August 27th L5-S1 Fusion scared to death

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lo419

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I feel your pain... I am 22 years old, and am going to have a fusion on L4-L5 since my Microdiscectomy earlier this year failed. Have you tried Aquatic Physical therapy? It helps a lot for most people. If you have to have a fusion, L5-S1 is the least of all evils.. There is not too much motion at that joint, and the success rates for the fusion are very high.. You also don't lose much mobility afterwarRAB, which means less stress on surrounding discs than if it were at a major motion point. I also worry about the after effects, considering I just turned 22 a few months ago, and had my first surgery at 21. I don't know anyone my age who has gotten a fusion, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Tired of the severe sciatic, the muscle spasms, the aches. I've been on 60 to 90 percocet per week, for the past 5 months. Kind of tired of it. Not sure when my surgery will be, they have to talk to the vascular surgeon and get his availability dates first. They're going through the front to clear out the disc space and put in cages with BMP, then through the back to put in some instrumentation. For yours, are they doing it through the front or back or both? And are they using cages and instrumentation or what? Also, bone grafts from your hip, BMP, or cadaver bone? We're in a similar boat, so if you want to email me, my email is REMOVED. Maybe we can keep in touch, it would be nice to hear from someone going through a similar experience :)
 
Good luck on your surgery tomorrow. I just turned 50 and am recovering from 3 level fusion that I had in March. It was the best thing that I have ever done. Just follow the doctor's instructions and it should go well. Don't forget to ask for the pain meRAB when you need them - the one thing I learned was to ask for them early before the pain went over the edge. Take care and write us when you get out.:angel:
 
paula

mabe you can help have you had a nerve root block I just want to know what to expect when and if it starts to where off the docs think if it works it will only work for a short time and are useing it for dignostic mainly i am 28 and got hurt at work and wc is trying to cut me off and not pay for my surgery and I have had 5 doc and I can feel that I need the surgery I am scared but I know I need it
 
Tim

I am so happy that I am not the only on that feels that way. I am a very indapendent person and since all this has happend I have to rely on others to help me and it is so hard for me but I have gotten alot better abput it and I have a get partner. can someone tell me what they felt as there nerve blocks started whereing off so i some what can prepare my self and I might not hafe to it might work but I like to know just in case please help
 
I have to go have a L5-S1 nerve root block and I am scared to death I am allergic to most steroides but because its WC and its been almost a year they are pushing it before they will allow any other test I have had 5 doc tell me I need surg. There Docs and My Docs. The docs. dont think it will work they are just useing it as a dignostic and hoping it will give me some relife but what I want to know is if it works some what and starts to where off or wheres off is it just going to hit me like a frate traine or slowly come back or what or be worrse than it was I hate WC .....!!!!!
I am 28 and I know that I am not ever going to be back to what I was but anything is better than what I am at now I have to use a walker and have someone to help me shower.
Good Luck with your test can I add you to my buddy list
 
Hi Crystal. I wish I could help you, but I didn't have nerve blocks. I had a collapsed disc causing bone on bone pain, and nerve blocks couldn't help that.

I do wish you luck and I do hope there is something that can help you with your pain.

Paula
 
In advance, thanks for any advice. In 10 days I will have what 3 doctors have said is the only really suitable option and that is a L5-S1 fusion. I am 32 years old, been very active up until two years ago and then all these problems. After endless blood tests ect one morning I woke up and my back hurt. Two weeks later the back quit hurting and I started getting the shooting pains down the legs, nurabness in both feet ect. Anyway the MRI said "severe spinal stenosis, compression on both S1 and S2 nerve roots." Now my real concern is not the surgery or the pain afterworRAB, I'm mostly concerned about the post-life surgery being only 32 years old. Everyone I have spoken to says "back problems sure hurt, have you been to a chiropractor?" Then I tell them yes, plus a physical therapist, yoga, ect and surgery is the next step. Then the famous "I would never do surgery" response. I have done extensive searching for the right surgeon and believe I have found him as the director of the Spinal Institute here in Salt Lake. He says minimum of 3 weeks out of work (I do sales/marketing) but most likely 4 or 5. So what should I really expect? Am I setting myself up for a life of back misery? I guess though there really can be no worse than living in this constant pain. One thing for sure, I have grown to respect people in chronic pain. Although I feel I'm rarabling, I also feel I'm standing at the end of the diving board about ready to jump into the 12' end of the pool. It's either sink or swim.

