Fairly pleased so far--results of fusion and disc surgery.

[peekawho]

Short hx:

Have 4 bulging discs, 2 of which have associated annular tears.  Over the past 14 months, have been through 2 PT places and 2 pain management doctors.  6 ESI's (epidural steroid injections), and 2 RFA's (radiofrequency ablations) of the L4-5 facets, and the SI joint area.  
And my friend Norco, of course.

All pretty much failed, some sooner than others.  I was uncooperative with taking enough Norco, mostly due to the fact I was working as an RN in the hospital during this time, and though the PM doc said it was ok...I felt it was not the best professional practice to take narcotics while on duty.  And since that was where I had most of the pain...I simply felt uncomfortable with it, and went out on disability a couple of times.

I had a L4-5 fusion and L5-S1 discectomy on July 13th.  I fought this for much of the past year, and when I was finally desperate enough to have it, I had to keep jumping through insurance hoops until they would agree to pay.  We chose to only work on the areas that are giving me the most symptomatology, and to evaluate at a later time if the other bulging discs need attention.  

It was rough going at first, and I got (and still continue to be) discouraged with the up and down recovery I've had.  Its crushing to feel good for a couple of days and then WHAM...something simple sets you right back.   Definately, definately, the sciatic pain is retreating.  Each time it rears its head, its getting less and less painful.  The lower back pain is still there, but it too is getting easier to deal with.  Muscle spasms continue to be a major, major problem.  They are unresponsible to muscle relaxants, and the only way I can deal is by laying down until it eases up.  
I continue to do PT, and of course I use my icepack religiously.  One BIG help has been swimming.  On days I have too much pain even to do that, I get the floaty noodles and drape myself over them and float lifelessly around the pool.  I have actually fallen asleep in the pool..hopefully I would wake up if I slipped off, eh??

So anyway.  That's what has happened with me, in case anyone is going through the same thing.  Its still not a closed chapter in my life--work in progress, pain to face still, and mentally getting back in the game to return to work on Oct 4th without using much Norco.

Hope this helps someone,
Peek

[adam_addy]

Hi peekawho, I will be brief cause I gotta do something right now, will return later.... try a TENS unit for the spasms....i think you can benefit a lot during flareups at work....at least using the TENS sparingly....otherwise tolerance ratchets up real fast....

it might be a good quick fix for now to help you get through.....also u need to have the discipline to stretch the spasming muscles both in am and pm....I know it is rough, and that the muscles never let up, but it will help.....also, do hyperextensions....standing up....just cross your arms across your chest staring at a mirror, and lower your chest a bit and then use your lower/middle back to stand up straight.....work up to 100 or so in a row by just doing as many as you can....dont bend over too much though, just a little at first.....you will feel your whole back tighten up,,,, and after a day or two, you will feel the spasms subside for periods of time because your spinal erectae will support your frame.....

will talk more later....buzz me if you have any q's

[Tuckamore]

Thanks for sharing.

I am sorry this is not the smooth recovery that you and everyone of us would hope to have. Let's hope that tomorrow will be the turning point and it will be a quick and uneventful recovery. We want no more set backs...no more bad days.

I'll be thinking of you and praying that your next post will be about a happy recovery! If that's not the case you can vent here any time.

Gentle ((HUGS))

Take Care,
~Tuck  

[JadedSweetheart]

Thank you for sharing this with us, Peek!  It always helps to hear about people's real experience with surgery and surgical procedures.  
I think I'm going to join the local gym for the pool.  You make it sound so therapeutic, lovely, and relaxing!

[CaoMoo]

should be feel better sorry

[CaoMoo]

I just had this done on my neck. I had to cut back on the physical therapy because it was cauing more harm than good at the time, but 6 months later it is the only surgery I have had that has healed well and does not cause me more pain than the problem it fixed.  I can turn my head without bone grinding bone, it is definatley a scary proceedure to contemplate but the results have been very good.

Hang in there, believe me the first few weeks are the worst. Hope you fell better soon

[Sarajmt]

Hat's off to you.  You are one brave and determined lady.  Best of luck with the rest of your recovery.

[peekawho]

I don't have a pool...I go to the gym and take up an entire lane with my shenanigans, until someone comes to yell at me for wasting a lane...hahah.

No, the PT people barely speak English.  I do the water aerobic exercises the intructor gives us.  There are a lot of ladies in the class with back problems, so she focuses on that.

[Jaybay]

Peek, I did the same exact thing with the swim noodles when I had cervical fusions back in 1994 and 1995.  Isn't the pain relief amazing when gravity is removed from the equation?  Of course, getting OUT of the pool isn't so great, but while I was in the water the pain was completely gone.  As far as I'm concerned, water therapy is the gold standard for physical therapy for anyone with a spine problem.  Has your PT given you any exercises to do while you're in the water?  You are so very blessed that you have a pool!  :-)