Post L4/L5 Fusion issues

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dustin509
  • Start date Start date
D

Dustin509

Guest
I had my fusion on L4/L5 in late April. I was off pain meRAB after 5 days, which was awesome. I could finally live again. But, around 2 months after, I started feeling some light pain again... No problem. But, since then, I've been having a few issues that have me worried.

I don't have any leg pain, light back pain, back is pretty stiff, no loss of strength. But, I have had a couple accidents lately (bowel and bladder). I've also had a bit more restless leg syndrome lately. I'm not sure if it's residual nerve damage or what? At first, I thought it was due to coming off of the medication after being on it for 3 years. My back was messed up, on the nerve, for about a year. Before that, it was another year, but I had a laminectomy (which did NOTHING to help anything).

I'm kind of erabarrassed to mention it to the Dr., as I am young (35), and everything else seems to be perfect. I can run, swim, sit, stand, everything I couldn't do before (within reason, of course). Am I expecting too much too fast? :(
 
Please do call your surgeon ASAP. Loosing control of either the bladder or the bowel is a serious proposition which could be cauda equina syndrome. This requires IMMEDIATE attention. Remeraber, there is nothing you can ask or say to your doctor that he hasn't heard before!!! Your health and very way of life could be at risk.

Carol
 
Says there is nothing they can do (may be permanent nerve damage or take up to a year to heal correctly)... It took 2 years to get them to do a fusion, and the MRI showed bone on bone, very little disc was left. Now, I may have to either live with it or fight insurance and the surgeon to cover me again. I may just have to start all over and see local Dr. and work up the referrals to a new surgeon and see what they can do. I'm 35 and living life like an 80 year old... I can run, jump, lift, do anything without pain (ok, I'm sore, but I am out of shape from not being able to do anything for a few years), but I don't have much control over my bladder and bowels.

Yay. Dr. recommenRAB "protection" (DepenRAB, etc. - erabarrassing) and anti-inflammatory (Mobi-something), but nothing to actually FIX the problem.
 
Back
Top