NeuroTalk Support Groups - L4-S1 Fusion Success Story

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- - L4-S1 Fusion Success Story (https://www.neurotalk.org/spinal-disorders-and-back-pain/15857-l4-s1-fusion-success-story.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corronz (Post 495977)

Reassuring that you are doing so well, I am supposed to have a posterior fusion of L4-5 in a few weeks time and I'm very worried about it all. It is fantastic to find a positive thread as most are terrifying!

I would really appreciate any advice about what to expect post op. Does one sit or lie? On the back or side? How long should there be someone else around to make the coffee?

I am also booked to travel to the UK via the States. I live in New Zealand, so that is 2 12 hour flights and all the hassle that is involved with travel. Is it feasible to do 3 months post op?

I am eager to hear anything positive that anyone has to offer.

Many thanks

Caroline

Hey mate, i spent most of my time on my back as i found this most comfortable and i liked the idea of keeping my spine nice and straight, as for having someone around, i stayed with my Aunty and Uncle for 1 week, they were a God send and that definitely was a must, especially as my Uncle would come on my walk with me out to the letterbox and back during that first week...lol it was only a short walk but it was good to have him there incase i tripped or fell.As for travel i currently live in London, i had my surgery in December and travelled to London in May, so that was month 5 for me, i ended up booking business class as it was a 28 hour flight and being able to lie flat in business class for that length of time was great, i wouldn't want to do that in economy, thank God for travel points otherwise i wouldn't have been able to afford it!...lol...seeming your breaking the trip up into 2 x 12 hour flights , you might be ok though, but going in month 3 is pretty keen i must say, but not out of the question, only you and your body can say when the time comes i guess...

stay in touch
Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by lconroy (Post 467978)

:)Hi Mike,
I really was having one of those nights. Thanks so very much. I have tried to write before to forgive me. I am not very good at this. My knowledge of posting and blogging is minimal. But I guess when you are in pain and have no one to turn to you learn quickly. I was really having a bad day/night and came across you site. Thanks. I try to hard not to read the very negative, not that I am taking away from people's pain or that they need support. I have a degree in psy and bereavement counseling/ hospice. But... when it comes to yourself it is very different. I have had my back problems for 5 years now since I have been 35. This last surgery L4-S1 fusion I am now post op 7.5 weeks and I guess I had expected to be "better" if you will. I tried the treadmill my 2 week post op. I am, like you a person who just am going crazy. My first surgery was a lami had a staph infection that took 8 months for them to diagnose that turned into osteomyoletis (7mn of IV vancomyocin) than crushed tailbone had to be removed, right hip torn labral repair all this due to a fall in my house. Look I just want somewhat of some encouragemet that I might live without pain if I walk my dogs and shop with my kid and try to have some family life that doesn't hold everyone else back around hear. Oh, we have to go home because Lisa can't make it today. Oh, Lisa is hurting we need to leave. I am tired of this quality of life for me and my family. So thank you Mike I needed some light at the end of this. I was crying tonight thinking what did I do this for if I am in more pain than before? I have no one that can give me a marker to let me know have far along I should be at this point. I try to walk and I don't know is it too much? My NS say's no PT at this point. PT, I can do those exercise's in my sleep anyway I've gone so many times. ESI I have had so many I have lost count. This is a long road that I would like to find an exit and get off and never get back on. Thanks for letting vent. Please all take care and have painfree days and restful nights.

Warmly,
Lisa

Hey Lisa, yeah the mental side of things to having an op like this is half of the battle, i remember one night lying in bed thinking to myself "what the heck have i done!!"...lol.."i have made things worse!" i was in so much pain , so i gave myself a slap in the face (yes i actually slapped myself...lol) and told myself that this isn't helping, its early days, just focus on the positive that things will get better from here, the surgeon said it was successful and it will be and i told myself i wouldn't think the worst again...give it a try, it's amazing how it not only changes how you feel towards the op ,but also how you feel emotionally and i also slept better to, i remember one time in the hospital i went for a short walk down the hallway as the hospital physio wanted me to, as i was creeping along using the wall as support, i got overtaken by a 90 year old man with a walker!...lol...so instead of freaking out about it and getting down, i just laughed at how funny the situation was, so look for the best, it pays to keep up beat...as for time lines, everyone heals at a different rate , so don't worry if its taking you longer than anyone else on here marker wise to get better, just listen to your own body and focus on your walks, one thing i would say is that i found walking outside instead of using a treadmill much better, one ,i got out of the house briefly and two, i got some nice fresh air, try it :)

take care
Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by libra (Post 474819)

