What They Don't Tell You About Lumbar Spine Back Surgery With Titanium Rod's & Screws
95
TWO SURGURIES LATER
I was thirty eight years old when I hurt my back and as a result two years later became disabled.Who ever thinks at that age it can happen to you .I was working on a dairy farm, it was time to feed the calves.I mixed up the milk replacer and carried out the two big buckets , I slipped on the ice and twisted my back I felt something pop and burn in my lower back. I finished up my work told my boss and went home. Later in the evening the pain and muscle spasms became very painful , I went to have my back looked at, had a x-ray taken noting showed up I was given some muscle relaxers and pain pills and off work for five days. After the five days things still felt the same i went back to work any ways. I went to see a chiropractor and got very little relief . He then referred me to a sports and spine doctor, he did some testing MRI CT SCAN DISCOGRAM which showed a bulging/ herniated disc. He took me out of work and tried trigger point injections, they didn't work. Then his last option to try was a EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTION at the L4/L5I didn't work I got a spinal head and had to have two blood patches. He wanted to try another injection like I just had ,I told him "you must be nuts if you think I'm going to go through that again,I haven't got over the headache from last time !" He then referred me to a surgeon.
I had my first surgery in the spring of 2000. I was led to believe that i would be 80% -90% back to the way I was before I hurt my back.I would never be able to work on a dairy farm and milk , but that was okay. After being in pain 24 hours a day for two years what he was saying sounded really good NO MORE PAIN . He was going to place a titanium cage at the L4/L5 disc, then would be harvesting bone from my right hip. They went through my stomach to get to my spine. I was home in five days. After a few months my symptoms were the same if not worse. When I went back to the doctor a X-ray showed the right side of the cage didn't heal. I needed another surgery.
The second surgery I had was called a spinal fusion with titanium rods and screws put down both sides of my spinal column. This is done by making a six to eight inch cut in the middle of your back. They also harvested more bone from my right hip to replace the bone that didn't heal the first time. To do this they open your back up it does a lot of nerve and muscle damage .This is something your not told. They also don't tell you how the area where they did the bone grafting is always going to hurt. You are going to get scar tissue that feels like it's pulling and burning, the scars themselves are tender, and sometimes itchy. Arthritis then sets into your back. Do you ever remember an older person saying "it's going to rain I feel it in my bones" that's so true,l when the barometric pressure, drops you really can feel it in your bones.
Today I still have the same pain with some add extra from the surgeries. I am in constant pain in my lower back , I have muscle spasms sometimes it hurts to sit it feels like the rods are pushing into you, the pain travels done my right leg.It also goes numb, falls a sleep, is very weak and does not always work like it should, I can't lift it up sometimes.I now have to use a cane. The pain travels up my back into my neck and now i suffer from migraine headaches. One got so out of control I ended up in the ER . You can't sleep all night , it hurts to roll over because you have stayed in one position to long, along with that you can't stand or sit to long. There is bone pain from the area where the bone was harvested, it hurts so bad I wear bib overhauls or other lose clothing so noting is touching that area.I am on a lot of medications and tried many different things to ease my pain, a tens unit, acupuncture,physical therapy, and chiropractor.
I have to say the surgeries themselves worked, they fixed the problem with my back now I am suffering the after affects of a surgery that did me more harm than good . I'm in worse shape now than I was before the surgery . If you are faced with this problem think long and hard , ask questions. Do a lot of research, these are things I wish I would have done. I am not writing this to put down doctors, all I want to do is make people aware they have to ask a lot of questions before they make a decision to have surgery. If you do have surgery good luck .
- Low Back Pain
Disc degeneration affects about 12 million people in the United States, of which most are between the ages of 20 and 65. Approximately 10% of patients with degenerative discs are candidates for some type of spinal surgery.
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EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTION (ESI )
Epidural steroid is a combination of corticosteroid with a local- anesthetic pain relief medicine. Corticosteroids is a anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve pain.They take a while to start having any effect,were as the local-anesthetic medicine woks immediately.
E.S.I. are injected in the space around the spinal cord and nerve roots (epidural space ).Imaging test such as magnetic resonace imaging MRI, computed tomograchy CT scan or x-rays. X-ray's may be done to identify the exact location where the nerve and roots are being squeezed. During the injection an x-ray machine is often used to guide placement of the needle.
The injections work any where from a few weeks to a few days. The main use for the injection is to control leg pain.
They do have side effects; back tenderness for 2-4 days, dizziness, feeling sick to your stomach, headache. There are more severe reactions for this consult your doctor.
Spinal Headaches can occur as as a result of a needle being placed with in the fluid-filled space surrounding the spinal cord. This creates a passage for the spinal fluid to leak out changing the fluid pressure around the brain and spinal cord. When enough leaks out you get a spinal headache. As many as five days after the injection can go by before you get a headache. You do not usually get one.
Symptom; A HEADACHE LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER HAD BEFORE ! (a voice of experience)
Treatment;
1 ) first course supply adequate hydration to increase cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) pressure intravenous fluids are given. Other times people are advised to drink a beverage high in caffeine.
2 ) Strict bed rest for 24-48 hour.
3 ) A blood patch for this you will have to be a in patient in the hospital where you are given a IV. Then when you go to have the blood patch done the first thing done is blood is drawn from your arm then the, your back is cleaned and numbed, then the anesthesiologist will ask you to curl up tight into a fetal position then he will inserts a needle into the same space as or right next to,where the epidural was injected. He then takes a small amount of the patients own blood and injects into the epidural space. The blood clots and seals the hole that caused the leak. This is supposed to work the first time I had to have two of them done before my headaches went away.
what would you do ?
Would you have back surgery ?
