spinal fusion

[pops1954]

     Hi' Pop's here I had spinal fusion two years ago two thru five,before surgery I could not walk any distance without terrible pain. I was diagnosed with lupus,fibromyagia, spinal stenoises,osteoarthritis
and R.A. my question is: Now two years later my legs are hurting so bad and my arms also its like stinging and burning I lose my bowel all the time I cant do nothing about it. Dr. do you think this is a nerve that is pinched further up my spine causeing all ths pain. the pain even runs across my ribs on both sides. My Meds. are Prednisone 7.5 mgs once day lyrica 75 mgs twice day, klinopin .5 mgs twice day 200 mgs celebrex onc day, delaudid 2mgs thre times day. do you think surgery is my only option again.

                         Don't know what to do  Pop's

[pops1954]

  Hey Dr. Have not been on forum for awhile been going thru alot of test adn treatments I have had a thoriac epadural which lasted about 1 month and a lumbar epidural between L5 and S1 which did not do nothing when epidural was injected between L5 and S1 my right leg went stiff and the pain was unbearable I could not move my leg. it was a half hour of message and stimulation before I could stand Dr. said it was a nerve causeing the problem now Im going to go with lower back stimulator Dr put me on advinza 30 mgs once a day so I can cut back on my delaudid The stimulator possiblely willl help my legs and lower back but I will still have to deal with the rest of my back. I have been reading about spine stimulation but can't find any negative or problems people are haveing Do you have any thoughts or info on the procedure I would just like to know about people who have had any serious problems everything I read is positive. I had bone density test done. left forarm left hip and lower L5 on down is thinning that is where most of my pain is. lower back hips and legs
                             Thanks pops1954

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Spinal cord stimulator may help. It is difficult to state anything about further surgical options till we get to the diagnosis. You should rule out one option after the other.

In your next visit to the doctor, you can discuss the possibility of additional disc bulging.

Regards

[pops1954]

       Thanks for the info so the pain in legs,arms and ribs is coming from my back I just can't rest or sleep much I will get my Dr. tto set me up with a MRI of the whole spine something has got to be done all the meds Im on are not helping at this time. The last ANA count was 1280, sed rate even on celebrex was 18 and the lyrica is not helping like it was I have a Dr apointment with my ruemy in a few days maybe I should go to 75 mgs. three times a day to help. do you think a stimulator implant would help my problem or what ever it is called to ease the pain, cause delaudid 2mgs three times a day is not doing it.  do you think surgery will relief the pain or will that just make it worse I was doing pretty good after the fussion till a few months ago.
                            
                                        Thanks (POPS)  last questions

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

The cervical disc bulging may be related to the rib symptoms. Depending upon the extent of the bulging and whether it presses on the spinal cord of r the nerve roots, the damage can be seen in lower as well as upper limbs.

Relief of symptoms by leaning forwards is seen with the disc problems. You should think of treating the cervical disc bulging. Disc bulging has a tendency to increase on repeated weight bearing.

Regards

[pops1954]

Pops here again, yes a whole spinal MRI was done,my neck showed alot of arthritis in it and in the middle of my back one disc slightly buldging would that be the cause of all my pain in my legs and arms even in my ribs. the only way i can get some relief when setting is lean forward bending my back toward my knees but then I get alot of burning in my lower back. As far as my Surgeon he has moved his practice about eight hundred miles away. Im in the process of locateing another one  Do you think a lot of this might be fibro but the pain is constant. I have been on lyrica for six months for my fibro all this pain now started about two months ago

                              Thanks for your help (POPS)

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

I guess the lumbar vertebrae were fused. Was a whole spine MRI done during that time?

The surgery of spinal fusion has its advantages and disadvantages. Usually it helps relieve the pain quite effectively. But due to the immobility of the fused part, the pressure is distributed on the adjacent vertebrae. This extra pressure may not be tolerated for a long time. The other discs run a risk of herniation or bulging.

Have you contacted your surgeon this time? What has he said?

Regards