Doc said surgery went well, I had alot of work done. Fused from S1 to L4 with cages, rods and screws. Right after the surgery, the pain and anxiety was near unbearable. Pain meds didn't touch it. I couldn't move or sigh or anything without pain. Dont' want to dwell on the pain portion too much tho, because things are many times over better than they were.
I was in hospital for 6 days due to levels of pain and my being unable to do what I needed to do such as walk, climb stairs, get into car, etc. After different combos of pain meds tho, the pain was taken down enough so that I could do my pt and ot. I am now at home. I can walk, roll over in bed, do stairs, get in and out of car. It is now wednesday, my surgery was last wednesday. I am now working on cutting back on the heavy hitters in pain meds, don't want to be relying on them. I get lots of rest and have my room set up so that it works well with my condition. My husband is in and out of work to help me. But I am very optomistic, I can see myself easily returning to work and carrying on with my life at some point - whether it be 6 weeks or longer, who cares, I will be able to do it.
I am so glad it is over, so glad, so glad, etc etc etc.

Awesome result mate!...i'm so stoked to read great posts like this one!

Quote:

Originally Posted by cor8l (Post 476004)

Hi Mike,

I just read your success story on the same spinal fusion surgery I will be having on 3/12/09. I just turned 30. I'm extremely nervous and worried about the post-op pain and rehab. I've been dealing with the pain on and off since 2003. I had a microdiscectomy in 2003 and it didn't seem to help me completely. My biggest issue is prolonged sitting. I know with back problems, you'll never be 100% again. Perhaps it has a lot to do with my expectations. I do not get severe back pain right away when I sit. It just gradually sneaks up on my after 30-1 hour sitting and it's usually a dull achy pain. I'm not in my best shape now, but even when I was two years ago, I still had issues with sitting. The doc says it's probably the disc becoming weaker. I'm had a flare up recently that has made it difficult for me to walk. It actually is starting to slowiy get a bit better as my Surgery day nears. You were saying that even when you went into surgery, you felt fine, but you knew it was needed anyway. I'm just worried that it wasn't really needed, but I feel like i want to get my life back and not to have to baby my back forever.

Hope to hear back from you. Your post was really uplifting for me.

Marina:confused:

Yes it's true, i felt great on the day of the op. but i think i was running purely on adrenalin that day as i was soooooo nervous and scared, but i knew i had to do it and i don't regret it at all, i'm guessing by the date that you have had the op now, i hope you went through it and it would be cool to hear how your doing now ??...prolonged sitting was a big one with me to, for the same time line as well...but now i can sit or hours in a crappy chair and still feel great without anyone pain, ie i can stand up straight right away, without having to nurse myself upright because of the pain...those days are but a memory :)

Mike

Hey All

I didn't know this thread was still active, but i am so glad it is!, i wasn't getting any emails from it to say that i had msgs or that people had posted so i thought it was gone, but when i logged in i had lots of msgs!...so sorry for the delay in replies people... I wasn't going to reply to every post question on here i read but i couldn't help myself!...lol...there was so much support from people for others that i just had to join in on the fun. I never thought for a moment that this thread would become what it has, but it's so cool that people have been using it and helped by it, i hope it stays around for a while yet....as for me things are going great, i am now 2.5 years post op and feeling great (aside from rolling my ankle in a pothole 2 weeks ago...grrr!)...my back is feeling fine and i tackle just about any physical activity now with confidence (but not blatant stupidity, always know your limits...lol), ....i played football all season this year and also played 5-aside again with no back issues, although i do spend a good 10 minutes stretching my back alone warming it up, i am also still doing back exercises on a swiss ball which i feel has helped alot in re-building the cut muscles from the op (surgeon went in through the back). I still have no signs of stress cracks on the vertebrae either side of the fusion,so after hearing alot about that as far as i am concerned it is not an issue to date and should you look after yourself correctly hopefully it never will be, but i will keep you all informed should that change. All in all things are great and please if you have any worries or questions, msg me or post on here and i will try to reply.

keep the faith everyone :)
Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwimike (Post 509628)

Thanks so much to Mike and everyone.

I'm thrilled to say that I had my op on Monday. It seems that the disk prolapse had improved and the disc involved with the spondy to be fused had gotten very much worse since the last xray in January. The surgeon did a discectomy L3/4, a laminectomy and fusion of L4/5 with titanium rods.

Post op has been nothing like as bad as I expected, I am spending most of my time on my back and I take regular pain relief. I get up and potter around the house frequently and I also nap a lot! I admit to feeling like a very old lady. I am not refusing any help that is offered!

