Post op six months TLIF. Boy time flys. Anyway nerve irritation has returned and been going nuts. Just got my MRI and it said something questionable about one of the screws...dont' have it in front of me right now.

But it shows now two other levels starting DDD and one level bulging. I never had any other levels with any problems before, and it makes me mad.

I feel like once youve had surgery, they are on to the next one, and kinda blown off.

Hoping this isn't dominoe effect starting, not looking good.

Sounds like the Domino effect to me Vette , sorry about that . I guess most of us are in the same boat . I wish them scientist would invent something soon for us to stop it . Stem cells ??? Maybe ?

They could dig up Unlce Jimmy and give me his spine :dizzy: just not his liver , the dang drunk anyway .. Couldn't stay off the bottle .

Shawley

I wonder if the hardware has something to do with all this domino effects because I had no problem with my fusion after my first fusion for over 20 years. The only difference between my first and second fusion was that I did not have hardware for the first fusion.

Yvette I just pray we are misinterpeting the results of your MRI. Please keep us posted once you hear from the ns.

Hi Yvette,
Wow, so sorry to hear this! Can a doctor tell from the MRI whether the nerve pain is caused by a problem with that screw or if it's from the other levels now bulging?

Do you have an appt scheduled to talk about it? Let us know what they say. This is not a happy club you and Pepper have become members of! At least you have each other to lean on for moral support. You both understand what each other is going through.

This sure isn't what you had hoped for, but whatever happens, you'll get your strength up and will deal with it. Your kids will be there for you, and they'll be better people for it as they grow up.

Keep us posted!
Take care,
Emily

And Shawley, please leave Uncle Jimmy where he is! Although maybe that could be his good legacy that would carry on for him....

what is domino effect?

There is a theory that if you have problems with one spinal level and have a fusion that the level above or below my go and you need more surgery.

Hey shawley you ever think maybe he drank cause of his back? Cause I am tempted lol.

I feel totally blown off by my doctors...imagine that. I called them and they said tomail in the MRI then just wait for my appointment next month lol. Oh they care so much..ya know.

So I am finding a way to pay for mailing that. In a minute I will email her and see if I can get any further.

Vette, I am so sorry about the fact that they are blowing you off. I had the same thing happen and I don't wish it on my worst enemy.

These past couple of months have been a nightmare for me.

Yvette I think we all get blown off once they figure they can't do anymore for us . :( Been going through that alot lately. I can't get a Dr. to even look at me ,all they do is read my report from over a year ago and say its scar tissue . I would feel so much better if they did a myelogram or something to be sure nothing has changed. But none do . I think since I agree'd to the stim that was the last thing for them to try. other than the pump , and I'm talking about the morphine pump not the other one :D

Shawley, you are so bad...:)

Yvette, sorry... I have same thing: last year had L-4, L-5 S-1 and 6 month later 2 levels above the fusion went. I read about it and this is common side affect if you have 2 or more lumbar levels done and not very common with less than 2 levels.
I am pretty sure that this happens due to hardware holds fused levels so tight that if we bend even a little, twist, etc. levels above not strong enough to handle it.
Honestly I did not meet many people who had multi level done and not have domino effect, sorry for saying this. Really scary and makes me think...:mad:

There is a theory that if you have problems with one spinal level and have a fusion that the level above or below my go and you need more surgery.

Supposedly that is why you are not suppose to bend, twist or lift more then 10 pounds ever again. It is so hard not to do any of that stuff. They say you put more pressure on the other discs etc. All I know is the pain just keeps getting worse after one year post op. My MRI showed some white spots that they think are scar tissue pressing on the nerve.

Moldova - I see you got my sick joke :D It just came out..

Hessie - sorry your going through all this , it sounds so familiar to hear people hurting worse after the first year ,,, Must be scar tissue for everyone ? Thats what they tell me ?? Hope you feel better soon


Hugs and kisses to all you hurting puppies ;)