Spinal Disorders & Back Pain For discussion of all spinal cord injuries, spinal issues, back-related pain or problems.


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Old 01-27-2007, 10:32 PM #11
marijo marijo is offline
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Default Re fusion.

IO had lumbar fusion in 2003. Since then I have had all, every single one of my internal abdominal organs try to part company with me. Bladder bowel, and reproductive organs. So I have had a hysterectomy, and a repair job to the bladder, and large and small bowel. Then one year later I have had, (Nov 2006) major repair to my large bowel, and half of it was removed. This has now been put down to spinal cord damage. Presently I am undergoing a trial for sacral nerve implant, I have wires going into my spine, and attached to an external machine a bit like a Tens unit, to see if my bowel can be kick started to work again. Unfortunately it hasnt worked. I have one more week of the trial, and then I think I am back to the drawing board. I asked my original spinal surgeon to forward me the results of my scans that were done last year. I got them, but without the radiographers reports. However it looks as though one of the screws is very crooked, possibly even broken. This could be the seat of all my probs. My final word is, if you can get by without the surgery, try to do so. I have been in constant and unrelenting pain ever since, and am now on duragesic (fentanyl) patches, which still does not do a whole lot for the pain.
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Old 02-24-2007, 04:51 AM #12
NyGuy NyGuy is offline
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Default Hello to All.This is my first time posting here

I had my first back surgery in 2002,for spinal stenosis.I hate to say it, but it was the most painful experience ever after surgery.The surgeon did not prescribe the necessary pain killers, and it was hell till I was transferred to a hospital that new what was necessary to stop the pain, and they brought it under control in 2 days.Unfortunately it did nothing to help with back pain and I had to have a spinal fusion at L4/L5,L5/S1.with a cage a year later. Then I was told I had failed back syndrome. A spinal cord stimulator was put in and it had helped to a degree.I also have been taking percocet 10/325 4 or 5 times a day with fentanyl patches 200mg every 2 days.They recently added lyreca,without much success.
Now Im told they have to fuse L2,L3 and insert another cage.
After reading the reponses here it doesnt sound very encouraging,but I dont know if there is any other options.I can barely walk without shooting pains in my legs and severe weakness from the knees down .
I know everyone is going to say just because it didnt work for them,doesnt mean it wont work for me.but trust me,I am always one of those who it doesnt work well for in the long run.
But what other options are there.I tried therapy,have had several steroid injections, and the pain killers aren't doing the job anymore, and the pain is getting worse.
Was it less painful after the surgery for those who have had this surgery or about the same.
My wife is against another surgery because I now have diabetes and 2 stents in my heart and there is risk invovled with another operation.I am 64 years old.Thanks for any responses.
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Old 03-12-2007, 05:01 PM #13
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kiwimike kiwimike is offline
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Originally Posted by maw1953 View Post
I am scheduled for a 2 level (L4-S1) anterior/posterior fusion with instrumentation on Nov 1st, 2006. I was curious as to those who had spinal fusion surgery what your long term results have been. After 1-3 years how many had additional surgery due to stress on the next level? What kinds of problems arise and what kind of medical results were given in your cases? Thank you in advance.
Hey , its abit late, but i wanted to share my experience with you, i have had done exactly what you are getting done (or may already have it now). Let me know if its worked out for you or if anyone else wants to know about it.

In a nut shell, it hurt like you won't believe, but now its sweet and after suffering for 10 years with very bad back pain, i can now run again and play soccer and all the things i love to do without pain!. I wish i had done it years ago. Please feel free to contact me if you waant more details on what i had done.

