TLIF surgery and recovery issues

@primrose don’t give up ! I’ve struggled from a failed lumbar surgery April 17, 2023 after being told at about 4 months to get a stimulator I and the physiatrist agreed something was wrong so after 3 more surgeons saying nothing was wrong and the physiatrist referring me to Mayo I found out in November I had a screw loose in my back but recommended leaving it alone and do a pain stimulator which I finally gave in and had the permanent one put in last week other than 2 incisions hurting about 95% of my pain is gone until I bent to far and possibly moved the lead wire. You might talk to the doctor about one of the ( band-aids) stimulators

As far as I know from the doctors there isn't anything that can be done.

Wow, I never thought about that. Thanks for the info. I see my dr on the 27 of this month. I will ask him about it. How did they find out it was a loose screw?

@primrose they done a CT ! When I got back from Mayo I contacted my surgeon and he said no it’s just a glare, so he’s knows something wrong and don’t want to own up to it in my opinion

Yes, once there is nerve damage, that's it. So sorry. Mine has never improved.

Hello! My name is Rick and I'm about six weeks post Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) surgery. I still have periods of fairly significant pain which I can manage pretty well with hydrocodone as needed. In the last couple weeks or so I've been experiencing tingling and itching in my foot. I was wondering if anyone else has and also how others felt at about the same time during their recovery. Pain level? Walking ability? Just general stuff. Ive researched probably too much and was curious about real life experience. I realize everyone is different and nothing is recoveries and outcomes are too. Wish I would've found this group sooner but better late than never. By the way I'm 66 years old for whatever that's worth. Thanks in advance! Rick

Does anyone know if constipation post Lumbar TLIF surgery is normal? This is day 5 that I haven't done #2 since the surgery. Is that too long?

I have gone 3-4 days without doing # 2, for example after a long flight (13 hours in addition to 8 hours). So not sure if what's happening now is "normal" for me, given my baseline.

The doc gave me Dulcolax Suppositoria about 3 hours ago but it's not doing anything. Not sure if I should be concerned?

I had spine surgery for L3-L4 stenosis in 2021. This was second back surgery ( herniated L5-S1 in 1992) both done by a Neurosurgeon. I stay away from Orthopedic surgeons to prevent metal screws, brackets and further damages from spinal fusion procedures.
The opioid pain meds caused extended constipation that was very painful in combination with the healing and nerve readjustment post-op. If taking opioids, I’d recommend stopping them if you can. That fixed me in addition to Ducolax and double bagging Smooth Move Senna tea.

My wife has had the same issue chronicaly due to using opiods for pain control. Whe she has a surgery it is worse. You don't want to go too long or you can get impacted which is bad.

She will take a max dose of ducalax everyday till it happens.

Also you may want to contct your surgeons office for their advice

Thank you for the replies. After the Dulcolax Supp and two Dulcolax pills, my bowel movements finally came back! Six days after the surgery.