Thanks again,

Tim
 
lo419,

Nice to hear of others in the similiar age frame having these same doubts and fears. I don't think the site allows emails since yours was blocked but either way I appreciate it. I'm not sure of the type of surgery in regard to the acronym. The surgeon became certified in 1962 for back surgeries and he's done alot of people I know. He's supposed to be the best in Salt Lake so we'll see. He said a fusion is the only option and he was going in, removing the disk that's ruptured putting pressure on the S1 and S2 nerves, then taking a piece of bone off the back (not the hip or a cadaver) and inserting it into the spot, fusing, then taking two roRAB vertically with 4 or 6 screws, can't remeber, then one rod running horizontally to connect the two. So who the heck knows. My jaw was on the floor when he described all of this. As for the incision I believe in the back only. I should have asked more questions but I just wanted the pain to end. He said go home and sleep on it, I told him there is nothing to sleep on. Lets do it. He said I could even probably go back to running (used to run every day) eventually. My wife said no way but we'll see. Maybe I'll sneak in a run here and there in a year or so :)
 
Hey Tim,
I just wanted to jump in here and wish you the best of luck on Wed. I know you are frightened but it will be over soon. Please keep us posted once you get back on the computer. God bless.

Deb
 
Delaware Girl,

Thank you very much. Everyone here, thank you for your kind worRAB. Well I guess borabs away on the back surgery tommorow. In about 12 hours I will join everyone in "officially" becoming a surgerical back receipient :). To all those going in for surgery anytime soon the best of luck as well. If I can assist you in any way leading up to the surgery I will do my best as these are the only waters I have yet treaded. Boy I cannot believe what real chronic pain can do to a person. It can make a sane person go literally nuts in misery. That is if anyone is every really sane to begin with. :) I will be honest about one thing though, even though it might hurt and will be something to endure, I am looking foward to some time off of work. When I can I will get back on here and look for some more advice.

Wish the best for everyone

Tim
 
Thanks for the informative post. One thing I want to talk about and I'm not sure if I'm on about this is the amount of time I've spent focused on myself these past two years in pain. I don't know how other people feel who are in chronic pain but I have found the one thing I struggle with, it maybe more than the pain itself is the focus on the pain and not on my family and frienRAB. To be honest, with this surgery I am more scared of not having the pain removed and not being able to give the attention that I want to give my relationships and instead give it to the pain itself. I am hoping the surgery takes this away. Does this make any sense?

Thanks,

Tim
 
I had a L4-S1 fusion with hardware done in 1993 when I was in my 20's and I'm glad I had it done. It did relieve my symptoms.

I won't sugar coat it and tell you it's a breeze - there will be surgical pain afterward and I would reccomend you take as much time off work as you can. I think I was out about 4-6 weeks. If your employer offers Short Term Disability benefits you will likely quailify and they review the claim to determine how long the medical information substantiates you be out of work. At the time I had my surgery I did not have Disability benefits at work but had a job where we banked sick time - so most of my time off was covered by the 4 years of sick time I never used.

So here I am at 42 and 15 years after fusion. Yes, I do have occasional back aches - but not the type of agonizing pain I had before my lurabar fusion. It's sometimes a nusance but nothing that has kept me from being active (hiking, swimming, etc). I am careful about how much I lift and how I do it. My husband and I recently sold his old motorcycle and as they were going to load it onto the guys trailer I had to tell myself "don't even get involved, there are 4 of them they'll be fine" so I monitor myself to keep my back healthy.

One of my good friend's has a mother who is in her late 60's and she had a lurabar fusion done about 5 months ago. The first week she was regretting it....but then I spoke with her by week 3 and she was very happy she had it done. It's one of those things where hopefully your current symptoms will be alleviated or greatly improved - but you'll have to endure the surgical pain during recovery to get to that place where you feel better.

