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Fusion surgery L4-L5

Posted , 7 users are following.

emily333
emily333

Extremely depressed. Had fusion 8 months ago and it feels like the surgeon operated on wrong disk, Place. I have pain from my SI joints all down my leggs, front of thigh down to back of legs that include lower back. I have had shots in SI joints. Still in pain . I wake up having to take meds every 4 hours. Taking Oxycodone 0 and oxycotin 20 mg. Have taken so many meds I think I have tried them all. Nurontin, lyrica,amitripaline, etc. Nothing helps. Is anyone in same situation?

Thanks,

Emily333

0 likes, 24 replies

24 Replies

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  • dianneg
    dianneg emily333

    Posted

    I am so sorry that you are in so much pain. I totally understand and can relate, I have had a lamenectomy L4-L5. The Neurosurgeon made such a mess out of my back, the next Neurosurgeon said the first one left "debri" behind. I then had a fusion of L4-L5. I felt like it was starting to feel a little better when I ruptured the one next to it L3-L4 and had to have them all fused together.

    A year ago I felt like my back was starting to heal a little when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I have had 2 surgeries and 6 1/2 weeks of daily radiation treatments. When they were lining me up with my "tattoos" they had to rock me back and forth to get me in the right position. I think that was the start of a new problem. Last summer I had another MRI and I apparently have nerve entrapment in scar tissue from my previous surgeries.

    I am now going through all of the requirements to do a trial of the St. Jude pain stimulator with "Burst". I am always in pain even on the stronger meds, I am on or have tried all of the ones that you mentioned. I am in bed now and it is only 2:30 in the afternoon. 

    My pain started 6 years ago and everyday I am in a lot of pain. Please consider getting another opinion and a new MRI and good luck.

    • emily333
      emily333 dianneg

      Posted

      Hi Dianneg,

      Had Breast Cancer in 2009. Was not a cause of the back pain. An abusive ex was. Thanks for your caring thoughts. Had another Mri. Xray and CT scan in December of 2016. The surgeon was only concerned with his own work and ordered the shots. I do not think these Dr's are cocerned except for themself's

       

    • dianneg
      dianneg emily333

      Posted

      Emily, I am so sorry that the reason of your back problems was from spousal abuse. I actually have no idea what the beginning of my back problems. One night 6 years ago this month I went to bed and I couldn't sleep because my left leg was vibrating in pain. It took many Dr.s and appointments to find out what was going on. I went to an acupuncture Dr and he asked me what my MRI said. My answer was, What MRI? He ordered one and I had a ruptured disc that was pushing on a nerve root. Unfortunately I had a bad first Neurosurgeon.

      I am glad that you are a cancer survivor too. Please let us know how you are doing. As you can see from all of the answers, people care and they are here to help. 

    • emily333
      emily333 dianneg

      Posted

      Thank you my dear, I will. Too painful to talk. I wanted to reply though. You are very kind

       

  • melm1972
    melm1972 emily333

    Posted

    I can appreciate how you are feeling. I too had sx about 10 months ago l3-s1. Fusion and discectomy. I started physical therapy 5 weeks after sx. I was motivated to get back and lose some of the weight I had put on, I still haven't lost it and in fact gained more. Anyway, your body has been through a lot, your back and pelvis has had adjustments made to it. I started out with regular pt and my pain manager dr wanted to get me off pain meds as soon as possible even though I was still experiencing a lot of pain in my low back in the same areas I had prior to my surgery. I started doing yoga about 5 months post sx and that was the worst thing I could have done. Too much twisting and bending. It was very painful. I sought out a new pain management dr and a new physical therapist one who does aqua therapy and I'm starting to feel my old self. They are working with me to create a plan for me and not pigeon holeing me. What has happened over the years is my back/spine/ hips have had to do a ton of over compensating for my discs that were bad now that they are fixed I have to retrain my body and all the weak muscles along my spine and adjacent areas how to work again correctly. Finding the right healthcare practitioners makes a world of difference. I thought it was my si joints as well and I had shots, it wasn't its everything around the area out of whack. I'm now back doing Pilates and strengthening my core. I have permanent nerve damage in my l4 so I have weakness in certain areas of my legs and feet. I think you need to reevaluate what's going on and get help from ppl who know what they are doing and help you get your muscle strength back in the areas where you might have lost it now that your anatomy has been corrected. I hope this helps a bit?

