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What are people's experiences with spinal fusion surgery?

Posted by heatherm @heatherm, Oct 27, 2020

After trying pretty much everything, with little pain relief, my surgeon has put me on his priorty elective list for fusion of my L3/4/5, and maybe S1. I've heard both positive and negative experiences with this surgery. What are people's experiences, with this? ,

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susanjc8 | @susanjc8 | Jun 19 6:33pm

I had the surgery your doctor is recommending. During surgery, my dura was torn and I lost a lot of blood and my L4 and L5 nerve roots were injured. After surgery, I was unable to walk and my right hip and leg were very weak. I was in PT for two years, and where I can now walk (badly) for short distances, it causes me a great deal of low back pain. This, even in spite of having a Spinal Cord Stimulator implanted. Get second and third opinions, and screen the surgeon doing the surgery very carefully. There is a Facebook group for spinal cord injuries and you might look for doctor recommendations there.

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theo316 | @theo316 | Jun 19 8:51pm
In reply to @verahars "I wasn't as lucky as theo316. I am one of those who had TLIF L2-L5 for..." + (show)
@verahars

I wasn't as lucky as theo316.
I am one of those who had TLIF L2-L5 for scoliosis and spinal stenosis and ended up with foot drop on my right foot, ongoing denervation of the peroneal nerve and consequently muscular dystrophy of the same (right leg).
I can no longer walk w/o a walker and can no longer drive.
The surgery didn't even help with my back pain but added neurologic pain like burning pain of the inside of my lower right leg, painful numbness (pins & needles, itching) and pain of my otherwise paralyzed ankle and foot. I can no longer wear an AFO because even if I take it off I feel it squeezing my ankle and lower leg.
The condition is permanent, irreversible and progressive as Iit was proved by EMG and nerve ultrasound.
I have been living practically indoors since the surgery (2 years and 3 months ago). I deeply regret the day when I consented to and went through with this terrible surgery.

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I am so very sorry this has happened to you. In all of my research I have never heard of a 3 level spinal fusion (L2- L5) I am sure that must have left you in agony. My only wish for you is that my Dr could see you to re-evaluate and REALLY make sure nothing can be done to ease your pain. You will always be in my prayers and I'm so very sorry that you are living in constant discomfort.

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1 reply
mikaylar | @mikaylar | Jun 20 8:34am

Had cervical fusion. Now my headache and dizziness is worse.

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Jun 20 10:08am
In reply to @sunshine22220 "I had a laminectomy:discectomy on L4-5. I was in a lot of pain after. Six months..." + (show)
@sunshine22220

I had a laminectomy:discectomy on L4-5. I was in a lot of pain after. Six months after I needed a fusion as it left my spine unstable and my nerves were crushed I was told at a second opinion. I would never go through such a serious surgery on the spine without proper pain meds. I would get a 2nd opinion. I am basically bed ridden now. I was warned not to get surgery and I didn't listen because I had so much pain and faith. Try if you can PRP or massages. Walking and water therapy can help. You will not want to do this at all without proper pain meds.

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The last time PRP was mentioned as a possible help, it was not covered by any type of insurance. That was 8 years ago. Has that changed. Has anyone benefitted from PRP?

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dreams999 | @dreams999 | Jun 20 10:14am

I decided i don't want to do it. Its not worth what can happen down the line.
My drs.won't even give me.pain meds. I would.rathar.die.

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1 reply
heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Jun 20 10:19am
In reply to @dreams999 "I decided i don't want to do it. Its not worth what can happen down the..." + (show)
@dreams999

I decided i don't want to do it. Its not worth what can happen down the line.
My drs.won't even give me.pain meds. I would.rathar.die.

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Why won't your docs prescribe pain meds? What's your daily pain level on scale of 1-10? Have you told them how much pain you are in? Maybe find another pain doc?

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1 reply
dreams999 | @dreams999 | Jun 20 11:22am
In reply to @heisenberg34 "Why won't your docs prescribe pain meds? What's your daily pain level on scale of 1-10?..." + (show)
@heisenberg34

Why won't your docs prescribe pain meds? What's your daily pain level on scale of 1-10? Have you told them how much pain you are in? Maybe find another pain doc?

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My drs won't pres pain meds as I take benzodiazepines for extreme trauma. Have been on them for 25 yrs. Clonazepam.
Yrs ago when I initially fell and hurt my back, I went to see pain Drs in NYC.
They had me on a concoction of pain meds. Oxycontin or Avinza or Fentanyl patch in conjunction with soma, & dilaudids, with the clonazepam. I never misused my rx's.
now with the big no opiates scare they don't want to.give to me and I'm usually in agony agony wish I was put out cold agony.

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2 replies
dreams999 | @dreams999 | Jun 20 11:25am
In reply to @dreams999 "My drs won't pres pain meds as I take benzodiazepines for extreme trauma. Have been on..." + (show)
@dreams999

My drs won't pres pain meds as I take benzodiazepines for extreme trauma. Have been on them for 25 yrs. Clonazepam.
Yrs ago when I initially fell and hurt my back, I went to see pain Drs in NYC.
They had me on a concoction of pain meds. Oxycontin or Avinza or Fentanyl patch in conjunction with soma, & dilaudids, with the clonazepam. I never misused my rx's.
now with the big no opiates scare they don't want to.give to me and I'm usually in agony agony wish I was put out cold agony.

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Unfortunately, I am no longer living in nyc

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dreams999 | @dreams999 | Jun 20 11:31am
In reply to @dreams999 "My drs won't pres pain meds as I take benzodiazepines for extreme trauma. Have been on..." + (show)
@dreams999

My drs won't pres pain meds as I take benzodiazepines for extreme trauma. Have been on them for 25 yrs. Clonazepam.
Yrs ago when I initially fell and hurt my back, I went to see pain Drs in NYC.
They had me on a concoction of pain meds. Oxycontin or Avinza or Fentanyl patch in conjunction with soma, & dilaudids, with the clonazepam. I never misused my rx's.
now with the big no opiates scare they don't want to.give to me and I'm usually in agony agony wish I was put out cold agony.

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I am.seeing a new Dr at some point soon. My reg Dr here in idiotic Taos NJ won't pres pain meds with benzos.

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