Hope this helps

Cheers
Mike
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Old 04-07-2007, 10:54 AM #14
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Smile Insight

I am 42 now and had a fusion of L5 to S1 at the age of 24. It was done with Steffee Plates and healed very quickly. It also nearly completely eliminated all pain. But to be truthful, it also eliminated my prior ability to enjoy running or to really ever run again (without a great deal of pain). My post surgical life has been for the most part very good. Although I did run into severe pain when I took a "standing" oriented job at age 30 (that quickly debiltated me with pain). So much so I decided to take the plates out (which it had been determined had caused destruction of the next level above at L4 which has now fused on its own to L5...a very long and painful process which I chose over jumping into another fusion). This was likely a result of being a very active (golf and biking) individual. But one has to live... My overall thoughts of these surgies now is that you will trade one problem for another. The intention, however, is to trade the worse problem in for one which is far less of a problem. Point in case, I traded continuous low back pain in for only intermitant pain. This is a very different life than my doctors lead me to believe I'd be living. Two pieces of advice I have for you are (i) once you've identified a problem that you are seriously thinking about having surgery on, WAIT one year. I have done this numerous times and learned that most of time - usually several months later - the problem subsides, and (ii) it is best to avoid surgery if you're only doing it to get rid of pain and have no other neurological issues (unless rule 1 above applies and the pain has simply been unbearable for a year or more. Then, you have no other choice). Oh, and one more thing. You "will" get through this. The body eventually finds equilibriums (and you can continue them by taking care of your self). I find riding a stationery bike for 30-45 minutes not only keeps my body fit, it keeps my mind off occassional pain and frequently pushes me through it. Hope by now your issue has past. Look forward to seeing/hearing a message posted from you on how you're doing.
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Old 05-02-2007, 10:56 PM #15
Dani84 Dani84 is offline
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Default To mike

Hi, my name is Dani & i was just reading your post...... I was wondering if you had any advice for me. I'm 22 y/o and just has a fusion of L4/5,L5/S1. I've previously had two other lower back Op's when i was 18 and 21.

It's only been 6 weeks post op from the fusion but i'm still in heaps of pain & was just wondering how long it took you to get over the post op pain and back to some sort of normality!

Cheers
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Old 05-16-2007, 04:32 PM #16
mustafa mustafa is offline
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Default Hi Everyone Please Help Me

Hello Every One There,
I Am Suffering From Spondilolisthesis,
I Take A Few Pain Killers For The Relief,
But I Know Its Not The Permanent Solution To The Problem I Have?
Can Anyone Guide Me What To Do For Its Cure?
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Old 05-16-2007, 04:35 PM #17
mustafa mustafa is offline
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Originally Posted by mustafa View Post
Hello Every One There,
I Am Suffering From Spondilolisthesis,
I Take A Few Pain Killers For The Relief,
But I Know Its Not The Permanent Solution To The Problem I Have?
Can Anyone Guide Me What To Do For Its Cure?
I AM SUFFERING FOR THE L5 OVER S1....
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Old 05-16-2007, 04:38 PM #18
Curious Curious is offline
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hi mustafa

i also have spondylolisthesis. no cure except surgery. fusioin. if you have stabilty problems, then a brace will help.
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Old 05-18-2007, 04:11 AM #19
Jenmedic Jenmedic is offline
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I agree with curious, mustafa. Fusion is the only real answer. You can do different physical therapies to help with the pain, but if the vertebra are slipped, they need to be stabilized.

To answer the original thread question, I've had a fusion of L4/5 L5-S1. Solid as a rock. Worked as a medic about 6 months out from surgery. It has now been about 5 years. (wow! that long, already?) No other lumbar- level damage. I actually had l5-S1 blow because of the strain of not having l4/l5 fused. I hope everything turned out ok...
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Old 12-17-2007, 08:50 AM #20
bschra3 bschra3 is offline
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Confused advice?

I am 20 years old and had my first surgery in December2006, i had laminectomy at L3-L4,L4-L5,and L5-S1. I was going good for the first 10 months but i woke up one day and the pain started just like it did the first time. I'm going for an epidural injection in about a week, but I've tried 3 before my first surgery and am not too hopeful that it will work. I don't know what to do, I'm busy with school and it's very frustrating that I can't join my friends without being in immense pain. I have to stay home like an old man. My surgeon said to try another surgery and if that didnt work to try fusion. I dont want to try fusion because I'm too young and I hear that it is a terrible recovery. Does anyone have advice for someone my age? I can't keep living like this, and I can't keep taking pain meds.
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