Have multi level spinal fusion next week! Help!!!!

[bjferge]

Hi,  I'm new to this forum, but not to back problems. Sorry about some of the spelling before I start. I've been suffering with a bad back for 7 years. I'm so looking forward to this surgery. I can't take the pain much longer. Last year it hit the worst. I think that's when my L4,L5 disk went.  The L5,S1 disk went in 2000. I have besides herniated disks, sevior curving of my lower spin, where it's pulling away from my pelvic bone, arthritis in my L4,L5,and S1, caused from stress fractures, degenerative spine disorder, spondylios(sp), and last but not least spinal bifita occulata(sp).  So it's a mess.
  I have had every possible back test thought up by man, and trust me some of them where killers.  Did the epideral injections, brought on diabetes, did physical therapy, tried a chyropractor(sp), he admitted he couldn't help, also recevied a tez unit . I don't for see any other treatments left for me.  Right now I take enough oxycodone, and other type drugs, that it's effecting my personality,bouts of depression, anxiety, paramoid, and making me act like a teenager(I'm 37) also, and after surgery, they have to ween me off them.  It also effecting my job.  They think I'm drunk, NOT! I almost lost my job too!  My friends are really wondering about me, along with my family! I was never like this, before last year and the drugs.
  My question is has anyone else gone through all this h__l?  Has anyone else had this kind of surgery, and did it help?  I don't think I can take much more of this.  Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

[Dessence]

I've had spinal l5 s1 lasicomy decompression n 5weeks into it I feel the same exact feeling I felt bfore the back surgery. Is this normal? I pray n beg lord everynight to heal n take away the pain. I can't sit or lay bc of pressure pains. It's horrible. Ne sugguestions?

[cindyt713]

I had a 4 level fusion (S1-L2) with 10 screws and two rods.  Unfortunately I have two screws coming out at L2 and have to go in for emergency surgery to have either a 7 or 8 level fusion.  I have yet to find anyone that has had that many levels. Not only has the screws come out, but my pelvic is so tilted due to trying to compensate for the curve of my spine that they have to try and figure out how to make me straight.  It is causing so many other internal problems due to the tilt.   If anyone knows of anyone that has had an 8  level fusion after having a 2 or 4 level fusion, can you tell me if the recovery is much different.  Thank you!!

[cindyt713]

Where to begin.  I had 4 surgeries on my back and going in a few weeks for my 5th.  My first spinal fusion was done in 2002 by Dr. David Arndt. This was the beginning of my nightmare. This was to be a 1 level fusions at level L4/5. He ended up operating on the wrong level and 2 screws came out, one in my hip and one in my
stomach. I ended up having all the hardware removed by Dr. Tromanhauser. (Great doctor). In 2010 I had a four level fusion. I had a fall in may of 2011. I think because of this I need to go in for an eight level fusion. The screw At level L2 is not only coming out but protruding into the above disc.  I am scared to death. they are not even sure how they are going to go about doing this. I should find out by this coming thursday. Has anybody had an eight level fusion? I personally have never heard of anyone having one before. If so, can you tell me what, I should expect?  And as far as a discogram goes, not to scare you but to prepare you, it felt like somebody was crushing my back. Now the pain level may depend on how bad your back is and I am only telling you my experience.  I would appreciate any information anyone can provide me. Thanks!!!

[cindyt713]

Where to begin.  I had 4 surgeries on my back and going in a few weeks for my 5th.  My first spinal fusion was done in 2002 by Dr. David Arndt. This was the beginning of my nightmare. This was to be a 1 level fusions at level L4/5. He ended up operating on the wrong level and 2 screws came out, one in my hip and one in my
stomach. I ended up having all the hardware removed by Dr. Tromanhauser. (Great doctor). In 2010 I had a four level fusion. I had a fall in may of 2011. I think because of this I need to go in for an eight level fusion. The screw At level L2 is not only coming out but protruding into the above disc.  I am scared to death. they are not even sure how they are going to go about doing this. I should find out by this coming thursday. Has anybody had an eight level fusion? I personally have never heard of anyone having one before. If so, can you tell me what, I should expect?  And as far as a discogram goes, not to scare you but to prepare you, it felt like somebody was crushing my back. Now the pain level may depend on how bad your back is and I am only telling you my experience.  I would appreciate any information anyone can provide me. Thanks!!!

[TRAGICALLYREADY]

Hello I had bone fusion done about 1.5 years ago were they taken bone from my hip and fused it to my spine threw the front of my neck...Well i am one of those that had a very bad experience? 3 weeks after i had pain in my left arm tingling and felt like it was on fire so they done a CT Scan too see and 2 of the screws came out and are now floating there like in space wich is not good at all? Now i have pain in my top right leg so bad i can hardly walk on it.Im taking 2 tab's of oxy80mg 4 times a day for the pain & im still in serious pain? I have been waiting for over 1 year now too get that fixed and in the past year they found 2 more hurniated disks in my upper spine & 3 months ago they also found 2 more in my lower spine so if any1 ever asked me to get spine fusion my remarks would be DONT DO IT Unless you like to play the roll of the dice? But like i have been told by the surgion many have came out fine butwhy am i not hearing as many good storys as i am all this bad **** happening like as it did too me!!!!! Well good luck e-mail me anytime if any1 knows anything i can even do msg me here and let me know but im 32 and its not looking so good for me sorry about the spelling every1 not that good on these things lol good luck too all with the thing we call BAD-BACKS

[Yogafrau]

Hi,
I am new here and reading your stories makes me feel like I am a wuss.

I was in an accident last October and have been suffering from lower back pain ever since due to a 10 mm disk extrusion with a 5 mm fragmant separated on my L4-5 and a lesser bulge on L3-4. I should mention that I am a Fitness/Yoga instructor and doing my job is next to impossible. I have been in so much pain (after having never ever had any back pain before) that teaching my classes is getting harder and harder every day. I mean, I hit level 9 on a daily basis, not counting the recent shooting pains in my back, butt, legs, and heels. When teaching, I now mostly talk my people thru the moves. Both disks are leaking.

I did PT, use the tense unit, did all (10) injections, had my discogram and need a 2-level fusion on my L3-4 & L4-5, and will get 2 bars and 6 screws. He will go in from the side.  
Anyway, I am planning to have this surgery done this summer. It will be a big change for me (as I am not used to NOT working), but I feel that it will give me some relief at the least.

I heard that I need to make a list of things I need prior to surgery...like grabbers, silk pj's, etc. ect. So, any help there is greatly appreciated.
What should I expect from this surgery? How long is the recovery? I hear from 3 months to one year? What is the real deal? When can I walk up and down the stairs, etc.? I know that I will be out of work for a long time, but when can I do normal chores at home, such as cooking?

Again, I do still feel silly to ask after reading how some of you have been suffering from back pain for all these years. So, I hope it's ok that I posted here...oh, and I am 45 years young...never had any back pain until 3 hours after the accident last October. Def. a life changing moment.