I had a laminectomy done on 12-13-06, at the L3-4 and L4-5 levels. I don't feel any better. I have the same pain and numbness I did before the surgery. I started physical therapy two weeks ago and the physical therapist is concerned that I am still having the same pain. Three weeks after surgery the doctor prescribe Neurontin. It worked somewhat but, I still get the burning pain down both legs. Any idea when I should start feeling the benefits of the surgery?

Hi,
I'm sorry your still in pain, how much neurontin do you take? it may ebyou just need it upped a lil. I started out on 1500 mg a day but I was switching from IV steroids tothis so I could go home from hospital. So you may not be on that high of a dose at the start. I had a fusion so I can't really help ya on the time frame for just a lami but it sounds like nerve pain which unfortunatly I have had way to much of.

I would call my dr. and talk with him about it, he may just adjust the dosage and that may take care of it until you recover 100%. I wouldnt' worry to much about it at this point your recovery should be way longer than 5 wks.

Keep us updated?

God Bless

Good Luck

Carol

I had a one level laminectomy in May 9, 2006 and by end of June I felt much better with the exception of some thigh pain. I was told this was normal because the nerves were flaming red and needed time to heal. By July, August, and beginning of September I felt much better until I reinjured my back.

So from my personal experience and each case is different, I experienced dramatic relief by my 6 to 8 week period. Definitely better than I was preoperatively.

HI,

I had lumbar laminectomies done this past Sept and all the pain caused by my stenosis was gone right away. Of course there was surgical pain and my leg and back muscles were extremely stiff and I had a little weakness in my right leg.....but PT helped all that for me. By 6 weeks out, I was feeling pretty good. The only thing that happened to me was about 11 days after surgery, I got some sharp pains in my right hip area that went into my groing and down my leg only while laying on my side in bed. Of course that scared me, but it was also healing during that time & I started making myself stretch alot more and walking more than I was. I was afraid maybe scar tissue was starting to form somewhere. THankfully, this pain went away after about 2 days and has not come back. Other than my usual arthritis pains,I think I'm doing pretty well. Like others said, everyone is different and has different recovery times, etc... Did you mention to your surgeon that you're still feeling the same pain?

I spoke with my doctor concerning the consistent burning and numbness that I am still having. He told me that it could be one of two things: the nerves healing or permanent nerve damage. He told me to wait 3-4 months to determine if it is permanent nerve damage. He stated that I might have nerve damage because my nerves were pinched for over two years. He said that when he performed the laminectomy he removed what was causing the nerves to be pinched, but, as far as the nerves recovering it is up to my body. So now it is a waiting game. :dizzy:

I'm with you on this one, and know exactly what you're going through. I had a laminectomy at L4-L5 and L5-S1, as well as hardware removal, on October 31. Today my pain is no better and sometimes worse.

When I went for my 6 wk checkup, the doctor told me it was possibly nerve pain, and to give it another 6 weeks. I was prescribed lyrica to take along with soma. It's been 7 weeks now, and here I am, no better. I had an MRI last week, and tomorrow I will have an EMG, and then on Tuesday I see my doctor again. I only want some answers.

I've found that taking ibuprofen (or advil if you have a tender stomach) helps. In fact, I'm doing an "experiment". Yesterday I only took the lyrica and soma and was almost crying when I fell into bed last night. I couldn't lie on either side because of the pain In my legs going all the way to my feet, so I ended up sleeping all night on my back with a pillow under my legs. Today, I'm foregoing the lyrica and soma and just taking the ibuprofen.

I know how you feel - - you go through surgery, the incision heals, and then you still feel the same. It's very discouraging. I was already taking paxil for depression - - so many distressing things in my family - - but I'm wondering if I need something stronger. You know, it's a vicious cycle with pain and depression. Each one breeds the other. Pain can cause depression, and depression can cause more pain.

You most likely will have to play the "waiting game", as I did, but I hope we get answers to our pain.

Carole

I also had a laminectomy at L4/L5 and L5/S1. It has been almost 6 wks. The pain before surgery was excruciating. I can't even begin to describe how bad it was. I still have pain, but nothing compared to what it was. The times I have pain, are times I have done things the surgeon said not to do, such as bending over, for instance to fill the dogs dishes (but I've worked something else out for that) or to pick things up off the floor. I have a grabber and always try to use it, but sometimes will forget, and it won't work for the dogs dishes. Also, I fell twice since then. One time just losing my balance when I got out of bed too quickly. One time I fell off of something when I climbed up to change a light bulb. I called the drs office after the second time, which was a much harder fall, and was told that if there is no unusual or different type of pain, I don't need to be seen before my regularly scheduled app't (at 8 wks). Most of the pain I'm having is in my hip, and across where the stitches are, which I assume is just normal sensitivity. The only pain that is severe is muscle spasms in my foot, and I don't even know if it is connected to the surgery.

I am trying to follow all the directions I was given, no bending, not sitting more than 30 minutes at a time, only sleeping on back, no lifting, not walking my dog on his leash, doing the simple exercises I was given, everything I was told. I am praying that the fall didn't really mess things up. How long is the recovery from a laminectomy supposed to take? How long have others been told to follow all the precautions?

Paingoaway - mine were pinched for over three years. Now I have had a fusion and my doctor told me that some of it might be permanent but to give it 12 months to let everything settle down. I don't believe they can give you a solid answer - it's a matter of time and healing.

FYI - After my laminectomy and my injury - I required a fusion because my vertebraes became unstable and the vertebrae/facet joint was moving and crushing my sciatia nerve. I am not saying this is your case but could be a possibility.

I'm still waiting for my laminectomy to kick in. I had one done on L3-4, L4-5 done in October. I actually feel worse than before. The neuro said I need more time to heal. I had another MRI done that showed nothing new. He also sent me for a EMG than showed some nerve damage in my legs. I haven't talked to him about the results yet. I'm actually seeing 3 doctors at the moment. My surgeon, workcomp dr., and a pain management doctor who wants to give me facet joint injections because the meds arn't working. I'm starting to feel like a lab rat. Take care