Terrified of my L4-L5-S1 spinal fusion

ssofalvi

Hello,
I did have the surgery. I am now six weeks post op and.... well... I am okay. I have had a hard time with the recovery, I got an infection in week three and I have been rejecting my dissolving stitches so my incision is still open in three places. I still have nerve pain in my left leg, but that is good because I didn't have any feeling along the nerve pathway. So it is waking up again, but it hurts. I am still on my 44mg of dilauded a day (26 mg of long acting and anywhere from 16 to 24 mg of the quick acting) My sleep schedule has not regulated... I still only sleeo for about 4 hours night.
With all this, I would have to say I am still happy I got the procedure. At least there is light at the end of my tunnel, even if I can't see it yet, I know it is there. My boyfriend of three years (I have spent 16 months of that injured) Chris keeps reminding me of that. He wants the girl he knew back. The one who wasn't inpain all the time.
It will get better.

Are you thinking abotu having asimilar procedure??
Thanks for taking the time to wonder about me.
Best, and hugs,
Sarah

footny

My pain started in January of 2010.

I have a pinched nerve at the L-5 and it is bugling. I went to one Spine Specialist at Shands Hospital in Jacksonville who told me to try epidurals. They didn't work. Than I was told Shands is not a good hospital. So I went to two different neurosurgeons, because 2 different doctors of mine recommended them, they both said no, try a chiropractor, acupuncture, physical therapy.

I can sit for about 10 minutes, I get burning pain down my left leg. It is getting worse, my but hurts.

I had a different type of MRI, where you sit down and do lateral positions and the neurosurgeon said my bulge is worse. I go to Physical Therapy for my neck (car accident, different story) and they looked at my MRI cd and said I should get surgery.

I am staying at my Mom's in North Florida, my cousin recommended the neurosurgeon, that is the only one she knows. The MayoClinic in Jacksonville is not taking any more spine patients.

hausofmouse

[QUOTE=footny;4734739]My pain started in January of 2010.

I have a pinched nerve at the L-5 and it is bugling. I went to one Spine Specialist at Shands Hospital in Jacksonville who told me to try epidurals. They didn't work. Than I was told Shands is not a good hospital. So I went to two different neurosurgeons, because 2 different doctors of mine recommended them, they both said no, try a chiropractor, acupuncture, physical therapy.

I can sit for about 10 minutes, I get burning pain down my left leg. It is getting worse, my but hurts.

I had a different type of MRI, where you sit down and do lateral positions and the neurosurgeon said my bulge is worse. I go to Physical Therapy for my neck (car accident, different story) and they looked at my MRI cd and said I should get surgery.

I am staying at my Mom's in North Florida, my cousin recommended the neurosurgeon, that is the only one she knows. The MayoClinic in Jacksonville is not taking any more spine patients.[/QUOTE]

Wow Footny,
I completely feel your pain. I had a pinched nerve at L4/L5 and that was AWFUL!!! My disc was ruptured though, not buldging. My NS said surgery immediately! I had that nasty painful burning sensation down my right leg and my 'butt' (kinda deep inside where the hip joint would be) hurt fiercely too. I hope you find relief soon. It sounds like you are in quite a bit of pain and have not found any relief thus far. Hopefully, you will find a NS who will help you achieve the relief you need. please keep us posted as to how you are doing.
Blessings!!