Back fusion fear
 

Hi all! I am supposed to have my L4/L5 fused on the 26th of this month. That's like, 18 days.... But who's counting, right?!

Anyways, i had the disk my left side fixed in November of 2014, but this time it's so much of a bigger thing and I have been having nightmares that I will become paralyzed. My waking fear is that something will happen and I won't ever walk the same or IDK, something else.

Has anyone had this surgery? Any suggestions on how to keep my anxiety from getting too high when I think about it? How about afterwards? I know I will be in some kind of brace for about 2 months, but I have no clue how long physical therapy will take. I don't know how much pain I will be in.


Just, any suggestions or thoughts would be so very helpful right now.

Thanks for reading this!
Billie

Hi Billie,

I've had this joint fused (and later the next joint). I found it very straightforward.

It's definitely beneficial if you can get into a rehab facility for a couple of weeks post surgery to help with recovery, and then continue with physio for as long as you can. My surgery was 4 years ago but I still do physio at home every day. I had a soft lumbar brace for a couple of months afterwards.

I had minimal pain - I was on Endone but stopped after a couple of days post surgery. Are you having ALIF (cut is through the abdomen not the back)?

Think of it as a nice relaxing holiday - I call hospital "Club Medication" 😝 You get fed, bathed & best of all, free drugs!

Advanced OA, L cuboid/lateral cuneiform arthrodesis 2016, ALIF spinal fusions L6-S1 2013, L5-L6 2011, microdiscection L5-L6 2010, extra lumbar vertebrae, spina bifida occulta L4, bilateral carpal tunnel decompression 1997, fibromyalgia, migraines, asthma, ectopic heartbeat, essential tremors, tenosynovitis R ankle, rock n roll in a Quickie Q7

Billie,
I had L4-5 fusion and Laminectomy almost 10 years ago. While in the hospital, I had an IV for pain, along with medication. I was helped/pressed button to change sides, etc.; but the pain itself was not as bad as I anticipated.

While I was in the hospital I did have some physical therapy. I was told to wear my soft brace for six months; bending was a real "no no". I did use some pain meds; but overall don't recall any of this being excessively painful. The plus of the brace was a reminder not to bend. I don't remember having PE after coming home.

Wish you successful surgery. If possible; try not to imagine the pain being worse than it really is. Hopefully this will lessen your anxiety.


Gerry

Thanks!
 

Thank you so much! I can't afford an in rehab facility and my insurance doesn't cover it. I plan on doing so much physical exercise once I am allowed too, but I am not talking right after surgery. I am talking about in a year or so. I have been overweight for too long and it won't help my back being heavy.
I am not having an ALIF. Straight through the back.
yeah, the meds in the hospital are amazing, should help with my anxiety!! :p
I love the term "Club Medication"!:trampoline:
Thanks again!

thank you!
 

not very painful? Sounds awesome to me. I don't want to be on pain meds anymore! It's been a looming time. I will try not to imagine the pain being worse. It helps to hear from others that it isn't that bad. It makes me feel better about it.
I remember the doctor saying the "BLT" no-no's. No bending, lifting or twisting.
thanks for the help! I appreciate it!

I'm feeling exactly the same and am booked for L4/5 Spinal Fusion on 27/4! It's great to read the positive comments on here.

Wow
 

Wow! We are having the same thing, but one day apart! We'll have to compare notes afterwards!

AusieGirl & Onlymedid
 

It will be interesting to get both of your after surgery input.

Of course there will be surgical pain; but as I mentioned; not as bad as I had imagined. Also on the plus side, received a lot of attention.

Since I was having a lot of issues beforehand, I asked my surgeon to put me on a waiting list so I could get the surgery done asap. I was fortunate; there was a cancellation. Maybe my looking forward to having the surgery done may have had a lot to do with how relieved I felt.

Wishing both of you successful surgeries with minimal pain. :hug::hug:


Gerry

Hi all, reading this thread and the "fear factor"...of course there is fear in surgery, all surgery. I had so much fear when I was considering hip replacement in 2010, but finally did it....now I live with a lot of complications from this major surgery/trauma. I often think of where I'd be IF I had not done this. I know where I am now and in many ways worse off.

For my back which I've dealt with for over 60 yrs of advancing OA. I have MRI's that many would jump to surgeries but I will not. Talk about degeneration but I've made it to almost 78 and had a good life with the back mess. All advancing OA with aging.

But I bend and stretch and do other modalities to keep going. But will never do a back surgery. Unless it's a major emergency.

For me, I worked with an Osteopath for about 20 yrs at least starting in my 30's and into my 60's...he was a great D.O. and helped me thru my life with my back. My daughter is seeing a D.O. today actually for a tendon mess in her foot. Hoping upon Hope that this D.O. will be able to save her from foot surgery.

I've talked to many over the years who have done the fusions and many have to do another one and another one and it seems to go on. I talked my brother out of fusion/lam surgery last year and talking to him yesterday, he's doing OK. Still working at golf and playing golf. But a surgeon told him he "needed" back surgery.... I woke him up with all I've known and hear so often.

There is fear and people just don't realize what they can end up with. We all go in with positive thoughts for the best and then we deal with whatever.

Surgery should be last resort, surgery can't be undone.

