Anxiety/Depression after spinal fusion surgery

@solom174 - This can all be very frustrating and I found it helpful to understand that I was likely suffering from PTSD and to manage it. I only wish I had recognized the condition earlier.

I've come to appreciate what to expect - and not expect - from a surgeon. They are so tunnel-focused (and I'm thankful for that single-mindedness!) on the procedure itself - they aren't thinking much outside that particular box. In fact, I feel there was no central repository of things I wished I'd known ahead of time. no one helping me understand what I might experience, and no place I felt I could go to as a reference. The internet - I guess.

Bone growth related to new disks and implant devices can take as long as 9-12 months to resolve. I'm 10+ months from my last lumbar surgery and I feel close to 95% resolved...so, as expected.

Take the energy of your frustration and apply it to educating yourself about PTSD and how to best manage it. Let us know how that's going...

I have PTSD but for another more serious reason and the cause of it was found innocent and I've come to terms. I think any continued thinking about my surgery has a lot more to do with whether or not my degenerative disc disease which continues to worsen and at 70 is par for the course will affect the fusion. This is especially true because there have been falls because of seizures, and right-sided weakness because of TIAs over the last 20+ years and I still have pain in all parts of my back because of compression fractions and a full-fledged broken back at T8. It is medical doctors that get me through now. Thanks for your idea,

@1775house - You have a lot going on in your back! It can be frustrating to sort out the symptoms, ID the cause and effects, and develop a pain/treatment strategy.

Can I put on my cheerleader hat for a second? You're "just" 70? You have lots of years ahead of you that you want to be in a condition to enjoy as much as possible. I encourage you to keep digging and working with the docs to find relief - in whatever form.

Yes, it is scary to imagine degenerative disk disease slowly impacting your freedom of movement. But that disease is non-linear and it can unexpectedly level-off in terms of degradation. Focus on that.

Let me be a little "new age"...The power of positive thinking and positive visualization is an important part of your back management process. Rather than a focus on "this degenerative disk disease is going to get me" - the focus can transition to visualizing positive outcomes. Pick up a book on positive thinking - seriously, that can help.

I am having concerns and I haven’t had the lumbar surgery yet. My surgeon has warned that it’s a Very big deal, and seems reluctant to do it. He did an epidural 4 mos. ago that offered Some relief. Trouble is, I’ve have previous spinal surgeries, and had to learn to walk again at 40. I recognize nerve issues and don’t want to wait so long, I’m near death again. I’m late 60’s now, there’s not going to be a “good time” to do it. I joined this group to see what others experienced. @upstatephil I think you’re right. Doctors get focused on the logistics and don’t spell it out for patients, what to expect post surgery.

@4petesake - Good morning. I respect that your doc is describing lumbar work - especially multi-level work - as a Very big deal. It is and I don't believe I was as fully prepared for the long and sometimes arduous recovery phase. Setting your expectations correctly ahead of time might reduce some of your post-surgical apprehensions.

Some questions for you...Do you have surgery scheduled already? What is planned? What type of surgeon are you talking to? Why is he reluctant to do the lumbar work? Has he actually verbalized and articulated why he has some reluctance?

20 questions for first thing in the morning! Keeps you on your toes.

His hesitation is the pain of 2 cuts. I asked. He is a neurosurgeon who did my laminectomy in 2020 (C2 &T1). Surgery scheduling is in the works. Insurance and 2 surgeons schedules. Every day I chicken out-until I try to walk. I've had p/t (Nov/Dec) and it stirred more pain

My Neurosurgeon has talked about spinal fusion from the first appointment I had. Since that time I’ve gone to a different clinic and had an ablation, steroid shots, weeks of PT, and a nerve block. None of these have had any success. In fact my pain is worse now but I don’t blame those procedures on it, but I’m getting nowhere. Now another Doctor who is a friend of mine recommended a local chiropractor who specializes in spinal decompression using some sort of computerized medieval rack. He seemed to think that that therapy could help me immensely over time. He’s thinking an hour or so a week for about 15 weeks. I’m starting that procedure on 3/29 so I’ll let you know how it goes.

The only thing that four orthopedic doctors, PAs and therapists degree on, is that my entire lumbar region looks like an Atom bomb hit it. And they’re shocked that I never played football or jumped out of airplanes. I did have a bad motorcycle wreck about 50 years ago, but I can’t believe that that accident is just affecting me now.

Your all’s thoughts?

@4petesake - sounds like you're going down the pathway toward surgery. I completely get your statement about chickening out until you discover how painful walking is.

Might be your personal risk management scale has tipped to the side of "surgery is the best option"?

Let us know when/if you schedule the surgery!

@gsgnfl I wanted to weigh in on the timeline for injuries. If you got 50 years after a bad motorcycle accident before your spine became a problem, you're lucky. Forces during accidents that stress the spine can cause cracks in the outer fibrous layer of the discs. The inner layer is a jelly like substance called the nucleus. In my expedience, I had a whiplash and had a bulging disc for years. It took about 20 years for that to progress enough and weaken the disc enough that it herniated and collapsed by about 50% and started to grow bone spurs pressing into my spinal cord. With aging, the discs begin to dry out and shrink and that can open up cracks from a prior injury further weakening the disc. When my disc actually ruptured, I was turning my head while stretching my neck, and it took very little effort because it was weakened by trauma and time. That didn't hurt, but felt weird and I knew because my head suddenly turned further.

Jennifer

I have slightly different input in this thread: At age 76, I had L4-L5 TLIF fusion with rids and screws in July, 2018. My surgical team emphasized that in 2 weeks, my pain should be at Tylenol level and by 4 weeks I would be going out to dinner. No mention of emotional fallout. I had a blissfully easy post-op recovery; complete resolution of awful leg pain immediately after surgery (at first walk) and essentially full mobility and independence within days of surgery. A low backache. BUT, the emotional impact and the fatigue were significant. Fortunately, my naturopath warned me of both the teary periods and the flu-like fatigue and low energy. I had a massage therapist come to the house and my family members were warned that I would be depressed, anxious, and frustrated. I was too exhausted to watch movies but music was soothing and small attentions from family (tiny snacks since I lost my appetite), cards, kids drawings, various care packages (some of which I arranged in advance) were so helpful. I am surprised it is “only” 20% of patients who have this reaction. When it’s you, it’s 100%! Remember, most surgery patients have a months to years’ history of pain and dysfunction. The serious impact of major surgery is on top of that disabled condition. Add uncertainty, loss of personhood, and the passage through a big scary process and it makes sense that all of us have an emotional release. It passes. I have been fortunate to enjoy full recovery at 8 months but, boy, that post op depression and crazy-lady phase is real! Wishing you well!!