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Post lumbar surgery pain

Posted , 5 users are following.

denis48705
denis48705

So i've had lower lumbar fusion surgery exactly 4 weeks ago. Prior to my surgery i had severe weakness in my left leg and pain in my left buttock. After surgery i no longer have the weekness or the pain in my buttock. How ever everytime lay down in bed flat on my back i'll get an insane pain if maje a slight wrong movement. And also when i try and get out of bed i have to use a cane to get up and get sharp pains in my lower back to the point that my legs give out from under me. The only way i'm able to walk around some what comfortably is to wear a back belt and walk with a cane.

I'm convinced that there is something wrong with the procedure. Would anyone have an idea of what could be going on? I'm desprate and need to find answers because i'm feeling 10 times worst tgan before surgery.

Thanks

Denis

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • buggsy1000
    buggsy1000 denis48705

    Posted

    Hi Denis

    Firstly sorry to hear you have had surgery.

    I would say you are very early stages of recovery, 4 weeks you are in the very early stage and your muscles will only just be starting to recover and any inflammation will probably still be there. I had a 3 level spinal fusion on l5,l4 and s1 in 2014 and remember struggling to get out of bed and pain moving about. Everyone is different in the recovery process, but It sounds encouraging that your pain in legs and buttocks went after surgery.

    I know it's hard to say and do, but try to keep as active as possible, little and often and nothing that's strenuous. Obviously if you feel your pain is getting worse I would suggest you go to your GP or A&E, only you can make that decision.

    As I said I had mine in 2014, sadly mine failed and I had further surgery 2015 and now am awaiting a spinal cord stimulator to help with my pain. But this doesn't happen to everyone so keep faith that you will be ok.

    Are you still taking pain meds ?? If so which ones?

    Regards

    George (UK)

    • denis48705
      denis48705 buggsy1000

      Posted

      Hi Buggsy, thank you so much for your reply. I am still taking Tylenol 4 with codein but i'm affraid my body has become emune to the codein. Going back for a followup with my surgeon in a week so i will let him know what is going on and hopefully he can change the pain meds for me.

      I have to be honest, i have never felt as much pain as i am now in my life. I realize that it's still quite early after my surgery but i was expecting to be feeling better than i am now.

      Thanks for your input.

      Denis

    • buggsy1000
      buggsy1000 denis48705

      Posted

      Hi Denis

      I had same issues with pain killers, but this is now more a muscular pain I would try and ask your Dr to give you some diazapam for muscle relaxant and Amertriptiline as well, both will help you relax and get some sleep. That's my opinion and short term it might help you.

      All the best.

      George :-)

    • denis48705
      denis48705 buggsy1000

      Posted

      I will definately ask him about thise meds. Thanks a million!

      Denis

  • eyeball
    eyeball denis48705

    Posted

    Hi Dennis,

    I had a multi fusion L3 L4 L5  six months ago and my syptoms where the same as

    yours, the pain you refer to was instant and severe and made sleep dificult because

    any movement woke me up. I also thought the problem was because of the operation. This operation is major and the surgeon cuts through all your muscles and many nerves which will take up to 12 months to heal. My pain started to go after 2 months and after 3 months I was able to move easily. It is important to walk each day as much as your able. Some times the pain your refering to can be because of infection or swelling. Speak to your surgeon and he can check your blood, but I think if you just give it time your pain issues will go.

     

    • denis48705
      denis48705 eyeball

      Posted

      Hi, thank you for your reply.

      You say that it can take 12 minths for everything to heal but tge surgeon said that i could go back to work in three months. Now i'm a truck an coach mechanic and everything anout my job involves heavy lifting and being bent over inside wheel wells and stuff like that.

      Feeling the way i do after only 4 weeks kind of makes me scared beacauss there is no way i'll be able to go back to work. When i first had my consultatiins with him he told me it was going to be 6 months to a year before i went back so when he wrote 3 months on my hospital release papers it just floored me.

      Trying to keep sane through all this. But i have to be honest my sanity is wearing thin. I've been off work for a year and a half and i really don't know when i'll feel capable of actually returning.

      Denis

    • eyeball
      eyeball denis48705

      Posted

      I undersand your frustaration but its only 4 weeks since your opp. Your body will tell you when your able to work, any way I think the trauma of the operation will prevent you going back to your previous job full time until you build up strengh. I went back after 3 months but my job is sales and still needed to sit and rest. There is no way you will be able to LIFT and bending over is a big NO. if you do you will set your self back months and 

      your body wont heal, the fusion needs up to 2 years to fuse. However when you try bending and feel the pain again you wont repeat it. I think its time for a new job.

    • denis48705
      denis48705 eyeball

      Posted

      I realize that it may definately be time for a new job. But i'm 40 years old and have been working In the truck and coach trade for 26 years. I'm not sure what kind if work i'll be able to find. I have "some" computer experience but i'm quite behind on today's technology.

      I'm hoping to be able to go work for my son in law's speed shop in sales and installation of performance parts because most installs are done on a hoist so i'll be able to stand to work.

      Will be a huge change in my life that i'll have to try and adjust to.

      Thanks for your input again.

      Denis

  • lindagkelly
    lindagkelly denis48705

    Posted

    There may be a simple solution to your problems.  At least I hope so.  I can't lay flat in my bed either (fused from L2-S1).  I put either one or two pillows under my knees and that takes the pressure off my lower spine.  Recently I bought a special support pillow from Sears. You can try one of those triangle wedge things, but they are too straight for me too.  I'm better off having a bump under my knees.  Try it.  Also, at this point of your recovery, you should be wearing the back belt.  It's too early to walk around without it.  But, I have never recovered to the point of being able to walk any distance - like around the grocery store aisles - without some support - the grocery cart is what I usually use in the grocery store, or else a walker or a cane when at some place like the mall.  Good luck to you Denis.  It could take 4-6 months before you fully recover - so don't push yourself too hard. And try the pillows under your knees!  Good luck.  Linda
  • dina_43525
    dina_43525 denis48705

    Posted

    Hi Denis 48705, sorry to hear that, exact the same happen to me, almost 2 years ago, try therapy, medicines , injections and the last , 2 weeks ago I had implant spinal cord stimulator, relief my lef leg pain but not the buttock, the pain is worse, they implant the port in left buttock , but I'm back to take norco and Valium for the pain not helping , this coming Monday I have appoitment with the dr., hope he find something. 
    • lindagkelly
      lindagkelly dina_43525

      Posted

      Did you get the Nevro Sensa HF10 neurostimulator? I hear a lot of people have the same problem with the battery implant.  The battery is fairly large and thick. But if they are able to put the battery in a different place that is not so painful, then people have good results.  I wish you the best of luck with yours.
  • gordon79924
    gordon79924 denis48705

    Posted

    Hi Denis

    Like you my trade for over 30 years was the same as yours trucks cars I had lower back surgery 4 years. Ago and now have just undergone a neck disk replacement I think it will be a bit of a tall order to get fully back into your trade ( I hope you do)but have a plan b I'm lucky and have a little job repairing. Small engines ie chain saws strimers pumps that sort of thing and can still make a living at it it does not really matter what u do just try to stay posative I don't think u should be in as much pain as you are in I have had a problems but all being nerves in my leg my surgeon xrayed me every 3 months for a year to make sure every thing is in place to be honest I would insist on a xray even for your own peace of mind if all OK its going to be a time thing I do feel for you but don't worry about work u need your health 1st

    regards Gordon

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