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Fusion S1-L5 ?

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Posted 5/21/2014 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
I am a healthy 42 year old woman. I have already two months ago had my L4-L3,L3-L2 fussed which the surgery took almost seven hours ( there was some other "stuff" done )
Now the surgeon, whom I have a great relationship with, is letting me know that the S1-L2 is completely collapsed. I still have moderate to severe pain in my leg and buttocks and hip area. He is leaving it up to me wether I should have the surgery. He said his recommendation is 50/50 wether he should do it or not ??? However in the future he does show me needing it to be done ... So my question is should I just do it now and get it over with ? I am still on medication and hate taking them and would love to get off of them after all this is over and hopefully don't have to take them again. Would love someone's input. Thank you .
Ps : I am new to this forum so go easy on me ☺️
Posted 5/21/2014 6:09 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW. First your still very much in recovery of the first fusion and we see more failed fusions in folks who don't go slowly post-op and push too hard not giving their body time to heal. Its just not worth the risk.

Doing a second fusion on the heels of the first isn't wise simply because the therapy for one is going to be at the far end of the spectrum of the other and could be detrimental to the healing of the other. Its just too soon to risk in my opinion.

I would wait at least 6 months before considering the second one.

Good luck with your fusion.
Posted 5/21/2014 6:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Holland1 and Welcome to Healing We'll Chronic Pain forum! Boy you have quite a decision to make! A very difficult one with no real right or wrong answer! Actually in my opinion it really is a crap shoot! It is possible that if you have the surgery you might get total relief and be able to get off your pain med. I personally don't think that is very likely to happen! But it is possible! My take on it is, without the surgery will your condition get worse? And how much worse? Could you develops paralysis without having the surgery?? Would having this surgery prevent this from getting worse? It is difficult!!!

Allot of people are more wary of surgery than I am. I have had pretty good luck with my surgeries, but most of mine have been in the cervical spine, which is easier for the surgeon to operate on, and of course worsening problems in the cervical spine can result in catastrophic results so the decision was allot easier for me? Right now I have bad disc at L5 that needs removed and fused I have and continue to put it off and in fact right now I am awaiting for my surgery date to get an implanted pain pump to help control my my thoracic and lumbar pain!

I would suggest you find out as much information as you can about your condition, and all the pros and con's and then do your best to make your decision! But know either way there is no guarantees! If I was in your shoes???........well from my personal experience I just might lean toward having the surgery! But I am not, and I don't envy you having to make this decision. But do know it is your decision, not ours and I am , as I am sure the rest of us here on this forum are here to support each other! So you have my support what ever decision you make! I do wish you well and hope that what ever you deside to do it works out well for you!

White Beard

PS I agree with Vickie what ever you decide you need to wait till you are sufficiently healed before going ahead!
Posted 5/22/2014 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much your replies Vicki and White Beard I really appreciate you both taking the time.

I have had back/leg pain since I was a child mine is due to a traumatic birth. I got stuck in my mothers birth canal and came out feet first. They pulled me out not too "gracefully". I have had pain my whole life and was told at 17 that I would wheel chair bound by 21 however I became a top athlete despite the pain and was able to have three babies and was able to walk upright.

I have had probably 30 plus epidural blocks .. I stopped counting. I have had the little " trims " where the nerves were being impinged upon. This last surgery honestly I guess I never took it that serious because I never took my "condition" serious I smile through it and toughen up through it !! It is scaring me to read all of this ... Maybe I need to be scared and not take it lightly ??

I feel really good though ... I am walking upright since my last surgery and feel ok ... The only reason they couldn't do it all is the surgery would be too long .

To answer your question. The surgeon said "it is not a matter of if , it is a matter of when" so for me I think I am on the meds now I only want to kick them once. So why not now ? Also I have someone to help me. I also have a son who is 17 with autism who trust this person. I have the finances lined up as well.

I am very scared because I feel "ok" but that might be the meds.
Thank you again for all that you do !! So happy to have found you !! Have a wonderful day :)

I have made some paragraphs in your post to make it easier to read. Some of our members have tracking problems when reading. Thanks.

Post Edited By Moderator (straydog) : 5/22/2014 10:20:23 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/22/2014 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Holland & welcome to the forum. So sorry to read what you have going on with your health.

I too think it would be wise to allow more healing to take place & not rush into another surgery until more healing takes place. No one likes surgery but many times there is really no other choice if the person wants to be able to live a decent life. Not every surgery is a failure even though you do have problems in an area.

It sounds very much like you have your ducks lined up & will be ready if this is the avenue you take. Try not to read too many horror stories it will only upset you more. Talk to your dr & let him know your concerns.

Good luck & keep us posted on how you are doing.
Posted 5/22/2014 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Holland!….and Welcome!

I too have had the lumbar fusion surgery, and did not fair too well. I'm still in pain, but keeping it fairly at bay with meds. Now…another fusion right on the heels of the last one?…..not for me! I agree, and would wait to make sure the healing is well on its way….and I mean by several months or so. You must be one touch cookie to even entertain it! smilewinkgrin

Please consider staying here with us and making the chronic pain forum your home for support. wink

I wish you the very best, and hope your healing leads to a pain free recovery in the end.

Again Enjoy the forum!

SE
Posted 5/23/2014 8:33 AM (GMT 0)
I've had what I'm choosing to believe is a successful surgery of L1-L5 (compression, fusions, cages, laminectomies, bone and marrow grafting). That's a lot of work to be done at one go.

The healing is a bear and I must agree with the others, I would wait until this has had more time to heal. Recovery is tough enough without adding this trauma immediately afterwards.

For me it was the same thing,....not "if" but "when," so I understand. My personal thoughts are to utilize all your skills, your PT, your recovery time, meds to stay comfortable, heal but do NOT rush it....and wait for a re-evaluation six months post-op to assess your sacral region.

Take it from someone who knows....if you push things, you could end up quite worse.








M.
Posted 5/24/2014 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Was there any mention of an artificial disc replacement?
Posted 6/1/2014 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
Would you consider a 2nd opinion just to see what another dr says OR are you very pleased with your surgeon and totally trust him? I'm 6 months out from cervical fusion and think I might just collapse if someone said I had to have another surgery. But you sound nothing like me, much calmer and more reasonable about it all, so I'm eager to read what decision you make. This is such a great place for support!
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