Have multi level spinal fusion next week! Help!!!!

[bjferge]

Hi,  I'm new to this forum, but not to back problems. Sorry about some of the spelling before I start. I've been suffering with a bad back for 7 years. I'm so looking forward to this surgery. I can't take the pain much longer. Last year it hit the worst. I think that's when my L4,L5 disk went.  The L5,S1 disk went in 2000. I have besides herniated disks, sevior curving of my lower spin, where it's pulling away from my pelvic bone, arthritis in my L4,L5,and S1, caused from stress fractures, degenerative spine disorder, spondylios(sp), and last but not least spinal bifita occulata(sp).  So it's a mess.
  I have had every possible back test thought up by man, and trust me some of them where killers.  Did the epideral injections, brought on diabetes, did physical therapy, tried a chyropractor(sp), he admitted he couldn't help, also recevied a tez unit . I don't for see any other treatments left for me.  Right now I take enough oxycodone, and other type drugs, that it's effecting my personality,bouts of depression, anxiety, paramoid, and making me act like a teenager(I'm 37) also, and after surgery, they have to ween me off them.  It also effecting my job.  They think I'm drunk, NOT! I almost lost my job too!  My friends are really wondering about me, along with my family! I was never like this, before last year and the drugs.
  My question is has anyone else gone through all this h__l?  Has anyone else had this kind of surgery, and did it help?  I don't think I can take much more of this.  Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

[sjm12]

I too have been having severe back pain in for a little over a year.  After a discogram, they discovered that L4-5 and L5-S1 were torn.  They recommended disk replacement surgery, but my insurance company refused to pay for it, said it wasn't medically necessary and experimental.  The only other alternative they say is fusion.  I have been through injections, etc.  

Has anyone here had a fusion of L4-5 and L5-S1?  Can you tell me your experience?  Everyone I talk to says not to do a fusion, but the pain is debilatating and I can't find another alternative.  

[bjferge]

I have talked to several people who have had spinal fusion, not all L4-S1, they are doing just fine.  I just had a spinal fusion from the L4-S1, and I'm 1 week out.  It was the best thing I could of done.  Granted I'm not up doing a jig, but the back pain, and the leg pain is gone.  Before I had my surgery, my Doc told me the risks, and what I could expect to happen, both the good and the bad.  I made the dessision to go through with it.  I couldn't continue the way I was going.  I had to go for it.  As of right now, it was the right thing to do.  I do have a complication, and that's numbness in my feet.  I talked to my Doc, and he said with time it will come back.  He also said some of the numbness may never go away.  But I can get around, and it's only been a week.  Just need some time to heal.
  I hope this helps,
Bobbi-Jo

[joesimons]

hey i was not sure how to post on here but I have had three level anterior/postior fusion and prepare to have my last two remaining lumbar disc taken out in the next few days has anyone ever heard of 5 level fusion? L1-L2-L3 L3-L4 L4-L5 L5-S1 then i need both shoulders done and I have three disc bad in my neck

[alinpain]

im alinpain on this forum,i also have had 4 surgurys in the last year,2 neck and 2 lower back,thank you for all who have wrote into the forum,it sure helps to hear about people who are going thru the same thing.......
if anyone knows of more l4-l5 fusion that went well i would love to hear them.im also facing that after two failed clean outs in lower back.....all i hear is bad things......please help in R.I.
thank you
al

[imsolame]

My brother had the spinal fusion, lower back 30 years ago, with all the hardware that they used back then and it was downhill from there.  Eventually, had ,HAD ,to have the hardware removed.  Then the bone grafts which remained, began growing into the spinal nerve areas and now he has to take valium to calm the severe spasms that would otherwise dominate his life.  It has been a nightmare from then to now.  Anybody else would be in a wheelchair, but he is stubborn and so persists with a cane.  Someday, I will probably have to be his live in help.....   Maybe it was just because that was the bad ole days of spinal fusion, or a bad doctor.....  Anyone else experience this?

[Hockey17]

I posted this in another spot, never heard from anyone.  Below is my story.  BJFERGE, How did you make out ?

I was diagnosed as having a schmorls node L5-S1.  (some other minor buldges L3, L4) It was found last Feb.  I have had back issues for a lot of years, but the pain from this is like no other.  I had an MRI from 2002, that that they compared to on from 2007. The pain radiates out to the outside of my hip, making it tough to walk and bend, but the pain never radiates down.  I'm 43 and an avid ice hockey player.  I ended my season early last year, and  did all the therapy thru the summer, and now I have played 1 game this fall and I'm a wreck.   Everything I read is about controlling inflammation.  Has anyone tried any herbals.  I looking at a pill that contain glucosamine, boswellia, devils claw, turmeric, and ginger.  I'm also reading about Mona-vie Active, a power juice also with glucosamine.  has anyone gone down this path?  Really want to keep skating.