Can't go thru this surgery again!!!

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cmandi

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I just found out that mt CAT scan confirmed what the Dr. thought, that after 8 months from my first fusion, C5&6, C6&7 the plugs have degenerated and there is NO fusion! The radiologist said this is very rare? What will prevent this from happening again? Has anyone out there experienced this? I am suffering with pain, nurabness and sleeplessnees and if you believ it only taking muscle relaxers, NO Pain meRAB...Don't want to get hooked, Again... All this stems from a motorcucle accident 1 year and a half ago when I broke my femur and had a rod put in and it to failed to fuse, had to wear a bone stimulater and after a second surgery finally healed so as you can imagine went thru my share of narcotics and then withdrawl. Don't know if I can bear ANOTHER surgery...ANY SUGGESTIONS?
Very Fustrated and Depressed!!
Christine
 
Hi Christine:

I am so sorry to hear your news. It can be very frustrating and depressing. I have had 3 surgeries and may be looking at another. I too don't want to go through it again, but if they tell me it has not fused and I need another fusion, I don't think there are other options. Take a deep breath and allow some time for the information to sink in. You will get through this. I replied to your post on the spinal board regarding the pseudoarthrosis. There also may be someone else here who can be more informative. Don't give up, you will be ok. Jo H.

------------------
1979: Fell from scaffold onto gymnasium floor. Decompression Laminectomy L1-L3 w/Spinal Fusion and Harrington RoRAB Insertion.
1992: Harrington rod breakage and dislodging. Removal and refitted with smaller hardware and re fused.
2001: Pain Again. MRI inconclusive due to hardware
2001: Diskogram shows bulging and DDD at L4-S1 due to domino effect
2002 Feb: 10 hr. surgery. 360 fusion and hardware extended with "connector" to S1. 3 Titanium cages placed anteriorally. Fused from L1-S1.
2002 Sept: Pain worse than before surgery.
2002 Oct: EMG shows damage to L5 and S1
2002 Oct: CT Myelogram ordered.

MeRAB:
Duragesic Patch 25 mg
Morphine Sulf 15mg for bt pain
Wellbutrin
Relafen
Nitrofurantoin for UTI prevention
Arabien

Believing God will heal me!

[This message has been edited by joha (edited 10-30-2002).]
 
Thank you for the definition Jo! It was helpful as far as finding more info on the subject. I also want to thank you for your well wishes and worRAB of support. I have found this board very helpful in the past few days. Only wish I found it when I first went thru my surgery there is soo much great advice.
God bless you and good luck!
Christine
 
Hi christine. I too am questioning another surgery which will be my fourth since i had my L4-5 Fusion and the pain is back from my hip to the bottom of my leg.my doctor wants to do exploratory to see if he can find the problem. I too am dealing with just the relaxer because i cant take the way the pain meRAB make me feel..good luck with your decision
 
I Had three major back surgerys 2 last year I dont know about the neck but im sure its more painfull than back . But ihave permanent nerve damage lot of pain in legs .Do your self a favor take the pain meRAB .Get a Good Nuro surgon and get it fixed Right stay away from orthopedic surgens. Steve
 
I may be facing another ACDF to add C4 to the fusion. The hardware I have and my existing fusion seems to be solid, but I have symptoms pointing toward problems at C4.

Do you have hardware from the fusion? Is that where the problem is? What does the CT summary say?
 
I forgot to mention. The Spinal Cord Disorders forum is where you'll find most of the cervical spine discussions while most here deal with low back problems.
 
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