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Awaiting Lumbar Spinal Fusion

Posted , 7 users are following.

sheila34645
sheila34645

I have been promised serveral times last year to have my discs fused, as i suffer from degenerative disc disease, but at the time i was let down and refused the surgery as they deemed me too young at the age of 40Years.  I have seen the same surgeon again this year, of which the forces sent me to. The surgeon was willing ot do the operartion as i am signed off work and day to day living is getting difficult and walking any distance is a struggle.

However i have been refused treatment as the forces ware not willing to pay for the treatment so as it stands i am receiveing no treatment what so ever.  I was told the sucess rate for the back Fushion is 60/40% yet ive read cases where the peration success rate is much higher.

Has anyone on here had the fushion, and what is your life like now.  I have exhausted every treatment possible but nothig has helped me, as i am at witts end with it all.

Other surgeons i have seen as not so keen to operate and i am now back at the begininng.  I really need this operation badly as i have no life and restricited in what i  am able to do from day to day.

 

0 likes, 25 replies

25 Replies

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  • sarah98681
    sarah98681 sheila34645

    Posted

    Hi I am 41 years old and had a 3 level spinal fusion in jamuary this year. I also had tried every other avenue and nothing helped me, medicated as much as possible even on morphine slow release and oramorph along with other meds. Tried the steroid cautisal injections on all levels of spine and facet joints, accupuncture, physio to name a few. I had degenerate dis disease on l4 l5 s1 and they decided they needed to fuse all three discs as I was practical bone to bone. I have 14 screws, 4 rods and a 8 inch scar. My life has definitely improved but it is not a complete cure. I still suffer lower back pain and am still on all the meds but slowly reducing and hope to be off the really strong ones within 6 months. My surgeon has said I need to learn to adapt with what I'm left with. The sciatica pain has completely gone but definitely not pain free in lower back. I will still always have arthritis and facet joint disease as no fix for that and stiffness due to the fact that so many levels were fused and have no mobility whatsoever in my lower back at all due to rods and screws. I am pleased with the surgery but if I'm honest I expected less pain than I am left with. If it is your only option then go for it as your quality of life is so low anyway then what do you have to lose. I would ask to be referred to another surgeon. I was initially under an orthopedic surgeon but I wasn't comfortable with him and asked to be refrred to a neurosurgeon that I had researched and believed to be very good. It specialised in spinal injuries with athletes etc and I have exercised all my life so felt he would get where I wanted to get back to and he did and was a fab surgeon. It's not a decision to be taken lightly and don't expect it to be a complete cure as a fusion will only stop the nerve pain but lack of mobility in spine can be hard to deal with. Hope this helps. Happy to answer any questions for you x
    • sheila34645
      sheila34645 sarah98681

      Posted

      Hi Sarah, Thank you i was getting told that i was too uoung for the spinal fusion being 40 years old.  I am really at my witt end with this, and like your self i have had numerous injections also had the facet injections which increased my pain drastically. I saw another soecilaist last thursday who said he would have to contact the surgeon who would do the operation to see if he would be happy to so the surgery, if not then i am back at square one.  The Military sent me to a private hopsital of which the surgeon agreed to operate now the military are failing their duty of care and refusing to fund the operation.

      It is not certain if Frimley park are going to operate, i find out later today.  But i am really anxious now and feel there is no other avenue to take but to operate,

      Are you using walking aids or can you walk with out the aids. are you able to conduct daily tasks like washing etc with ease?

      Thank you so much for your reply it helps a lot knowing that you have been sucessful.  I have done reaserch on this and know there are risks but i need to take this risk to enable a better quality of life in the future than what i have at present. x

    • laura49003
      laura49003 sarah98681

      Posted

      Hi Sarah, 

      so interesting reading your post. I know we have spoken before. Im similar to you with stiffness and low back pain. Im managing it you kinda think after fusion you will be pain free. Not aways the case, but i am in a better position than i was 11 wees ago. Do you find days when you ave a home to clean and kids to drive to school that you get on but then pay for it the next day? Backache? Arggggggghh! 

