hoping someone may have some suggestions...or experience with this issue

[lola99735]

Without going into my whole story, I will just stick to the issue at hand and I am hoping that some of you may have some imput or suggestions or may have experienced something similar themselves....I have has several lower lumbar surgeries with the last being a fusion at L4,L5S1 on January 5, 2009 I wore the TLSO for the recommended 3 months and am still using the bone growth stimulator 4 hrs a night since the surgery...When I went in for post op at the end of April my surgeon did an x-ray and said it wasn't as fused as he would like it to be but some people take a little longer and we wouldn't even know how successful the fusion is until a year after....A week later I finally went back to work which I started slow and I also started physical therapy 3 times a week which just ended about a week and a half ago I am doing everything the way I was taught in therapy and avoid certain types of bending and twisting but about a week ago I was getting out of the shower and slightly bent to dry my lower legs and felt a popping sensation and since then the only way I can describe what I feel is as though one of the screws is poking something inside and it is quite painful, also when I sit certain ways or for longer periods of time I get a horrible throbbing feeling in my right groin area....I called my surgeons office but the earliest time they can get me in is July 24th.....I am very worried about this new symptom especially since it is increasing my pain when it was finally starting to become tolerable...I am very scared something went wrong..has this happened to anyone else?? do you think its ok to wait that long to have it looked at??? I don't have any support at home at all concerning my pain and suffering so I would appreciate any input....Thank you so much everyone

[Tuckamore]

Hi Lola,

Have you talked to your surgeon's nurse? Sometimes by-passing the receptionist you can speed up an appointment date. Most physicians "save" times in their schedules for an urgent matter. My PCP has instructed me (and I do) to speak with her nurse and they have always been able to see me either on the day I call or the next day.

If you have tried that route with no success and your pain is unbearable a trip to ER is not out of line. They will (should) x-ray the area and can determine if the screws have moved.

Good luck to you. Please let us know how you are doing, Be cautious and don't over extend your limits. I'll look forward to your updates.

Take Care,
Tuck

[lola99735]

Yeah I did call back today, and unfortunately even though the surgeons are awesome their office staff is less than desirable most of the time.....I asked to speak to his Nurse who did call me back and she spoke to the office manager and got me an appt this Friday at 11:00...It is with a different spine surgeoun than the one that did my surgery but that's ok he can still do the x-ray and tell me if something is out of place..It was funny cause when I called the first time and explained what was going on and how much pain it was causing the girl at the front desk said "well we can up your pain medicine until you can get in" is she serious?? I don't need more medicine I need to know if everything is where it is supposed to be not mask the pain so I cause more damage, like I said his office staff is not that nice or that bright and I and several other patients have complained but it is a hospital staffed owned office so the surgeons don't have a say in who gets hired or fired but I complained to his Nurse who said she would pass it along to the manager....But it will probably fall on deaf ears but at least I'm trying....Thanks for your advice and input

[Tuckamore]

I am glad that the suggestion worked for you. Often ppl do not know that if they can by-pass that gate keeper and get to a nurse they will get faster results.

I am glad that you are seeing someone this Friday. Though he is not the same surgeon he can still check those screws. Sometimes a new set of eyes can make a difference.

I had to see my PCP (a D.O.) partner several years back when she was on vacation. He said I wasn't receiving enough pain relief and increased my dosage after manipulating my SIJ back into place. My PCP was fine with what he did and  was very grateful.

Best of luck to you. Please share with us how the appointment goes and what you find out. In the meantime, Take Care,
Tuck