So after 14 years of back issues (2 herniated discs + bilateral sciatica).. It got worse year after year. Degenerated discs, Stenosis. And then in July, I can't remember the name, but my L5 vertebrae popped out of place. I was to the point of begging for fentanyl patches from my dr. Picking up my legs to get into the car. Laying down for 18+ hours a day.
... They finally caught up to me.
My neurosurgeon said 3 years ago that a lumbar fusion was the last option, and not to do it until I couldn't stand it anymore. So that's where I was.
So I had the surgery 10/31.. 360 Fusion (where they go in the front and back). Within 2 weeks I had less pain than I did 7 years ago. Oh and no opiates now for the first time in over 5 years!
So I started 3ius of gh about a week before surgery, and plan on running through April. Added Boldenon 300 for red blood cell count on top of my trt.
I'm not cleared for physical therapy yet, let alone the gym or even a treadmill. I'm still not doing anything stupid and haven't even touched a weight since August. So I'm being safe.
Is there anything else that would be effective for faster recovery?
Pt will probably be prescribed soon. Hopefully this week.
So tired of being a potato
Wow! 14 years. I was/am in the same position but I was only in severe pain for 6 years. I couldn't imagine dealing with that type of pain for that long.
Like you I tried everything from facet injections to therapy, nothing helped. I had my first fusion in 2019 and about a year later I was back in pain taking norcos daily again.
Just had S1 and L5 fused to the other fusion this last November. Currently 8 weeks post OP.
This shit is no joke. Swore I would never have another surgery again but I was literally balled up on the floor crying like a bitch on some days. Didn't have much choice the pain was so bad.
Finally starting to feel a little better but still have a long way to go.
Just now starting to do some lite stretching and foam rolling. Second time around was no where near as bad as the first fusion. Grateful for that.
Best of luck in your healing bro.
Dont really have any advice for healing quickly, doing the same with GH hoping for the best.
I will say though to keep an eye on your posture as I tend to feel like I'm being pulled into a hunched position and have to constantly straighten myself up. Dont want to be that old guy walking around looking like the hunch back of ND.
Try and stay as active as you can, I know can be hard but too much laying around is not good. Just makes it harder to get moving again.