Another opinion and thinking a D.O. could shed more light on your situations. And maybe even help to keep going without back surgery.

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed...ent/osteopathy

There are many links on Osteopathy but I posted this one and if anyone has an interest there are other links to read on this work.

I have a post in Medications/Treatments section here on D.O. vs M.D.

So whatever you all choose, good luck. But I had to throw this out.

Caroline,

You are quite right; surgery should be a last resort.

This particular thread/poster was concerned about their scheduled L4-5 fusion surgery; asking for a response from anyone who had this particular surgery. Since I previously had this surgery; I responded to my experience/level of pain.


Gerry

Yes
 

Yes, I have requested to be put on the list for cancellations. I only have 2 weeks to go so I can handle that. I will keep everyone updated and note what the experience has been like. Thanks Gerry!

Thanks
 

caroline i appreciate the input for sure! I have done physical therapy with no luck, so this is my last resort. I am hoping it turns out ok and not be one of those horror stories! That's a scary thought! Thank you for all of the info!

Surgery
 

Well, I had surgery on the 26th and am home now. It was a VERY difficult recovery the first few days. Right after surgery and upon awakening I was shivering and dry crying from the intense pain. They gave me just about everything they could. It wasn't until they gave me dilauted (SP?) until finally I was feeling pain that was tolerable. I spent 3 days in the hospital and was up and walking the first day. I came home the evening of the 29th and have been recovering at home. I still have some pain, but it's not as bad as I was expecting. The dr. gave me the option to stay another day in the hospital, but I knew, being home with my family and pets, that my recovery would speed up. It has and thank goodness my husband has been SUCH a trooper. He hunted down a shower chair for me and drove ways he ALWAYS avoids, just to help me. I could truly feel the love he has for me. He has been getting me what I need when I need anything and has been crucial to my recovery. My 16 year old daughter has been a really big help! She helps me when dad is not home. Heck, even when dad is home she asks if I need anything. She has never been so caring and helpful and I appreciate her more now than ever. I love them both with all my heart! :group hug: as far as pain is concerned, it's there, but has been going down little by little. I think I am more sore now than anything. I have bruises all over my right arm from where they had to try (eventually succeeding) in getting me started on another IV while in surgery. It looks like I got beat up on my arm...pretty nasty!
Anyways, I would not have wished the recovery part on my worst enemy, but the recovery after the initial recovery, has been good. I can't wait to heal up and get on the road to weight loss (I'm 255lbs at 5'5"). I am determined to lose a bunch of weight! I do not want any more back surgeries! Anyways if you have any questions, feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer them as honestly as I can! Thanks for reading if you got this far! ;)

Hi onlymedid,

So glad to hear you have turned the corner on that initial post surgical pain and are now able to be home with your family and pets. Wishing you a speedy recovery and return to better health and a lot less pain.

Please keep us posted as to your progress when you feel up to it. Wishing you the BEST.

Thanks for for the update. It appears; other than the initial getting something to handle the surgical pain; all went pretty well. I can relate to the bruises for the IV. For some reason; mine was on the top of my hand which I think was not in properly. I hardly pushed the pain button because of the burning.

You have quite a loving family. It's great to learn how much your husband and daughter are there for you; especially letting you how "special" you are to them.

I would assume you are wearing your soft brace when out of bed; as well as the rules; no bending, lifting, stretching, etc. The brace really a is helpful reminder.

Looking forward to more updates.


Gerry

Yes, the brace is very useful. I only wear it when in the car now. The pain button helped a bunch. I'm sorry you had such a crappy IV!

My family has been amazing. So supportive and helpful!

Yeah, I kept on the B.L.T restrictions.

A bit more than a month out
 

so it's been a bit more than a month out since surgery and I am feeling really good. I have my bad days, but the good far out weigh the bad! I am working on getting off the meds by weening off and so far it's been a success. I can't wait to not be on anything any more.

I still use my shower chair for safety and for help as standing in the shower can be tough for some reason. I am no longer using the walker, but still use my cane. I usually use the electronic wheelchairs in the stores.

I still can't walk through the stores or walk for long distances at all. I am working on that.

I start physical therapy next week and can't wait. I know it will be painful at times, but as my PT always said (going back to the one I had before) "Pain never killed anyone". He is understanding of my limits, though.

Ummm, I can't think of any other things to update, but if you have questions, I will do my best to answer them.

Thanks everyone!:cool:

Thanks for the update.
Seems everything is coming along very well. Good that you are weening down from the meds. I wished I had tried harder to get off of them.

The one thing that was very different for me was the use of the brace. I was told to use it for six months which I did. It was always a good reminder about bending. Not sure if wearing the brace made a difference; but did not need a cane or the use of a chair in the stores.( I did not use the brace when I went to sleep at night.)


Gerry

WOW! 6 months?! That is a long time, but you are right about it reminding me not to bend over or twist. Not lifting anything is easy when you have a husband like mine! He won't even let me lift a light grocery bag. lol! When I do bend over (after forgetting not to) I always regret it later. The pain sucks later, so I try to remember not to do anything! Thanks for sharing with me!:hug:

Since it's been a few months since your surgery; wondering how you have been coming along? I know you had some very real concerns. Hopefully your surgery has been an improvement in your overall condition.

Gerry