!

[Sniper8541]

Thanks running! I actually just had a complete check up, I switched dentists so I had to go through the whole thing, a month ago. I also had a cleaning, is that sufficient? Now that I know I'm having surgery, I thought I'd be a hero and do all the things I know need to be done. Bad choice, ill be surprised if I get out of bed tomorrow, and the whole basement is currently in the back yard! Oh well, soon enough! Thanks again!

[Harrison]

H, I wrote this nine years ago, but it's still a good paper to help you think about a "checklist" for post-op:

http://www.adrsupport.org/images/upl...R_Recovery.pdf

[Sniper8541]

Thanks Harrison, a good read! Also for anyone that can help, I have to stop taking my pain meds, 50 mg Nucynta 5xD. I have to be off it in 6 days! As most of you know pre-op states no blood thinners and pain killers! Any suggestions? This is one of the facets of chronic pain that I have been dreading for 4 yrs!!!

[newleaseonlife]

For me, I found that staying at home and close to the couch or bed helped. I suffered a lot of vertigo during the withdrawals. I also stair stepped the dosages down to make it easier.

[SpineInSecurity]

The part I'm dreading is getting off coffee. I work in IT, so there's blood in my caffeine system.

I'm going to start cutting down on my caffeine intake two weeks pre-op so I don't get cut off cold turkey at the hospital. Between that and having to stop the NSAIDS, I'm probably going to be a cranky bear.

[Sniper8541]

Coffee and NSAIDs, you're funny! New lease, I've been trying to keep busy. When I do nothing it's so much worse. The chills and flu like symptoms are constant along with agitation and dizzyness. Trying to pound water and remember I won't feel like this forever!

[Harrison]

Sniper, Zyflamed (and other enzymes) might help you with the pain pre and post-op. See Robin's post on this here in her post-op topic:

http://www.adrsupport.org/forums/f47...93/index7.html

[Sniper8541]

Harrison, I was told I can't take ANY herbal supplements pre op. I'm definately gonna check it out for post op though. There were some pretty good reviews on the link for it. Thanks. Getting close, a week from tommorow! I go in for pre op testing tomorrow at newton-wellsley.