how soon is to soon? - Pain Management Message Board

tmvincent30 · 04-14-2008, 11:48 AM

I had anterior/posterior surgery 2 weeks ago with screws and rods with a fusion from L-4 to S-1. And i have severe pain in right leg. I told the doctor about this pain and they just explained what they did before the surgery that it could help all the pain or it couldnt. So i knew it was a chance i was taking.
I was just wondering if anyone knew how soon would it be that i could do the nerve block injection? Or is it something i have to discuss with the doctor?

ibake&pray · 04-14-2008, 12:32 PM

WHOA!!!!!! You are only two weeks out of surgery. It takes up to 6 months before you see fusion. No doc in his right mind is going to do a nerve block injection at this point on you.

You just had major surgery. Your nerves and muscles were poked and prodded and moved about. All thinks that they don't like to have done to them. It takes time for them to get over being moved and stretched and jerked around. It takes time for them to heal and to settle down. It will be 6 weeks before you start to even feel half way human. It takes time for healing inside and out.Don't rush it. If you push it, you will end up un doing all the hard work that your surgeon has done. Patience is the name of the game. You will find that as you heal some of this pain will subside. You have to give yourself time.

I have had my lower three discs replaced. With the same surgery so i am familiar with what you have gone through. The best thing is to go slow and let yourself heal. Don't rush it. Pace yourself. Good luck

tmvincent30 · 04-14-2008, 03:53 PM

Thanks lot and i know i have to be patient its just this pain in my right leg is just killing me. I didnt have this pain before it was alot in the left leg but it switched legs and WAY worse.

Thanks alot for responding i guess it was alot of the pain talking. They gave me percocets and i really havent been taking them as i have been feeling ok but i guess i need to keep them at least in system cause then my leg gets so bad its hard to control.

I hope you are doing well.

ms_west · 04-14-2008, 04:09 PM

Truly this is normal to have increased nerve pain. During surgery they moved and manipulated some of those nerves so they need time to recover. Don't be suprised if it takes as long as 3 to 6 months or more for things to calm down. The main thing that you can do to help yourself is to walk, walk and walk. Take it easy so that you don't mess up your surgeons work.

After my fusion, we did a nerve block at 9 months post op and I have herd of a few epi's at 6/7 months but nothing like a nerve block at 2 / 3 weeks post op.

Are you on any nerve medications such as: neurotin, cymbalta, topomax, or Lyrica?

tmvincent30 · 04-15-2008, 06:56 AM

Thanks diet it gives me something to look forward to. cause this pain is something else!! They gave me lyrica before and it ddint help but i still have some left and i took one yesterday but i am not so sure it worked cause i took a nap right after. I do walk alot but i have to lay alot also.

Sister was asking how long i was going to sleep in the hospital bed but i have a waterbed and i cant imaging crawling in it. She thinks i could but i finally came out and told her let her have all this work done to her and lets see how it feels. Its worse than the first but there was ALOT more done this time.