Need support.....Need surgery.....Got lots of questions....

[maria69]

Hi Everyone..
I am 39, female and have had back issues for a few years. In Sept of '08 had MRI showed Grade II Spondylolisthesis at L-5/S-1 with stenosis. I have lower back pain, numbness and pain all the way down to my toes on right side. I have been on Physical therapy for 7months, received 3 epidural steroid injections in my lower back and consulted a neurosurgeon. I also take NSAIDS, muscle relaxers and sometimes narcotic pain meds along with neurontin for nerve pain. SO here is the problem.....I have decided that I can't live like this at 39 years old. I am going to go through with the surgery. I initially refused surgery because I was afraid. So, I am meeting again with the neurosurgeon to have "the discussion" with her. aggggggg. I am so scared. She initially said I needed a lumbar fusion but wanted me to try the cortisone shots before she would talk to me about surgery. She said surgery was huge and was a last resort. Now that I have had three shots with little relief now she is willing to have the surgery talk........OK so basically I am still scared. I don't have any details on what type of lumbar fusion she is wanting to do..but when I do I will post them. I am looking for feedback from people who have been there, done that. I want to know how they are doing...good and bad. I want to make friends here...people I can relate to and that can relate to me.....all that jazz.
Thank you.
Maria

[maria69]

PS......Kittyluv1......Glad to hear you are doing so well. Good luck and the best to you and your recovery.......
smiles,
Maria

[maria69]

Thank you for responding to my comment. It just means a whole bunch knowing that I am not crazy and there are others out there that can actually relate to what the heck is going on......I got great friends and family but I sometimes feel like all I want to talk about is my situation...kinda makes me feel selfish but I live with it constantly and just want to vent, complain or feel validated. I have put my whole life on hold because my back is screaming at me to stop......I grew up riding horses......(hence, the back problems....lol) and like to garden, camping, dancing and all the other stuff life has to offer.

Chronic pain is not fun....I just can't believe how debilitating it can be to a person and what it can do to someones psyche (sp). I sometimes feel depressed, sad and sooooo frustrated.

I will keep you posted and again...thank you for your thoughts and kind words.......
take care
maria

[kittyluv1]

Hi Maria!
Welcome to a very select group!  Although I did not have a lumbar fusion, I am 7 weeks postop anterior cervical discectomy and fusion C4-C7.  I had some anxiety prior to the surgery, but my symptoms were such that surgery was the only alternative.
I am doing remarkably well. Most of my preop pain was gone within 3 hrs of the surgery.
I am still dealing with some muscle spasms in my shoulder area due to the positioning on the OR table, but physical therapy is helping a lot.
I do hope some members who have had direct experience with lumbar fusion will respond to you.  There may be a relationship to cervical vs lumbar fusion, but I think the recovery time is different.  It actually depends on the extent of the surgery being done.
When you get more information regarding the procedure they are contemplating, post with an update and we will give you as much support and assistance as possible.
Best wishes -----