Hey guys & gals, I'm new!

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way2young

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I am 5 days post level 2 lower lurabar fusion surgery. Would like to say it was better than I thought but, in realitiy I had some very painful times that I have never experinced before in my life. I usually have a very high tolerance to pain but I felt the full pain of what this surgery is like to go through! So with that , I am here to learn and give support as well as get it also! My biggest concerns right now is that now the leg that I didn't have much nerve pain is really bad now after surgery and even worse as the pain meRAB. wear off! Hurts bad in back butt area, hip, down leg, and front groin area. Other big thing is my big toe will not stop twitching(moving) on it's own. Most are telling me they have never seen this. Mine all started over 9 months ago when I had an epuiderual shot. Has not stopped since then! Was hopping the surgery would stop it, but so far not yet. I know it is still too early so I am hoping for the best, but I just don't know about it! Has anyone of you ever had this toe issue going on? Do you think it is all just nerves? Thanks in advance to everyone input! Take care & God Bless!
 
Hey WAY2YOUNG,
Well, lets see. When I finished my first surgery and the subsequent repair I hoped that would be it. I worked construction for alot of years and probably abused my back. But I have been in management for the last 20 years and really have not punished my back the way I used to. Nevertheless, after about 4 years back pain returned. It got so bad that I was walking bent over to try to separate the vertebrae and stop the pinching of the nerves. It got to the point where i couldn't deal with it and opted for another surgery. My first surgery was L4-L5-S1 Fushion with Lamenectomy. The second was in April of this year and things had moved up a notch to L3-L4. So now I am fused from L3 thru S1, and they tell me that things "usually" don't progress further up the spine. I certainly hope that they are right. My pain is now gone completely, but I do experience alot of tightness in my back which could be arthritis, scar tissue pressing or whatever. I think I will need to just live with that. I have experienced a limiting of range of motion. Of course I'm only 4+ months out of surgery, but bending to tie shoes, put on socks etc is difficult, and actually funny to watch I imagine.
Now don't get depressed reading this. This is just me! Take care of your back, get strengthening exercises from your doctor, then live your life as usual. I have a good quality of life, even after the recent surgery.
 
hey Way2young,
Had a similar problem after my first surgery in 05. Turned out they didn't shave enough bone away from the vertebrae to allow the nerve to exit the spine without constant rubbing. I had a couple MRI's and had them go back in to shave additional bone. That put things at at least 90%. Still have some tingling & minor nurabness when standing for long perioRAB. Suggest you keep after your surgeon, request an MRI of the area, and see if your problem isn't the same as mine. I lasted 6 months after the first surgery before I made them go back in and correct it.
 
Thanks Sayagain!, that gives me some ide of what to expect down the road. I have been told that what you do after surgery can put stress on the other disc down the road. I will really have to be smart about what I do with my back! I wonder if most people go back to work at their jobs they were hurt at? If so, what is the %?
 
Thanks Sayagain! I will stay on top of things! I know things won't be the same, but I would like them to be as close to before as possible. Do people like us return to our previous jobs no matter how physical or repetitve they are? What would be logical to expect in the future as far as work and what I can do? My back is my livelyhood! I'm so worried about my future and work related things! I have to take care of my family! what should I start preparing for in my future?
 
Hi Way2young,

Is your pain better after surgery? Are you glad you had the fusion? Im 34, wondering if I am too young too.

Sincerely,
Summerday
 
Summerday,my pain was to the point that I couldn't do anything without hurting. Pain in leg that was hurting the most is better now; but the other leg seems to hurt more now. Everyone tells me that it is to soon to know if everything is going to heal and be better than before. As of now with only seven days out I hurt more in one leg and my toes has not stopped twitching yet. I have to be positive because they say it takes a long time for all the nerves to heal. If your wondering to have surgery or not it all depenRAB on how bad your pain is and if you can continue your life with the pain. I had no choice surgery was the only option to fix my pain. It is a tough decision to make but it is yours so choose wisely. Hope this helps!
 
WAY 2 YOUG.. Welcome to the boarRAB , I am sorry that you had to go threw such a big surgery but this board is a wounder full spirit up bringing + support group..

I actually had 2 major back surgeries Last one in Feb. of 2008 which was a 2 level fusion {l4/5-l5/s1} , you're only 5 days out and your seem to be doing just fine KEEPING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE IS VERY IMPORTANT !!! I was in a great deal of pain probally for a good 3 to 4 weeks after my surgery , but every individual heals on their own pace.. You will notice gradual improvements as time rolls by and I no the days are long and the pain sometimes is unbearable BUT there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Make sure to get plenty of rest - drink lots of fluiRAB - walk as much as possible (when ready) - take your pain meRAB before the pain creeps up on you (I actually kept a diary of what and when i took my medication) - keep all your personal neeRAB close by and at a place ware you DON'T have to bend over to get to them - have multiple grabber tools near by..

