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Doc recommends spinal fusion from T12 - S1.
Spine Health | Last Active: 52 minutes ago | Replies (95)Comment receiving replies
Last March I was fused from my pelvis to T 12 . Rods plates screws bone grafts ect like a science project.
And the grade is an F a big fat one. I spent literally 9 months prior having tests X-rays mri ct scans dexa scan .
Many conversations with the doctor with my husband with family and with myself. If I’d of only listened to myself.
It had been the absolute worst experience of my life. I wouldn’t wish it or recommend it to or for anyone. There are some many other choices out there I only wish I had known that before the 2day surgery that changed my life and me for ever.
Iv become so depressed over this that today I started searching for support groups just to be able to talk to someone else who had gone through this. It is literally killing me day by day.
I realize this all may sound somewhat harsh and I’m sorry if I am scarring anyone I don’t mean to. But I do not recommend this type of surgery at all.
I hope you find your answers and that what ever you chose it all goes amazingly well for you! No one deserves to live like this.
Replies to "Last March I was fused from my pelvis to T 12 . Rods plates screws bone..."
@lmant63 Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry that spine surgery didn't help your condition, and it is good for others to know your experience. Spine surgery isn't always the best choice for everyone. I read an interesting book from a spine surgeon who later because a spine surgery patient himself, and he writes about this. The book is "Back in Control" by David Handscom, MD. Here is his website.
https://backincontrol.com/
Jennifer
Oh my! I'm so sorry you are experiencing such negative impacts from your massive lower spine surgery. What you had done was huge! I had three (all scheduled) spine surgeries in 2023 and my rehab continues over 9 months later.
Yes, I have felt the same feelings you express and have some thoughts for you. I believe that such massive surgeries can create for the patient a post-surgical form of PTSD. I felt similar debilitating and terrible psychological symptoms ... and I couldn't see my way past them. I literally feared I had ruined the rest of my life. You may be there, now.
Two things helped me manage: (1) Realizing that PTSD might be at work. Do some online research. Match your symptoms to those related to "typical" PTSD. Consider some of the approaches others have used to manage PTSD. (2) Maintaining a progress diary helped give me the perspective that - even though I felt like there was no change in my rehab - that I actually was slowly improving. When in the depths of PTSD - it feels like you're never going to improve...
Expressing yourself can be therapeutic.
Connect
I am so sorry to hear this and it does give me pause. I have been told to expect a very tough year plus to heal, but to keep doing all in my power to heal and to keep the faith. The body wants to heal and I pray yours will improve for you soon.