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.

[car1955]

I have done everything-epidurals did'nt work-finally found the right surgeon-I'm in so much pain-have to sleep by taking kadian(morphine)and freezing my neck with ice.I have a very heavy job-I/m scared of the surgery-because they cut your throat-I cry all the time-I can hardly eat now I'm loosing weight-please if you have had the surgery please respond and tell me about it.I have to have C6 and C7 replaced with bone plastic and titanium.Thank -you--

[Chris62]

In response to your question: "has anybody had any 4-level fusions? (if there are no responses there, I figure either those people are cured and don't read these sites, or the surgery killed them."
I had a 5 level fusion almost 2 months ago and am still here ... (10 pedicle screws and rods T12-8) I refer to it as a 5 level as it involves connecting 5 vertebrae)
I am perusing these sites in search of good exercise tips as I have not recevied any physio. Any suggestions for good www sites ? Thanks in advance.

[alexkosta]

Thank you so much for the advice regarding IDET and nuceolplasty.  I'm researching it now, and it sounds promising.  
Fusion doesn't make sense to me, as it is a highly unnatural structure within the body.

[will270]

What meds are you on?

Will270

[will270]

What meds are you on?

Will270

[fknbckpn]

WOW! My DR. (or ex Dr.) recomended i get a 4 level fusion, I could not find a soul who had this done. So I went somewhere else. This new Dr. is recomending a 4 level IDET and 3 level nucleoplasty, I dont know what to do!! What I do know is that the pain is unbearable and I will be rolling the dice soon, gettin a few opinions from other Dr.s first. Maybe this is something you can look into.