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I know how bad back surgery is as I I had a spinal fusion last yeat due to a blown disc and a nerve being crushed. My foot tingling plus the pain in my hip were my symtoms. I had the surgery because the only other choice was to have more nerve damage. The nerve problem was worst than the hip pain. I would have musclecontractions that really hurt bad and I knew that this was going to get worst. The real kicker was that I could not get 3 doctors to really listen to me. Finally I got my primary doctor to listen. I wish that someone had listen to me because maybe my nerve damage would not be as bad. I don't take any pain meds for my back but I do take gabapintin for nerve pain. I did go to physical therory which very important after surgery and learned the correct ways of bending and getting up. I also learned core exercises and do continue to do them 3 times a week. There is also use what is called a IF Unit that I use on my back when I bothers me. Amazon sells them for about 100.00. This usually works out the pain and work better than a tens unit. IF unit work on inflamation. Ice sometimes works better than heat for nerve damage. My pain doctor told me that since this has been going for while it will take a while to settle down that what i have is scar tissue on my nerve. There are stretching exercises that can help. Most of this I learned from my physcial therapist who I can still call and talk to. This is real important to get a great physical therapist. I was also informed that I can get a MRI even with the screws-that was something I read here that is not true. For everyone of you that are having really bad problems I do know where you are coming from and feel bad. I have the same problems also but this is not going to defeat me. I have too much I want to do let this hold me back.
It's so nice to hear that back surgery has actually helped someone. There are so many times we only hear the bad side and never get to hear the the good side .
Thank you for taking the time to share your story and continued good results with your stretching exercises.
Best Of Luck !
I have back surgery 3 yrs. ago. L3-T6. I have scoliosis and suffered years of pain. After 3 years with some minor pain... I am happy to report that the even with some limited immobility, I am so glad I did the surgery. I hate that so many people have not had a similar experience. I didn't even go to my 1yr. check up and have not been back. I am currently trying to do stretching exercises as being 46 yrs. of age does not help! My prayers and thoughts are with you all that have been suffering as I can relate to the pain.
Cherie
Dustin,
Thank you for sharing. What a horrible experience things that like should never happen. I would be looking around for a second opinion. You may have to interview many doctors and may need to get some legal advice.
Best Of Luck !
cookinglady,
Thanks for sharing your story. Your right everyone has to do what they think is best foe them and all of us who suffer should not judge.
Best Wishes !
I can definitely relate to the pain. In March 2007, at the age of 20, I had to have emergency spinal surgery as the result of a motor vehicle crash. I broke my back in two different places and part of the vertebrae actually laid on my spinal cord. The ambulance took me to the hospital, where I laid on the stretcher and the C-Spine collar for about 4 hours, in the hallway of the ER because there was no room available. A ER nurse came to me and said they needed to get a urine sample. I told the male nurse that they haven't done any x-rays or anything on me yet and that I was in extreme pain in my lower back. He replied, "Oh we usually base moving you on how well you move your extremities." I said, "ok then." Well, while still being on the stretcher, the male nurse rolled me to a private bathroom, took the C-Spine collar off and proceeded to stand me up. Pain shot all through my body as he walked me to the toilet. I was unable to hold myself up, I lost my hearing, and everything went black. He got his urine sample though, all over his arm. He laid me back down on the stretcher and wheeled me back to the hallway. An ER doctor came over and said they were going to do x-rays now. They done the x-rays and it showed that I had broke my L1 and L3. They rolled me into the trauma unit, put a cathedar in, and then put me in a room to await the arrival of a Orthopedic Surgeon. Once he arrived he came to my room and told me I had two options: 1) Try to stand up and see what happens 2) Go through immediate surgery and place a Titanium cage in my spine. I told him that the nurse in the ER had already stood me up and what had happened and he said that the nurse should of never done that. I opted to go through surgery. It was a good 7 hours from the time I arrived at the hospital until I seen the surgeon. I was never offered any pain medication or anything. Surgery was suppose to of lasted maybe 4 hours, but it ended up being 8 hours long. They fitted me with a body brace and I had to wear it for 4 months.
The right side of my back has been swollen ever since surgery and I had went back to the surgeon a couple years after the surgery because of extreme searing pain shooting from my foot all the way up to my neck. The surgeon that performed the operation no longer worked for the office so a Physicians Assistant took yet another x-ray and said that it was a Thorocolumbar Strain and gave me muscle relaxers which did not help at all. I eventually got fed up with the doctors there and never got a second opinion and have been living with the pain (with no pain medication) since. I worked in Law Enforcement before my accident and have even went back and worked Law Enforcement since surgery. In the past couple years it seems that my back pain is worsening quite considerably. Fighting on the job all the time had started taking an even greater toll on my back and I finally decided it was time to look for another career or I would probably end up paralyzed. I come from a family of truckers so I figured what the heck and went and obtained my CDL. Well, after a year of driving OTR and having an even greater amount of pain from sitting long periods of time and cranking the landing gear on the trailers. I got out of the truck and went back to Law Enforcement for a smaller agency, figuring there would be less odds of being involved in a physical altercation. It seemed as if since I started driving though, my pain has not subsided. Now I am unemployed, can't draw unemployement, have no insurance, and I'm in a considerable amount of pain. I can't sit for to long, can't lay down for to long, can't walk great distances, and sleeping is a thing of the past. I have major headaches, sharp pain shoots from my right foot to my neck, it has became difficult to do normal everyday things, I get dizzy spells at times, my lower back stays swollen and hot to the touch, the pain is so great at times I get sick to my stomach and can't eat. I don't want to go to the hospital and end up having a huge bill, nor do I want to go through that awful surgery again. I don't know what to do. Advice anyone?
