I wonder if your doc would consider Gabapentin even though it is somewhat similar to Lyrica? Gabapentin allowed me enough relief to stop the Oxy after my lumbar fusions. Before I tried it, the nerve zaps had me in tears when all I wanted was to sleep. I was on 600 mgs 3x day.
I used ice packs on my back a lot in bed too. That would make me so cold, so I’d counter it with a heating pad on my stomach.
Have you tried any topical meds such as Icy Hot or Biofreeze on your legs and glute?
Sorry for the pain you are going through.

@kaceysmom - Good morning. I hope you had a better night? Your post-lumbar fusion issues are to be expected. I had multi-level lumbar fusion 15 months ago and I still have some residual thigh pain related to nerve "reawakening". I can certainly recall a period that was super painful as I was awakened many times a night with flashes of burning pain in my thigh. I didn't like the possible side effects of gabapentin and I just decided to soldier through the discomfort. In retrospect, I'm not sure that was the right decision.

First off - you are so "fresh" from surgery. I suggest not getting to concerned about how you feel now. It's early. Nerves do take a while to wake-up and regrow. For me, the wake-up period lasted several months and even today - I have some residual thigh numbness. But having that pain wake me up in the night is a distant memory. So have hope things will improve.

Secondly - What my experience was, may not be what your experience will be. I suggest you manage your expectations and picture a full recovery in your mind's eye. Use drugs to help manage the pain along the way and follow all doctor orders. Things will improve for you.

Wishing you the best.

Sorry, I still have a lot of pain and I had it done it 2013. As you get older you develope arthritis especially where all that hardware is.

@kaceysmom
Hi,

I had L3-L5 decompression and fusion with hardware on 8/2/2024 (invasive where they needed to cut through muscle). I am a 55 year old female. It was the most painful surgery I ever had but necessary due to congenital severe spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and neurogenic claudication. My quality of life was so poor.

I was on oxycodone, acetaminophen/Tylenol, meloxicam, senna laxative, and gabapentin post surgery. I came off the all of the medication after 10 days/2 weeks. I had to supplement with Metamucil for constipation.

I was in the hospital overnight and was sent home the next day (drainage reduced enough to take the drains out). The first few days were the worst but I am glad I prepared my home and planned to get help prior to surgery (I am a single parent of a teen son with no family). My ex-husband and son have been helping me with my dogs and cats and household chores.

I purchased a bed assist bar for my bed and it has been a life saver to help me roll or reposition myself in bed. I bought grabbers to reach things and pick things up from the floor, use lots of pillows and wedge to prop myself up or put between legs while lying on my side. I purchased something on Amazon to help me with wiping myself since I could not twist/reach, I have grab bars and a chair in my bathtub and used a walker/cane to walk and get around.

I am now about 20 days post op and walking much better without assistance but move slower. The first week was the hardest, the second week got a little better and the 3rd week much improved. I still take Tylenol or Advil as needed and use Salonpas lidocaine pain patches if I bend too much and my sides/back hurt (put it to the side/below my incision). I need to do stairs slowly up/down. Down is not as difficult as going up. I have shooting nerve pain in my back/buttocks and legs when I step up at times. I notice improvements every day and hopeful for much improvement over pre-surgery symptoms. It is noticeable to me that my pain, weakness and numbness of lower back/hips/buttocks/legs and feet post op is better as my surgical pain reduces. My understanding is my spinal cord and nerve roots/nerves that were compressed over 8-10 years will take some time to fully heal.

I can say I am glad I got the surgery and understand I may need more surgery in the future due to my congenital stenosis in cervical/lumbar spine (also had ACDF on C5-C6 in 2022), DDD, and Osteoarthritis. My hope is you feel more relief every day. Be really careful not to bend/twist or lift anything over 10 pounds. If you need to bend, support yourself by holding onto something as you bend/lean/pick something up.