[The Grey Wolf]

Hey I was in a lot of pain in my back and legs for years I could barely walk I couldn't sleep because of the pain. I was finally able to get insurance through my mom and they said I was a severely damaged disk in the lumbar section of my spine which was cutting into the nerves on my legs and causing Stenoisis. I had the surgery in June and it does feel like some of the pain in my legs has gone away but the back pain continues the doctor said it usually takes about a year for the back to heal from surgery. I still have pain in my back and I still have trouble sleeping as well as walking the only difference with the pain when I walk or stand is that my legs don't hurt as much it is my back. These physical problem's are only making my mental and emotional problem's a lot worse I just found out that there might have to be more surgery putting rods and screws in my back and th

[kaliope]

I am sorry that you are suffering like this. pain certainly does take a toll on your mental health most often leading to depression. it is important to develop coping skills to deal with these feelings. take care

[minmar]

My mother is getting her second back surgery (her last was 17 years ago)...and I'm worried that I'll have to get back surgery too because I'm in so much pain all the time. The nerve pain down my legs and numbness-pain in my feet and hands/arms is so bad. I've done two epidurals and they've last one month and a month and a half. I don't even know what to do because my Primary Doctor just tells me to lose weight and **** and I've lost X amount in a year and it's worse than last year when I saw her (see a spine doctor for nerve issues). She can't pull the lose weight card on me (she will because I'm still so obese at my weight unfortunately (but I will get as tiny as a stick even if it kills me).

[The Grey Wolf]

I had the numbness and needle like feeling in my legs but not my hands. I'm sorry about your mom and your back problems. Have you been x rayed? Or MRI? I have to get more x rays Tuesday to see what other surgery I need. Your weight is probably not causing the problem. Have you tried Chiropractor?

[minmar]

I'm trying to get my spine doc to let me get a new MRI, my last one is five years old and I was in high school then. My back has been injured since 2000/2001 when I was in elementary school. I'm sure my weight is not causing the problem but she thinks if I lost more my problems would lessen or go away. Hah. Asking to get labs done tomorrow when I see her. Hope my spine doc will try and work with me, he at least believes my pain. I've not tried a chiropractor because I'm scared of messing my back up more. I wouldn't even be able to do Pilates (and because of my back advised not to do yoga despite it would feel so great for my flexible body (have ehlers-danlos on top of it that wasn't diagnosed till I was a senior in HS). I still so some stretching exercises I learnt in dance and Pilates and just from experimentation. Can't do certain ones as well because of my back but my hips are still good to go for flexibility (hip displasia)

[The Grey Wolf]

Well weight loss would help mine tells me to lose weight too and to try to build my legs up I do the back exercises they gave me when I remember. The doctors didn't know what was wrong with me until MRI. I hope all goes well tomorrow. Its nice that your flexible I wish I was more flexible some of the exercises they told me to do I just can't. Do you have trouble sleeping? Does it hurt constantly or only when you do something?

[bryan239]

I had lower back fusion when I was 29 (now 31). I had stress fractures all around l5 and the bottom half of l4 had a good amount of damage. They took out l5 and part of l4, did a bone graft from l4 to s1, 2 rods and 6 screws.
I totally understand about hip pain, I have had 3 hip replacements done.
I would listen to your spine surgeon and get your back/core strong. I know that some ways of doing that are just not possible so you just need to be a bit creative on how you do some exercising. Keeping your body strong is a must do. I would do my very best to avoid back fusion.
After all the surgeries I have had, my hips hurt every single day as well as my back. Surgery is a 50/50, it can relieve some pain or it wont.
Also your lower back supports your upper body, having a fusion done will displace all that weight further up your back to your that is not meant to hold that much weight and that will cause even more problems later on in life with a good chance of having another fusion further up your back....its a horrible cycle and I am facing another back fusion.

[The Grey Wolf]

I was told by my doctor the other day that I am going to need a fusion in a few years

[minmar]

I'm off to have a consultation tomorrow with a surgeon. By the look of my MRI I will probably have to be fused. There is very little disk between L5-S1 and the bone itself is weak where the disk is supposed to be. Also because it's likely genetic (both parents and their parents have had surgery in similar areas) with a little help from a major life ruining fall back in 2001.

I'm nervous about it and the cost for it all (broke and work in retail so my only medical is with my parents)

[bryan239]

Try not to get discouraged if that is what the surgeon says is that you do need a fusion. I have RA along with Degenerative Disk Dieses. The biggest thing that will help you for this surgery is to get your body as strong as you possibly can before surgery. You go into surgery strong and you come out strong and it will make the recovery process much better and easier. Don't think your world as you know it will end after a fusion, I am still able to do close to 95% of the things I use to do.

[minmar]

I have ehlers-danlos, spondolethosis, degenerative disk disease as well and mild scoliosis. I'm just scared in general, never had surgery before. My mother had a fusion 17 years back and getting another one at the end of the month. I'll post in here how it went tomorrow.

[LindaLu]

GreyWolf, so sorry to hear this. Bryan is right...spend the next couple years building strength and research the best surgeons and methods. Even top doctors and hospitals will take pro bono cases, or reduce fees if you approach them directly or through advocacy group. Postponing surgery on anything joint/bone/disc is good because the technology and materials are evolving. I hope you can get/keep good pain management.

[lostinitall]

Hello everyone. I had surgery on my back in 2009 and unfortunately have not had much relief. I had fusion of L4-S1. I have progressively worsened over the past years and have an appointment Jan 27 to see my neuro surgeon. During the past 5 years I have been in pain management, am seeing a Chiropractor (who has pushed me to get this appt), gone thru physical two or three times and am presently getting no relief. I am addicted to morphine, percocet, lortab, lyrica. I am severely depressed. I am in more pain than ever before. Something has to change! I am not meaning to be so negative, just sharing my story.

[minmar]

Sorry forgot to update.

So when I do decide on surgery I will need a fusion. And just like my mother, in 10+ years I'll need another one for the disk above. (she's getting her second back surgery on the 29th. She's had 7 but for other things).

My relief hopefully would be no more nerve pain and nerve numbness and nerve numbness pain.

[bryan239]

Just remember that surgery is a 50/50, it either works and relieves pain or it doesn't. Honestly my back felt better before the fusion. But as I said the very best thing you can do for yourself is get your body as strong as you possibly can way before surgery so when it comes to recovery after surgery you will be strong and bounce back quickly. Also having a very strong state of mind will keep you going and not to give into the pain.

[minmar]

Thank you and I will make sure to try and do that. Being mentally strong might be harder, but I already have a high pain tolerance because most days I don't take my pain meds (because I haven't ate anything yet that day). My doctors are astonished that I can force myself to keep moving and force myself to ignore the pain, going lengths to avoid causing pain or changing my gait.

But not be able to put any pressure on my heels because of nerve numbness pain (different than my nerve pain)

dying to be skinny

[GirlOfManyFaces]

I'm sorry for all the pain you're going through. But I just wanted to let you know that I'll be praying for you. And rods and screws are actually not that bad