Recent L5-S1 fusion

I am so sorry the surgery failed. Such a huge thing to not have it work.
Are there any further options to be explored or are you left to suffer?

We are now exploring the spinal cord simulator. Have not tried it yet but they they are thinking that is the next plan of action. But other then that just pain meds.... one I found out I am allergic to... and of course it's the one that takes down the inflammation..... and then pregablin and flexmed. But they are not helping. They have given me a handicap statis since I have trouble walking very far and tend to be a bit wobbly and fall . I pray you are in a better state of body . 🙏

Yes I also agree on being afraid that I have broken something and that includes my other vertebrae since now I am anxious about adjacent segment disease befalling me. I do feel like my spine is now in sections above and below the fusion and this has added stress to my spine such that it is no longer normal and flexible as it was. This is too much spine stress and too little attention to that problem by the surgeon.

I had a spinal cord stimulator for a couple of years. Unfortunately it didn’t help me. However my next door neighbor had one too and he swore by it. So there is hope for your pain relief. Good luck to you.

Hi Maddiemae, I had a revision from prior fusion to L4-5 (removal of hardware) and a fusion of L5-S1, it will be 3 months October 24th. I was given a back brace in the hospital, which is a huge help for me. I was told to wear it whenever I wasn’t lying down for the first 6 weeks, then when standing/walking the 2nd six weeks. I’m to start PT the end of October, but only walking until then.
I did the journal as well, it was so helpful. The pain seems like it never gets easier, but when I read my journal I could see, oh yeah, I’m not having that now! This feels better, etc.
I am still in pain, and it does tend to take over my thoughts if I’m not careful! Try to walk, just short trips as many times as you’re able every day. Don’t be afraid to use your walker. If you can’t get down the stairs, walk in circles around the room! I was walking in circles on my patio for a couple weeks, until my endurance improved. I’m still resting when needed. But feeling better. Sending you the best in your recovery.

Thank you for your reply and I'm glad to hear of your steady improvement.

The diary is a good idea. I started mine a few days ago and it does help. The biggest improvement I've seen is a lessening of incision site pain. You remember, of course, how painful getting in and out of bed was.

I do wonder why I wasn't given a back brace after surgery. That certainly would have given me more confidence as I started moving around. You've probably read about my concern of pulling something out of place.

Congratulations on you 3 month mark on the 24th. That's a milestone.

Wishes for continued improvement.

This is such an emotionally stressful situation and I wonder, too, what
I've done to mess something up. Just so anxious for my follow-up.

I hope the best for you and that you can soon find out that things are okay.

Yes, that was a much more difficult surgery than I ever would have imagined.

I know people for which it has worked wonders and I don't know why it
didn't work for me. I have central pain syndrome and it manifests itself as
a horrible burning skin pain and at the time of the surgery the pain was
located in a band right above my waist on my back so the leads were
connected to address that. For at least 10 weeks after the surgery the pain
was severe. When I got past that I got random relief for a year or so and
then it stopped working completely. But as I said earlier I know people
who swear by them. And there is a "trial" during which you have a chance to
try it out to see if it works for you.

I'm sorry about all the meds you've taken and the problems you've had with
them. I was told that the stimulator was my last option to control my pain
and I guess that's true. The burning now covers my entire torso and is with
me most of the time.

If you decide on the stimulator I hope that it relieves your pain and let's
you get back the normalcy in your life that I know want.

Best wishes.

Ahhh - That's the spirit maddiemae! Yes - I cannot imagine adding hip surgery on top of your spinal work - but stay focused on how good things will be when all that's in your rear view mirror!!! You got this.

Thank you for your reply. I am told it's my last resort as well. But 😒 I have the burning pain and numbing stabbing sharp pains from my waiste to my toes on both sides all the time. I am not sure what my best way to go is. 😕