Doing it again?

In 2009 I signed up for a fusion at L4. For some reason, the surgeon went beserk and did other things that I didn't consent to, nor require. As I am in the middle of litigation with this moron and the hospital, I guess that I canno't tell you guys too much about what happened, but, net result is that I take Ms-Contin (100mg x 2 per day), Lyrica (150mg x 2 per day), Endone (5mg x 3 maybe 3 times per day), Durogesic patch (100mg which I change every 3 days) and Mirtazapine. These are brands in Australia and I am not sure what they are called in other countries, but, they are painkillers, except the Mirtazapine which is supposed to keep me happy and not kill myself.

Prior to my surgeries (I've had 5 so far), I used to earn a six figure income (honestly, without having to lie or steal from others), scuba dived, motorbikes were a passion, travelling and diving in great locations and just having a great life.

Now, I sit in front of my TV most days.

I saw my surgeon who thinks that I need more surgery because "when you have a spinal fusion, the points above and below the fused area weaken and unfortunately, we have to extend the fusion." At the rate I am going, my whole spine will be fused. I had fusion surgery done in my neck twice now apart from the 3 on my lumber.

I am still in considerable pain despite my surgeries and I am wondering if having further surgery is worth the effort??

Is it safe to have your whole spine fused?

Hi Robbie

I had my back fused at L4 and L5 and it seems like that was the worse thing I ever did. Now I live with chronic pain and have little to no hope of getting rid of the pain. As you probably already know every surgery carries risk and creates more scar tissue. Which by the way is the problem docs here say I have and thus have chronic pain. I'm in Canada and I won't exactly say the docs here are the cream of the crop. I did have a Nero and Ortho surgeon do my fusion. The neurosurgeon moved out of country and the Ortho surgeon just says what he did looks good so to bad for me I guess he's saying. I wish you all the best and agree you should get as many opinions as possible before diving into yet another back surgery. Good luck, take care.

Stingray

Robbie

I am sorry you are having to go through all this. Yes, I'd agree with the others, if you are facing more surgery, you have to do lots of research, re both the procedure and the right doctor before you consent to anything. I guess what you have been told is exactly what happened to me! I had L4/L5 fusion in summer 2010. about six months following that, I began having excruciating pain in my buttock. After many tests and injections, it was decided I needed my sacro iliac joint fused. Before I had even had the op I began to have pains in the other buttock, same story there. So here I am, first SI joint fused in January, second one done twelve days ago. I am also having pain in my lower back, it's looking like a problem in the disc below the fused one. I was never told that spinal fusion could lead to so many other issues.

Total spinal fusion sounds scary, not something to be taken lightly. It's great that you have a good surgeon. Can you speak to him about your worries. That is important too. Sometimes too it's not just the surgery that matters, it's the physiotherapy afterwards and doing everything to give the surgery the best possible chance of working. Sounds to me you would do anything to get your life back.

All the best Robbie, I hope you find some solutions soon.

Jane