Ankle & Leg Pain

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mznell

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Hi Debbie,

I had PLIF at L4-5 six weeks ago and have some interesting new pains that I didn't have prior to surgery.

The dermatome charts are an excellent reference to have and help make sense out of some pains.

Hope you're coming along in your recovery!

xx MM:)M
 
Hi everyone, Just wondering if anyone out there has experienced ankle pain?
I am almost 5 weeks post-op of L5/S1 fusion and my legs and ankles have a burning deep achy feeling everyday. I usually make it till about 1:00 pm every day and then I give in and take 2 percocet. That usually helps and I try not to take any more the rest of the day. I see my doc in 2 weeks. Just wondering if anyone else out there has had this problem and did it go away in time. I know its still early in the game and its probably nerve pain. I not a very patient person. I am going stir crazy but I really don't feel like going anywhere...............Debbie
 
Hi Debbie, I suspect it is nerve pain. You might want to search dermatone charts and you will see the L5 is responsible for pain in this area.
 
Debbie, I would say this is totally normal and probably nerve pain like diet said. I am still having these pains at 5 months. Not to discourage you, but to let you know you are not alone and these things take time to work out. I am hoping mine will go away soon, it drives me nuts. I was on lyrica, a nerve pain med for a while, and while it helped a lot with this pain, I could not tolerate the side effects at all and had to go off of it. Definately bring it up at your next appt!

Jen
 
Hi again. I had surgery Sept 07, a fusion of L5-S1. I am still having lots of pain, not quite the same pain I had prior to surgery, very different. For nerve pain I did try Lyrica.

I started out on lyrica twice a day, worked my way up to 3 times a day. While it helped a lot with nerve pain, it made me a nervous wreck. I felt like I was somebody else, I was hyper and unable to concentrate, and when I attempted to go off of them, I ended up with withdrawals and crying jags for days. I highly recommend someone not just go off this one in particular. My pills were capsules which made it impossible to cut them in half and I would have to get a new prescription with lower dosage to taper, so I just said forget it and went off of it.

I was on it around 3 weeks I think. It really felt like it was making chemical changes in my body. I really hated the feeling of it.

I have heard of lots of people who do very well on lyrica so just because I had a bad experience doesnt mean you will, just start out slow on it and taper if you need to get off.

Jen
 
OOps didnt answer your last two questions.

My pain is in lower back the pain shoots out to the hip, and goes down my leg and into my ankle and sometimes in the front of my shin. I have not been back to see my surgeon , only the assistant surgeon, he looked at my fusion xray and said everything looks great.

I see my pain doc on Friday, he is going to get an earful, and maybe even some tears. someone warn him Im coming LOL

Jen
 
Pepper and Jen, Thanks for the feedback. Pepper, I looked at the dermatone chart for the first time and it's very interesting. Your right, L5/S1 goes right down my legs to my feet. Hmmmmmmmmm. Jen, what type of surgery did you have? I was thinking about nerve meRAB but they kind of get a bad rap on here as far as side effects. Have you tried topomax.? From what I have read on here it seems to have the fewest side effects. I think I have ruled out Lyrica and Cyrabalta. Is your pain in your feet and legs also? What does your doc say? Thanks again.....................Debbie
 
Hi Jen,
I had a laminectomy in June 07 of L5-S1 and have permanent nerve damage from the initial injury. My pain is exactly where yours is. I thought I was the only one with ankle pain!! My pain also goes from back to hip and down the leg...it also hurts really bad to the outside of knee. Hope you feel better! This nerve pain is the pits, isn't it? Don't feel bad...I always cry when I see the doc. They keep asking me about depression....well, yea, I am depressed about all this pain!!! Who wouldn't be?

Deb
 
Hi guys, Thanks for all the replies. This ankle and leg pain s--- 's, pardon my french! I'm trying something new today and just taking 1 percocet every five hours instead of 2 in the afternoon when it gets really bad. It feels like someone has a hot iron at the bottom fo my spine and the pain radiates down my legs to my ankles and feet. Hey Jen, I cry everytime I go to the doc. He probably thinks I'm a blubbering idiot. If he was mean I'd be okay but when he talks nice to me the faucets turn on. Deb53, I don't know if your on an antidepressant or not but I've ben on celexa for many years and I woud probably be in the loony bin about now if I weren't. It's kind of scary to know you still have so much pain like mine when you are so far post-op. Oh well IT COULD BE WORSE , so they say.....................Debbie
 
Jen,

I'm just wondering how much Lyrica you were taking and what side effects did you have? How long were you on it?
 
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