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recovery from mutli-level lumbar fusion

Posted , 6 users are following.

JMSL345
JMSL345

12 weeks out of L3 4 5 fusion, just went back to work. (desk job).  I had been off pain RX ,now having problems with increased pain. when will I feel better ? 

 

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Titanium_Man
    Titanium_Man JMSL345

    Posted

    Dead JMSL,

    I am so sorry to hear about your increased pain level. Although I am still two weeks out from my fusion, I have a good guess about what might be going on. When I had both of my last two surgeries, I went back to school and work (depending on the surgery) too soon. I thought I was ready, but I hurt often and felt that I had actually regressed somewhat.

    Going from being off to back to work full time can be a jolt to your body (especially the desk part as your fusion is so low). I would let your doctor know that you have acute pain now and you would do well with some acute pain killers (not sure what you have used but I use Percocet for mine. It was very very bad pain). I hope this helps and I will be here for you if you have any other questions. Titanium Man will always be here to save the day,

    Titanium Man

    • linda57344
      linda57344 Titanium_Man

      Posted

      Hi Titanium Man, I'm the Titanium Woman.. Mines in my neck.. First fusion took bone from my hip and put into my neck.. Did it thru the front.. Having the bone taken from my hip hurt more than the surgery.. Spent an extra day in the hospital due to the hip pain..

      About 2 minutes years later had to have the 2nd surgery.. His time I was cut about 6 inches.. So have a zipper scar with a dent in the back of the neck.. They shaved my head halfway up and put it in a plastic bag for me and left it on my tray..

      That surgery was the worst thing I have ever been thru in my life.. And I've had a lot of surgeries.. It took a month before I could wash my hair in the shower without feeling excruciating pain.. Was more comfortable sleeping on a blow up mattress than my own bed.. Couldn't drive for 2 months.. About 2 weeks after surgery I lost my voice for a few days and went to reach for something in the cupboard and my shoulder just went to my neck.. Eventually everything went back to normal.. Took a trip to the emergency room to make sure this was standard procedure..

      My original complaint was headache, neck pain, numbness and tingling in my fingers and pain in my forearm..

      So had my surgery took a long time to heal.. Now I'm getting headaches worse than ever. Going from the back of my neck/head to my left temple and left eye.. They've gotten much worse.. Taking 3 very heavy duty pain meds, had injections 3x's,CT Scan, MRI, X-rays and nobody has come up with anything except for the Orthopedic Dr that I saw.. He's suggesting that I have an elect stim trial done.. Sounded like the answer to my prayers until I read the reviews.. All reviews are concerning back and leg pain.. Some are for and some against.. I want to know about the neck.. Then someone did answered with since I already have a have titanium and scar tissue, they're going to have a hard time getting the lead wires in.. This will probably mean opening my neck again.. Don't mind saying that I'm scared and confused..

      Wish I could get answers from someone who's been thru it..

      Wishing you the very best of luck.. Please keep us posted on how you're doing..

      Best Wishes, Linda

    • Titanium_Man
      Titanium_Man linda57344

      Posted

      Titanium Woman,

      It is a pleasure to meet you. I am so sorry about the headaches! I have heard of that issue and I can't imagine... I have had several Big headaches over my lifetime, and I would be just fine never having another one.

      My doctor said the electric stimulator would be my next option if all of my current pain doesn't go away, but I am hoping it does. I have been so lucky (so far) that my fusion has been so successful so far. I know how it must feel to have yet more issues to deal with... my second back surgery left me a MESS, so this entire fusion was basically to Fix a surgery aimed to help me... it's weird it works that way.

      I will keep you in my prayers. I wish I could be more help, but I know there are plenty of stimulator patients out there who can chime in. T10-L3 fusion? I can rock those answers out! smile

      Titanium Man

    • linda57344
      linda57344 Titanium_Man

      Posted

      Hi Titanium Man, well I would like to think that I could get more answers about the neck stim but no luck.. Everything is geared toward the back and legs..

      So I've decided when I do have the consultation with the next Dr I'm going to ask my questions and see if I'm comfortable with him and his answers.. At this point I have 2 choices.. Have it done or not.. Like I said I've read so many things on this it kinda scares me.. I read about infection at the site where the box was implanted, wires becoming disconnected, the unit not working and having problems with the reps, the pain involved after the surgery and long recovery..

      So, all I can do is put it in God's hands and believe in him..

      Wishing you the very best of everything..

      Please keep me posted on how you're doing..

      Thank you for answering and giving your support..

      Titanium Woman aka Linda

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX JMSL345

    Posted

    The Zen answer is: "When you're better."...but I digress...

    I had L3 through S1 fusion 2 1/2 years ago.  Took a few weeks to heal then started PT.  Kicked its a$$ in two months @ 2x/week.  Leg pressing 230-pounds!!!  They threw me out!!!

    Some questions...

    - Length of time between no meds and work?  Did you feel zero pain during that period?

    - Did you get released from PT with no or little pain?

    - Did the pain start when you went back to work (assuming you had no pain before that event)?

    - Desk job...  My first thought is posture.  Bad spine curvature in a chair for 8 hours can aggravate the spine.  Remember...it is NOT fully fused...that takes a long time.  Try an ergonomic chair.  In the US, a company MUST supply you with one.

    - What are you doing now that you didn't do before the pain started?  Gardening? Bending over a lot?  Twisting?  In other words, have you been engaging in no-no activities thinking you were all better?

    Let us know...the answer could be readily apparent...

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      PS: If you resort back to opioids for pain, you should NOT be driving.  Major legal issues if you get into an accident.  

      "Don't do dat." - Arnold Schwarzenneger to Claire Danes, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

  • linda57344
    linda57344 JMSL345

    Posted

    Hopefully you aren't doing to much even though it's a desk job.. The up and down and moving comfortably is going to take time..

    Hopefully you can get pain meds to carry you thru recovery.. I didn't have Lumbar fusion but did have neck fusion.. Surgery takes a year to fully recuperate.. Don't push yourself.. Not worth it..

    Did you possibly go back to soon??

    Please keep me posted.. I do care and can relate. 💜

  • amy966
    amy966 JMSL345

    Posted

    Hi,

    I'm fused S1 - L3. My surgery was in March of 2012. I went back to work after 3 months too and I believe it was too soon. I would give it a few more months. It was close to 6 months before I started feeling better. My nerve problems were gone but the bone pain is what was so bad.  Did your surgeon graft bone from your hip with hardware?

    best wishes you feel some relief soon. Pain is a terrible thing. 

    Take care,

    Amy

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX amy966

      Posted

      Same L3-S1 fusion (picture).  I wore my back brace religiously for 3 months...only taking it off for PT and sleep.  That really helped.  Off the pain meds fairly quickly and killed rehab...they threw me out...shattered all their records.  But then again, I'm a total rehab freak...I take it very seriously.  Did my hip replacement in 6 weeks...5 hours a day, 6 days a week, therapy pool and gym.

      Take your pain meds...obey ALL the restrictions...do your PT.  Great result.  Getting back to work is very individual but it is not quick. 

  • jessica_78456
    jessica_78456 JMSL345

    Posted

    12 wks I'd say that's far to early I've been told at least 6 month s

  • Moveebuff1953
    Moveebuff1953 JMSL345

    Posted

    Hi;  You should really be feeling better around this time.  If not you should go talk to your surgeon.  
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