Had five level spinal fusion four years ago.Retired immediately after the failed surgery. Under gone two years of therapy, so many MRI, CT Scans, nerve tests and spent thousands and pain is worse than before surgery. I go to pain management every month. I am in severe pain 24/7 ans take whatever it takes to keep me from killing myself. Spent the first two years pretty much in bed, isolated and unable to drive or even sit in a car for more than 10 minutes without crying, hence I Had to stay at home and away from public, just got tired of everyone asking what was wrong with me and feeling sorry for me. Need to be on morphine but I refused to take it or oxy. I do take Norco and Tramadol plus any topicals that help for a short while. Anyone that judges a pain victim from taking the mu h more natural and safer cannibus should walk in that persons shoes first. And remember that it is legal for medical relief of severe pain. I can walk two blocks slowly, no more. I can ride in a car for about 30 min. Max. I can sometimes do two loads of clothes or go to do a little sewing or watering the plants outside, but if I for myself and do all those activities in one day, I will have to pay for all that stress on my spine, that the doctors damaged,and wil ge in bed for 3 or four days as payment. The surgery was helpful because without it I would not be walking at all , would have lost bowel and bladder control, would ever have walked again and my legs would have atrophied. I have a friend who was shot in the neck, C level 1~2 she is now a quad on a vent. She can speak and move her eyes and use her mind, she has no pain. I wonder which of us is better off. I suffered depression for the first two years, I worked my way through it alone. Oh by the way, the the surgeon, who was the top neuro surgeon at a major Los Angeles hospital in Long B each, CA. Skippedout on all his clients. I went to see him for a four month check up and his own nurses had no idea where the hall he was nor the hospital or his partnerns, he was just gone and with my records ans everyone else's. He is still missing. I have been through hell, lost my career, credit,and what was a normal life. The let of activitees is vast, I don't even think of that lose anymore, and instead concentrate on w hat I can do. I take pain meds around the clock, every three hours and my life and comfort level while not great is still better than four years ago. I refuse to quit trying. And I have zero tolerance for any one that chooses to judge how I live my life or what I take to medicate myself from this intractable pain.Think carefully before having spinal surgery, the failure stats are high, but sometimes, as in my case there was no choice. Good luck to all sufferers, try to stay positive and fight the good fight. My kindest and most lovely prayers to you all.
Will, Chad, Tabbitha, & Teri,
Thank-you all for sharing your experience with back surgery maybe someone else will read what you've been through and that will help them.
Best wishes !
I also had the same exact surgery you had back in 1998. I was pain free for 8 years, then my lower legs began hurting and my lower back again. I have alo had a tends type of machine put into my back and taken out aftera year. I have had WAY TOO MAY injections which have not worked, and suffer from intense and chronic pain on a dail basis. Whatever I do, incuding sitting hurts constantly. Because of the screws in my lower back, Icannot have another MRI and Mylograms are s painful, I pass out before they even inject anything due to anxiety over it. Needless to say, the surgery obviously did not work. I am on pain meds. daily and now those are not even working any more! I just want you to know that I can totally relate to your issues and wish you well. Prayer helps sometimes, at least for my frame ofmind and depression.
In 1990 I went under the knife after giving my own blood and stating that I wanted not transfusions but during the fourty they had to reopen and scrub my rods screws and wires clean for hassington and lukie inplants supposed to be a Seven day event fourty five days later after the cdc had cleared up the infection with the most powerful drugs available the doctor sent me home to finish out my care by myself I had to give myself fluids and pain killer shot for another six weeks then the doctor cut off the pain meds and stated that it would get better over time Well in twenty-two years all it done as for pain is increased 100 fold during the six week period I kept after the cdc to find out what kinda infection I had picked up while in the hospital come to find out it was hep C and at that time the internet was still in its baby stage were you couldn't find out information on hep c after the pain pills were cut off I went to drinking alcohol which no one at the doctors office or the cdc told me that would do harm to my liver now I am stage 4 liver failure sever pain in my whole lower half of my body from my neck to my feet both arms and hands and both legs and no doctor have any answers to what could possiblely be done just to get me some relief I start each moring taking morphine sulfate and immediate release oxcyconton three hundred and twenty-five mg of asprin and Valimun just to make it to the after noon then I repeat the process and at bed time which could be at anytime during the day or night it seems that the only time I am not hurting bad enough to cry out loud is when I am asleep but as soon as I am awake for for a very short period of time I have to repeat the above process just to make it through the day here is a real kick in the butt they had the test for hep c in the begining of 1990 but it had not been cleared by the FDA I went and filed for disability and was denied in 1992 1996 and finally in 2007 they granted me disability but refuse to pay me from the first time I filled because of my age I suffered through it until I had my first heart attack in 2004 then the second one in 2005 after the thrid one in 2007 they finally gave me disability but they made me suffer for Seventeen years and would not go back to the first time I filled and pay me from there I had to work between those years because no one was going to pay my bills or take care of me except for me as for advise be damn sure you know all the things that can go wrong and are willing to take the risk of the out come before you decide to head down that road. also the hospital will not take on the responseibility of anything that go's wrong or maybe they will in your case but in mine they are just waiting for me to die to get me off there books
Hey everyone im 21 ans i just haad back surgery in march of 2012. The dr told me thay i would be a lot better could bend more. Well i can bend a lil. I regreat goong to have surgeh this pain is ten time worse thay before i had surgery. I have be havein major pain on my left side. But the dr said it was normal but i dont belive it. My knee n my left side back.is the worse and i just vant deal wit the pain anymore
Hi folks
I'm 28 and have had 4 lower back surgeries (4 fusions,several laminectomeys(7), crushed facets etc.) since the age of 17. I never thought something like this could effect my life the way this has. I have tried every thing from dilauded,OxyContin, norco, fentanyl patches, morphine (pills, cream) etc. and all they ever do is make me feel like a heroin addict as well as destroy my liver and kidneys. I had come to a point in my life where I just didn't want to get out of bed any more bc of the depression and pain.
Now I know a lot of people won't like this but there is something better for us out there and it's called Hydroponically grown Bud. Now before you judge me you have to understand how the canabinoids effect the mind and body (decreasing muscle tension, etc.
This works with anyone pain or not) .