    • emily333
      emily333 melm1972

      Posted

      I agree and I am changing all Dr's next month. I appreciate someone who is in the same pain as I am reply. I am going to look into Pilates although every day It seems I am building myself into a cacoon and I am going out less and less.I have tried everything, accupuncture, chiropracter, decompression, everything. I even had Drop foot.

      Thank you for your reply

    • melm1972
      melm1972 emily333

      Posted

      Some things might be permanent and you have to just get used to a new normal. Just today my therapist asked me what % I felt I was at physically. I answered honestly with the caveat being I have to keep reminding myself that I just don't have the range of motion that I did prior to my surgery and I never will, but I do have room for improvement and I have to strive to work towards that improvement. I'm healthy in every other way, I need to be thankful for that and just do what I am able to do. Get yourself aligned with a different team and figure out a plan of action to meet your goals in a healthy way. 

    • emily333
      emily333 melm1972

      Posted

      Dear MELM1972,

      You are correct. I guess that is what is depressing me. I have to get used to it all. Have done everything I could. Thank You for your reply. I am just so sick of everyone looking at me and seeing the pain I am feeling and having no social life and fustrating the one person, my brother who loves me and tries to help. The little I do I am grateful for. But this is no life.I have tried everything. Trust in that.

      Emily

    • melm1972
      melm1972 emily333

      Posted

      It will get better. You just have to get stronger. I know it sounds like an impossibility but it can happen. I used to be down and feel that my sx did not work, my husband had to keep remindinding me that it did work, it fixed the anatomical piece that was broken and it was a big technical sx, it's going to take time, being frustrated with my post care and not feeling like I was being listened to wasn't helping either. I sought out a therapist that could help me work out my frustration with my pain manangement Dr, worked on a new pm dr and a new pt. I feel like a new woman in less than 2 months because I found a dr who deals with chronic pain not by pushing more pills but by dealing with pain every day so he knows what it's all about, he emphathizes with his patients instead of traveling them as drug seekers. All 3 are aligned with each other and we are all working on a common goal to get back to being as close to as what I was pre sx and not on pain meds but active. 

    • emily333
      emily333 melm1972

      Posted

      sounds great. I wish you were in the US to recommend. but I have had all of the above. Still following through with new Dr's. Something has to work, but when you have had surgery 8 months ago and have had pain 4 ,10 years. you are too tired to have another go . I live alone and have moved from the state where all my friends are. I used to think my goodness, to my brother, don't put me in a home. I think that may be best because the pain is unbearable and I can't do it on my own

      God bless to you,

      thanks melm1972

  • adythewarrior
    adythewarrior emily333

    Posted

    Hi Emily,

    Yeah, I've been like that for 4 years I've had 2 discs out, a spinal cord stim fitted, (then removed ad needed urgent MRI). Currently on Oramorph, Gabapentine, Zomorph, Amitrptylene, Sertraline, I'm at Mt wits end too.

    Saw my consultant Monday , he said "We will give it 6 more months until scar tissue settles"

    • emily333
      emily333 adythewarrior

      Posted

      Hi Adythewarrior,

      I am on 2 out of 4 of your meds plus more. Thank you for the post. I do not recognize all your names of medication. This must be a link outside the US. I live in the USA

      Emily

  • carol78519
    carol78519 emily333

    Posted

    Hi Emily - I have not had fusion surgery but have had back pain for many many years.  I tried everything short of surgery.   IThere is an option that may work in your case.  It's called a Spinal Cord Stimulator.  It is a device implanted in your body with leads (wires) going up your spine.  The device sends signals thru these wires to your brain that masks the pain.  It is a common device that your doctor should already be familiar with.  If not, please seek out a pain doctor or neurosurgeon.  I have one made by St. Jude.  It doesn't take away all of the pain but it helps enough that you get your life back and can function.  It will help with the lower back pain and with the pain going down your legs.  That is exactly the pain that I've had.  Please ask your doctor about it.  

    • emily333
      emily333 carol78519

      Posted

      Hi Carol ,

      My pain specialist wanted to implant it. First a trial week but my nurosurgeon said no. First of all he said my fusion is still healing. Thanks for the advise. Like I mentioned, I have tried almost everything. I love the advise though and do not feel alone now. I feel for us all. All that is left is excersise and massage I think. Do not think I can do much else. I will keep all posted. Thank you,

      All the best to you,

      Emily

      Emily

    • carol78519
      carol78519 emily333

      Posted

      Okay - I understand about the healing.  Just keep it in the back of your mind if you continue to have pain.  There is that option.  Yes, definitely keep me posted!

      Take care!

      Carol

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