6 years of pain..Do you recommend a fusion at this point?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lilly66
  • Start date Start date
L

Lilly66

Guest
Hi Spineys, haven't been here in awhile..busy having a baby who is now 13 months old..but 26 lbs..ouch!
I think it is time to seriously consider a fusion. I have had (2) micro-d surgeries and now that same disc has re-herniated a 3rd time, and the above disc has herniated as well. I am 35 years old and don't want to have to suffer anymore...Is a fusion the only answer??
Thanks in advance...
 
Welcome back!

Have you had a MRI in the recent past? If so, what did your doc say? You have seen a good back doc haven't you?

It does sound like you are headed to a fusion. What you need to know is that a fusion -which I didn't find out until I was being released from my good ol' docs grip, puts a weight limit on what you can lift. While you are healing and fusing, the limit is the same amount of weight that a gallon of milk is-that would be about 8 lbs. Once you are fully fused and healed-I would put that at about 1 year, my limit was raised to 30 lbs. So you will probably need help lifting your little one. There is also no BLT for the first 6 months so that neeRAB to be a consderation for you also. It usually takes 6 months to fuse and a year for full healing. And you are the only one who can decide if you are ready to constrained by the fusion limits at this time in your life.

Have you tried pain management as an alternative? If you can get meRAB to control your issues, that might be an alternative until your little one is more self sufficient, and you have less need of lifting and carrying him.

good luck and keep us posted!
 
Hi Lilly - look at my post on the thread - 5 weeks post op spinal fusion (or something like that!) I've recently had a fusion and so far so good. It really was my only option and I am pleased I made the decision to go ahead.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
 
Back
Top