My Husband is 8 months post L4-L5 and L5-S1 and in pain any advice?

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chelle39

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Hi I also had surgery in dec. 07 and still in alot of pain same situation but am seeing pain specilist and nureosureon having mri done he thinks my l3 is out now. hope things get better for him I know exactly how he feels. I am in more pain now then before surgery. My pain clinic has gave me tramadol 50mg taking 2, 3times a day and lidoderm patches makes the pain tollerable. Hope this helps.
 
Sorry I haven't updated lately. Since my last Post My husband has had a new MRI done; been refered to a Neuro; undergone an EMG (which was no picnic), undergone another MRI (this time of his upper back); and seen another Neuro from the same group as the 1st Neuro. His first MRI showed everything to appear fine and the fusion looked to be progessing good. The 1st Neuro did some basic evaluations and requested a EMG, another MRI (this time futher up his back) and also requested he meet with the 2nd Neuro. The EMG shows everything to be normal. We are still awaiting the result from the 2nd MRI. And yesterday we meet with the 2nd Neuro. The Dr looked over his chart reviewing everything that had been done and the results of all testing. Then the Dr did his own evaulation. His determination is FAILED BACK SYNDROME. He told us that at this time he could not think of anything else that could be done to help. However, he was hopeful that with time my husbanRAB condition will get better, it may take some time, but all indicators are good. Unfortunately though there is nothing that can been done medically to help speed up the process. We will just have to wait and see how quickly his body heals. Could be months or even years. DR recommeded to continue fighting for his SSDI. I also wanted to Thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers through this difficult time. Now all we have left to do is continue to follow up with the DR and put the healing process in God's hanRAB.
 
Sorry to hear that it failed. My docter is helping me with my ssdi so maybe your can also help speed up the process. I will keep you both in my prayers and the best of luck to you. Best Wishes!! Chelle
 
My husband had an anterior/posterior lurabar fusion at L4-L5 and L5-S1 in Deceraber 2007. By the middle of January 2008 he was off all his pain meRAB. He seemed to be doing great. Than around the begining of May he began to get tingling sensations in his legs, that was followed by spasms a week later. We spoke with his surgeon about this at his appointment in June. He was not concerned did a few x-rays and said everything still looked good. It's probably just his body still recovering. Gave him Vicodin and Flexril (muscle relaxer). Then at the end of June his legs started going nurab again and his pain level increased again. Called the DR and went back in begining of July. He was still not concerned did a few more x-rays and said everything still looked good. It's probably just his body still recovering and to continue with the vicodin and flexril.

He is becoming very discouraged and is getting depressed about not be able to do anything. He was hoping to be back to work by now. Instead he still can't work and has restrictions of the following: NO lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying anything in excess of 5lbs and NO twisting, bending or squating.

Does anyone have any advise they are willing to share. We are at a complete loss. THANKS:confused:
 
That sounRAB pretty severe...The first thing I would look into is a new MRI. I can't imagine the docs are seeing enough detail with a simple x-ray. I would also ask the doc about something like Cyrabalta which is an anti-depressant that is also supposed to help the pain. Another idea would be Neurontin which I just started taking...it i supposed to block the pain signals from reaching the brain (i think).

Hope this helps...Don't let your husband give up hope and please keep in mind that now, more than ever, he neeRAB your support.

RegarRAB,
Josh
 
I too had surgery in early Jan and was diagnosed with Failed Back Syndrome in August. Don't give up as there are many things a good Pain Management Doc can do to make his pain more tolerable. I too am being told that this may be years or permanent so I now am trying to adjust to a "new normal" life that is very limiting physically but I refuse to focus on the things I can't do and continue to appreciate the things I still can do. (Even with chronic pain)

I will pray for you both as this struggle is as much yours as it is his! (Just in different ways)
 
My heart goes out to both you and your husband. I have degenerative disc disease which has completely torn my L4/L5 and L5/S1 discs. I can certainly relate to your husband's pain, and I can see what my situation has and is doing to my wife and children. The docs won't do a fusion on my discs due to the increased stress and trouble it would place on my other discs which are already showing signs of trouble. I have been waiting for 3 yrs for bi-level artificial disc replacements to be approved by the FDA as my medical insurance won't pay otherwise. I have considered, and continue to, something called a hybrid surgery where they fuse one level and replace the other. From what I've read on other people's blogs I'm not sure that's the way to go either. I am obviously very confused. Keep up the fight, that's all we can do sometimes. Once again, my heart and prayers go out to both of you.
 
I just want to wish you luck on figuring this out and keep us posted. Sorry i dont have any advice i had this same surgery you are talking about and the same levels fused in March of this year and today i am in more pain than i have been in since surgery it has been almost 5 months.

Good luck and let us know.
 
Hi there,

I am so sorry to hear about your husbanRAB pain, and many people have said that to you I bet, and they havent a clue what your poor husband and you and family are going through.

I had my fusion same as your hubbie last May 12months. So I am 16months post surgery. I am remerabering back to this time last year and thinking I would be so much better in a years time. Well here I am, still not back at work. But thankfully I am in less pain........ why ???? to a certain extent the operation took some of the pain, but let me restricted in other ways and I still cant walk far, stand or sit for long perioRAB of time. When did I notice a difference? about July of this year. I went to see a pain management specialist as I just could not continue with the pain. The weight was falling off me. I was like skin and bone from the pain. I was eating but the pain was so bad I was just exhausted from it and he took one look at me and told me an animal wouldnt be left in that pain. So I started on oxycontin low dosage and then built it up to 30mg am and 30mgs pm. This helped but after researching more and the help of the pain management section here on this forum I now take 20mg every 6 hours and the pain has been good. Not quite to where I would wish it to be. But getting there.
The only advice I can give your husband is now pain management. I know if I have a problem all the Neuro does is x-ray and once his nuts bolts and screws are in the right position he looks at it that his hardware isnt causing the pain. If another MRI isnt been done I would suggest pain management. It isnt the ideal situation to be in.......... but if it gives you relief I am sure you won't mind.

Your husband is very luckey to have your support and understanding in going through this. It really does make things easier "mentally" when you know your spouse understanRAB your pain. when you are in pain and you feel so helpless that you cant do normal things. Simple things just cant be done and you just need to lye down. You should encourage him to come to the healtrabroadoard even if it is to read the posts. We are all in the same boat searching for answers. I know I started posting in the back section then felt I hadnt much to offer people going for surgery so I moved on to the Pain Management section............ but of course visit here aswell.

take care

Round1
 
Just wanted to update since last posting. I took my husband to his DR appointment today. DR is scheduling him for a new MRI on Friday (9/12/08, my B-Day). Also discussed referral to a Nuerologist (not sure on spelling). Any other suggestions would be greatly appriciated. THANKS
 
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