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Posted 6/25/2012 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hello All, I have not been around for some time, although I have taken a look at posts every now and then.
I hope everyone is hanging in there. There sure are alot of new people, and some people still around that really helped me thru some tough stuff.

As some already know, I have had two fusions over the past couple of years. S1 L5 L4 L5 . I really was not symptom free from the first fusion, but I thought the second one did the trick. The surgery was back in December, and since then have been able to get back into physical and mental shape. I lost 60 lbs, by eating well, and getting into a great workout schedule.

BUT..... over the past several months my pain has returned. (different pain than in the past)
Back pain, hip pain, and severe leg pain. My legs are worse at night. The pain start with my feet, and shoots thru both my legs.hard to explain the pain. When I walk, the pain comes out of nowhere and i litterally cant catch my breath. As a result my mental shape has not been so great. I of course went to Dr, who ordered a mylogram. (of course I got spinal headache and had to have blood patch) It seems as if the nightmare is starting over. My previous surgeon is a orthopedic surgeon, my GP has suggested I go to a neurosurgeon. The MRI did show disc buldge, foraminal stenosis, severe disc height loss endplate osteophytes and thickening of flavum, flattening of ventral thecal sac. . at L3 L4. ...bunch of mumbo jumbo.....I pulled up my old MRI and non of the above has been mentioned before....at that level or the ones I had a fusion.

Any way....Just needed to vent to someone that understands. Trying to keep my spriits up, keep working out and egnoring the pain.

Thanks for listeing.
Posted 6/25/2012 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hydrangea oh yes, I do remember you and often wondered how you fared with the 2nd surgery. I am so sorry to read the above and just feel so bad for you. It sounds very much like you have nerve pain going on with what you are describing with your feet and legs. Narcotics do not have much effect on nerve pain. Perhaps one of your drs can give you a script for one of the meds used for this type of pain. Congrats on the weight loss, thats awesome.

I am very glad to see your GP recommends a neurosurgeon, do you have an appt set up yet? I sure hope the drs can get this all sorted out and get you feeling better. Take care....Susie
Posted 6/25/2012 7:12 PM (GMT 0)

          Well!...there is a member I have not heard from in a very long time! tongue

       Hello Hydrangea! I too!...am sorry you are struggling. I'm doig the same thing as well...pain 24/7 shakehead

   It's good to hear from you, and let us know what happens next for you, and check in a little more often if you can please.

   Take care,

     SE wink

Posted 6/25/2012 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
you described my post-fusion pain exactly. i to had a first surgery although a laminectomy and was in pain bad a year later. then six years later i had a L4-S1 posterior fusion with instrumentation that i though was tremendous, i had a great neurosurgeon who has 35 years exp and seen everything. when i came out of anesthesia i had something new; i could not see my foot and i had the compression stocking for clot prevention; i did not think much of it at the time, i thought it was too tight a stocking on my right foot and leg up to outside of thigh i had pins and needles and shooting neuropathy pain in the right foot that was intermitent but severe. when i saw him post-op i asked about it and he very casually knodded his head and said yep that happens. i did not expect that response, apparently when performing a fusion if the cord has to be moved to access the disc from the rear nerve brusing/trauma may happen and before surgery i had left leg sciatica bad for 5 years, right after fusion left sciatica cured but had right foot neuropathy still to today. i found 1200mg Gabapentin and 25-50mg of Elavil work best for me. i took 2 years to even get close to a good effect from various meds. you also have 2 surgeries of scar tissue or tissue granulation that is hard to do anything about. exercising scar tissue where you think a muscle is or was hurts. anyway, i wish you the best of luck finding a pain free lifestyle.
Posted 6/26/2012 6:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hydrangea,

I am sorry that you are still having pain after your surgery. That happens to some for many types of surgeries.

I admire you for losing weight and getting back into working out. Good job! You should be proud of yourself for taking those steps toward healthy eating and activity!

I hope that things get better soon, and I am praying for you!
Mindy
Posted 7/2/2012 12:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the responses!!!
Went to see neurosurgeon on Friday. He is sending me for a EMG this week.
Said does not see anything that would make him jump into surgery :)
He said that there sure is a lot going on, not sure what is causing the pain for sure. The EMG will tell him what nerves are effected. Just taking it day to day!!!
Hope everyone is well!!
Posted 7/28/2013 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Im new and have a question about nucynta I have been taking 50 mgs of them 4 times a day. Im wondering if this causes a rise in your heart rate and poss effect my breathing. I have been on them a few months ago this jus started happening. I went to er recently thinking I was having a asthma atttack. I was hyperventilating. This again has happened but at the drs. yesterday it felt like I ran a 20 mile marathon it was beating so fast, I was actually afraid of doing as much as getting in the car thinking the walking would raise it more. I am now afraid to take them. I have asthma & copd. has this happened to anyone else??
Posted 7/29/2013 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Old post.

New member reposted question.
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