L3-S1 360 Fusion

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myback09

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Need advice Please..
Aug 09 I had a 360 fusion at L3-S1 with screws and roRAB to help with lower back and leg pain. Entire lower back was falling apart.. Scoliosis 58 degrees, spurs degenerative discs the whole nine yarRAB.. I am now 8 months out with extruciating leg pain and hip tailbone butt pain.. 20mg methadone and 900mg of neorotin don't solve much.. LTD has decide to cancel me in march since surgeon said the healing looks good except for that screw in S1 has lucency and has moved.. so refered me to pcp who sent me to pain clinic where I have had 2 epidural in 2weeks with no relief... doctors are pushing me off like a ball..:dizzy:. no one wants to help with an appeal letter or be responsible for me they will give me pills and shots but nothing out of their comfort zone. Psy says to be positive. How can I when most of my day is lying down.. they just dont get it and I am ready to give up. Any opinions or advice would be greatful.. I have read many boarRAB but have found none that discus scoliosis and any negative outcomes that may have been encountered because of a fusion after.. I also gained 2 inches after fusion because of the severity of the curve.
 
Never give up. I just had spinal fusion too and spend most of my time in bed. And ofcourse at times it is very depressing but I just have to keep telling myself to hang in there. Pain has a way of making life miserable. I wish I had advice for you but I don't. The only thing I can say is I understand and you're not alone. You just have to try every possible avenue out there and never ever give up. Being on this board has helped me alot. Share your thoughts and feelings and you realize that many people here have the same ones. Better health to you.

Shannon
 
Welcome to the boarRAB. I had the same fusion you had except I went from L2-S1. I had the 360 also. I also had scoliosis, but I only had a 21 degree curve. i ALSO REGAINED 2' in height with the surgery. What has your doctor said about fusing? Are you?

One thing about surgeons. They aren't here to take care of you long term. Their job is to do the surgery and as soon as you are doing better, they will pass you off to either a PCP or a PM. They do not do long tern care. He did the surgery, fixed you to the best of his ability and now he is finished. If you fail to fuse, that is not his fault. That is an issue of your back.

For the type of surgery you had, full recovery can take up to a year. When they go in and move the nerves about-it irritates them and causes alot of nerve issues-as you have found out. It takes a long time for them to settle down and behave themselves.

You should be walking some every day. That helps with the healing as it keeps the blood flowing around the spine and the back. Several short walks are fine if you can't handle longer ones. Have you been in water therapy yet? You might find relief in that, and it does help with the healing.

This takes a long time to heal and you need to keep your chin up and keep pushing forward with your walks and whatever other therapy you have been given. good luck!
 
to u who bakes,,, thanks for the worRAB of encouragement. as to your question yes as of march 2010 surgeon said the healing/fusion looks good except for that screw in S1 has lucency and has moved.. all other points appear to be fusing well. Can I ask if you also encountered these pains in legs and either one or both hips? I try to walk but get the feeling my leg/hip wants to give out very weak then the pain becomes unbearable. Horrible feeling since I was very active before
 
In order for the LTD claim person to see that you remain disabled they would need current medical information. Talk with your doctor and write out for him/her your symptoms and the severity of each. Also provide this to your Pain Mgmt doctor and to the LTD insurance company. If you are struggling with your current surgeon let the LTD carrier know this and aggressively search for a new Neurosurgeon and/or Orthopedic Spine Surgeon who will be willing to do new tests, examinations, etc. If you are not seeing a good Pain Mgmt doctor be sure to see one as soon as possible. You need to start gathering medical ammunition to fire back at the LTD claim insurance carrier.
 
I do have leg pain. Still do and it's been 5 years since my two surgeries. Some days are better than others. With you, your nerves are still settling down and the inflamation is still going away. There are meRAB that work on nerve pain. normal pain meRAB won't touch the nerve pain. You might want to ask about getting some of them or one of them. It makes an amazing difference in how you feel.

If you have a walker or a cane, use it when you walk-and keep on walking. That is the only way you will build up the muscles you need in your legs....

good luck!
 
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