Any how through plant hybridization botanists have actually been able to eradicate thc level (euphoric or "high")and increase the cbd level which is the plants natural producing pain killer. What this means is that you all have a much safer and much more available source of medicine if you look for it.
My goal in this message is for all of you out there that hurt as bad or worse, is to know that you can function daily, you can work a job, and you can learn to cope with the pain by trying this and being consistent with it.
Thanks-will TX
Tim,
Sorry to hear that you went down the path you did. Try finding a good pain management program where you can get legal pain medication. Be honest and up front with them about the methadone. The first thing and hardest thing is you have to get your medication legal before some may want to help. Sorry for the pain your in.
Best Of Luck !
Ronda,
How scary to have the rods that are supposed to be giving you support break. I've never heard of anyone having both rods break. Make sure what ever decision you make you get a second opinion and don't rush into making that decision. I know it's easier sad then done. I really do know the pain you feel.
Best Of Luck !
I am facing the same problems with the pain being worse than before the surgery. One of the disc did not fuse and last week(4years after surgery) I was told that BOTH my titanium rods had broken and the thickest point. It is so frustrating and the pain in awful. Now I have no idea what is next!
Hi,
I've had 3 neck surgeries and finally the pain became barable. I still have times when pain runs down my arms, but it's my lower back and that surgury that "kills" me!
The bone taken from my hip doesn't hurt "luckily", the spongey thing of ma-jigger didn't work, but the plate and screws up top worked! They did a great job on that! And I thank them and God for that! But the lower back and rods......chronic pain. And because I was on "Methadone" and high doses of it, and "stupidly" entered a "methadone clinic" signing all kinds of papers saying I was an "addict" (they only give methadone to addicts, I was no addict, I just needed the "relief" the medicine gives.....no pain meds. can compare.) so I signed the papers.....Now, no one will tough me! So I buy what I can, when I absolutly need it, and suffer chroic back pain most the time. When around family or needing to do things, I do what I can to take the "center" of attention away from ....ME....and my PAIN! Anyone have a way I can solve this problem?
Thanks tim
BH,
Sorry to hear you are still in so much pain but am not really surprised to hear it. Even at your young age back surgery does fail. I don't know what kind of doctor you are seeing but it may be time for you to switch doctors. Your pain, I'm sorry to say, will never go away but you can get it to a level that you can tolerate. They are coming out with new drugs and treatments for pain management everyday. Ask around your area or your comp. lawyer, if you have one, for a good pain management doctor or maybe even a neurologist. A different kind of doctor may treat the pain differently.
Best Of Luck !
hey im now 27 hur my back jan of 09 been 3 yrs i tried physical therapy spinal decompression chiropractic injections pain pills i have degenerative disk disease large herniated disk L4/L5 and new mri shows after all these treatments the large bone above coxcyse? is supposed 2 fuse 2gethher @ some point never did so may have all been a waist 3 yrs not sure what 2 do 2 young 4 this pain in back &ass and right leg dont want 2 b worse than i am now after surgery any ideas dr. dont seem 2 understand because of my age but im as bad as the rest of us now on disability because of back pain
I feel your pain...literally. I had 2 herniated discs and BOTH of my sciatic nerves were crushed that I got from an accident at work. When I had my surgery the did double laminectomy, double discectomy, and double facetectomy
dani bryan,
The best way to know is ask your doctor. My first surgery lasted a couple hours and they went in through my stomach so I was on my back. This was to put the cage in between the disc. The second surgery was some what longer and for that one I was on my stomach , the went through my back, and put in rods and screws to stabilize the cage because it did not heal on both sides like it should have.
Good luck with your surgery and make sure you follow your doctors post operative instructions they are a very important part of the healing process. Don't try to do to much to soon. Let us know how your recovery is going.
Best Wishes !
I am having spinal surgery next month for my scoliosis & i want to know how i will be positioned during the surgery and does it really last 8 hours?
Renee,
Thank you for sharing your experience with back surgery. I glad to hear you are better off now tan before surgery. Sorry to hear that you still suffer with the pain daily. Hopefully you will find some way to get relief from the pain and it will not get any worse. It must seem great to go without the the cane or wheelchair. It was nice to hear a success thanks.
Best Of Luck !
I had back surgery as well due to an auto accident. I have the rod and screws as well. I must say I am better off now then before my surgery. I was in a wheel chair or using a cain depending on how my legs were doing that day. I now hold down a full time job and can do a lot more. Don't get me wrong, I suffer pain every day still. I have spasims, sharp, burning pain, stabbing pain, and even leg weakness. But I am without a cain and without a wheel chair. I guess it doesn't bother me as much anymore because the pain I suffer now, which is daily, is less then what I suffered before my surgery.
vishal,
I'm no doctor, but my I would get a second opinion and ask the doctor a lot of questions. Have a list of the questions so you don't forget anything and have someone go with to discuss the answers once you leave or even record the session so you go over the session again. Any good doctor will certainly not have objection to this.
This is a life change decision with or with out the surgery take your time and make the one that's right for you. Have you tried acupuncture or physical therapy that may be something to try before surgery to see if you get some relief. If you do decide on surgery stop back and let us know how you make out.
Best Of Luck !
How much pain are you in, how much does your pain interfere with your life and can you function and get on with your daily routine? These are some questions to ask yourself before the surgery because once you have it you can't go back and have it undone.
my l4 l5 disc slipped doctor told me to go for operation is it necessary...?
Vanessa J,
Thank-you for sharing your story, I've never heard of anybody having their toes curl under that must be awful. I've never heard of the drug Lircet maybe they need to change your medication. They make many different kinds of muscle relaxers.
The one thing I found to be helpful is a tens unit and a good old heating pad. Please don't give there is a doctor out there that can help be it pain management - neurologist.
