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L3-S1 Spinal Fusion and Decompression Laminectomy June 15th

Posted , 6 users are following.

Devilwearspaula
Devilwearspaula

Hello everyone,

June 15th i will be having my 5th back surgery. I have been dealing with a lot of issues with my back for more than 10 years now. I'm 26 years old now. My first back surgery was Feb of 2010. We have been avoiding this fusion for a very long time. I was just wondering, has anyone on here ever had a spinal fusion? How did you feel when you woke up from surgery? How did you feel a few days post op? How are you doing now? It is very unfortunate, but i made the decision to get the surgery, hoping this surgery works after 4 failed surgeries. I'm very nervous now that i'm a week away from it. 

1 like, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • james15716
    james15716 Devilwearspaula

    Posted

    Devilwearspaula,

    I have had one fusion and the the hardware removed the very next year. I have also had 2 previous SCSs implanted, both of wich failed along with an IDET. Yes I have been through the wringer and here I am a partial paraplegic at age 50 and, headed for my 3rd SCS. So, I can tell you that the pain was only bad for me in 94 because, they only used morphine for pain. Now there are several decent pain medications avaliable at their disposal. So you are probably going to face some pain but not nearly as bad as it was 20 plus years ago. I also hope that you can get some relief from any pain that you may be in now and, i wanted to wish you luck.

    • Devilwearspaula
      Devilwearspaula james15716

      Posted

      Thank you for responding james! I'm so sorry you have gone through so much! sad I hope your third will help you! After my 4th surgery which was september 2015, i felt like i was back at square one and the surgeon i had then didn an MRi and didn't even read it to me. Then sent me on my way saying nothing was wrong. I have a new surgeon now and she said she was extremely concerned about my L5-S1 root and this surgery needs to be done. Good luck! Are you getting your SCS soon?!
    • scrannel
      scrannel Devilwearspaula

      Posted

      I've had back issues all my life.  Born with slight curve that would occasionally cause me to lose the ability to walk -- but only briefly.  Then I had a road bike crash and a motorcycle crash, both not helping.  But mainly I suffered from scoliosis.  So, a bit over six months ago got level 8 fusion in an operation that lasted ten hours.  Right after, because the operation was so "strenuous" I was in the hospital for a week feeling spent but running on opiates.  When I came home I threw the opiates away and immediately started gettig active (used Tylenol for pain control).  Pain, understand, is an illusion, something the mind creates to keep you from hurting yourself more.  You need to compartmentalize it.  Not let it control you.  Thus, (IMHO) chuck the serious pain meds.  Now, as mentioned, six + months from operation.  Riding mountain bike, motorcycle, having sex, walking... just returned from a week in Turkey where I walked for hours each day.  For the first time I am pain free!  Don't know why people have the "hardware" removed unless there is a real issue; usually it stays in. 

      ​Yes, fusion can work.  But you need a good doctor... and a good attitude.  Good luck!

    • scrannel
      scrannel

      Posted

      Forgot to mention: I'm 69 years old.
    • Devilwearspaula
      Devilwearspaula scrannel

      Posted

      Wow!!! Scrannel, you are absolutely an inspiration!!!! Thank you so much for responding as well! My doctor has very high hopes about this surgery and as nervous as i am, i am staying very positive. They said I'll be in the hospital for about 4 days (or if they see me doing better-they wll release me earlier) All of my other surgeries were about 2 ish hours so a 7 hour surgery is making me very scared. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me!
    • marie04822
      marie04822 james15716

      Posted

      Could I ask which SCS you had implanted?  Did they do a test before you had the implant?  Good luck to you.  Marie 
  • joycemadine
    joycemadine Devilwearspaula

    Posted

    Hi I have had 4 fusions on my spine and now I am going in for another one in 2 weeks time I am having it done from thoracic to the sacrum... I am nervous as well this time .I was still in a lot of pain after all the surgeries and now its a lot worse it has caused scoliosis..... good luck to you
  • linda1718
    linda1718 Devilwearspaula

    Posted

    I wish you luck for your operation next week,

    I've had one spinal fusion which didn't work and then my second operation was "cancelled" while I was actually on the table. Believe it or not this has all been going on from 2009 and here we are in 2016 and I'm almost completely crippled and still waiting for my second fusion! I have a complaint in with the NHS but I guess that won't be resolved any time soon! I'm a bit confused with someone's comment about having their "hardware" removed surely this all stays in place.....

    • joycemadine
      joycemadine linda1718

      Posted

      Good for you Linda putting a complaint into the NHS I have just put a complaint in as well. I had an appointment for the 3rd of this month so I struggled to get there as I am in a lot of pain right now waiting for my surgery on the 22nd ..When I got there I was told there was no surgeon to see me as he was on holiday... I was furious x
    • linda1718
      linda1718 joycemadine

      Posted

      His Secretary should have called you, no excuse for that tardiness! I was a PA in the NHS for quite a long time Joyce and I'm determined with this case, I'm not giving up for anybody even if I get an operation I would still go ahead with the complaint! I have an "update" with the Consultant next Friday, that came from the Trust not him, so more lies from him probably! I sound like a real sourpuss 😀😀😂😎😆 The NHS made me like that 😱😥🤒

      Good luck for the 22nd, what are you having done Joyce? x

       

    • joycemadine
      joycemadine linda1718

      Posted

      Hi Linda

      ​I am pleased you ar still going to go ahead.good luck with your appointment x.I have had a few set backs from the hospital regarding surgeries and I wish I had complained then

      ​Thanks for the good luck wishes.

    • Devilwearspaula
      Devilwearspaula linda1718

      Posted

      Thank you Linda! Oh no! sad Did they say why it didn't work?! How can they cancel an operation when you're on the table, that's ridiculous! I can't believe you haven't had your second one yet, i hope everything gets resolved asap! sad
    • Devilwearspaula
      Devilwearspaula linda1718

      Posted

      Thank you Linda! Oh no!  Did they say why it didn't work?! How can they cancel an operation when you're on the table, that's ridiculous! I can't believe you haven't had your second one yet, i hope everything gets resolved asap! sad
    • Devilwearspaula
      Devilwearspaula linda1718

      Posted

      Thank you Linda! Oh no!  Did they say why it didn't work?! How can they cancel an operation when you're on the table, that's ridiculous! I can't believe you haven't had your second one yet, i hope everything gets resolved!
    • linda1718
      linda1718 joycemadine

      Posted

      When I get a spare hour or two I will fill you in on the whole tragic story!

      Keep us updated.

    • linda1718
      linda1718 Devilwearspaula

      Posted

      Do you know we are getting 3 copies of everything you send? It's not a problem but I thought you might like to know.

      They cancelled it after I had my anaesthesia and told me I had breathing problems!! Load of rubbish, I've never had breathing problems and I still don't have. Anyway, I did all the tests including a sleep apnoea one over a weekend. They found absolutely nothing wrong with my breathing, I think it was all about money but to tell the whole tragic story I would need a spare hour or two! 😪

      Linda

    • Devilwearspaula
      Devilwearspaula linda1718

      Posted

      Linda,

      So sorry, i was having issues with my internet and i must have pressed the button multiple times because it wasn;t sharing lol! So so sorry! that is terrible! sad Can you message me on here?!

    • linda1718
      linda1718 Devilwearspaula

      Posted

      You don't need to apologise, I just wanted to make you aware of it.😀 I honestly don't know if you can message on here but there is probably a way to do it. I will have a look and see what I can find. How are you feeling?
    • linda1718
      linda1718

      Posted

      Found it! If you go to the top of the page you will see a box on the right hand side with different things on including messages 😃
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