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Multi level lumbar fusion
I am 71 and never had spinal issues that I was aware of until 2020. I had a laminectomy L-3,4,5 in 2020. Recovery went well,and I was back to very active after a few months. In 2025 it was discovered that My lumbar spine was destabilized. After jumping through all of the insurance requirements again, PT, injection , I was approved for fusion. PT, and pain management who did my injection acknowledged that I needed fusion. It didn’t take me more than a few weeks to be able to do a lot, following the rules of no bending, lifting or twisting, and I actually didn’t need more than Tylenol after being released from the hospital after 4 days, so I opted not to take the opioids prescribed. I do not like feeling spacey and nauseous which is what opioids do to me. I have never taken any for more than a few days after any surgery, not just this one. I am not super human, I just prefer not to use opioids if I don’t have to. I don’t judge others who do need them.
I was doing great at my 6 month visit, until cold weather came. I had no idea that this was considered normal. This is my first winter with a fusion. Now Tylenol is really not relieving these sore muscles or the remaining arthritis and spondylosis. I am doing everything I know how to do. Exercise is so limited, now except the basic glute, ab strengthening PT that I do. I have eliminated any inflammatory foods, take anti inflammatory supplements etc. I know this is long, I apologize. I just really am strongly against taking any pharmaceuticals that do more harm than good. That’s just my personal choice. So I guess I just would like to hear of what others do. I am not regretting the fusion at all. I didn’t really have much choice if I wanted to function normally. I just wasn’t expecting at all this reaction to cold weather. Moving to a warmer State isn’t an option right now.
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I would always try Gokhale Primal Posture method before going to surgical intervention.
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2 ReactionsThanks. But for me, I have already had surgery.
Hello. I am fused L4 to S1. Like you, I had laminectomies prior to the fusion. Once I lost muscle strength and control of my foot it was necessary to move on to a fusion. So I get what you are saying with your surgery necessity as well.
Are you feeling any nerve pain post fusion, like sciatica, or is it more localized to low back pain? I know I stiffen up after not moving during the night, so I start off by laying on my heating pad for 15 minutes or so. If it’s more severe pain from lots of activity the day before I’ll use an ice pack on back. To make the cold pack more tolerable, I’ll often use the heating pad across my abdomen at the same. Daily stretching is super important also.
I cannot say that the cold weather has directly impacted my pain or maybe I just haven’t correlated the two. I have heard that there is a type of arthritis cream that can be used on lower back but am not in the medical field so double check me on that. I’ve more often used an Icy Hot type of roll-on ointment or there are some hemp creams you could try.
I understand your dislike of the side effects of many pain meds. Anti-inflammatory meds mess with my gut so I cannot use those very often. But when I am in desperate need I take naproxen.
Nerve pain does affect me so I’m on gabapentin at night. You may not like gabapentin because it can cause drowsiness or dizziness for some. But I’ve been able to lower my usage so much after getting a spinal cord stimulator implanted in my spine. You don’t seem to be at that point at all but it’s something to be aware of. It’s a big surgery too though.
Best of health to you.
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2 ReactionsThanks, It seems to be mostly muscular, not that electrical pain that shoots out of nowhere. More like sudden stabs that are immobilizing. It is also arthritis which reacts to cold. I was told not to take NSAIDS, only Tylenol. I don’t think I am at the place where I would ever agree to Gabapentin. I thank you for your advice. I do appreciate it.