Hello, I am new to Neurotalk. I have justed completed a series of "studies" including a really interesting and scary SPEC CT (3D color imaging of my spine) and soon will face what my physical therapist and one spine specialist told me is a needed fusion. I have read that where there is a triple curve the whole spine needs to be fused. There is one PPT presentation I found on line created by a surgeon at Cedars Sinai in LA where the patient had the triple curve and spondolisthesis as I have (the "Spondo" diagnosis was in 2011).

Early this year I started limping (Left leg) with attendent pain and also really frightening muscle spasms in both legs and my abdomen. Yesterday there was pain in the arch of my right foot that continues today.

Has anyone had a whole spine fusion or is anyone able to identify with the spasms (I understand they are the body's attempt to compensate for the pathology of the lumbar spine).

SOMA does not seem to help at all anymore and the Hydorcodone prescription is low dose and it is the same one I have had since 2003. No one is giving me more pain medication. I even went to a pain management (Anesthesiologist) and they offered me only steroid injections (Is it Cortisl?). I did that once about four years ago and the physician told me he was afraid to do the injection because of the curvature of my spine but evidently did it...it had no effect. Maybe he did not really do it at all. Anyway that is not a long term solution and now I am in a lot of pain all the time.

I also live alone (Well, with my Great Dane, my German Shepherd and a Standardbred boarded nearby). I do not know if I will have problems managing initially after such a surgery. I do not have any family here and they are very busy with their own lives anyway. I also find it hard to call on friends to help with such things.

I just recently learned that I am facing whole spine fusion and that has dramatically increased my fear. Any insights would be appreciated so much. Thanks!

BTW I see evidence and comments by so many young women who have had spinal fusion and who have scoliosis. I cannot help but wonder why it is so prevalent. I think they are very fortunate to have been diagnosed at a young age. I was not diagnosed until 2003. I am nw 63 which will probably make the surgery a little harder on my body so I am taking lots of immune enhancing supplements, etc. to prepare and trying to do my physical therapy but sometimes the pain weighs one down so emotionally that finding the will to push through with PT is hard.

Thanks again.