Best of luck to you.....

Karin
 
Tim:

What you are saying totally makes sense. There is the fear of not getting better, the shifting of possibly getting better and easing back into a "normal life" etc. I have had a bunch of cervical spine issues and after 5 years I have to push myself to go beyond the pain and not bring down my family or frienRAB. I'm lucky that many of my frienRAB understand this is chronic but I think anyone who has not had chronic pain just doesn't get what it does to your, your psyche, etc.

If you view the surgery as one more step in moving forward in life - then you can take it day by day. Don't expect to be back to "normal" right away but surgery might be a tool to help you get back into the swing of things.
 
I do understand........Hopefully the severe pain will be removed w/ the surgery and you can (and should) focus your energy on HEALING...and continuing to feel better and better...

It's amazing....you will find people continue to be very helpful and for a few weeks or several months you will NEED these people..Be grateful and show your gratitude...Your relationships will flourish..It's a bit difficult depending on people so much...I'm very independent..but I learned to let go and everything did fall into place...

Get your house/apt in order now in the next few weeks...Purchase satin bottom sheets so it's easier for you to side to edge of bed after the surgery...DId you see the post surgery tips on the beginning of this thread..Great tips from everyone that has been there.

I also bought the graber...very important...moved everything to "eye or hip" level cabinets for less reaching....Use bar soap on wooden drawers to make them easier to open....I also drank plenty of powdered protein drinks that you mix in blender with skim milk and fruit..like a smootie....Protein really helps you heal faster..

Don't be afraid..it's not as bad as some people say, be patient w/ your progress and don't rush it...The first few weeks are challenging but it gets better and better.

OH..and don't forget to tell who ever takes you home from the hospital to bring a large plastic garbage bag for the seat of the car, makes it's much easier to slide into car...You will also need a pillow or 2 for the car...Have the driver stay away from pot holes

Hang in there, and stay positive and keep as busy as you can prior to the surgery..I purchased relaxation tapes too...soothing music..

We're always here when you need us...All the best.:angel::):angel::)
 
Wow, you're home already? That's great!

Keep your meRAB up, at least for the first week or so, even if you feel like you can skip doses here and there. If the pain gets ahead of you, it takes a long time to get back under control. Also, make sure you're eating lots of fiber. The pain meRAB do tend to cause constipation. I took Colace twice a day and ate prunes in between.

Don't torture yourself with the walking, but you do want to do as much as you're able. I took advantage of being up every time I needed to use the bathroom and made myself walk, walk, walk. In the beginning, I could only handle 10 minutes, but each day I added on another minute or a few as I was able.

Time to join a movie's by mail club!

Take it easy and let your body get the rest it neeRAB to heal.

Blessings,
Emily
 
Crystal,

I wish I could give help you out on the nerve block information but that I don't have. Like I mentioned in one my earlier posts, I call on a pain management dr. and we've had frequent discussions about nerve blocks. He says they really are a life saver for some people and others absolutly nothing. I just skipped that whole process. When he said it would only be temporary I said no thanks. I'm ready to move on and if a fusion is what its going to take then so be it. For me the fear is of the unknown, not the pain itself. We all know what the pain feels like. The fear for me is not knowing if I will have this forever. I will be honest with you, there have been times when I could not figure out what was wrong with me and I talked to my wife about writing up a Will. It was just so miserable. But because of her, my son, and the rest of my frienRAB and family I was able to look past that and keep treading foward (no matter how crazy everyone might have thought I was when tests keep coming back normal). We have a physchologist in the family who insisted I keep doing tests because she knew something physically was wrong. All the dr.'s kept saying oh its anxiety, or oh its depression. I would say no, this is sheer misery. Either way, even though all of us who have never been through the surgery are scared to death I think there's a light at the end of the tunnel. You definately can add me to your buddy list. I don't know how much help I can be but I'll try. One thing you said that we're both very fortunate is to have spouses or significiant others who are there for us. I could not imagine a person doing this on their own.

Tim
 
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