Discogram more painful than fusion?

[real_army_wife]

Hi,
Two days ago, I had a discogram to test my 3 bad discs (lumbar). If you do not want to be scared before yours, stop reading now. I am the type that likes to over hype myself, so I know what I'm getting into. Let's put it this way- I've given birth to 4 kids. I've had gallstones. I've had my large toenail surgically removed without the lidocaine working. I researched this procedure, as well as know off hand, as my husband has had one. I was so "hyped", my BP was 188/115. Let's just say that the discogram was the WORST pain Ive ever felt. I sobbed, screamed, almost fell off the table, and said the "F word" at least a dozen times, something unusual for me. It turns out that L 3-4 is a grade 5 (the worst) and L4-5 and L5-S1 are grade 4. Rated all at 10/10 pain, but the grade 5 was a 50 out of 10. The Dr said its likely that a 3 level fusion is what's required, but my "real appt" isnt until the 25th to speak to the surgeon team, who are rated 6th in the US. My question is, will the recovery from the fusion be as bad as the discogram? How would you compare the recovery? The night of, I was still in excrutiating pain that dilaudid was not helping. Here is a little more back ground for those of you that can hopefully help!

In 99, at 19, I injured by back. 3 discs were bulging per the MRI. In the last year, it has gotten in tolerable. An MRI last year said I had have 3 herniated/torn discs, spinal stenosis, facet athropy, and SI joint issues. After numerous PT, injections, etc, I decided to go through with the discogram. My husband was wounded and disabled in Iraq, and went this road. I remember how painful his discogram was. Then his 2 level fusion had complications, leaving him in a wheel chair for 2 years, ultimately having to retire from the army at 30. Of course that had me against the fusion for a while. Then came this, and I cannot function without major meds, and a cane everyday. I have 4 children, and am only 32. They say a 3 level on a 32 year old is a terrible thing. But my surgeon said all 3 were too bad to salvage. They've initially said that they would go through my stomach (even though as a woman, Id rather not have a scar there. Would that make recovery easier or harder than through the back? Anyhow, please be honest. Even if it's bad. I'm also in a rush to have this done before school starts the end of August. Pushing it, I know.  Thanks for reading. Have a great day!

[Ginger077]

No, I wouldn't of done it looking back. Nobody wants to work on me and I've been told that there is nothing else I can do except going to pain management. I've been thru many alternative therapies and failed. I'm out of work permanently because of it and 4 yrs post surgery I'm no better then I was before surgery. I still have nerve damage in my leg. I hear it works for some people just wasn't the case for me.  My first disectomy made me feel 100% better the 2nd disectomy failed and do did the fusion, all done by the same doctor so I can't blame it on the doctor. Just really think about wether this is right for you or not. Once things are removed and fused it's permanent.

[real_army_wife]

Thank you both! I'm sorry to hear about your pain! Would you do it again if you had the chance? Boy this is such a hard decision! :( I'll pray that you both feel 100% better, ASAP! My husband is 3 years post 2 level fusion. It took about 2 years to get that way. But he still requires pain killers (narcotics) everyday. I thought it was because of his complications, but I guess not. Were you both able to get off of narcotics? Or too much pain still?

[squirtatious]

Ouch! I had a one level fusion at l5/s1, and I WON'T lie, was most painful experience to come back from. I have my kids without pain meds, I can handle a lot. This was unbearable hell for at least the first 3 months. I feeling so much better by my 9 month mark. Went back to work, and have been doing fine ever since. I had my surgery feb of 2010. I wish u the best!! *hugs*

[Ginger077]

I had an ALIF two level and it was worse than the discogram by far. Three days in the hospital and a blood clot scare. I'm still in chronic pain, the fusion didn't cure it like I was told.
Best of luck to you!