Best Of Luck !
lucie,
So sorry to hear you are still in so much pain. Yes I do get the muscle spams I get them in my back and in the legs exactly like you. I went to physical therapy and they taught me how to stretch out the leg muscles and that was a great help. They had me lay On my back, one leg bent at the knee, then they took the other leg and gently helped me lift straight up as far as I could go with out a lot of pain and hold it there.Then switch legs. Heat helps loosen the muscles also. Another trick they told me to try lay on the floor or a bed and put your leg up on the wall as straight as you can then flex your foot back and forth to work the hamstring muscle. Don't to many at one time. Start with 2or 3 sets of 5 and work up from there. You may hurt some more for a day or two till they start to stretch out. Give it a good try before giving up. No pain no gain sometimes works. Listen your body will let you know if it's not going to work.
It maybe time for you to see a doctor other than your surgeon' his job is done now, you need someone for pain management. I hope you find some relief.
Best Of Luck !
I had two back surgeries..the last one I had 6 screws in lower lumbar now I syffer fromSEVERE MUSCLE SPASMS IN MYLOWER BACK & BOTH LEGS WITH BURNING IN MY TOES. MY LEGS ARE VERY SORE FROM THE SPASMS & MY TOES CURL UNDER. I TAKE LIRECET WITH NO RELIEF. HOT RICE SOCKS & HOT BATHS HELP BUT I CANT LIVE IN THE BATHTUB & HAVE HOT RICE SOCKS ALL DAY XAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME.
I know how you feel you just describe my back surgery too.This is my 2nd an I had the skin graph & rod an screws put in my back.Only I have been getting these awful muscle spams in the back of my leg below my knee.Did you have this?I'm like u can't sleep on my back feel the rod an wake up stiff an can't hardly roll over.my surgeron hollers it takes a year to heal.Now they want me to come in for my leg pains to run some tests to see why its hurting me so bad.I cry when I have those spams my husband has to rub it out for me.Yea he had 2 help me up an down.my doctor released me to go back to work but I don't see how I'm going to be able to hold down a job..Just sick of hurtin:(
Glenn,
I get so mad when I hear people say they have been from doctor to doctor and get no help or answers. They have a real good idea of the symptoms you are suffering from nerve, muscle, and tissue, damage may not show up on all testing its there. There are test that can be done to find these symptoms. Just because someone can't see them dose not mean they don't exist.
I don't know what kind of doctors you've been seeing but do not give up. Maybe try a different kind of doctor that treats pain management. They can treat your pain on a on going basis. You can interview a doctor, make some phone calls and ask them if they do pain management. Ask around there may be someone who can refer you to a doctor. Hang in there.
Best Of Luck !
i have the pain your are talking about but in both legs and feel like some one is trying to rip my spine out 24 hour a day and they can not tell me why i have been yo 9 other Dr and they say we can not help you there you will have live with it copper0365@aim.con
T, I have also had another person tell me there condition and it sounds as if I am telling it. I have also had a complete shoulder replacement 1.5 years before back surgery with great success, so all are not the same. I broke my right leg when I was 9 years old and at 52 I still know it. I also have herniated discs between c-4,5 c-5,6 and c-6,7. My right hip is also really starting to bother me and I have started taking shots in it. You are not alone my friend my wife once told me she thought I was faking it, I would welcome anyone to walk in this wore out body of mine
T,
How unfortunate that you have a bad back you have other medical issues. You are lucky to have a Dr. that you feel comfortable with and tells you the truth. Hopefully you next surgery will help. I must say you are braver than me I find it hard to think under what circumstance would I ever have surgery back again
I wish you all the luck in your next and getting your life back. Hang in there and take it one day at a time. It's easier for some to say I can do this for today rather than thinking they have to do it for a lifetime.
Best Of Luck
My story is exactly the same...I feel like I'm hearing someone else tell my story...to make matters worse I shattered both knees, and feet...I have a great Dr, but I am getting worse...I knew the risks going in as he told me theres no gaurantee's...6 years later I hurt so bad, and have developed agoraphobia...feel loke giving up most day, but hang one with the hopes that the next surgey will help...I just want my life back
gaffenymike,
I'm sorry to hear you have joined the ranks of failed back surgery syndrome. Your surgeron is not going to tell you surgery was not a sucess that would look bad on his record. I've been down the same road. I went to see a neruo surgeon for a different opinion. My pain manegment doctor is great. He believes my pain is real and does everything he can to help me find relief.
Do'nt give up try a differnt doctor, you can interview a doctor to make sure they are right for you. In my opinion I would get away from the surgeon and try to find a good pain mangement doctor. thanks for taking the time to share your story.
Best Of Luck !
I had back surgery wishing I would have asked more questions. Looking for relief from the terrible pain and leg numbness I was having.The insurance company made me go through therapy and shots before they would let me have surgery. At therapy they put me in traction and did multiple exercises, did not help. Then my Doctor sent me to the pain management doctor for the three shots required by the insurance company. The first shot gave me relief for 5 days, the 2nd shot 3 to 4 days, and the 3rd shot 3 days. They allowed surgery and I wish I would have asked more questions and done some research, looking for relief I said lets get it done. I now 6 screws, 2 pins, 3 new disc's, had 3 bone spurs removed, and the used cadaver bone to fuse L1,L2. I have as much or more pain than I had before surgery 8 months ago. My surgeon put the x-rays on the screen in front of me and said look at the fine job I did and there is no medical reason you should have any pain at all. Physical therapy released me saying I was still having to much pain and I was not making any progress, fearing the insurance company would refuse to pay them because I was not making any progress. Before surgery I lived with my tens unit attached and in the massage mode, now for some reason even my physical therapist has never seen I get severe pain with the tens unit. I think the surgeon thinks I am crazy and sends letters to my doctor saying opposite things that are said or done in his office. He thinks I am addicted to pain meds and I am faking this condition. I to at times feel as if the screws ect. feel as if they are pushing on my skin from the inside. I have very limited mobility, and the last trip to the surgeon he gave me a book of exercises to do, the same ones I was doing a therapy and causing me pain. I told him this and he told me to keep trying and he would see me in three months and he has cancled appointments two months in a row. I am in supervision at work and he let me go back to work after six weeks, I am wondering if I should have taken more time off of work. I do alot of driving at work and now riding in a vehichle is starting to be very uncomfortable. I am trying to figure what the next move should be? I don't really trust this surgeon anymore
JD
Thanks for sharing your story and reaching out to help someone else. So glad to hear you are doing so well.
