had 3 back surgery's failed

[mustangrider93]

I have had 3 back surgies that have failed and was reading someones that said they had their back fused and could never ride a bike after that are you telling me if i have that done i can never go on poker runs with my husband? Because it is coming down to that i have pain in my left leg all the time i can barely drive it is there i have been on pain pills for 8-9 years they want to do a morp. pump but i dont know how that will work or if my insurance will even cover it.Anybody can help with these questions i would be grateful

[SageRave]

What you are able to do after fusion isn't set in stone, and one person may have no loss of motion while someone else might.

Frankly, If I had already had several failed back surgeries, I would not consent to anymore surgery whatsoever.

[Tuckamore]

Hey, we all have pain....and pain is pain rather it's a 6 or an 8.  My pain is no greater a challenge to me than your pain is to you.  And living with chronic pain is a challenge for all of us, to say the least.

Thank you for responding back to us. Sometimes the poster does not and we have no way of knowing is they read what we wrote or how they are doing.

We'll look forward to hearing from you again.

Best of Luck,
~Tuck

[mustangrider93]

Thank you both for your time I really am grateful i know i have to think about i go see my back surgeron the 23rd to make my decison and hopefully he agrees to what i want and not what he wants i am so tired of this pain even if it gets rid of it some yes i have pain in my left leg all the time since i was 24 and i am 34 and have done just about every treatment and 3 back surgies except the fusion...and pump.i have done the patches which made me sick when i had to remove them and i have been on pain meds for the past 8-9 years...It seems i am always yelling at my kids because i am in so much pain i hate it i dont like to be short with them, But i will keep you up to date and thank you again.Both of you and Tuck i am sorry to hear about you you seem worse then me and  i am the one bitching...sorry...

[Tuckamore]

Hello Mustangrinder,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum.

This world is comprised of many different ppl that react differently to diseases, injuries, and procedures. That's what makes us all unique. Just because one person can never ride a bike based on a surgery does not mean another can not.

I suffered a near fatal MVA that by all accounts I should not have survived. My team of physicians told me I would never do many things again, including be gainfully employed. I proved them all wrong. Just as I survived the unsurvivable I did the what should have been next to impossible. So don't let anyone tell you that you can't.

Regarding the implantation of a morphine pump, results have varied. Some of our members have claimed great relief, others have had some major issues. I do not have any personal experience with the morphine pump.  I do beleive that they will do a trial implant which should give you some better information in which to base your final decision.

I encourage you to research the pros and cons. Education is the only way to make an informed decision in my opinion. Make sure that the practitioner preforming the implant is skilled and experienced.  

I have pain in my right leg all the time. There are no surgical options for me. My physician encourages me to continue to live my life to the best that my pain levels will allow. I make choices. For example I know that playing with a soccer ball and kicking it around with my 4 yr old grandson for 5 minutes will cause my pain level to sky rocket, sometimes for days but I do it anyway. I do it because it's worth the five or ten minutes of enjoyment I obtain from hearing him giggle and watching him run. He's smart enough to know that I cannot run and he will "fetch" the ball for me. How could I ever give that up?  When you have chronic pain life is full of choices....and maybes.

It is true that at the level of the fusion you will be unable to "bend". But I am told there are ways to compensate. Molly is correct, discus your concerns with your physician. If he is a good physician he will take the time to address your concerns.

Best of luck to you. Please let us know how you are doing and share with us your decision. We all learn from one another.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Absolutelt not....you can do jsut about anything after a fusion. Things requiring very physical activities or extreme sports might not be an option.

Discuss this with your Doctor, they know best....