L2 – S1 spinal fusion pain questions

Posted by drxtract @drxtract, Dec 18, 2024

I am three months postop from my lumbar fusion. I can’t walk more than 10 steps without pain into my left buttocks. This pain will increase to the point that I need to sit down which stops the pain almost immediately. Wondering if you folks have experienced similarities and how are you doing today?

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lrpreston | @lrpreston | May 17 12:05pm

In reply to @twistedwillow "I don’t think I can help much but I think you are having astonishingly bad care...." + (show)

My surgeon has pretty much washed his hands of this (pain med wise) they are only allowed to give pain meds for 2 weeks after surgery then send you to your regular doctor for pain. The Neuro doctor ordered another MRI which showed swelling from S1 throughout my entire sacral area along with loose screws at S1 and L2 and fluid from L2 through L5 but they aren't worried about any of that. I started pool therapy and being in the water was amazing! My pain was so much better but as soon as I got out I was back to extreme pain. It's been 3 months since surgery and I'm definitely worse now than I was before surgery. I don't know if I can handle much more of this pain! I'm now on percocet 10mg for the pain but it only takes my pain from a 9/10 to a 7 or 8 out of 10. I cry just getting from my bed to the bathroom and back. I think my doctors are just tired of dealing with me by now. I haven't been able to go back to work and my boss isn't very nice about it either. I don't know what to do about this.

lrpreston | @lrpreston | May 17 12:09pm

I'm 3 months out and can't sit or walk or stand for any amount of time. I spend 99% of my time in bed with ice on my back. I've never been so miserable in my entire life!