Every day will get a little easier than the next to try to remain patient.. If you have any more questions that i can help you with please feel free to ask.. This board is awsome there are many people here that have been threw what you just experienced and will be willing to give you great advice !!! Hope you the BEST !!!! Stay mentally strong , rest , and let your body heal..

DEv
 
Hey BlueAtlas, thanks for the response! Doc says I will loose 20% no matter what and recovery can be between 50 to 80%. Says I will have restictions. Still too early to know what they will be. Says it is no quick fix and will take time to heal. I guess I'm down a little because I hear people having instant relief after surgery,but that's not my case and I was really hoping my big toe would stop twitching after the surgery. They say it too soon to tell if it will stop twitching and if my leg pain will go away,so I have to bear it and wait and see! Recovery overall is going ok. I had to get off the percocet 4 day after leaving the hospital. I have a high tolerance for pain and could not stand the way the percocet made me feel! Switched to hydrocodone and baclofen for pain. Dosen't work as well for the pain ,but I deal with the rest. I personally would rather deal with some pain and be able to function around the house than be messed up on the percocet! do not recomend this though unless you have a high tolerance for pain,other wise most will not be able to handle it.I am walking as much as possible anRAB sitting some too. Sitting is the worse! Walking and standing is not too bad but I tend to overdo it. So now I have kept a better measure of what is too much and started to realize when I am pushing it. When the pain meRAB start to wear off the pain will let you know if you have done too much. That's what I have found anyway!Still have a good 6 more week before I go back and see if I will be able to drive then or not. Can't stand being in the house as for I am a very outgoing and outdoors kind of person! I deal with it though! I have also had to hurable myself and had to accept help from others which is something I never do or have had to do. I have always been very independent. This process will teach you otherwise though. Very hurabiling! Thanks for your concern and your comments! Feel free to share as much as possible with me as you like. That goes for anyone! Thanks and take care!
 
Hey Way2Young,
It's going to depend on just how physical your work is. If it means being on your feet a lot but minimal weight bearing, you might be just fine. It's the weight bearing that is generally the issue. If you have to lift heavy loaRAB constantly, your back is going to object, possibly to the point of adjacent areas going bad from having to take up the slack from the fused vertebrae. Have you talked to your doctor and gotten his opinion? I know it's hard to hear, especially if you loved your work, but if you need to take care of your family, then you need to take care of your back. Unfortunately, that could mean you'll need to make a career change.

How's your recovery going? Are you walking as much as you're able? Is your pain manageable? Are you being careful not to bend, lift, or twist (the BLT's, as they call it)?

I hope this surgery will give you back your life! It does for most who have it! Hang in there and take one day at a time!

Blessings,
Emily
 
You're so right, this surgery isn't a quick fix! It's a major surgery with a long recovery. Some of the doctors tend to sugarcoat it, making their patients think it's no big deal. They're really doing their patients a disservice, in my opinion. I'd much rather know it's going to take a long time and be prepared for it.

Sitting is the hardest for me. too. What levels did you have done? You're still very early in your recovery, so just take it easy and sit for only limited times. I was told to sit for no more than 15 minutes for the first 6 weeks, but I couldn't sit for even that long. Give it time. That will improve, but if you have L5 and Sacrum fused, you may always have some "sit" pain. I've learned what types of chairs are best to sit in and how to sit differently to minimize my pain. You'll figure out how to get the most out of what you're able to do as time goes on. Just don't rush it. The goal right now is to get a good fusion going. Consider it your job to do whatever you can to hasten that. Resting and walking are the keys.

If you have any other questions, we'll do our best to help you from our own experiences.

Take care,
Emily
 
Thanks deviphish for all the advice! Will take all I can get as this whole experince has been all new to me! Have learned alot already but have lots of questions about my future now and work and what life will be like now. Can drive me crazy sometimes just wondering what my future will hold now for me since my back surgery and back problems. I can't believe that this happened to me at such a young age! Hard for me to accept sometimes. This has changed my whole life and the life with my family! So many things I did before with them that now I can't do and will always have to be carefull what I do for the rest of my life of what I do with my back! Venting some here,SORRY! Thanks to all and anyone who can give me advice or can help me in any way! Thanks to so many who have been there for me already!
 
I had a level 2 done. L4-L5 and L5-S1. I wear a bone stimulator everyday. I can only sit about 15 min. at max. Not only do I have to deal with the pain but also the fusration of workers comp! Never had to do this and can really relate and feel bad for anyone who has to!
 
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