Can anyone advise of trying pain management to put fusion surgery off

@augal91 I'm checking in with you as by now, you should have had your surgery. I know you may be in a lot of pain and sleeping a lot, but when you feel well enough, if you can, please let everyone know how you are doing. You are probably still in the hospital and doing your best. It is a journey for sure.

To put surgery off, read dr.shubiner book on u tube. All pain people should read it or Dr David Hanscom book and talks on u tube.

Thank you so much for checking on me! I actually ended up in the ER Wednesday evening as the pain/cramps were constant and became unbearable. It took several hours to get under control. I was so thankful that surgery was only a few hours away and they finally admitted me.
The surgery took 5 hours and was absolutely necessary. The surgeon sat down with my family and again with me when I was fully awake and told us that there was extreme scar tissue that had encased the sciatica nerve and a large piece of bone broken off and had clamped down on that area completely impinging it. The area was cleaned out and a BMP graft was placed with screws.
I was very sore when I awoke but immediately noticed the cramping pain in leg was gone! There is still some tingling and numbness but due to all the trauma to that nerve this year, will need to give it time to heal and see where it lands. Therapy began the next day with sitting up then standing with a Walker, followed by walking…which felt better than I expected. I was fitted for a brace which I wear when I am not in bed or in the shower. Each day I felt stronger and more confidant and the last day I was able to get up with the Walker by myself and go to the bathroom and even go for a walk around the hospital floor. I was even able to walk a section with out the walker. I was discharged last night so had 4 nights total in the hospital following the surgery. My followup is in 2.5 weeks so until then I can lift nothing over 2 lbs and no twisting/bending/driving/etc.
I will follow all of the rules as I finally feel I am in the right path. I’m praying the leftover numbness/tingling in leg will dissipate but so thankful no more buttock or leg pain! It was taking not only a physical toll but a mental/emotional toll as well.
Today I am thankful
Today I am hopeful

@augal91 I'm so glad to hear your news! It sounds like you are doing a good job in your recovery and that everything is going well for you! I'm not sure what a BMP graft is. I can tell you nerves do take a very long time to heal, perhaps a year or more. I had a tingling nerve and cold sensitivity in my hand after a reaction to an epidural injection and it did take about a year and a half to resolve. I share your gratitude. This is very good news indeed! This validates all those things you were thinking about as you made the journey through this decision.

Blessings,
Jennifer

The complete loss of leg, hip, and buttock pain made my L4-L5 fusion totally worth it. At 3 weeks out, I am slowly walking a mile a day and am pain free except for the little pokes from the stitches. My surgeon did not prescribe a back brace; just warned to not bed sharply or deeply. Quality of life is so much higher. After 15 minutes or uphill walking I feel a fatigue-like ache in lower back. That’s it.

Do you have a good pain management doctor that could review with your surgeon, your past procedures and needs, current symptoms and your upcoming events? Might be able to make some recommendations to help you decide what to do…

I was finally able to get in to a neurosurgeon who ordered another MRI. It showed a 3rd herniation of L5S1 so was very clear fusion was necessary and I could no longer avoid it. We felt a complete confidence and peace with the Dr and surgery was last Thursday, Aug 3. I came home from the hospital Monday, Aug 7.
It was a 5 hour surpery and I had a lot of scar tissue plus a large piece of bone broken off that completely impinged the sciatic nerve. Once waking up I realized the stabbing/cramping pain was gone! I do still have some tingling and numbness in my left leg but that nerve has had such trauma I understand I need to give it time to settle. I’m wearing a back brace for 6-8 weeks and must do very little the next several weeks but am so thankful the pain I was dealing with is gone!
I am thankful!
I am hopeful!

Congratulations for your decision to do what was best for you with the right information!!!
Heal quickly-so happy for you!

A piece of advice once past rehab, do not discontinue your home exercise program they give you, ever! You will do a world of goodness staying in shape and watching your weight. Glad surgery was a positive result.