Hi, I had a L3/4/5 laminectomy and fusion in Feb 2006 because of a spinal cyst. In the months after the fusion an ENT put me on a compounded nasal steroid for a sinus condition, without realizing that this very strong drug would prevent my bone from healing. Or just not thinking about it.

So I had no new bone formation, and pseudarthrosis at all levels. By the end of one year, a couple of screws had pulled loose and I was in pain again.

My surgeon said that the only thing to do was revision, anterior/posterior, but that it's not for neurological reasons, for reasons of pain. I went to Mayo for a consultation, and they agreed that I should only have it when I can't deal with the pain or don't want to. Also said it would probably be an AP fusion going either up or down another level.

Meantime, I've gotten used to my pain level. I do Feldenkrais bodywork, which is incredibly effective in helping me learn to move in ways that are safer. I do chiropractic for ultrasound/deep massage of my gluts and whatever, because I get a lot of spasm.

I had a facet block last December, and it didn't help. In June I had an epidural, and it did.

July and August I was put on Forteo, to help shove calcium into my spine, which, while not osteoporotic, is under-active. I had side effects and had to stop.

So, finally, I'm up to the present. A recent CT scan showed two more screws loose, so both screws at L3 and both at L5 are out and moving, pain generators. I'm getting episodes of pain when I try to bend which are a searing pain into my hip that just stop me cold. But still, I'm managing, in general.

I've planned a vacation in January, but am scared of falling. The pain in the hip can pull me down and I've had two falls.

I'm thinking of asking for another epidural. Does anyone know how many one can have, over what time period? I'm not even sure I can get it before the trip, but I know the plane will be hard, and walking on crooked terrain tricky.

Also, does anyone know if you can live your life out with loose screws?

Because letting them go in and do this barbaric surgery again, fusing me anteriorly with cages and posteriorly just seems more like a life-ender than a relief. It totally frightens me.

Has anyone had hardware failure?

LizaJane