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hurting73

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Hi all I am new o the board, I have been reading for awhile and thought it was time to post...got lots of questions. After battling the back for years trying alll the other stuff (ESI,PT etc. you know all that stuff) it got so bad i had no choice but to try the fusion. I had a fusion on L5-S1 with instruments in April. I have done OK through, it has been a rough road. I have the nerve pain down my leg and currently on pain meRAB and elavil for it. My back was not really hurting until the past week. this weekend I have been miserable, the pain in my back and legs is almost if not worse than it was before surgery. Was just wanting to know if this is from healing or should I contact my Dr.? I had a real hard time even getting out of the bed this morning, hurts to walk,sit or stand, having a lot of spasms too. thanks for any info you can share.
 
Hurting,
Welcome on board! I am so sorry you are going through tough times of healing...
Unfortunatelly this rocky road is full of ups and downs... Some days you can walk and sit, some days you can't get up from bed...
How long ago you had your fusion? Nerve pain can continue up to 2 years; unfortunatelly nerve pain last for a long time for some people (I am one of them) and sometimes it can be permanent. Did you have EMG test done (depenRAB how long ago was your surgery)?

Will not hurt you to let your DR know what problems your experiencing, he may want to see you or check your meRAB if they working for you or adjust the dose...

Best of luck to you and please feel better!!!:angel:
 
It is common to have flares while one is recovering and even after you have recovered. I would definitely call your doctor and he may recommend a medrol pack to calm down the inflammation. In the meantime, take it easier than normal and remeraber ice, heat, etc.
 
It has been 10 weeks, the back pain is the worst right now, feels like I have been beat with a hammer. The Dr. seems to brush everything off that I tell him. I lose my balance a lot too. I guess I am having a "pity party" Will I ever be normal again? The Dr. told me I would be as good as new after the surgery but I don't see me being able to lift 50 pounRAB in my future.:mad: After you fuse do you stil have restrictions?
 
I am 12 weeks post-op today from a two-level (L4/L5) fusion. I too have had ups and downs and about 6 weeks or so post-op developed more pain, which turned out to be nerve pain. My dr. prescribed Lyrica which I was only able to take for 10 days because of the side effects. I am now taking Neurontin and that too had side effects, but it has helped tremendously with the nerve pain. You may want to ask your dr. about giving you something specifically to help with the nerve pain.

I have learned from visiting these boarRAB that the kind of surgery we had, there will be ups/downs and good/not so good days. I didn't believe I would have any good days, but now I do -- my good days outweigh my bad. I am by no means out of the wooRAB, and I know I will still have some more not so good days, but trust me, it will get better. Everyone here is very supportive. Please hang in there and know that you are not alone.
 
10 weeks only? You are still so "new" after surgery, sweetie... I hate to say this but you will have some roughness on a road to recovery for a while...

What happens is: while surgery they nurab all surgical area inside/outside; your muscles and nerves are nurab. And when anesthesia wears out - than you start to get your worse pain. This happens to most of us.

Don't think that every pain you get mean that something bad happens. Watch for fever, swolleness, redness, etc. And if something really bothers you - call your Doc. and please come here to talk to us.
I bet it will make you feel better; people here a very supportive and helpful.

Feel better!
 
thanks so much for the support. My family has been great through all of this, I have complained so much to them, that I feel like they are thinking gosh it has been over 2 months lol. It is nice to fins someone who has been there and felt that lol
 
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