I now feel I've made great progress, and am almost pain-free, in terms of the "surgical" pain. I've used a lot of bodyworkers, and have found Feldenkrais, and deep muscle massage both very helpful. Yesterday I had my first acupuncture, and immediately was able to bend easily and put on my shoes to leave. My back had been stiff, and achy, and that totally lifted.

But I still have pain in my left butt, going down the left leg, which began several months after the surgery. I had an MRI in August which didn't show a cause, and a CT which showed I wasn't completely fused yet, but the rods and screws were okay.

Today I saw my neurologist, and he says that the butt pain is definitely due to spinal stenosis at the level of L4. He doesn't seem to think that this means surgical revision is the only answer, and tells me he thinks I'll be okay to take an active vacation with my kids in January. He thinks the MRI will show the docs where to put a needle for an epidural. But I can't help thinking that if it's spinal stenosis, there will be a re-do surgery in my future.

Yuch.

HAs anybody shared this experience of symptoms occurrnig about 3 months after surgery?

BTW: I am feeling very good. I've gotten back my flexibility and do not have unremitting pain. I just have pain with sitting (butt) and extension. If I'm a bit flexed, I'm okay. And my overall health seems good, so I am still optimistic. I think the healing from the surgery is near complete, and that's good.
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LizaJane

www.lizajane.org