E-cigs and back surgery

[BK_Malik]

I had a spinal fusion L3/L4 back in Oct. 2011. I was vaping for 3 years prior and didn't stop before the surgery nor have I stopped since. I had some pain relief but gained different pains on the other side now when I bend or twist in certain ways. I have been reading some real scary things lately about failed spinal fusion rates of smokers and it's attributed to nicotine specifically. None of the doctors that I have seen have told me that I'm not fusing yet but I don't feel like I am. It's kind of late to go 0 nic now almost 6 months later (or maybe not...), I really worried that I've seriously hurt my recovery chances. I just need to talk with anyone who has gone through or is going through a similar situation. Still haven't told any of my doc's about vaping because I know that 1st thing they will say is quit or go 0 nic. I've been investigating a bone stimulator because a lot of doctors use those for back surgery patients that smoke. All help and thoughts are appreciated.

 

[jacquelyn]

I just had this conversation with my surgeon last week. I need an l4-l5 s1 fusion. I mentioned my vaping. He told me that I should be off nicotine for 90 days before I have my surgery... I also know it takes a while 6 months or more for people to fuse. I would stop the nicotine now to be safe and call your surgeon and ask about it.

I hope you recover soon. I am off to sleep but will check this in the am! Have a wonderful night. I feel ya with the back problems. I spoke to other vapors who have had back surgery recently on another site. I will ask if they vaped during

 

[BK_Malik]

Thanks a lot Jacquelyn As far as I have heard 0 nic should be fine for you before and after. Too late for me on the before part and I'm almost 6 months out from surgery so I don't know if it'll help me now to switch... I used to never mention smoking to any of my docs either. A couple of years ago I had a broken foot that took about a year to heal while I vaped, maybe that's why it took forever.

 

[kwalka]

I am having 2 discs fused on the 12th...L2+L3. I started vaping about 7 wks ago, fairly heavy. I put the exact amount of nic consumed daily on every medical sheet asking for current meds. I have 4 diff dr's, including a world renowned surgeon, who has patients flown in from around the world. Point is I am very up front w all of them about nic and PG consumption, as I read in a med publishment how nic can inhibit tissue growth. They all say definetly stick w vaping so that there is no chance of analogs. I am down to about 5mls of 18 mg a day trying to get as low as poss as quick as possible.
Are you active in your rehab process? If you dont mind (I completely understand if this is too personal) how old are you? What leads you to say you dont think your fusing?
Good Luck, and know that were out here with you!

 

[BK_Malik]

I am having 2 discs fused on the 12th...L2+L3. I started vaping about 7 wks ago, fairly heavy. I put the exact amount of nic consumed daily on every medical sheet asking for current meds. I have 4 diff dr's, including a world renowned surgeon, who has patients flown in from around the world. Point is I am very up front w all of them about nic and PG consumption, as I read in a med publishment how nic can inhibit tissue growth. They all say definetly stick w vaping so that there is no chance of analogs. I am down to about 5mls of 18 mg a day trying to get as low as poss as quick as possible.
Are you active in your rehab process? If you dont mind (I completely understand if this is too personal) how old are you? What leads you to say you dont think your fusing?
Good Luck, and know that were out here with you!

I vape no more than 3mls a day (16mg). I haven't told any doctor since I started 3 years ago that I vape because I refuse to let them blame every illness that I get on vaping the way they did with cigarettes. I have gone through physical therapy but I don't exercise now because it hurts too much. I don't think that I'm fusing because I know my bone growth is slow and it feels like my spine is pulling apart when I bend along with the shooting/searing pain. When I go to my new doctor next week I am going to specifically ask about my bone growth though. I'm very curious as to what your doctors told you about vaping before and after surgery.

Thanks for the support

 

[Gingerzeronic]

My BFF just had spinal fusion 2 weeks ago.

I've been with her every step of the way and so far as I know - no nic period before or after the operation. Fusion starts immediately; not months down the line.

It's just a zero nic situation. Luckily, zero nic is not as crazy as some people think it is. The actual physical addiction is minor. Maybe 3 days of feeling "empty" as Carr says. The habit is different. That's where an ecig is so useful. With zero nic, you still have the habit but not the effects.

 

[BK_Malik]

Glad to hear that about your wife. I think that it's too late for me at almost 6 months to go 0 nic. Actually after 2 sets of x-rays neither doctor has said that I'm not fusing, they just say "everything looks good" but it really feels terrible to me.

 

[bebowebb]

I went through a discectomy and fusion of my L5/S1 approximately 14 years ago. I remember throwing away a pack of analogs in the Dr.'s office when he told me that nicotine could slow/hinder the healing and fusion processes.

Unfortunately, my "I'm done" didn't last very long at all. I can't recall how long it was before I picked up another analog, but I can tell you that it wasn't near long enough. lol

Is it better if you can quit all together? Absolutely! However, even lowering your levels can improve your rate of healing. You also have to keep in mind the specific method of fusion you went through. Some methods take longer than others to truly fuse.

I went through periodic check-ups for a full two years after the fusion. I still feel the discomfort and pains from time to time. Arthritis and nerve pain are things you eventually learn to ignore (for the most part). I've also been through some pretty physically demanding and intense training sense the fusion and, although I still have the soreness and periodic pains, I'm fully fused and have no doubts about my physical capabilities.

Good luck and I hope you heal quickly and as pain free as possible!

 

[BK_Malik]

Thanks bebowebb, In hindsight I should have told my surgeon about my vaping habits but as I said earlier I have a real stubborn streak when it comes to doctors telling me how to live my life outside of their office. I smoked through asthma and chronic bronchitis, a collapsed lung, broken bones, and a bunch of surgeries prior to this so I didn't want anyone telling me not to vape. Glad to hear you're doing well now, hope I can get there.