4 back surgeries with in 6 years and maybe one more coming

[pengwyn]

I've already had a fusion T7-T10 with a rod and 3 screws, L4-S1 fusion with 2 rods and 6 screws and a screw and a plate from the front holding the vetabra from shiftting forward more. And then a infection in one of the incisions and they had to recut me open and clean everything out. I had the screws and rods removed from the L4-S1 fusion.  Now I'm having alot of trouble with my SI joint, alot of pain and I have had many injections with no results and now I am going to have more MRI's and Ct scans to find out what to do next with this.  I've tried to find information about a fusion for the SI joint. I'm having alot of trouble with pain control.  I can hardly do any thing with out causeing more pain, I spend most of my time in bed.  Most of the things i enjoyed doing before I no longer can!

[kcore]

pengwyn, wow you have been through so much. i remember that there was lady that i used to live next to. her name was betty. she was the coolest person. but she had back surgeries fail, and was not in the best of shape, she took soma that did pretty good. i know now what she went through.  i was wondering if you have considered having an artificial disc impant ?

[joemil]

Hi, My back has resulted from a few serious car accidents I had when I was a teenager and years of lifting in the route delivery business. Anyway I was on 50 mcg of fentanyl patch every 48 hours plus my other meds and it stopped working after the first 24 hours. Also the patch made it difficult to shower and whatnot. My pain management doctor told me about the medication Opana ER. It does help more with the pain and I take it twice a day. Look it up. It is a very strong pain medication. It comes in 10, 20, and 40 mgs. God Bless You!!!

[pengwyn]

I also have DDD, and arthritis and every thing else hunch back because of the curve in my back this was no a work comp. or a accident i was born with this and it was never found as a child.  I have 2 son's and they both have problems with back also.  my oldest was only 19 and had surgery, buldging disc.  
where did you hear about the new medication?  My Dr. is very reluctant to even give me vicodine.  My pain level most of the time is about a 7-9 and jumps from there to 10+
ER visits they give me morphine and that helps some but I can't do that every day even though my pain level is so high that i need some thing more than i have.  My prayers every night and day is that no one would ever have to go through this kind of pain and the can fix my back but that will not happen but I wish no person out there would never have pain.
pengwyn

[joemil]

Hello. Sorry to hear about your situations. I too am in constant pain with no end in site. I had fusion surgery 1 year ago and there has been no fusion at all. I also have bulging discs with one going into my nerve. I lost a very high paying job and had to file for disability. The doctors say that there is nothing more they can due other than manage my pain. I have been on just about everything for pain including the fentanyl patches. What is helping me somewhat now is a new medication called Opana ER 40 mg every 12 hours. It is a long acting dilaudid just approved. I still take vicodin for breakthrough. Soma, Neurontin for the nerve pain. Klonopin and Celexa for depression. With faith, family and the med combo it gets me by but as you know it is one day at a time. Check out the Opana ER. God Bless you .

[pengwyn]

well right know I'm taking vicodin and ultram and flexeril.  and yes with not much relief.  yesterday i just had a ct scan for the si joint and i will find out if the doc will do any thing other than just the injection that don't help.  
I hate to have another surgery but I can't handle the pain any more!  I spend 50 % of my day time hours flat in bed plus my night time hours.  I'm only 43 yrs old but i have day's that i fell 93.  I can't do so many things other people can do.  thank god my kids and family understand and help out the way they do!!!
some day's life totally sucks but other day's aren't so bad.
Thanks it helps knowing that other people are going through the same thing.

[pofdog]

I am so sorry to hear all you are going through. Know that you are not alone. Hearing stories as yours helps me cope with mine through the day because I know it could be worse. Unfortunately, I become selfish when my pain is a 8-10 24/7 and no one helps or can help.
  What are you taking for pain? It sounds like it isn't working well. I know alot of docs are reluctant to give many narcotics, leaving people like us in misery. But with enough persistance and honesty, gaining our docs trust can help. Again, what are you on for pain?