Best Of Luck !
To Vanesa, I have had the same surgery (lactomany) excuse the spelling. But when the Dr went in there he wound up doing the l-2 3,4,5, s 1 @ the beginning only 3,4 he said the mri didn't show damage but when he went in there an seen it was very bad. Know I'm doing and living again. I pray this helps you.. jd. For further info you can contact me jdjj1957@gmail.com
Vanessa,
I'm sorry to hear your in so much pain believe me when I say I understand. Please don't give up there are other ways to ease the pain. These are some things that I have gotten some relief from, acupuncture, a tens unit, physical therapy, heating pad to the painful areas. The tens unit works block the pain signal to brain and be worn all day. Mine has a massage setting on it that feels real good.
The hardest thing to do is getting the muscles so they are not so tight and your nerve ending not so sensitive. Once you can get these calm ed down your pain will never go away but you will get out of the bathtub. I like you use heat and walk using a cane, use a walker if you have to, to get the blood circulating and muscles loose.
Best of Luck !
I had a lamenectomy in august 2000 the pain NEVER stopped. I was sent to a pain specialist & NOTHING he did worked. My primary care Dr put me on Vicodin & Flexeril No help there either. I changed Drs & he sent me to another pain specialist NO HELP. Later my Dr sent me to my 1st surgeon & said I need another surgery it was done June .200 screws were placed on each side of my lower spine. I have tailbone pain & severe muscle spasms . The Lorecet & valiums are of no help. I stretch & live in my bathtub or place a hot rice socl on my lower back. I feel like a invalid I have no life & cant even stand to wash dishes. Can someone PLEASE HELP ME
ashley,
Sorry to hear you are going have to have to endure another surgery. I've never heard of anyone hearing a pooping sound when they walk, that would make me feel very uncomfortable. I hope everything goes well for, you will have to report back on how you are doing after your surgery. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Best of Luck !!
Have A Good Evening !
I am 25 I had my first back fusion surgery at age 23 I am now about to go under the knife one more time they are going to take at 6 screw and 2 Rods out because 2 screws have came lose they only noticed this because I make a Loud popping sound when I walk my Dr said everything is healers so I don't need the support anymore maybe this Is a option for u
HolyMosses20,
Thank-you for taking the time to read my story and add your comment. Unfortunately there are many of us who have rods, screws, cages, and there for have unwanted pain. It's nice to know the pain is not in your head it's real. You are not in this alone their are other people who do understand you.
I will be interested in reading your story when you get it posted.
Have A Good Evening !
Thank you for sharing your story! I will rewrite mine and post it, they wouldn't let me post because it was already posted on my site 1st. Any how it's good to meet others who have had rods put in their back I knew this pain and discomfort was not just in my head!
Love, Light and Blessings to everyone~Hang in there!
michele,
Thank you for the apology, but it was not necesary but appreciated. I do understand being in constant pain even though my pain and surgeries have not changed my life as drastically as your life was was changed. Everyone needs to vent now and then.
People don't can not understand what living in constant pain and how restricting a back injury can be until they have experienced it. Keep getting the word if only one or two people listen that's someone who may be saved from a bad experience. Thank you for sharing story with everyone and try to help others.
Best Wish !
Thanks! Sorry to come across as hateful...not trying to be that way, just frustrated on how it has controlled every aspect of my life and others. I'm sorry to everyone that has had to go through this. I wish I would have known way back then, of course I was a kid and my parents thought they were doing the right thing at the time cause they were scared into believing it was our only option. Of course back then there was no internet or resources at all. There are so many of us on Facebook trying to get the word out and of course there are always people that harass us cause we are trying to HELP before it happens to them. I can't even tell people the harassment in general over the years from the general public, doctors, employers, etc in our every day lives because of all of it. Thank you for getting the word out there and doing something about it. I'm sorry you've had to go through all this and hope things get better for you. I apologize for coming across so harsh.
michele,
I am so sorry to hear the pain you have endured and what it has done to your life. I agree with you the doctors make us believe they are miracle works and we want to believe they are.More of us should do are homework before having surgery and heed the warning of those who have had back surgery. The pain after the surgery is much worse than the pain before or like in your case life changing.
Best Wishes !
What I find ridiculous is that they give these surgeries for something so common that most people have anyways. These surgeries were originally intended for those with major problems, curvatures of the spine, broken back, etc. I've had 4 major surgeries with hardware from T5-Sacrum and let me tell you, I KNOW PAIN. WE were lead to believe that if WE didn't have these surgeries that we would be in a wheelchair and crippled over for life and distorted beyond what we already were. I ended up that way HAVING the surgeries and STILL need more. I was 15 when I had my first and am almost 46 now. I've even suffered brain damage from one of my surgeries, major spinal cord injury, have no feeling from my mid torso-down, neurogenic bowel and bladder, severe arachnoiditis, cauda equina syndrome, autonomic dysreflexia, to name a few. I can never work again and have to move near a university hospital to live out my days. I have not been able to HAVE a life. I am that person that gives people like you advice to NOT have these surgeries because of what I have gone through, yet many of you want to believe that a surgery can take away pain and believe what the doctor says instead of those of us that have been there. NO SURGERY *takes away pain*...they CREATE pain. One surgery also leads to many more surgeries that were never necessary in the first place. I now also have to have neck surgery with the same crap I used to have in my spine because of all the surgeries and damage caused to my neck from them. I had my hardware from T5 to the sacrum removed after someone rear-ended my car. It shoved the top of the rod and hooks into my spinal cord. Before that it was broken hardware, etc. After all this we are left with NO doctors to take care of us because they don't know what to do with us or touch what someone else has messed up. You are left with hundreds of thousands of dollars in bills and non-stop medical bills, not counting the pain or loss of feeling, use of legs, organ function, etc. There are MANY of us out there and WE were the first of the *experiments*. This isn't new, this has been happening now since the 60's, but no one wanted to listen to us because it didn't pertain to them or we were just some disgruntled patient with *problems*. Now because these surgeries have gone more mainstream for simple back problems, then people want to listen. PAIN is the easy part...it's the crap afterwards, the problems later on down the line that suck the most...especially when you never got to have a life to begin with and you've had to deal with much more than any older person would ever realize. Bitter? You betcha I'm bitter. My advice to you is to leave well enough alone and deal with the pain cause it's always going to be there. You learn to *live with it* after so long...trust me!
