Failed fusion - intense pain

[paulkearns]

Around 3 years ago I had a spinal fusion operation  (L5 - I think) after an original injury when I was 14 (I am now 57) and a further injury that caused a massive displacement and severe limitations in lower limb co-ordination. The operation was from the front and the back and was supported by a couple of rods and screws. Initially it all seemed to go well until last year when there was an audible "twang" and subsequent MRI and CT scans have revealed a fracture in the fusion.
I am old now that there is not further operations they can do and all they can offer is pain relief. They told me that the facet from the original injury had healed almost "in reverse" and was "aimed" backwards.

Last week, I went for an "examination" (for benefits - as I can hardly walk any more) and the "doctor" lifted and twisted one of my legs. Since then the pain has been simply off the scale and gets unbearable at night. I already take Gabapentin (Neuropentin) - if I don't, my back muscles simply lock solid (I have tried not taking them), codine 30mg and diclofenic, which normally keep the pain bearable.

Since this examination, I have had further loss of motor function and sensation in my legs (there was a degree of this anyway) and the pain relief simply does not work any more. It truly is "off the scale" and comes (like toothache) in waves. Since then I have now found that, mainly in the evening, I simply cannot walk (my wife has to help me to the bathroom and I have simply collapsed a few times) and my right leg feels "cold" and numb (more than usual).

I really am at my wits end as to what to do. The specialists tell me there is nothing they can do (probably because the NHS wan't pay). My doctor has explained that the original facet is pressing on the nerves that control anything below my waist.

Sex simply causes pins and needles in both of my legs instead of the normal sensations (some are still there but orgasm is like having a pleasant dagger plunged into my groin) and, if I scratch the bottom of my left foot, my right thigh goes numb.

To me it seems that something has gone horribly wrong, I am in pain that I can't describe - it's almost like my "wiring" has gone wrong.

Has anyone any idea what the hell I should do to make life worth living again?

Paul

[paulkearns]

Thanks for your kind thoughts and posts.

Off tomorrow for a "facet injection" where they will inject the actual broken bits with all sorts of stuff to see if it will reduce the pain. 50/50 it will make it worse (as if that is possible) but, in some cases, it can bring relief - so it's worth a try in my book.

Luckily, tonight is one of my "good nights" and the pain has reduced somewhat. Last night was the worst it has ever been and the closest I have ever come to using my "emergency" morphine patches but found that 2 "stiff" gin & tonics worked somewhat - after which I didn't dare touch the morphine :)

I have had as many opinions as possible and my spinal surgeon is Danny Chan (rated no 3 in the world) and is opinion is that, if he did another operation, he would have to go another vertebrae up (he did tell me why but I can't recall why) and could cause more problems than it solves (incontinence and the like).

To me, it just shows how primitive major spinal surgery truly is. As Danny Chan said, the problem is that the nerves that they have to move and try to save are not neatly labelled so, until you wake from the operation, they really don't know if they have helped or made it worse.

My problem seems to be the original injury has "bent" one of the facets too close to the nerves that control my legs to be safely removed. and, when the second one broke (I fell off my boat and - yes, I had had a few drinks), it is now pressing on the nerves.

My pain relief is about as much as I can safely be given - just sometimes, it just is not enough. I could have more but then you end up simply sleeping your life away and I have far more important things I want to do than sleep.

Interestingly, for anyone taking Gabapentin (Neuropentin) I have discovered (by accident) that 2 mg of diazepam taken at the same time almost totally removes all the sleepy side effects (which can be severe) and keeps one far more alert and able to function normally.

Anyway, thanks for your kind words and I will (if I can) report back tomorrow and let you know just what a "facet injection" is like and if it does any good. It won't "solve" any problems with walking or the like but it just "may" help with the pain.

All the best and, again, thanks.

Paul

[squirtatious]

Oh hun *hugs* don't give up, u DON'T have to live like this!!!!! Get as many opinions from different specialists as u can. There has to be a surgical way to go in and repair ur broken and reversed healed fusion. Its ur quality of life...FIGHT!!!! Greatest blessings to u

[bigdonkey1]

Paul, sorry to hear all you are going thru. Back pain can be completely debilitating.
Not sure of what the health care system in the UK is like and if its the reason why the DR's will not do anything more. I have had 6 back surgeries, and mostly have found relief with every one. I just over do it later and end up needing more surgery.
I would consult a different DR and certainly a pain management Dr to find a better quality of life. given the right Dr you can gleen some semblance of life back.
Never take, "there is nothing more we can do" as an answer. let them live with your pain and see how easy the Dr is to say that!.
go see more Dr's for more opinions.