Post operative incisional pain is different and temporary.

Before doing any spine surgery please get a few opinions. i also have decided not to do lumbar surgery and i deal with my pain in many ways. Unfortunately, i had to have cervical done because my spinal cord was flattened by bone spurs. Just make sure you check out all options and get a few opinions.


Take care.

I had a C2-C3 fusion(Very Dangerous). Did not help. I followed with a C2-C7 major fusion after. I notice very little difference before and after but glad I opted for surgery because it beats never knowing what surgery could have done for me. It matters none that my neck is full of hardware, I had nothing to lose. Physical therapy helps little and drugs other than opiates do not help when I get an attack of pain. Hell of a way to live. Attacks can last for months(can you believe it)? I do not ever look back. What it is it is. Debating about should I have had surgery or not is over with. Be strong and make sure you are in charge of your life

RX

I am to the point where I wonder what will happen if I do not have surgery. My leg keeps going numb and I am in pain the majority of the time. It stinks. I worry about it so much and the surgery is 3 1/2 weeks away. I hope and pray I am making the right decision.

Your attitude is one a good one and one I need for myself. Life is what is and we make the best decisions we can then we need to move on.

I know it is not an easy decision; but when the pain is really bad; it sometimes causes you to go ahead, if all else seems to fail. I had mine fusion/laimectomy done 5 years ago.

Yes, I still have pain; but mostly from my Periphereal Neuropathy and Edema. The edema was after Bladder surgery 3 years ago. Still have spine pain as well, but not sure I would be walking today (use cane) if I hadn't had the surgery. I had a badly crushed nerve (the surgeon said he had never seen such a red angry nerve before) He is an orthopaedic spine surgeon. I hate to think what might have happened had I not had the surgery. At least the fusion took much of the pressure off the nerve; but it had been badly damaged. The laminectomy allowed a little more space for the spinal cord because of the stenosis. The doctor told me I still would have problems because there were additional issues.

I had to wear a brace for 6 months. It was a soft brace with velcro. It also was a good reminder for me Not to Bend. That is soooo very important. Before leaving the hospital, I was shown the best way to get out of bed, including the do's and dont's. Actually, I had more pain with my gallbladder surgery than I did with the fusion. But, I must say I had an IV with Fentanyl which controlled much of my pain. Also, did take some narcotic meds as well in the hospital and at home. Since those meds are addictive; best not to stay on very long, if possible.

Since I have a wool rug under my dining table, my husband got a chair matt (usually under desk chairs) so I could easily push away from the table. My husband did the grocery shopping. Got many quick, easy to make foods. Also, my daughters would bring over some meals as well. I did not vacuum. If there is no one to help do the vacuuming, close your eyes; but Do Not Vacuum.

The Doc is right though; there are many "failed back surgeries". Hard to say how much worse things would be without it. So much depends on the circumstances. In my case; I was desperate so I had the surgery. I doubt if many ever get back to where they were before problems ever began.

Wish you the best and will keep you in my prayers.

(ger)

If you didn't have it, you'd find out. OTOH, if you do have it, you'll never find out.

It's a difficult decision I don't envy anyone. I can only speak for myself - no-one else, and every single situation is unique. I've a bit more to say, but I'm rushed at the moment....

Doc

I've been at that crossroads. I may be there again. The surgery option will always be there; the option not to do it, or to undo it, will not.

First, I would exhaust every treatment option available (including, but not limited to, pain management, a pain pump and/or spinal cord stimulator) before even considering surgery. (I've already considered surgery not even knowing, let alone trying everything else, and I'm glad/thankful it was a surgeon who talked me out of it, and into trying everything else first.) Since then I've tried some things; I have others yet to try, but even with the pain, surgery is a way off for me.

Once I had exhausted all other avenues, and surgery was the only one left, I would get at least 2 opinions, and maybe more, depending on what those opinions were, the feeling I got about the surgeon(s), and the surgeons' backgrounds & reputations (lawsuits, complaints, sanctions, etc.) If I'm going to be unconscious, under the knife, with my life in the hands of this person, I want to know all I can about him/her; there has to be a good.... no, a confident feeling about the whole situation. I want to know each surgeon's track record (success rate), both in general, and with cases/procedures like mine. No two will be the same, but experience should be successful - not just numbers of procedures.

If the two opinions were not in total agreement, I would get at least 3 opinions, etc. I would listen to any/all reasons for their opinions, and I would get every question answered to my satisfaction before agreeing to anything. ("I don't know" is sometimes a valid/acceptable answer, and better than an "attitude".

Another thing I would do is make sure where my own head is at, and where my decision is coming from - clear logical thinking rather than the emotional response of pain, or out of some stage of grief, whether "bargaining" or "acceptance" or another.
http://www.livestrong.com/stages-of-grief/

There is probably more; I've probably posted it here previously. It all comes down to making an informed decision. I sincerely hope you're making the right decision too, and that it will be a total success and you will be pain-free forever. I hope that for everyone except my sham friends!*

* "Champagne for My Real Friends, Real Pain for My Sham Friends" - Francis Bacon

Doc

It is so hard to not be emotional about the decision and to remain clear headed. I have been doing so much reading on the internet and I am so worried either way. If I do the surgery I may have problems and without it I risk alot too.

Today my foot is numb and my hip/leg are killing me. I took Ultram and still feel bad. It is hard to imagine this getting worse.

My experience with PT was not good and my NS/I agree that the shots are a bad idea for me. The less pain I am in the more I do and is concerned I will overdo it and hurt myself even worse.

I have my pre op on Thursday and have a ton of questions for my NS. I am so overwhelmed at the moment.

I felt the same overwhelming feeling right before my surgery, it's almost where you have to hold your nose and jump in the water off the cliff. Just trust that you are making the best decision you can and keep a positive attitude on your recovery and you will do okay. It's a very scary step, but you'll be relieved to have it over with and to start recovering instead of just coping.

I'm facing another surgery soon, and I feel the familiar apprehension, overwhelming jittery feeling, I understand exactly how you are feeling.

Keep us posted on how you are doing afterwards.

Stay strong and think good thoughts!!
Cathie

That's perfectly understandable. Many people here and elsewhere complain about this doctor or that, their differences of opinions, skill, treatments, judgements, warts.... But for some unfathomable reason, PTs are all supposed to be popped out of some mold someplace and be exactly alike? They're the same as doctors - different opinions, skill, knowledge, scarred psyches, etc., so a bad experience with one should not put you off all of them forever. Besides, PTs now specialize too, and it's important to get one that specializes in what YOU need. See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_therapy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_therapy
and others.

Regarding being overwhelmed (Funny, I've never even heard/met anyone who was simply whelmed - Hmmmm ) My suggestion is to sit someplace quiet (but awake/alert) and calmly go over everything once more, then put it down, relax for the rest of the evening, and sleep on it. Your subconscious will do the work for you without outside influences. We both do this all the time with various issues, and it works.