I am post op 2 weeks now and doing great still having some pain but I thought it would be a lot worse with L5-S1 fusion but so far so good. I start physical therapy this week so I hope that will help rebuild the muscle tone that I have lost. I was in the hospital for four days and all of the nurses and docs said I did exceptionally well, so I guess what I am trying to say is that there is hope and some of us can be fixed so keep your chin up.

Hello Scampbel,

Welcome to our home away from home hehe,

Thanks for your message, im glad your doing well. I'll be having an L5S1 Fusion in weeks. It's great to hear another success story.
Would you like to share your experience of your time in hospital. How you felt after the surgery, the first day or so? Were you in need of much pain medication? It would be great to know.

p.s you'll get used to me, I love detail. hehe

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif Brooke

Hello Scampbel,
I am glad to here you are doing so good, I am going in the morning to have L5-S1 Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion. So like Brooke, I would love details..Were you in ICU? How long is the inscision? anything you can think of, Please let us know.. Thanks, Debbie

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spondylolysis, Grade I spondylolisthesis,L5-S1 bulging dehydrated disc, nerve damage in both legs.

Welcome Scampbel - yes please tell us all - including did you have nerve pain in your legs from pressure at L5, L4 & S1?
What did your surgeon say before the op about your chances of feeling better? - & anything different afterwards?
my very best wishes for your continued recovery
C


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Spondylolisthesis for over 25 years without pain symptoms
Leg aching started 12/02 & burning feet pain in 7/03 finally diagnosed as pressure on nerves at L5 & S1 on 9/8/03
Scheduled to have 2 Epidurals & Myelogram
Provisional surgery date 11/11/03

Hi, everyone!

I had my single level PLIF (l5/s1) on March 5. This surgery was incredibly easy for me. Like Scampbel, the hospital staff said I did exceptionally well as did the drs.

No pain meds for me day after (not even a full 24 hours, but then didn't take any prior either. I think that makes a difference). I am incredibly grateful for this surgery and the outcome.

Good luck to all.



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gbr

1st lumbar MRI showed 4 bulging lumbar discs and 3 bulging thoracic discs
Diagnosed with JDD
lumbar discograms
4 Level failed IDET
another lumbar disco
4 Confirmed torn lumbar discs, 2 full thickness
Issues now with c-spine & upper thoracic
Fusion of L5/S1 scheduled 3/5/03 (PLIF)
Fusion successful - feeling better all the time
Major pain on L side of neck to shoulder - MRI revealed 2 shot discs (C5/6 & 6/7)
3 upper thoracic discs bulging as well

Scampbel
Yes, do tell. I will be having a 2 level 360 degree fusion within the next 2-3 weeks.

When did they get you up for the first time? Did you have a catheter and for how long? What's the deal on bathing?

All info will be appreciated!

O'Girl

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20 years intermittent back pain - no treatment sought
Nov 2001 - herniated disk - Right leg radiculopathy
Jan 2002 - Chiropractic care
Mar 2002 - MRI, X-Rays, Oral steroids
Apr 2002 - L4/L5 Microdiskectomy
Sept 2002 - PT, Oral steroids
Oct 2002 - MRI, Xrays - Failed Back Syndrome
Apr 2003 - TFESI, EMG, MRI
Diagnosis - DDD - foraminal narrowing, disk bulges, osteophytes, ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, active marrow edema, levoscoliosis, retrolisthesis, scar tissue encompassing L5 nerve root, disk height diminished, abnormal EMG results for left leg
Sept 2003 - Discogram with Xrays, CT Scan.
Oct 2003 - 2 level 360 degree fusion to be scheduled