Hello, My name is ~E~, I am a 30 year old female, who had a spinal fusion at L5-S1 nearly 9 years ago. This will be somewhat of a long forum, but please read me, as I am in desperate need to find people who have had similar experiences as mine with the pain and problems after surgery.

While serving in the USAF, I started having "problems" with my left leg, numbness & pain mostly, so I decided to see my flight doc who sent me in for an MRI. The results of the MRI showed a herniated disc at my L5-S1, in turn, I was sent to a Neurosurgeon, who said I needed an operation. Being very young, and extremely naive, I trusted this military doctor, and went ahead with the "necessary surgery" :(

**note** = There were no alternative measures taken prior to the surgery. No physical therapy, no steroid injections, nothing.

After the surgery in Dec 99, I had severe pain. At first, I just thought it was because it was a major surgery, but after complaining for 3 months to my Neurosurgeon, and being heavily medicated, my doc said, Sorry...I just cant answer why your pain is worse.
I decided to take my back pain to a civilian Neurosurgeon, who basically told me I was never a "candidate" for such a major surgery at such a young age, and that he really didn't want to take the case because I would now become his problem, but he did.

Forward ahead 10 months later....I am being released from my military duties because I was no longer "deployable", from being in a full torso back brace, and on a profile that didn't allow me to climb stairs, lift more than 10 pounds, sit or stand for long periods of time. Now discharged, I no longer had insurance, so I turned the the Veterans Affairs. I've been treated with them ever since...here is where I'm at.


I have been on all kinds of meds for the last 9 years. Mostly including Darvocet, (which I was addicted to for a long time), Tramadol, Muscle relaxers, Anti Inflammatory, etc. However, since the surgery I have experienced SEVERE Migraine headaches. I am on Toprimate, to "help" eliminate the severity and amount of migraines, but when I have questioned my doctors if the headaches are related to my back, they look at me as if I am crazy...an have told me "no" the migraines have no relation to your back issue. Is there anyone out there that has had any headaches since a back surgery?? Or has anyone had any confirmation from a doctor whose been able to find a relation between the two.

Confused, frustrated, and apparently Crazy
~E~

First of all - I am so sorry for what happened to you. That is why I always suggest everybody to go and see couple opinions, never take only one's Dr's opinion in something major like surgery. Some of them very knife happy.

Now about headaches. Migraine is neurological disorder. If you got them after your surgery, why wouldn't you consider to find a good Neurologist (not a Neurosurgeon) and go from there. Many of us (include me) have a lot of neurological problems after spinal fusions (legs, feet, etc.).
Second of all: make sure they check you for spinal fluid leakage: it gives you severe headaches which sometimes mistake for migranes, but actually it' s a leakage which may disable people.
A good Dr can read your MRI for this (not everyone though) and spinal fluid taken from your spine by shot can show the levels of it in a spine (I had this done too, not a big deal).
Please, don't presume that every DR is a good one just because he weared white uniform. Do your homework and go to someone who is highly recommended buy someone with similar problems.

Best of luck to you!:angel:

Thank you for the speedy response, unfortunatley I am seeing a neurologist, and shes the one that says there is no reason for the headaches or migraines. I 've had tests, and ct scans of my brain...no tumors or problems....so I'm still left with the question of whats causing the migraines. :(

Hi E
I am so sorry to hear that you are still experiencing such bad pain post op.
I am also 30 - and I had L5 S1 fusion and decompression 2 years ago. The difference is that I had been through over a year of treatment with Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Acupuncturists etc (you name it - I tried it) and I was getting worse. Pre op I could not even climb stairs at home and had to set up a bed downstairs in the lounge.
I also tried the Steriod injections pre op but all it did was cause me to spend my birthday in bed with a sore spine due to the anasthetic that they injected in! I was in hospital for 3 weeks post op, and could barely walk when I was discharged. I was a further 3 months on crutches, 6 months in a brace and I only finished up my Physio about 3 mnths ago.
Whilst I am a sight better than what I was pre op, I still have days where I cant get out of bed. I have had a consistent headache for the last month (which I was passing off as stress because I just NEVER get headaches) and the last week I have been experiencing very sharp shooting pains on the left side (just between graft and fusion)
I am really worried that one of the screws has come loose or something ridiculous.
I have been trying to avoid taking any pain killers for the last 6 months, but the last 3-4 weeks have had no choice but to get back on them. (both for the headaches and back pain)
I really hope that you find your answers soon - I am trying to get an app with my surgeon for next week, so I will certainly ask about the migrane/back combination..
Just keep your chin up (I know its hard) :angel:

[


I have been on all kinds of meds for the last 9 years. Mostly including Darvocet, (which I was addicted to for a long time), Tramadol, Muscle relaxers, Anti Inflammatory, etc. However, since the surgery I have experienced SEVERE Migraine headaches. I am on Toprimate, to "help" eliminate the severity and amount of migraines, but when I have questioned my doctors if the headaches are related to my back, they look at me as if I am crazy...an have told me "no" the migraines have no relation to your back issue. Is there anyone out there that has had any headaches since a back surgery?? Or has anyone had any confirmation from a doctor whose been able to find a relation between the two.

Confused, frustrated, and apparently Crazy
~E~[/QUOTE]

Hello! Sorry to hear about your pain.
I was diagnosed with migraines about 17 years ago, one thing I did notice was certain pain meds will kick off a migraine for me. Mostly morphine, Opana, will make a migraine come on for me. I don't know if you take pain meds or what your situation is but for me that is what happens. I have severe migraines, bad enough that my nerologist has ordered home health care, iv infusion, 3 times now, twice since surgery. I don't think there is a correlation between my migraines and my fusion surgery, because I was diagnosed way before my DDD began.
Best of luck to you.

Lori

Its been difficult dealing with my pain....and there is a lot more to my already long story. I am a single mom of a two year old....and I Thank God for my parents, because there are days where I too, cannot get out of bed. I have good days...and bad days. I have never had a pain free day since my surgery...Ive just figured that life goes on with or without me..and it doesn't matter if I hurt or not. I laugh when my doctors have told me I'm not to lift anything over 20 lbs. How do you tell a two year old that Mommy cant pick you up???? Yeah right!
Currently I'm going on day 20 of a non stop headache :( Yet, I'm constantly being told there is no relation to my back surgery and my constant headaches and migraines. So...since the neurologist has run all kinds of tests and ct scans with no tumors or anything...why the constant headaches?? Its soooo frustrating!
Not that I am glad to hear that you have some similarities, but I am...just to know that I am not crazy. I figure that doctors have figured things out when more than one patient has complained about having the same symptoms, so I'm really hoping that there are others out there like me.

One thought, though it may not even be a possibility - is a dural leak (spinal fluid leak). I had a major one after my lumbar surgery so it was easily diagnosed. After a CT Myelogram last week I think I have a minor leak now (which can occur). Just mention it to a doctor to say "could this in any way be caused by a blockage or leak of Cerebral Spinal Fluid?" (Also thinking scar tissue could cause a blockage.

I will check and see if they can do a ct scan for that...never occured to me. Thanks

That is the first thing I thought of too was a leak. Maybe it is a slow leak. ???