Deb1ie,
Thanks for sharing, you are so right you have to learn what your body will tolerate and what it will not. Everything is complete different know you have had major surgery that has changed your body.
There are many things to try to relieve your pain other medication. I've tried acupuncture, physical therapy, diet, tens unit to name a few. What everyone needs to is find what works for them every body is different.
So nice to hear to have had good results
Have A Good Day !
I had a titanium plate and four screws and a fusion done to my neck at C6-7 back in 1999. The surgery worked. I am structurally sound. The thing you have to remember is this: you have to learn how to care for yourself in a totally different way than before the surgery, if this is your first major spinal surgery. You can do stupid things like go on Disneyland rides, or lift heavy objects. No, my Titanium never leaks? How could it? It's a solid piece of metal. For a few months after the surgery, I suffered from migraines, but that was due to my drinking enough water when taking the pain medication. You need to drink huge amounts of water with the pain meds. Also, you need to give yourself several months to heal. Just because you're not bleeding or a limb is not missing doesn't mean you can resume old behaviors a couple weeks after surgery. You also need to understand your surgery before you go through it. You need to have confidence in your doctor(s). You need to put into place an entire system of support and also need to know how you are really feeling and when to take what medication. Just because you are in pain after the surgery does't necessarily mean you need to take pain meds. Anti-inflammatories sometimes work best of all for me. The swelling then goes down and the pressure on the nerves disappears and I feel much better; whereas, popping an oxycontin sometimes does next to nothing for the pain. After back surgery, you need to learn all about your body's reactions to different things. It's like you're getting to know yourself for the first time. You really need to pay close attention to what you are doing and what you are taking, what works for you and when. After a while, you can resume some semblance of a normal life again. You will never be the same as you were before your surgery. Surgery changes you. It's a whole new ballgame but I believe it's the only choice for some people. I sometimes believe that God put me through this ordeal for a reason. It's made me more understanding of others' needs. I'm not so self-centered anymore. I have empathy now whereas I don't think I gave other people's ordeals much thought before.
charlene,
It's nice to hear of a back surgery working, that's what is supposed to happen. Having a good relationship with your doctor is very important. Having faith and the power of prayer is also important, a positive attitude plays apart in the healing.
Thank-you for sharing your story with us
Have A good Day !
Iam so sorry about your surgery, i had surgerys back in 1995 and another in 1996 and in 2007. And they all went well, iam now walking and can evein run not as much as be for but im ok. I can't work or lift over 15lbs. And thats ok i have my health and i get around well. But be for i had my surgery me and my doctors check out who and what would be done. And we all sat down and talk it over i had really good doctors from day one and i thank 'God,. Because prayer help in all of this 'God was in that room with me and sent me the right doctors. I hope and pray that everything gos well for you. Pray and let 'God do the work.
rudchesrter,
Sorry to hear about your pain and suffering. The idea of going from doctor to doctor is very scary, the worst part is finding one that can help you, everyone is different and every treatment is different what works one person may not work on someone else.
Keep searching for the doctor who will listen to you and treat all your symptoms,even the depression that makes the pain seem worse, there are many different ways of treating the pain without surgery. You have to be open to new ideas and find what works for you. I found a combination of pain medication, losing weight, and walking has help me.The walking was hard to start I couldn't walk any great distant for an amount of time, now I doing much better and feel stronger.
Little things can give you some relief like heat or cold on painful areas on the back, put a pillow behind your back when you sit and put your feet, don't cross your legs at the ankles it cuts of blood flow, sleep with a pillow between your knees it takes pressure of you back. These are a few things I've learned along the way of my 12 year battle constant pain. Hope you find something that works for your and if you do share it with the rest of us who also suffer. I do feel your pain.
Have A Good Day!
having suffered severe back problems for 5 years and have spent nearly £2000 on oseopathy I am being referred to a spinal clinic. Reading everyones comments I am terrified as nothing seems to work. I am in pain every day and do not have longevity to walk, stand or even sit. Depression is starting to set in. I dont know anyone persopnally with a back problem like mine but there seems to be a lot of people when I have googled the problem. No one seems to have an answer to this painful debiliting condition. Help I dont know what step to take next but know I cant continue like this.
effehil,
Thanks for taking the time to read my hub and comment. So many people think surgery is going to be the answer to their pain when in the end the chances of it not working is so great.
I understand your fear, the thoughts of another surgery is a major decision. Take your time and get a second opinion or as many as you need to feel comfortable with your decision. You may find another option that relieve your pain.
Best Of Luck !
thank you for sharing, I have a identical situation, already had surgery twice, and now I need it in my neck but I'm afraid to do it.
Loren,
I'm so sorry to hear of the pain your in, I so understand what you are going through. After two surgeries and twelve years of back pain. You are right the pain will never go away, but hopefully you will find a way to get it under control.
Something that works for me is heat. I put a heating pad on the place where the muscles are tight and it helps to loosen them up along with a good back rub. I also sleep on my side with a pillow between my knees that seems to take some pressure of the lower back and lets me sleep a little better.
