I guess I just need all the reassurance I
can get...
I am 39, f. I hurt my back 15 years ago
lifting a box and twisting. I went to
the Dr., and they found nothing wrong.
The pain gradually went away, but would
reappear after heavy lifting. I
reinjured it 2-3 years ago, don't know
how. I had an mri at that time, and in
march '06, the most pain occuring during
the past 9 months. The mri results
stated: "two-level disc dessication at
l5-s1, somewhat more prominent appearing
right s1 nerve root compared to the left,
desiccated disc at l4-5 with broad-based
central right paracentral protruding disc
of 3mm with an annular tear and high
intensity signal zone, mild fluid in the
facets bilaterally at l4-5 and l5-s1." my
first doctor was an ortho., and didn't
help me, but after I begged, he prescribed
pt. The pt guy referred me to a back
specialist. Pain occurs after heavy
activity, coughing, sneezing, sex, getting
into car, putting on shoes, picking
something off floor, turning in bed, etc.
It is hard to do laundry or lift
anything. On good days, I can stand
upright and walk ok, on bad, I hobble.
Btw, I do not have leg pain, only in my
buttock mildly. My current doctor
determined that I do not have nerve pain,
it is mechanical pain. It feels as
though bones are compressing and grinding
in my back, and I have much spasming.
The l4-5 disc looks thin and is gray on
the mri, and the l5-s1 is black. (the
healty ones are white.) my Dr. Suggested
fusion for the lower disc, and nothing at
this time for the upper. Btw, I used to
work out 6 days a week, am normal weight,
thin and muscular, very active, but now I
cannot run or do aerobics or rollerblade,
and only work out 2 days per week, very
mellow. I will not take pills, it is not
for me. The most pain/stiffness occurs
with movement, and I want to restore my
mobility. Pt didn't do much, am already
very strong. I am hoping that surgery
can help me. Does it sound like a
reasonable solution, or should I wait
until it gets far worse?
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Jayne HE
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Yorkshire, England
Re : Fusion Surgery Scheduled Posted: 06-06-06 23:16pm
Hi fluffhead
i am 39 yr old female with very similar
l5/s1 problems to yourself and have
recently had a spinal fusion (4 months
ago). This is the third back operation
i've had as i've been desperate to seek
some relief for the constant pain I have
had for the last 4 and half years. My
advice to you about having a fusion is to
see at least one other surgeon (ideally
two) for another opinion.
If I was as active as you are now and
could live without pain relief then I
would have waited (until your back gets
worse). The recovery from fusion is
painful and tough emotionally (i couldn't
even pick my 11 month old baby up for 3
months). Four months after the
operation, my activity levels are down and
my pain relief levels are up (i couldnt
function without analgesia). Some people
have back surgery and get a great result,
so far I have just developed lots of scar
tissue on my nerve roots. I'm really
hoping that my fusion will be different,
but i'm told the recovery is 6 months to a
year.
The best thing I have ever done to help my
back was to buy a pair of mbt (masai
barefoot technology) trainers which really
helped my mobility and pains in my legs.
Its a cheaper and far less painful
alternative to surgery!
Best of luck.
Jayne
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gjzh
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Oct 2005 Posts: 28 Location: ,
Posted: 06-19-06 17:19pm
I think that because you write this pain
is not daily and you are asking if you can
wait....You should. Surgery should only
be when you are in pain and on pain pills
daily to survive. If you do not want to
take pain pills I would not go for a
fusion...
Did your surgeon suggest a fusion or a
laminectomy? I would think he would
start with a laminectomy....How many
opinions have you gotten. I saw surgeons
in the double digits before having a
fusion...You should get at least three
opinions...
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llyons
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 1
Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery Posted: 10-08-07 10:05am
I would like to talk to any one who has
had L4, L5, S1 fusion surgery. I had my
surgery September 26, 2006 and I am almost
as bad as I was before I had the surgery.
I am not on any meds because they do not
agree with me. I basicly do nothing and I
really scared that this is as good as I'm
going to get. My only time not in pain is
lying flat out or sleeping. Could someone
give me some advise or tell me if they
understand!
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gjzh
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Oct 2005 Posts: 28 Location: ,
Posted: 10-08-07 21:07pm
llyons,
I was placed on heavy medications after my
fusion. I take more now after the fusion
than before and it is eighteen months
after the surgery. I think your surgeon
did not prepare you for this surgery and
he should have spoken at length to you
about this surgery before you signed on
the dotted line. Did he tell you that you
would have less pain or that there was a
chance that you would not feel any better
or worse? Sometimes the surgeons operate
to make certain we that we do not develop
bladder or bowel problems, but do not
necessarily make the pain any better. I
knew going into my fusion L1 to S1, that I
might not feel much better and in fact
might make my spinal problems much worse.
I just had a revision on my surgery
because I was feeling so badly and not
able to walk very far without being in
incredible pain. The revision has helped a
little with pain, but I am not certain it
has helped a lot...I am on more pain meds
now, than before my fusion and feel I
always will be. It is too bad that you
cannot tolerate any kind of pain
medication. I could not live without pain
medication or move without it....I will
keep you in my thoughts and prayers...Good
luck!
