Am I or am I not fusing at this point???

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mommyof2ak

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Please wish me luck! I have my xray this weekend and my appt. on Monday to see what my back is doing. I have no clue as to whether or not my back as started to fuse.

Can you feel a difference if you are fused I wonder???

Anyway, just looking for some support because I am a bit ansy sitting at home. I actually just got back from taking my dogs for a short walk on our property to clear my "nerves", but thought I would come here for some encouragement!

Anyway, thanks all. Wish you all the best! :angel:
 
Hi Mommy of 2,
When did you get your back fused? I had mine in 2004 and actually, I don't ever remeraber my Dr. telling me when mine would be fused? But, I'd read where it could take a yr. And you will not feel any different...no indication with or without pain. I want to wish you much luck! Mine was done in 2004...now after having a fall from a ladder in 2008 and my leg pain started back along with horrible back pain, my Dr. says now he doesn't think that my fusion ever took! He's wanted to repeat the surgery with a 2 level fusion...just too horrible...suppose I'll continue to tough it out until I'm forced to stay in the bed most of the time. I'd had horrible leg pain for almost 30 yrs and was so excited to find someone that was able to give me a little relief...I think my fusion was a weak one...the fall broke it loose!Lately, 1 yr since my fall, I'm some better. Again, best of luck!! Anorman
 
Hey, I just noticed that you had your fusion in 12/2008. I wouldn't think that you'd be fused yet. Also noticed that you had a cage put in...I just had the meatl bars, screws and some of my own bone mixed in with artificial bone. I'm 62 yrs old...not happy with my range of movement. I was able to bend, etc much better before my fusion. Anorman
 
I hope you get good news! You're surely not fully fused yet, but you may be starting to show some bone growth. Don't be upset if you aren't. You're still early in this.

I didn't feel a lot different as I started to fuse. All that hardware in there is pretty much holding you right where you're going to be once you've fused. I did have some grinding noises and feelings for the first few months whenever I turned in bed at night. It was rather unnerving! It was loud enough that my husband could hear it. As I got more and more bone growth in there, the noises and the feelings got less and less. Now that I'm all fused, they're nonexistent.

You will not have the same range of motion. Once the area is fused, those vertebrae can no longer move. They're connected by solid bone rather than the nice, cushiony discs they used to have that allowed the natural movement of the spine.

I really hope your doctor sees some bone growth. It's just such a relief to know it's starting. You feel like it was all worth it and there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

I'll look forward to hearing what your doctor has to say.

Take care,
Emily
 
I am is the answer. 12 weeks post op and I already have bone growth.... obviously not fused completely, but it is such a positive knowing that my body is working and doing what it's suppose to be doing.

Walk, Walk, Walk is all I can say.

I sat up on the edge of the bed in the recovery room shortly after being right out of surgery, then when I got to my room I got up and walked that night.
Amazing how walking is key in such a big surgery. I thought it would hurt more to walk, but that's what helped my pain.

Good luck to all of you struggling with pain.
 
Hi,
I'm still amazed that your Dr. told you that you're fused after 12 wks...always been told it could take at least 6 mos and up to 1 yr. Also, your surgery was entirely different from mine. I have about a 5 or 6 inch scar, had my back muscles cut loose, then re-attached. I was in a back brace that reserabled a horse saddle for almost 2 mos, on a walker for 2 wks. They got me up on the day after my surgery only for a few minutes. I had horrible pain for mos and took a heap of Loratabs. Also, when I went back for my 2 or 3 wk check-up, my DR. told me I could now sit up 20 minutes. Well, that morning I was up for a few hrs...getting ready for my Dr.'s visit, going there and returning home. The next day I paid for being up too long big time! The nerves in both legs were on fire and I had to put icepacks on them all day. But, this terrible burning pain soon got better in the next few days. Did you have a less invasive type surgery...using a laser? I went to see another Dr. that does this and asked if he could repair my fuse along with add one, do a 2 level as my former surgeon wants to do. But, he said I had too much going on in my back...would have to do it the old fashion way with lots of cutting. Although everyday is a struggle, I cannot talk myself into having another spinal surgery...with more bars and srews. Mine feels heavy...does yours? It has never felt right...had less leg pain for a fewe yrs and much worse back pain!
 
Hi Mommyof2..... I saw my surgeon at couple of weeks ago which would have been about 9-1/2 weeks post-op and he said he could see the beginnings of fusion and that I was doing great. Still have to wear the brace for 3 more months, ugh... but really, that's okay. I'm just glad things are going as we hoped. SounRAB like the same is happening for you... congrats!!
 
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