Just had spinal fusion Sept. 20-need uplifting

[RachLuvJun]

Hi. I am new to these boards and am glad to have found them. I have been intrigued by reading your posts about your disk replacement surgery. I, too, am recovering from surgery. I had my second spinal fusion on Sept. 20th. I was in a car accident in 1997 at the age of 23 where I herniated a L4-L5 and buldged L3 L4. Long story short years of pain, PT, message therapy, medication therapy, etc. In 98 had disectomy laminecotmy of L5-S1(that's where the disectomy showed the pain coming from). It didn't do much for me. In June 2000 fused L5-S1. Felt great. Back to work by September 2000...but by Jan. was starting to feel pain back. Left work in February was put on some serious opiod narcotics, became a changed person on them and told my doctor i wanted to stop (tried 2times and had terrible withdrawls). He said keep taking them because you need fusion of L4L5. So I had the surgery just a month ago on Sept. 20th and am now going through the hell of weaning off these narcotics. I am no longer taking the fentynl (actiq) and am on 2mg of dilaudid. I am still in a lot of pain..which is expected after surgery. The last fusion took me three months to be up to snuff. What I am wondering about is if this doesn't work, once you are fused is disk replacement something you can't do? I am so worried this surgery won't work. At 28 I am now divorced (I was a newly wed when the accident happened) I have become depressed and hopeless that life won't get better. I've dealt with this for five years now and it's taken my young adulthood from me....as you all can relate. It's so frustrating to be given narcotics which causes another problem. I wasn't told my body would become dependant on them and I would have a terrible time getting off. The aches and anxiety are unbearable. I am hoping the pain I am feeling down my left leg now is just surgical healing as my Doctor says. He said he stretched out my spine and it could be my nerves reacting and getting used to it. If it doesn't get better in a few months, he'll do more tests. I am just so frustrated and am looking for support. It's so lonely living in chronic pain. Thanks for any support.

Rachel

[pebble's]

Dear Rachael..
Welcome aboard Bean.. you have had some troublse have'nt you!

I too have my lower back fused with hardware, I had mine done 13 months a go but i am still having troubles..BUT the docs' are looking after me still they have not given up..

Rachael, I hope this will be a turning point in your life, And for you to soon be back on your feet.. Seeing as you have experience of a back op! You know what to do and what you can do!;0 So do not rush take things easy and try not to worry over things such as your leg pain untill it is worth worring about..

Rachel, by the way what Meds are you on??

keep in touch honny..

Love pebbles xxxx

[This message has been edited by pebble's (edited 10-28-2002).]

[ali_moran]

So sorry about your back pains. It is hard to keep a positive out look when everything seems to be going wrong. I look at it this way..i could be worse, there are other people out there that have pain and misery beyond anything that i could even imagine. And i have the Lord on my side. and he never leaves me or fails me. I am never alone as long as i have him to lean on.
I hope you are able to get some relief and comfort. If you need someone to listen (or read :-) ) i am here as are many of us on this board. We all know what you are goin through.
God Bless :-)
Alison

[FREDO]

Hi Rachael, and welcome aboard...

I can relate to the pain, treatments, etc.-but I am in my forties, sooooo-perhaps the perspectives change.

My "Bonafides" are as follows: Jan '00-fusion L5/S1, Severe painfull peripheral neuropathy [diabetic caused], and in Aug'02-fusion of C4thruC7 with plates and screws, etc...

I have been on various narcotic regiments for the last four years due to my back probs, yada, yada, yada.

I started another job on Oct 8th - full time - and fulltime on narcs too. For me, and just maybe for you, that might be the only answer to have any kind of meaningfull life. Do I wish I could function without them??-you better believe it, but it's just not going to happen, soooo my choice was to go with it, and get back employed, while I still had the means and desire...or you can choose to check-out of life; some do, or don't have any options but disability.

I can just say to keep looking forward, and have some kind of plan, to at least try to make it with what you have. If that meens drugs, so be it....just think that 5-6 years ago, there was not that option...So yeah we're kinda stuck between a rock and a hard place, it's up to you pretty much, with the help of a knowledgeable doc..

Best to ya-JMO..


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FREDO

[DavyD]

Hi Rachel

Welcome to the board
You will find a lot of good people here who will be able to give you good advice.
Sorry you had troubles weaning off the narcotics, as if the spinal problems weren't enough sweetie.
My advice would be to take it easy and give time time.

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif to ALL,

Davy


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Had C6 Vertebrectomy,ACDF with Decompression,Titanium Plate and Screws (MRI Compatible) 7th Aug 2002
Own bone from (R) Iliac Crest.
Doing Great!!!
But still with some Numbness