Post Fusion ongoing pain HELP!

[bigdonkey1]

I have had 5 surgeries on my poor aching back in 8 yrs. In 2007 I had 2 level fusion L3-L5. Anterior and posterior. It took about 4 months for me to be pain free, but after 3 months I felt well enough to go back to work, suffered a little but not like now. I had a great pain free 2 yrs, no pain, doing really well. But in 3/2009 I started having pain again. Turns out i injured the level above and after months of suffering the DR said another fusion. So, I had single level fusion on the joint above 6/11/09. I have laid around the house only walking and puttering about. My pain level has never really gone down to the point that I can go most days without any pain meds. Last friday I started work again. The day before I was almost in no pain. I made it the whole day with nothing until bed time. The pain in my leg had totally gone away right after the surgery. However, now it has reappeared. The pain in my back I hope will subside in time, it is mostly from the surgery, However, its tough.
Could this new leg pain just be from imflammation? My last check up with the DR was troubling. He was encouraged the joint looks like it is fusing. However, concerned about my pain level.  He said three level fusion patients that have no pain are a "minority". That ***** to hear that.
Anyone have this experience? Does this sound right?
I am hoping to return to a semblance of living without pain meds sometime.

[selmaS]

I wish I had the answers, but I do not.

I would look into meditation to inhance the meds u r already taking.......

"selma"

[bigdonkey1]

what about any pain relief methods? have you or know about any thing to do other than pain meds? I am so troubled that the leg pains are back. could that just be imflammation from increased activity? any ideas? My Dr said it looks ok, that I will never be pain free. I get that, but in terrible agony for the rest of my life? is this the end? I hate this ongoing never ending pain that now can not get tolerable even with the pain meds? they just are making me dopey and I am still in terrible pain.
Any ideas what I could do for pain relief instead of just popping pills?

[selmaS]

Well, the one thing I was told to do was read this book....it helps u align ur posture to help with pain.

I may have mentioned it b4 on an older post...but it is called the Fieldenkrais method.

U never know until u try.,......my DD believes in this method and I am going to give it a try ......my issues are that I am still having a hard time reading.....I would much rather someone show me how to do it instead of reading how......but that is me.

"selma"

[bigdonkey1]

Yes, I started only working 6 hours a day. However, it is still bad. I have had to be taking pain meds ealier and earlier in the day. the most troubling thing is that my leg pains are back. Almost immediately after the surgery my leg pains were gone. However, this past week my leg is acting up in earnest. Right where it was before. Not quite as severe, but with the rise in activity comes increase in pain. 1 to 1 or worse. I am so discouraged now. I don't know what to do. I am seeing a pain management DR next week to see if there is something I can do in the meantime.
Any help you may have to find pain relief in the meantime?

[selmaS]

Hi...sorry to see u r still having pain from ur fusion.

I see u r back to work......r u back part time?

"selma"

[bigdonkey1]

ANY BODY HELP?