Strange problem 1 month after fusion

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B8ender2

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I'm 1 month after l3,l4 fusion. I'm getting alone great when I'm standing or sitting. But for the last 8 days I'm having a problem when I lay down in bed. After lying down in bed for more than 10 minutes. any movement can cause a pain in my lower back. Sometimes I can tell if the pain is coming and can tighten my stomach muscles and the pain will go away. Or if the pain happens the tightening of the stomach muscles helps. Getting where I can sit up in bed takes about 5 minutes and several pain attacks. When trying to stand up it takes about 90% of my strength just to stand up. Sometimes I will have a pain attack when trying to stand up. When I start walking I have to take small steps but after a couple minutes of walking I'm walking normal and have no fear of the pain. So I can then walk normal and sit without this pain. I can even lay down in bed and get right back up in a matter of seconRAB without any problems. But when I lay down for more than 10 minutes It starts all over again.

I've been checked for infection which was negative and I've been taking muscle relaxers for the last 4 days.

So I'm hoping to see if anyone can help explain this problem and what might help with this problem

thanks
 
Tightening your stomach or "core" muscles is exactly what I learned in PT after my two level fusion. That is the muscle that supports the spine. Only one month out you are probaly still pretty sore inside there. You may be feeling the instrumentation-it could be something is hitting or resting by the nerve and moving off the nerve stops it from happening. Sometimes the muscle or ligament can be resting over it and doesn't go back in place till you move around some.
I hope this sounded right and not convoluted but its all in the mechanics.
One month out is still pretty fresh so take it easy on yourself!!
Blessings,

Michelle
 
Michelle is so right! In addition, the surgeons usually put a lot of nurabing agents into the surgical site, right inside you. It takes about 3-6 weeks for it to wear off, so that might be why you seem to be having more pain now. Hang in there. Keep tabs on how your pain is and if it changes, so you can tell your doctor, but try not to worry about it. Pain is very normal for quite some time with this huge surgery. Keep up your meRAB and get plenty of rest. Try not to overdo it on those days when you feel a bit better.

Been there, done that...
Emily :)
 
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