Good evening @nellie52starr, nice to see you on Connect this evening. I am just wondering how you have been managing for 6 years . Was this a laminectomy? Was it in the lumbar region? What had you expected to happen....to be relieved of pain and discomfort? To have greater strength and mobility? In order to be able to respond from a base of knowledge, I will need a little more information so that I can introduce you to other members who may have walked down the very same road.

I have been fortunate to have had two spinal fusions....one lumbar and one cervical. Both have been life changers for me so I know it can be done.

I find it pretty amazing that you have been waiting for improvement all this time. There are ways to secure help and resources available especially from teaching hospitals and clinics like Mayo Clinic. Do you feel like you must stay with the same clinician?

Let's also get the test results out........are you ready for that by sharing them? What do they show you? Connect is all about learning by sharing. with other patients, And sometimes shouting encouragement helps to.

Do you live alone at this time or have help at home?

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

Hi Chris. I was injured at work in 2007. I worked as a CNA. My resident was sliding out of her shower chair because at the time, slings stated under them. She weighed 245 lbs an I got under her to prevent her shoulders from further damage. It took about 5 minutes for my hall partner to hear me. Then 4 people ( PT men included) to get her off safely. Thankfully she was uninjured and unmarked but I kept working thinking I was ok. The next day however, not so. L4 ,L5 were damaged but took months of the wrong PT to get an MRI. Now, more damage. I've had eblations, cauterized nerves L4L5 fusion more PT, steroid injections off the top of my head right now. I am in constant pain. I was recently diagnosed with rhumotiod arthritis and my rhumotologist isn't happy that no one diagnosed this before. I couldn't take ibuprofen, aleave or such products because I had a DVT and on warfarin for years. I'm back to getting injections in the SI, and around the fusion but I can feel something adjusting and it hurts like hell. My Left leg goes numb, pins and needles like and there are days I can't stand up straight to even make a sandwich. Yes I wanted the fusion to work. I loved my job. Now it's just pain and anxiety. I'm sure there's a lot more and I'm willing to share All of it to just be able to walk to the corner. Thank you.

My dr. Says I need the operation you had. Fusion L4 L5. Also a laminectomy. I had a hip replacement in September 2020 that went great. But found out I have bad arthritis in my back. I found physical therapy helped my back especially riding the stationary bike. If I do that I can tolerate the pain. I have to keep moving. I have spinal stenosis. I hope u too ou can find help to relieve your pain.