Crushed and fractured L1 vertebrae

[Suzythai]

I fell on ice three weeks ago today and crushed and broke my L1 vertebrae. I spent 10 days in hospital flat on my back with 30mg Morphine twice a day plus extra doses when necessary plus paracetamol and nuerophen. I now have a brace which I wear at all times and am able to walk around and go up and down stairs.

Now I am at home the doc has reduced my morphine to 10mg morphine twice a day the pain is really constantly there although not nearly as bad as when I first had the accident. The doc wants me to continue with paracetamol and Dicoloflex tablets plus he has given me extra morphine if I need them.

The trouble is all this medication is playing havoc with my digestive system so I am now having to take medication to avoid the severe constipation I suffered at the weekend.

So my question is - how long will I need to talk all these drugs to combat the pain? I am told that after 6 weeks the bone will have healed is that really true and in that case can I stop all these pills?

[justkellc]

Did this happen at Robinson Memorial in Ravenna??  RMH???  If so, we had an almost identical thing happen to us...

[justkellc]

Did this happen at Robinson Memorial in Ravenna??  RMH???  If so, we had an almost identical thing happen to us...

[hillzam22]

I am sorry about your accident. I  also crushed my L1 3 years ago, I went to a crappy local hospital that let me lay in the emergency room for 5 hours before seeing me. After X-rays, they gave me 1 Percaset (not sure if spelt write), no back brace (reason the guy who had the key to the brace room was not there and they did not what to call him in) sent me home that evening wouldn't even give me a wheelchair. Gave me a prescription for Percaset which didn't help at all. Instead I took Ibphofen which help a lot and was back to work in a month, I could walk within 3 days (very slowly, and in a great deal of pain) (no thanks to the medical staff at RMH) I had to go to work because I had no choice. But today I can say that I am fully recovered. It took months to get where I am now, with no help, and at times I still have to go to therapy. But all in all I still do almost everything I use to do.