Thank you! I have explored many issues with doctors already. I have had a complete blood panel done which ruled out anemia and other possibilities. I am only light headed when walking....not sitting, standing or getting up. Have been on blood pressure meds for some time.... beginning well before my surgery....no problems previously. BP is controlled ( I monitor most days) Surgeon said it might be residual anesthesia effects but it has been 5 months. I drink 8 - 10 glasses of water per day. I am sorry for lack of info before! Thank anyone for insights.
Hello @teddybear44
As an anesthesia provider myself I have to say that anesthesia can have residual effects up to one year after your procedure…..there are many articles that discuss this, try Google scholar anesthesia residual effects.
Kim
Intervertebral spacers are part of spinal fusion surgery. The spacers typically contain bone seeds which facilitate the fusion of the vertebrae, along with the hardware involved to stabilize the vertebrae.
Hi- I hope this is the right place to post this. One year ago today I had spinal fusion surgery. The surgery itself was a success and the hardware is in the right place and healing. My problem is with nerve pain, at least that is what I am calling it. Prior to surgery I had sciatica and part of the surgery was to clear the spinal column to give the nerves time and space to regenerate.
One year later the pain continues. I have participated in physical therapy and aqua therapy but pain returns shortly after sessions. I have been released from both with advice to continue on my own.
My surgeon prescribed gabapentin and pregabalin because it helps some people with nerve pain. Did not work and only experienced some troubling side effects.
I saw a neurologist who did nerve conduction studies and found no permanent damage to the nerves.
I am now scheduled to see a specialist at the Johns Hopkins Blaustein Pain Center to see if there are additional treatments that might help.
Currently I walk with a cane, however I cannot walk for more than 5 minutes without having to find a place to sit down. I can’t stand without some kind of support for more than 5 minutes. I am still able to get around in terms of day to day activities but I get tired easily.
Some people on this site have had far more serious outcomes from surgery so I am not complaining. Just trying to find some way to increase my mobility and frame of mind. I feel like I am in a holding pattern right now and it is hard not to get depressed.
Thanks for listening and maybe someone out there can share some info that could be helpful.
Hi- I hope this is the right place to post this. One year ago today I had spinal fusion surgery. The surgery itself was a success and the hardware is in the right place and healing. My problem is with nerve pain, at least that is what I am calling it. Prior to surgery I had sciatica and part of the surgery was to clear the spinal column to give the nerves time and space to regenerate.
One year later the pain continues. I have participated in physical therapy and aqua therapy but pain returns shortly after sessions. I have been released from both with advice to continue on my own.
My surgeon prescribed gabapentin and pregabalin because it helps some people with nerve pain. Did not work and only experienced some troubling side effects.
I saw a neurologist who did nerve conduction studies and found no permanent damage to the nerves.
I am now scheduled to see a specialist at the Johns Hopkins Blaustein Pain Center to see if there are additional treatments that might help.
Currently I walk with a cane, however I cannot walk for more than 5 minutes without having to find a place to sit down. I can’t stand without some kind of support for more than 5 minutes. I am still able to get around in terms of day to day activities but I get tired easily.
Some people on this site have had far more serious outcomes from surgery so I am not complaining. Just trying to find some way to increase my mobility and frame of mind. I feel like I am in a holding pattern right now and it is hard not to get depressed.
Thanks for listening and maybe someone out there can share some info that could be helpful.
Hi. Best wishes on your journey, and thanks for sharing. I had lumbar spinal fusion L4-L5–S1 using ALIF procedure. This is after 20 years of lower back pain. I’m now 11 days post surgery, and I’m having periods of intense pain in the buttocks that keep me from sleeping. Last night I slept one hour. Tonight it’s 4:20 am (lol) and I had maybe 3 hours of sleep so far and my buttocks hurt so much.
Did you have any similar post op pain and loss of sleep and how long did it take before there episodes came to an end?
You also said your surgery was successful, but I don’t understand, as you’re describing so many issues a year later. How did the surgery actually help?
Thanks so much for sharing, and I’m hoping you had some pain relief and that things go well in the future.
Hi. Best wishes on your journey, and thanks for sharing. I had lumbar spinal fusion L4-L5–S1 using ALIF procedure. This is after 20 years of lower back pain. I’m now 11 days post surgery, and I’m having periods of intense pain in the buttocks that keep me from sleeping. Last night I slept one hour. Tonight it’s 4:20 am (lol) and I had maybe 3 hours of sleep so far and my buttocks hurt so much.
Did you have any similar post op pain and loss of sleep and how long did it take before there episodes came to an end?
You also said your surgery was successful, but I don’t understand, as you’re describing so many issues a year later. How did the surgery actually help?
Thanks so much for sharing, and I’m hoping you had some pain relief and that things go well in the future.
I had a vertiflex procedure on L4&L5 very different from a fusion the procedure did nothing for me that's why I'm considering getting a fusion best of luck with your recovery
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Hello @teddybear44
As an anesthesia provider myself I have to say that anesthesia can have residual effects up to one year after your procedure…..there are many articles that discuss this, try Google scholar anesthesia residual effects.
Kim
I was told to put spacers in my back . Has anyone had that done & how was the recovery.
Intervertebral spacers are part of spinal fusion surgery. The spacers typically contain bone seeds which facilitate the fusion of the vertebrae, along with the hardware involved to stabilize the vertebrae.
Hi- I hope this is the right place to post this. One year ago today I had spinal fusion surgery. The surgery itself was a success and the hardware is in the right place and healing. My problem is with nerve pain, at least that is what I am calling it. Prior to surgery I had sciatica and part of the surgery was to clear the spinal column to give the nerves time and space to regenerate.
One year later the pain continues. I have participated in physical therapy and aqua therapy but pain returns shortly after sessions. I have been released from both with advice to continue on my own.
My surgeon prescribed gabapentin and pregabalin because it helps some people with nerve pain. Did not work and only experienced some troubling side effects.
I saw a neurologist who did nerve conduction studies and found no permanent damage to the nerves.
I am now scheduled to see a specialist at the Johns Hopkins Blaustein Pain Center to see if there are additional treatments that might help.
Currently I walk with a cane, however I cannot walk for more than 5 minutes without having to find a place to sit down. I can’t stand without some kind of support for more than 5 minutes. I am still able to get around in terms of day to day activities but I get tired easily.
Some people on this site have had far more serious outcomes from surgery so I am not complaining. Just trying to find some way to increase my mobility and frame of mind. I feel like I am in a holding pattern right now and it is hard not to get depressed.
Thanks for listening and maybe someone out there can share some info that could be helpful.
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1 ReactionHi. Best wishes on your journey, and thanks for sharing. I had lumbar spinal fusion L4-L5–S1 using ALIF procedure. This is after 20 years of lower back pain. I’m now 11 days post surgery, and I’m having periods of intense pain in the buttocks that keep me from sleeping. Last night I slept one hour. Tonight it’s 4:20 am (lol) and I had maybe 3 hours of sleep so far and my buttocks hurt so much.
Did you have any similar post op pain and loss of sleep and how long did it take before there episodes came to an end?
You also said your surgery was successful, but I don’t understand, as you’re describing so many issues a year later. How did the surgery actually help?
Thanks so much for sharing, and I’m hoping you had some pain relief and that things go well in the future.
I had a vertiflex procedure on L4&L5 very different from a fusion the procedure did nothing for me that's why I'm considering getting a fusion best of luck with your recovery