Spinal Fusion: Afterward & Meds Question

[falcontracker]

I'm having spinal fusion next week for the area from L3 to L4. {64 years old and in good health otherwise}
I certainly didn't want to have surgery, but after a really bad fall about 9 months ago, I have no choice but to do something; right now I can still do things around the house (mow the yard, etc...), but I really pay for it if I do any type of heavy work, such as lifting, shoveling, and most other types of yard work that require bending and effort.
But then again, my back hurts from mild to severe every day anyway.
My question is this: I was sent a short video by the hospital where the surgery will take place, and the video begins by
talking about one's back pain and all the things most people try before they find it's something serious (PT, exercise, losing weight, acupuncture...), In other words, besides telling me how the surgery was done, the video, in my opinion, started with the premise that the relief of the back pain was paramount with patients with back problems.
Then, at the end of the video, one is told the major effects of the surgery, possible problems, and how it normally affects most people. The ONE thing I didn't understand was the statement that this procedure might only minimally reduce pain; they used something like if pain were rated at an 8 before, one might expect a 5, or even 6 afterward (this is after complete recovery). The pain is one of the major reasons I'm having this surgery done; I realize that a pain scale may not necessarily be linear (possibly a 5 is 4 times less pain ??), but still, I'd surely hope for a lot more improvement that those figures.
One other question I have: is there ANYTHING besides Vicoden that is prescribed for pain ? I really don't like taking it, as it doesn't seem to work that well, and it often upsets my stomach. I understand if one takes another drug, it can only be taken so long anyway also before it a tolerance is built up to it; unfortunately, that's one problem that I have, and many doctors don't understand it, is that I have a high tolerance for almost any drug I can think of. I do not want to have to live on drugs, but they are a necessity at this time. Is Tylox, or other strong drugs every prescribed for short periods of time ? Surely something else has to work better than Vicoden !
I'd appreciate any input from those who have had similar surgery, or anyone knowledgeable in this field.
Please ask any questions if I've left anything out, or some input is needed. Thank you.

[cleaninitup]

Hi Falcon- I had a pinal fusion L4 L5 S1 done in jan of '09 due to disc degeneration and basically no disc left in those areas. To say I am totally pain free I would be lying but I can say I am 80% better then i was.I still caant sit for long periods of time or like today gardening for long times, have to get up nd move around abit. Unfortunatley I ended up taking vicodin for 2 1/2 yrs after the surgery because I become physically and mentally adicted to it.You can usually find me on the subtance abuse pages. Well I can say i would do it agin if I had to , I am able to feel most of my feet now and alot of the nerve damage has been repairing itself slowly.I now need to get the other 20% back by now getting back into shape and taking better care of my back. Besides vicodin there are lots of pain meds out there that are stronger-there are hydromorphines and dilodid. Definatly ask doc about that. I was also prescribed valium( it works good on muscle spasms) and also took aleve for the inflammation. I hope this helped in some-i have my fusion xrays on my profile page-they are pretty cool . Heather

[bigsissie]

I didn't have a fusion. I had a disectomy. I don't think it matters what type of surgery you have there will always be pain. Surgery just removes the possibility of permanent nerve damage. Once your back is injured it makes a domino effect making the disk around the area weak ect. Things like physical therapy, acupuncture, and ibuprofen help. I actually take black cherry extract for my arthritis and it helps more than any otc or prescription I have ever taken.   As for the pain meds nothing really helps nerve pain. I take dilaudid and it only takes the edge off the pain. I hope your surgery goes well and you recover quickly.

Best wishes, Sissie

[falcontracker]

Thanks for the comments; my last part of the post my have looked as though I were on something stronger than Vicoden :) ! 'Just got in a hurry.....
I do appreciate your comments, and would state that if my statements were not that clear towards the end, exactly what I meant regarding medication is that I just seem to have an abnormally high tolerance for medications; even going to the dentist and being put under nitrous, they've even put on my chart that "patient prefers maximum legal limit and tolerates it well). I realize that's getting off the point a little, and many people may just think one's a 'druggie' or whatever, but honestly, aspirin has always worked best for me for anything other than major pain like that I'm now having. I am not trying to get drugs, believe me, that's the farthest thing from my mind right now with the pain I'm in and the thought (dread) of surgery next week.
With that out of the way, again, I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who's had this type of surgery and what the recovery was like, what the pain was ultimately like once you were completely healed, and anything else that might be helpful.
As stated, I'll admit, I'm scared. The worst thing I've ever had before now was a broken leg.
Thanks.

[BALLARD01]

My mother just recently had surgery on C4-C7.  Needless to say this is in a different area, which is in the neck.  She had her surgery in December of 2010.  She is still out of work.  Continues to go to PT every other day and continues to take pain medication.  She stays on a heating pad and switches from heat to ice alternating days sometimes hours in-between.  Most neurosurgeon's will tell you that the surgeries may and most likely will not give you 100% pain relief, but will reduce the amount of pain you have.  As for the meds...There is plenty stronger pain meds (knowing I work for a MD) out there than plain ol' Vicodin.  Which is just Hydrocodone.  Percocet (which is Oxycodone) is usually the next step up and then so forth.  I would discuss this with your neurosurgeon before surgery, as far as what meds you will be sent home with post surgery.  Hope this helps some.