Pam,
I am truly amazed that a fusion can be done at the same time a paddle/laminectomy can be performed. While I did have L4-5 fusion done 8 years ago, a laminectomy was performed during the same surgery; but it was because of the spine being so narrowed in that area, space was needed to relieve the spinal cord being terribly compressed. I do have many areas with spinal stenosis; but that was the worst.

A paddle implanted at the same time is really quite different. Just praying all this pain and suffering will be greatly lessened. I myself am on 60mg's of Oxycontin every 6hrs. around the clock. Percocert 3 to 4 times a day for breakthru pain, along with 5mg's Vallium a 2 to 3 times a day.
The only way I have been able to sleep at night is taking Ambien CR every night for the past few years. Between that and the pain meds, I do manage to get at least 6 hrs.of sleep where I am unaware of pain .

Praying doctors will be able to give you a life with much less pain.


Gerry