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Did anyone lose feeling leg after laminectomy surgery?

Spine Health | Last Active: Aug 13 11:15am | Replies (20)
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@kburt911

I had L1, L2 and .L3 done along with opening the hole where the stenosis was and the shaved down my tailbone. I did do PT after surgery. I did great for about 4 months until I put weight on my right leg it would shoot a pain up through my thigh. As time went I had thigh pain constantly. Like a burning hot knife being jammed into my leg. The surgeon did another MRI and saw my L4 and L5 became compressed. So we did surgery again. It did not help but was told that it takes time for nerves to calm down. Started PT but it hurt so bad that the therapist didn't want to keep doing it. My pain still continued and the surgeon went in again even though he said I shouldn't be having this severe pain. He then consulted with a pain specialist and determined I have degenerative arthritis which would explain the lower back pain. Both doctors determined that the pain has to be coming from a build up of scar tissue and as time goes by scar turns hard like bone and must pinched a nerve or two. The only way to correct it would be another surgery to repair.at the time I couldn't imagine doing another surgery so I opted for pain management to try and get relief. I had nerve blocks, ablation, epidurals and lastly a spinal stimulator implanted a few weeks ago. I haven't had any relief. I am 69 and not ready for a wheelchair which is what I have been in for the past several months. I live just outside the city of Chicago and have an appointment at Northwestern Hospital to see if anything can be done. Next month I am going to have an updated MRI and then see a neurosurgeon. I am tired of living on pain pills and nerve pills.

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Replies to "I had L1, L2 and .L3 done along with opening the hole where the stenosis was..."
dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Aug 10 7:25am

@kburt911
Have you seen a neurologist for EMG/nerve conduction studies/myelogram to narrow down which nerves are causing you problems?

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elizadolittle | @elizadolittle | Aug 11 11:19am

I didn't have a lot of problems with my right leg before my operation. My chiropractor used to stretch my right leg. That helped a lot. I had my operation about 1 1/2 years ago. It's only recently that I have been experiencing problems with my right leg. Pulling, tiredness, etc.
I finally went to my family doctor last week and whined and sniffled about pain. There have been times that I would take two Tylenol every four hours. Then the pain would disappear, and I could work all night if I wanted to. Then it would be back the next day.

Before my operation I was taking two Tramadol and 2 Gabapentin four times a day. I was determined to get off the opioids. The doctors recommended Advil. They didn't warn me about taking it longer than 3 days at a time. My blood pressure went sky high. One doctor determined that I had a minor heart attack. The cardiologist said he doesn't consider it a heart attack until there is damage. Fortunately, there was none.

My family doctor ordered a new pain killer that is one step up from Tylenol with Tramadol in it. i was reluctant to take it. I finally did. I only took one pill even though the directions say take one or two. I am pleased to say, it's working! And I don't seem to need to take it every day. It's early days.

You are lucky that your doctor warned you that it takes time for the nerves to settle down. I wish someone had warned me and gave me better advice on pain control.

Everyone is different. My acupuncturist didn't have any of the lingering pain after her operation. She and my chiropractor trade monthly treatments!

Pain makes you desperate. My family doctor did not recommend PT for me after the operation. You may be doing what i did--trying to hard to get back to normal. Observe your body to see what works. Walking is one of the best exercises. If you don't have a dog. Get one. I have a "rescue." They are the best! They seem to know that you have saved them. You can take a mutt or if you want a specific breed, there are rescue organizations that specializes in certain breeds. I wanted a Bichon Frise because my last rescue was one. I ended up with a Bichon Frise/Poodle cross and a Shih Tzu. They came together. If I wanted one, I had to take the other. I took both. It was a great decision. I found them on Kijiji of all places! Good luck.

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