post spinal fusion surgery pain

[mishars]

I had spinal fusion on my L5 5 weeks ago, and i am now hurting now more then i ever did before surgery. My Doc said he had the surgery and was back to work in 2 weeks. At 2weeks for me i was hurting so bad i thought i had messed up my fusion. So i went to see my my doc and had an xray and was told it was fine. He gave me a RX and said it was my last one. So i have had nothing for pain since 3 weeks after surgery. Right after surgery in a drugged state I told him my leg hurts worse (I don't remember saying it) and his answer was " Then we shouldn't have done surgery"
I had no problem with my right leg priop to surgery, but now at 5 weeks i have to drag my leg, and it hurts unbelievably, i can't even lay on my right side. Sometimes it feels like ants are crawling under my skin. I can't sleep, 3 times now my leg hurt me so bad i got physically sick.
Also my Doc's nurse says pain is just a state of mind..........My pain is very REAL!!
Is this normal?
How long should i be on pain meds?
Thanks Dawn

[shane2006]

Be careful to walk as much as your body allows. After my L5-S1 surgery on 6/19/07 I was probably walking(or at least pacing) most of the day since sitting was my least comfortable position(and still is). I also have that "popping" & cracking at my lower back. I hoped it would diminish with the surgery but it hasn't seemed to. All of the Dr.'s I saw seemd to downplay any significance of the popping/cracking, but I really wonder about it's role in my condition. I was also told to avoid the steroids if possible as it will slow the healing process. It will reduce the pain in the short term however. Be very careful with every move during the daytime. There are so many movements in a day that any misstep could be a setback. I know, I've had a few. I really am in bad shape for the past 10 days since  my 5 year old ran into me from behind while I was walking & didn't see him coming. I hope the effects from that are temporary diminish. So far they haven't.

What type of fusion did you opt for on your L5-S1?

Can anyone tell me what medication they have had the best results for sleeping? Vicoden & Percocet only seem to numb or mellow me out. I had earlier success with Ambien, but I have had to take it 4 of the last 6 nights, and have only gotten 3-4 hours of sleep each time. Can't stand those long overnights wide awake, nor the long "foggy" days, like I'll have today. I have to work through this to support the family. I hope everyone sees improvement shortly/

[mdavid]

Thanks for your response.  I work with nurses who specialize in back surgeries, and they told me the same thing -- walk as much as possible -- listen to your body and don't over do it.  Apparently walking strengthens the core while increasing blood flow which helps healing.  Interestingly, the more I walk, the less popping -- which again may speak to the fact that my core is very weak and needs significant rehab.  I also know what you're talking about regarding the "many movements."  I've been careful there too; although, the thing that's hurt the most is the occasional and unpredictable sneeze or cough.  I had a posterior with instrumentation.  

I've had some sleep issues.  Interestingly, it seems I've only had problems at night when I've napped during the day.  Some of the daytime naps have been completely unavoidable, but I've found when I force myself to stay up, I sleep better at night.  Vicoden in the evening has also helped diminish any discomfort that may awaken me.  It's definitely a good day/bad day deal for me.  

Again, I appreciate your posting.  I too pray for everyone's recovery.  

[alinpain]

have any of you guys tried a natural substance called................MELATONIN
its what we all have in our body that puts us to sleep
babys have a lot thats why they sleep so much,but as you get older you produce less and less
hope this info helps those who are trying to get a good nights sleep.......let me know how anyone makes out
god bless all and you all are in my prayers

[don56]

i have had two surgerys in two years. was told x-ray looked good and pain meds were the reason i hurt. have more pain and other things are happening now but the dr. will not even return calls Dont really know whats next

[My2sweetangels]

L5-S1 Spinal Fushion on 8-31-07, week 3 of recovery.  Age 32, with 2 kids.
Before surgery, I had minor back pain, but severe right leg nerve pain, standing more than 5 minutes caused weakness and limping on top of sever pain. When I would lie down the pain would almost disappear. I was afraid to get up. I had been dealing with this pain for about 8 years, every doc. I went to told me it was muscle, (take drugs and rest) bull ****.  no one believed me that there was a real problem. 2 years ago it got real bad, and 6 months ago I almost needed a wheelchair. I told my doc. that she had to order a MRI. The next day she called me in and had me go to a surgeon in Boston MA. right away, We did 3 injections, with in 5 months and I had very little luck. As of this time my only med. has been Motrin. I did not like the feeling of pain killers. My Surgeon told me my only choice was a Fushion. With in 6 months of my MRI I was going in for surgery.

The pain I have now is unreal, the nerve pain in my leg is horrible, the front of my lower right leg, foot and big toe are untouchable. If a sheet passes over my leg I have to hold my breath to stop from screaming. I have thought about self amputation for my big toe. I thought the pain was bad before, well I was way wrong. I saw the surgeon yesterday, 9-17-07, he has ordered me a cat scan said better than MRI for checking the nerve, to see if a bolt is touching my nerve, if so I may need another surgery to fix it, he also is sending me to the pain doc, to see if there is something better for me. As we all know pain meds do nothing for the nerve, and my back does not really even bother me that much. (My med as of today are, methylprednisolone (steroid for 1 week for nerve), Neurontin for the nerve 300 mg 3X a day, Vicodin 750 1 tab every 4-6 hrs., of course a multi vitimin,  and I got ambien yesterday to help me sleep but I was afraid to take it. Maybe tonight. I only sleep about 3-4 hrs a night, my husband sleeps in the spare room because I toss and turn with little sleep alllllllll night. If I knew it was going to feel worse after surgery I may have choose the wheelchair.  When do I get my life back, I miss my daily routine.

[alinpain]

im so sorry to hear what your going through,hopefully it is the bolt or something they can fix,
you will be in my prayers
godbless...al