My one and only regret so far is that I wasted so much time worrying myself stupid for the last couple of months.

I am going to take Mikes advice and chill out on the sofa. Thank you all for your support.

Caroline
xx

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corronz (Post 510830)

hey, don't feel bad about the worrying part. all anyone EVER says is "oooo! fusion baaad!" like that's gonna make you feel better when that's your only other option left. my cousin is a nurse, she saw me gaining weight, saw me drugged and in pain, and instead of evern asking me how i was doing, she heard 'fusion', and started in on me about how bad it'll all turn out.

but i digress. the hardest part is over, just take it slow and let everything settle, you'll prolly be doing better than you were pre-surgery in a week or two. maybe less, if you were really bad.

good luck!

hello all!!

i think this thread is amazing. its so hard to find any information & speak to people & hear their experiences on having spinal fusion done.

i'd like to give mike & abbygirl a massive amount of credit as they have been brilliant with all their posts & replies, not to mention the encouragement & positive vibes being zapped through their computers & into anyone's who've read this thread.
i also like reading the posts from batfish as she is quite funny!!!

i'm 27, from ireland & i have spina bifida, i was pretty active up until about 2 years ago & have had bad back pain since, its worse when sitting & bending & have been seeing my doc during this time trying all the usual procedures to cure/find problem for the recent back pain. the lowest disc is damaged & is not performing at all, like it was intended to, so it needs to be taken out.

this wasnt as a result from an incident or an injury, but from general wear, gradual deterioration, because of the spina bifida, thats why i have big fears with regards to the state i'll be in after, because that whole area will gradually get worse over time anyway, nevermind goin in & altering the natural from its in at the mo & having the surgery. but i've come to accept this as i've had plenty of time to get to terms with it!!

it looks as if i will prob be having the spinal fusion done at l5-s1. not for a few months though. i am worried because the doctor told me that because of the spina bifida, that whole area around the base of my spine is alot more delicate than normal, and so i'm worried that the pain will be alot worse afterwards, and even risk losing feeling in my legs.

he said he needs to discuss the op. with his colleages to see what the best way to do it would be, because i have scar tissue on the back (operation when i was 1 for spina bifida) & the front (appendix) already - i personally though this was kinda funny!!!! what are the odds!!!!!

i think hearing about the risks & the percentages are the worst part, because its impossible not to think about them, its only natural!!!

i'm a very positive person & have coped really well with the pain so far, i'm currently out of work for nearly 2 years now, because i cant sit with any comfort at all (desk job)...so it has heavily impacted my life...this is the main reason that i want to have the surgery. theres no way i could go on like this. even if after its worse, i dont think i'd regret it, because you have to take a shot at things like this & at least give yourself a chance at feeling better (even if its just a little bit!!!). you should never think "what if?"

i would be greatful if anyone has any info/knowledge or even know someone who has spina bifida & had the surgery?? it would be great to hear from you.

even if not, its still great to talk to anyone who has had/thinking about having this surgery, as no one can really understand unless they've gone through the same thing.

stay positive everyone !!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwimike (Post 81241)

Firstly i just wanted to post this to encourage all those out there that are thinking of having spinal surgery because there are good success stories out there. Before i went through mine i had read alot on the internet about peoples horror stories and it almost put me off having it. but the constant thoughts of suicide were annoying me and i didn't want those things in my head anymore and i thought it surely can't get any worse than it is now. So i had a L4-S1 posterolateral fusion with instrumentation and now 3 months later i am pain free. Please be encouraged , these guys can get it right, sure there are horror stories out there and i know that those people to can be fixed, just hang in there (thats you Pam :wink: ). And to those who are thinking about it please go for it, because you don't want to carry on as you are with pain and always think to yourself, "i wonder if the surgery would have fixed it ?" , i waited 10 years before i finally had the courage to go through with it and i wish i had done it years ago.

This was briefly my situation somedays my pain was bearable , other days I could hardly bend over or climb stairs, (the day I was to have the op in hospital I felt great , always the way though isn’t it! , but I still went through with it)

Heres a few tips if you do decide to go through with it.

1. Firstly ask around about surgeons, find a good one ,ring around as many medical places as you can and ask “who’s the best spinal surgeon?” I managed to speak with a patient of one surgeon who raved about her op and how good this guy was (she had the same problems as me and had the 2 level fusion done to fix it and never regretted it) so I went with him in the end.