      Wishing you well. X

    • sarah98681
      sarah98681 laura49003

      Posted

      Hi Laura, yes I find if I do too much one day then I really suffer that evening and the next day. Like I was at a footy tournament with my son last weekend so standing for maybe three hours and I really suffered. As soon as I got home I had to lay flat and it wiped me out the next day. Completely different pain from before surgery and manageable but still pain. Glad I had it done but the stiffness and sore lower back is frustrating seeing as I went through such major surgery. I know the more discs they fuse the bigger the complications and lower success rate but I definitely think it was a success but not a miracle cure. I am now doing Pilates and started my first spinning class yesterday and today and am so proud of myself. Yes I am sore tonight and last night but I feel getting fit again and building up core strength and ab strength will protect my back and spinning is my passion. I have been told by my surgeon my weight training days and running days are over and I can live with that as long as I can do exercise and just adapt. I have not hoovered since surgery as it is the worst thing for your back so get my husband to run it around and am fortunate enough to have a cleaner who does a thorough clean each week so I just do the general day to day stuff and leave the bed stripping and remaking and cleaning behind beds, skirts, cupboards etc to her. You just have to make the most of what you have as you only get one life and like you my quality of life before surgery was non existent through chronic severe pain 24/7. Hope you are on the mend and keeping strong. Sarah x
  • sarah98681
    sarah98681 sheila34645

    Posted

    Hi Sheila I hope you get the news you want today, either way if that's what you feel you need to do then don't give up. I had my surgery done under the nhs but With a private surgeon and in a private hospital so all my aftercare has also been private for which I know I am lucky. I have a much better quality of life. I restrict What I lift and I don't Hoover and I get someone to get dishes in and out of the oven for me but that's because I am recovering and they are all big no no's for the first year. I am back at the gym doing Pilates and cycling and walking and yesterday did my first spinning class in 5 months which was fab and did it again today. So no aids for walking but the first 4 weeks after surgery are tough and walking and even trying to turn in bed or shuffle over are really tough and you think why did I do the surgery but that passes after about 4 weeks then you see progression weekly. I will be 4 months post surgery on the 30th of this month so about 15 weeks now. I started driving locally a few weeks back. Honestly I am glad I had it done. Facet joints made me worse too. I had to have a pressure test called a discogram to confirm how many discs needed removing and that left m worse than ever but it showed three discs were causing problems.
    • sheila34645
      sheila34645 sarah98681

      Posted

      thank you sarah, i was given the nws i was dreading the answer was NO, hwever the surgeon that i need to see was not in today and i will be getting a call next week, however in was told that i could come and speak with the surgeon if i wish.  The problem is im chaising my tail and getting no current treatment.  LIfe is so hard at the mooment and i often drag my leg.  The reason they gave was it is uncertain it would work.  Also he went on to say that other peopl less worse than my self have had surgery so i dont see this being an issue.  its awful that people who dont understand what it is like living in chronic pain every day and not knowing what each day will bring has so much hold on your life. glad your on the mend though i wish i could be on the mend also. take care.
  • sarah98681
    sarah98681 sheila34645

    Posted

    Also I had to lay on my back for 8 weeks after surgery with walking in between which was really tough.
  • maggi7
    maggi7 sheila34645

    Posted

     Was told, in 2008, that spinal fusion was the only option I had if I wanted a life free of the pain my spondylolisthesis had been causing. I declined surgery.  Because it's such a huge procedure and has no guaranteed positive outcome. 

    There is a huge failure rate with the operation. Many people end up worse off than pre-sugery. I wasn't prepared to take that risk.

    I live with constant pain. I don't sleep a night through because of pain. My mobility is limited by pain. Drugs don't help now. BUT; it's been MY CHOICE.

    I've endured some awful things since declining surgery. Worst being the death of my son to cancer. Exactly a month from his diagnosis. 

    I live every day in pain. I can't do the things I wanted to do at this stage of my life. Frustrating, but I have to live with it.

    I'll never have fusion surgery.  I'll  endure the pain, rather than risk the possible devastating outcome of failed surgery. 

  • laura49003
    laura49003 sheila34645

    Posted

    Dear Sheila

    i am 41 its been 11 weeks since my fusion at 2 levels with a neurosurgeon, like Sarah i had bone rubbing bone and the pain was so bad it would jolt me awake i thought i was being stabbed. I had sciatic pain to so i underwent a micrdsectomy 11 months ago and had my l4/5 dsc shaved this took my sciatic pain away then 4 months after i had jolting pain and knew instinctively that something was very wrong. Listen to your body we knw best. Facet joint injections, SI joint injections done under CT scan later and i had massive inflammation and my discs had disintegrated. Fusion is an individual choice but for me it was my only hope i found walking and simple tasks excruciating and i did not want to go on like that. I was also on gabapentin, tramadol, diazapam and zopiclone and brufen. 11 weeks today i underwent surgery and now i don't take those strong tablets only diazapam  once a night and ibroprufen when necessary. I am walking everyday and still wear a back brace for support when drivingand i get stiffness along with low back ache but its not disabling, chronic pain is and so i so hope you get this chance at surgery as it must be dreadful fr you to have ths then the disappointment of being let down. I am thinking of you. Any questions feel free xxx

  • jodini
    jodini sheila34645

    Posted

    Hi Sheila.