I don't know how Vermont is but here we have pain doctor's, these are doctor's that deal with people who need pain medication and they will give it to you and monitor you on a monthly basis. This might be something you want to check out in your state. Some have also found relief with yoga and acupuncture. These both take some time before you will feel the benefit from them if they are going to work for you.
Thank-you for giving your experience with back surgery, to often people have it done thinking it's going to solve all their back problems, little do they know they may have just begun.I hope you find some relief, I honestly can say I know how you feel.
Best of Luck !
To all,
I had disk replacement on two disks in my lower back l-4 and L-3 they place titaninum rods wiht pedical screw to hold the new bone in place. The surgery stopped the tingling and pain in leg and I can walk again. After six months I still have terrible muscle spams that bring tears to my eyes. My Dr. will not give me any more pain medication so I have gone to Canada to get Asprin with Codeine or drink like crazy when I cant get that. I am 55 and he tole me after 30 years of going through this, that I should be tuff enough not to need pain medication that it is all in my head. I wish someone could tell me not to scream during a sound sleep waking up half the neighbor hood because I role the wrong way. I stretch and do what I can. Some days are better than others, but I cannot lie down on my back and get back up without severe pain. I have pool, hot tup, tens unit, moderate exercise equipment to stretch, but nothing works. I am an good physical shape for my age, not overweight and unitl the surgery, I was racing motorcycles which took a lot of effort to keep up with 20 year olds. I am hoping that one day I am going to wake up and the pain will be gone, but I have a sneak suspicion that this pain is never going away and basically has made me worse in many ways. I tell anyone thinking about a disk replacement to be very careful. I wish I had lived with the pain I had before, at least I had some days where I could be normal. I will never ever be normal again.
Loren Shaw Vermont
Carol,
Thanks for stopping and so sorry for the condition your back is in, I could not imagine what it would b like to be fused all the way through out my back. I have not heard of the titanium leaking, I will surely look into it and see what I can find out. My thoughts and prayer's are with you my you find some relief from your pain and depression.
Have A Good Evening !
Ten years ago at age 55 I had titanium rods fused to my spine because of pain and spasms due to scoliosis. They go from my thorax to my tailbone-really a massive surgery. Any doctor I've been to since says they've never seen anything like it. The brace I had to wear and the inability to move ended up causing me to have depression and anxiety, for which I am still being treated. They have lessened but I haven't been able to completely stop taking the meds for them. The surgery took away the spasms and I could walk and even go back to a relatively tame job. The pain, however, did lesson with pain pills but was always there. It feels like I had a large brick inserted in my back (or more like a cinderblock) and the longer I stand or slightly bend (as in washing dishes) the tighter it feels. The pain can now get so bad I have to lay down many times a day. Aleve helped a little until I became allergic to them and got hives. Hydrocodone and lying flat in a hot bath is the only relief I get, and I space the medicine out for even days apart because I don't want the side effects. What I've just heard is that titanium leaks. Does anyone know what this is all about and how could that effect my back and my life?
laughing loon,Thanks for stopping by and the kind words.I sure wish I was in a different place but I've learned to accept what i have and make the best of it.The days I'm feeling down because of the pain I just have to remind myself how lucky I really am I don't have something that's incurable and I'm am still able to care for myself.My Grandma always said God will not give you more than you can handle.
I have had my back stop working four different times in my life. The last time I hurt it, I sneezed and tried to hold it and tore a nerve. They offerred me surgery and I talked to my doctor who is also an osteopath and his comment was to not do surgery unless you have tried every thing else and you still can't function. Only get surgery as a last resort. I live with pain but I am glad I did not have surgery. I have had 4 rounds of steroidol injections and have nevr had a head ache like that. You heard of those headaches from when they used to give women a saddle block during birth but the newer meds they use don't do that. I am so sorry for you.
Hi seamist,Thanks for stopping by and thank-you for the sharing your story and concern.It's hard to understand just how much a bad back effects your life until you have one. Yes I am seeing a pain Doctor,and like you I am also taking oxycotin, I also take topamax for migraine control,lyrica for never pain and numbness.Every so often I have to change my pain medication,it stops working like it should once I change to a different one I'm okay again.
I hope you have researched and gotten a second opinion for your never ablation.I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Hi 4youreyes
I am so sorry your surgery wasn't successful. I also had back surgery - a disectomy/laminectomy for L5-S1. Like you, before the surgery, I had sciatica. For the most part, the back surgery eliminated the pain. Then about five years after the surgery, I herniated five discs in my thoracic (middle) back, herniated the disc above the surgery, and reherniated the disc I had surgery on. Considering this, unless a doctor told me I was going to be wheelchair bound, I would not opt for another surgery. It may be a help in the short term, but I think it weakens the back over the long term.
Have you seen a pain management doctor? Like you, I had a set of thoracic and lumbar epidurals, but I didn't have the headaches. However, they did nothing to relieve the pain. Now the doc is thinking about doing a nerve ablation, but I am scared of that.
Although I know it's a controversial drug, I take Oxycontin for the pain. I've been on it for seven years. Although it does wonders for the pain in the beginning, you develop a tolerance to it after awhile. However, it doesn't make so tired and groggy like morphine. Anyway, I hope the doctors can do something for your pain. Great hub!
I'm glad to hear your daughter is doing better ,I wish I would have tried a different route.Thanks for taking the time to visit my hubs .
OMG! I can't believe all that you have been through. I can't even imagine. I have had a similar experience with my daughter. Much like you, she is in her early thirties and has been through major testing etc. She has done a lot of research and has taken a holistic approach. Today she is doing extremely well and is convinced that yoga has turned her health around. My heart goes out to you.
Sage
4youreyes Hub Author 3 days ago
melindabed,
melindabed
Thanks for taking the time and telling us what has helped you work through the pain. I've never heard of a IF unit but it is something I am going to check it out.
Best Of Luck !