2. If you have the op TAKE IT EASY !!!!, no running, jumping , lifting for at least the first 3 months, this was hard for me as i am an active person, but fight the urge!, the best thing you can do is walk, just a little to start with , then go further and further each day.Listen to your body, it will let you know if you over do it (i had this happen twice) I have only just started light running after 3 months but will continue to not do much up until month 6. There is still lots of healing going on inside you, even though you may feel great, TAKE IT EASY PLEASE! , i can not stress that enough. This is major surgery and your body needs lots of time to heal , don't stress it out by thinking that you feel great after 2 months and can do whatever you like. I laid out on the couch for the first 3 weeks and just watched movies, the only thing i did was my walk each day and i believe this aided big time in a successful recovery.

Well that's all for now, if anyone has any questions, please ask me!! and please all those who still have issues from things that have gone wrong , hang in there! and all those considering this type of surgery , as long as you have exhausted all other options (ie physio, chiropractic, orthopaedic methods just as i did as surgery is the last option) then go for it and i wish you the best!

Cheers
Mike :)

PS Don't expect to end up so your as good as you were when you were 18 cause i'm def. not! , but i'm active again without pain and i'm happy with no more suicide thoughts at all.My goal is to beable to play soccer again, i am aiming to play my first game on the 1 year anniversary of my operation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwimike (Post 509620)

Hey Maria , thankyou for you kind words and i am glad the thread helped you :), 4 weeks is still pretty fresh from the surgery, things heal faster on the outside than on the inside,you have had major work done, give things time to settle down inside, don't be worried about aches and pains just yet as it is still early, i know thats easier said than done, i use to lay in bed at night and think about every little ache or pain i felt, asking myself, is that permanent ? or temporary ??...lol...don't torture yourself like i did, just relax, focus on taking it easy and doing your walks, it wasn't until month 3 that i could really stretch out my body and i found that the little aches and tightness that i worried about faded as i started to do this,(including some right leg numbness, from tight butt muscles, when i stretched it out, this faded) after all having 3 months of minimal physical activity did tighten my muscles in my legs and back abit ,but now i have full flexibility back now, i can even touch my toes!...lol...

you will be fine my friend as long as you follow your surgeons advice and even be abit more cautious if you feel the need, i know i did and didn't try anything at all until i felt my body giving me the ok to do it...you will know what i mean by this...if in doubt, back off and take more time.

all the best mate
Mike

Hello Mike, hello everyone !!

Thanks for your reply, and the helpful advise. I am 4 months post-op now of L4-L5 fusion with instrumentation. Last X-ray showed fusion in progress. I have to say I am almost painless these days. There is still a little bit of sensitivity after prolonged sitting, or in an uncomfortable chair, but for the most part NO PAIN. Actually, I bend little bit better now also. I am back to work full time. Actually this weekend at a birthday party I have danced (salsa) for more than 1/2 hor without sitting down, and realized that there was no pain. Furthermore, I had no pain the next morning either. Yes I did have those thoughts also in the begining: "what have I done? I should have left things as they were. Maybe I have created more pain with this surgery then I had before?" etc. But now I am begining to see that thing are improving and every day is just a little bit better than the last. There is still a little sensitivity in the right sciatic nerve in the butt, and the right leg sometimes feels a little funky, but less and less, and with no pain. So again, Mike thanks for starting this thread, it helped me, and I am sure it helped a lot of other people, to see a positive and informative thread. One more question if anyone can answer this: approx. about what month post-op you've felt back to normal without any little sensitivity of that sciatic nerve and fully recovered?
Good luck to everyone!!
Maria

[QUOTE=kiwimike;81241]Firstly i just wanted to post this to encourage all those out there that are thinking of having spinal surgery because there are good success stories out there. Before i went through mine i had read alot on the internet about peoples horror stories and it almost put me off having it. but the constant thoughts of suicide were annoying me and i didn't want those things in my head anymore and i thought it surely can't get any worse than it is now. So i had a L4-S1 posterolateral fusion with instrumentation and now 3 months later i am pain free. Please be encouraged , these guys can get it right, sure there are horror stories out there and i know that those people to can be fixed, just hang in there (thats you Pam :wink: ). And to those who are thinking about it please go for it, because you don't want to carry on as you are with pain and always think to yourself, "i wonder if the surgery would have fixed it ?" , i waited 10 years before i finally had the courage to go through with it and i wish i had done it years ago.

This was briefly my situation somedays my pain was bearable , other days I could hardly bend over or climb stairs, (the day I was to have the op in hospital I felt great , always the way though isn