    I had TLIF spinal surgery in 2010. I was 39.

    I have Degenetative Disc Disease.

    Although I still live with pain 24/7, work slowly and still cannot work, I can hand on heart say that I am glad I had the surgery, as by now, I know I would be in a wheelchair.

    I know exactly how you feel and I know the exact pain you are in.

    Jo x

    • sheila34645
      sheila34645 jodini

      Posted

      Hello Jo,

      I am really at my witts end with this all, i was getting treatment at the spire hospital in Cardiff but because the Military wont fund the operation, my health care has come to a drastic halt.  I was then referred to another hospital 3 1/2 hours away, of which i was told NO.  My surgeon at the apire was willing to give me the back fushion as ive exhausted all other avenues to no avil.  I am at present signed off from work. I am really loosing the will to live, and really dont know where to turn next.  I cannot believe that paying into th NHS they can treat patients like this.  Given time my back will get worse and finally i will wnd up in a wheel chair my self.  I also have Degerative Disc Disease. I really dont know who to turn to now, 

    • jodini
      jodini sheila34645

      Posted

      It is not acceptable that they are refusing surgery.

      I had my surgery done in Cardiff. We now live down in Somerset. I am more than happy to give you my surgeons details and you can get advice from him. He was fantastic.

      You can't go on like this. You have a life to live.

      Jo x

    • sheila34645
      sheila34645 jodini

      Posted

      Hi Jo,

      I would be most great full if you could pass their details onto me please.  I was offered Surgery by the Spire Hospital in March but because the Military refuse to fund the OPeration my health care has come toa rapid halt!  Taking into mind they sent me to the spire for treatment.

      I am glad you are doing well and getting your life back on track after your surgery.  I would be most great full if you could please pass their details on.  was it a private Hospital under the NHS  you had surgery through?

      Thank you so much, this is like being given a life line.

      Sheila x 

    • jodini
      jodini sheila34645

      Posted

      Hi Sheila. I had my surgery done under the NHS.

      The surgeon details are:-

      Mr I Chopra

      CAVOC Outpatients, University Hospital, Llandough, Penlan Road, Penarth, Cardiff

      Tel: 029 20 716192

      I really hope they can help you.

      Jo x

    • sheila34645
      sheila34645 jodini

      Posted

      Hi Jo,

      Thank you so much i do appreciate this will give them a call see what they say.  Thanks again.

      Sheila. x

    • jodini
      jodini sheila34645

      Posted

      Pleasure Sheila

      Hope you get somewhere. Keep me updated if you feel you want to.

      Jo x

    • sheila34645
      sheila34645 jodini

      Posted

      Hi Jo,

      I was referred today to the Hospital it turns out the Surgeon i was under at the Spire also works at the Hospital with Nhs Pateints also, which is good news.  How long did you wait for an appointment when your referral was submitted, and how long was the waiting list for the Operation.

      I cannot thank you enough for your help and advice on this it does mean a lot to me.  

      Sheila

      x

    • sarah98681
      sarah98681 sheila34645

      Posted

      Hi Sheila 

      so so glad to hear you got some good news and are able to get a referrel. Keep me updated on how you get on. Take care Sarah x

    • jodini
      jodini sheila34645

      Posted

      That's brilliant news. A couple of months wait. Not too long.

      Keep me updated.

      Jo x

    • sheila34645
      sheila34645

      Posted

      Hi Jo,

      Thank you so much i will keep you updated when i know more my self.

      Thank you.

      Sheila

      x

    • laura49003
      laura49003 jodini

      Posted

      Hi jo i had my micro discectomy 11 months ago with mr Chopra and i had a spinal fusion on 3 march 2015 with mr Paul Rhys Davies. How are you now?

      best wishes laura x 

    • jodini
      jodini laura49003

      Posted

      Hi Laura. Wow. Fancy us both knowing Mr Chopra. Small world!!! Still suffer pain 24/7, but am so glad I went ahead with surgery.

      No two surgeries are the same, so people recover differently. The top of my back also showed wear & tear during surgery, so I need to be extra careful.

      Take care during the recovery process and hope all goes well.

      Best wishes

      Jo x

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