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

[ltd351]

hi peoples im new to this forum but im a old hand with neck fusions iv had a c7 c6 in 2005 after a car crash and wos in a second crash in 2010 and thay had to do c6 c7 fusion the first wos 110% sucsess and i had a great 5yr run but the second is about 70% sucess. so now physio rehab the ussal road to recovery back at the gym have other issue's with the right side of the body but have **** happens so now im looking for any tips for the gym and drug free pain managment tips im sick of feeling like a zombie im back to the pain clinic next month but first hand tips are the best

if anyone has any pre-opp questions or needs help feel free to ask

[Jinx_777]

i have horrific injuries after a fall from a roof 5 yrs ago and i am so glad i did not have insurance at the time because if i would have then they would have done a bunch of surgeries.  
the one thing i would have benefited from is physical therapy.  no insurance = no follow up care at all.  i fell no less than 50 times in the first 6 weeks after coming home.  that messed me up even worse.
i am in excruciating pain as it is, but at least i don't have screws coming loose, etc.  the frustration you all must feel having surgery that did not work.  cannot imagine.  
now that i do have insurance i will be AVOIDING any fusion surgeries in the future

[shenoipreetish]

I'm probably too late for this post, but I've been having a hard time finding those who are experiencing the problems.

Thanks,
http://www.spinesurgeryindia.com/

[BrokenButton]

Spinal fusions suck, I had mine 3 years ago and made the mistake of having hope.  I thought I'd be back to work in 6 months.  My 4 level fusion was a success, I do have less pain than before the surgery.  Before the surgery I was stuck in bed unless I loaded up on pain killers.  1st 6 months couldn't tie my shoes, 2 and 3 years later, pain everyday, you know constant, return to work, yeah right, I can't sit upright for more than an hour, if I drive an hour or more my back gets aggravated and hurts really bad for a day.  Fentanyl patch 100mg with opana for breakthrough pain.  It's no way to live, no matter how much or little pain meds you take you build up your tolerance.  Life is over is I know it.  No more lifting at the gym, riding my motorcycle or snowmobile or home improvement projects.  Welcome to life as a dreaded coach potatoe.  Yeah I walked a mile a day, I walked so much I started having foot problems at 42, did pt therapy being an x gym rat.  All I can say is at least I'm not in a wheelchair.  Life *****, thank God I own my own company & don't have to work or I'd be on permanent disability.  Watch Hulk Hogans bio, his back is that bad w/o a fusion, ah it *****, nobody ever told me our bodies wear out by 40 if you exercise too much.  Get the fusion there are no other options if you're lazy do the therapy and you'll be happy, if you're active you need new hobbies, don't try suicide it could always be worse, get new hobbies.

[namless]

I had the same surgery and have extreme pain in my groin on the left side and am urinating every 10 minutes and constantly fell like I have to urinate. I have been on 100MG Duragesic patch.After the surgery the pain was so bad I couldn't move my left leg without unbelievable pain.Dr. gave me Dilaudid and it keeps me pain free.Because of the patch now I can't have the dilaudid .Living with constant pain.I need to work to survive and I fear I'll never be able to return to work.Anybody else have this problem or know of a solution I'd greatly appreciate it.

[LindaSueBob]

Been two years for me, nothing will help me as the surgeon screwed me up so bad. Going to have a second caudel injection June 2nd and I am scheduled for an MRI to see what is the problem with my arms and leg.