Hey mate, i had a L4 - S1 fusion with instrumentation 1 year ago and its been fantastic!, i have posted my story here because when i researched this before my op. all i read about were horror stories and it freaked me out, so i wanted to post a positive story to encourage those who are researching like i was, as i say its been one year with no stress issues on anything else... i'm back to my old self again! , it does feel weird some days, like someone has there hand around my spine inside me, but its a good feeling , a secure feeling and no pain! check out my story

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread15857.html , hope it helps

Michael

Hi Mike. A fellow Kiwi here. I would love some details on where you had your surgery in New Zealand. I am an incomplete paraplegic of 38 years duration who is suffering from spinal stenosis. Surgeons have said they would operate if I insist but no promises of reducing the pain and no improvement in walking as being a para for such a long time, I should expect to end up in a chair. I don't accept that because I am deteriorating because I can't walk far because of the pain. I'm highly motivated, healthy, work fulltime, garden, renovate my house etc. etc. I try to exercise and keep core strength up but that too is limited because of the pain.
What other options did you look at before surgery. What about steroidal injections? I just can't accept that I should sit in a wheelchair when I have muscle strength that can be utilised just as it has been for the last 38 years!!
Look forward to your or anyone's suggestions.

I have had back pain since the end of 99 when I was rear ended by a passenger van and after much pain and 10-15 Dr's I found one that would do the fusion (a 3 level, l1-l2 and l3 and he promised me at least a 50% decrease in pain so I had it and now when I hear the word surgery I run like the wind (only in my mind of course) instead of 4 days in hosp it was 12 and NS slipped and cut my spinal cord twice and I bled into my spinal fluid which gave me Arachnoiditsis, a condition with no cure....I only thought I knew what pain was before, now I would give it all to turn back time. I take morphine (long acting) 100mg 3x day and 15mg fast acting 2 x day, Valium 10mg 10mg 3 times a day if I want to urinate (it left me with paralysis of bladder and bowel , my left arm is numb and the numbness travels everywhere except for from the waist to the thighs and my left arm is constant .I feel nothing other then the constant pain that all the meds in the world will never make it go away! I fall all the time without any warning. I have no friends and even family avoids me either because they think I am a junkie or because I won't give them any and friends are out of the question because it takes everything in me to just survive the day. I wished I had researched more and listened to all the Dr's that said no. I wish you the best, but be very careful because what they left me with is for life. They tried to talk me into having surgery on left arm and I said Hell No!! Never again for me.....I used to be a nurse before this and look at me now
I am not trying to scare you off, just sharing my story, my surgery was 6-15-06.

Hey Mate, no problem, i had the operation at Mercy Hospital in Auckland with Dr Barnes (his office is near ponsonby/new market) he is one of 2 surgeons suggested to me of which both are 10+ years doing spinal surgery, i think they are pretty much the top 2 in NZ for this kind of op. from what i found out when i did my research. Hope that helps and all the best!

Cheers
Mike

I had spinal fusion in 2002 dec 16th st marys hospital milwaukee wi.
It has left me disabled and in no better condition now than 5 yrs ago.
I was ok for the first 2 yrs or so with moderate leg pain and leg spasms.
Now im at a loss as what to do. I take heavy doses of pain meds daily just to take the edge off.My Doctor suggested a pain pump but i dont think i want anyone ever cutting on me again.!I have read talk of getting the steel removed from ur body but my surgeon says no way that can happen ! has anybody ever actually had this done and what is ur results?
Thx James

MAW

I can not tell you that I had this done but I too have been faced with having this operation. I know many people have mentioned the negative things but that is what we are asking...what was your experince and or knowledge. I am happy for all who had a positive experience too. I am grateful for all of you who shared what it was like for you. It gives me things to consider I may not have thought about otherwise. I like Neurotalk Community because I can learn and share experinces. Doctors do not always have the time to share everything. I like to research the subject and make an informed decision for many of us it is a very big decision. For each one of us it depends on considering our physical issues.
I have Low back issues, stenosis, MP, a slipping disc., etc. I need to consider the outcome of of not relieving the compression of nerves in my spine. I thank all of you who share here.

Blessings
Lookingup58

I had L5-S1 fused 10 years ago and am now facing the same problem at L4-S5. This time though I am not doing a 'hard fusion' with bone graphs or disk removal. They are going to use flexible scient'x isobar rods which are supposed to take the weight off the disk yet allow for movement in the joint. I'm wondering if anyone has had this done. They have only been available in the States for about 5 years.

I am in a similar situation - after two back surgeries L23,5 and again L5 to remove what they thought was pressure on the nerve causing my left leg pain. only to find out that my left hip was totally dislocated due to the scoliosis and tilted pelvis - doctors are considering a totol top to bottom fusion - I would be at least 4 inches taller - cool - but the 10 hour surgery then the hip replacement scares me to death - no to mention to loss of confidence in the medical community - I am 49 and want to to return to a fully active life style. I am searching for the best surgeon to consult with - I will go anyplace. that may be the best strategy for you. I wish you well.

Wow. Where do you live??? I live In Tucson AZ and just was told I need a 3 fusion with a metal rod put in--cervial Stenosis--C4-6....getting a 2nd opinion first and am VERY interested in the Flexible rod! that totally makes sense. and if they use "plastic" for the disks, why can't they use it for the rod??? Please let me know if you did have it done and how it is....

Hello I'm a 31 years old and i need some help i have DDD and i have been this way for near on 6 years now and i have been told i will be having a spinal fusion on L5/S1 i have had 3 surgeries Discectomies already and by what i have read on this site that's nothing the first operation worked fine until i fell then it was back to square one since then i have had the same pain when i have woke up from the operations i have 2 children ok there not baby's at 14 and 12 but i still have a house to run and children and a husband to care for and i DONT want to be on these Medications no more there awful what i am asking is is this the right thing to do i know i don't know any of you out there but my doctors say yes then no then maybe my friends think its up to me as do my family i just need someone out there who is in the same boat that's had the op and is doing well yes i know that there are some horror stories out there as well and i am happy to here both sides please anyone help me rest my mind
thank you so much for you time take care and hope your not in to much pain x