Spinal fusion anyone else out there?

[foodie456]

I'm just looking for someone who's going through the same or has been through it?

I am now 1 year after having spinal surgery due to have 2 breaks in spine because it was left undiagnosed I lost a lot of nerves and the jelly part of the discs in my L4 & L5

The breaks happened after the birth of my son who was 10lb1 but put down to muscle pain even though I couldn't stand for 2 days after without copious amount of medication. Fast forward 5 years of pain meds' and I was finally put through a MRI as I lost the feelings in one leg and would fall to my knees.

Im just really struggling now with leaving the house panic attacks and still in so much pain I'm now attending physio with a spinal specialist I just want to know it gets better?!

Not fusion but I had a discectomy of L5/S1 with cauda equina
Physio helped me a lot. I'm only 6 months post op so hard to tell long term as I have some altered sensation in my leg/foot due to the nerves being so crushed
I'm back in the gym and riding my horse, still have back pain but no leg pain and Pilates has helped my core massively

That's good to hear my nerves are suffering too sciatica is a major pain!

Are you still taking pain medication at all?

Hi I also had cauda equina and had emergency op ( discectomy and lamectomy ?) on L5 I think. Also had a 10 pound + baby !!
This was 2009, actual op was a walk in the park, nothing compared to childbirth tbh. Touch wood op went well. Have slight nerve damage, numbness. The op really helped me with the back pain. I do still take pain meds, but thats because I have arthritis of the spine. I have a fully functioning life, do a standing job for 9 hours a day. Hope this settles you a little

Have they offered another MRI to see whats still giving you pain. You should push for this, as I believe no amount of physio can see inside you and possibly there is something else going on? Not to worry you, but its' good to get it checked.

I take over the counter stuff as needed and sometimes codeine at night time

Yes I had a discectomy and fusion of C6/7 after an accident 2 years ago. Have made a good recovery and back to work etc once the neck brace was off but its definitely been a process and I've continued to improve throughout the 2 years, with ups and downs. Psychologically too. Physio, massage and pilates have all been really helpful for me. And recently acupuncture helped hugely with some residual nerve pain- which I'd had since the accident, in one side of my neck and shoulder blade, and had thought I always would have. I work full time in an active job, horse ride, can do everything I did before, probably still have to pace myself a bit, and get a little more tired. Have slight weakness in one arm, only subtle, and a few muscle twinges in my back, neck, shoulder but nothing that needs painkillers really, heat helps. And keeping moving as much as poss- probably sitting for long periods is the least helpful thing- eg if out for a meal. Interesting to hear what has helped others.

Yes I had 2nd physio appt today since op and we worked out that it's also a lot to do with my pelvis I had spd and muscles tore in stomach so don't have much support in core they are still trying to offer me oxycodone a year in which I have declined but I find diazepam helps along with solpadol but I am so scared of the all the tablets I'm completely stop for periods which throws my progress back I used to love riding and boxing and desperately need them and yoga back in my life for sanity but the 4 months after op I did yoga everyday I then got cocxydinia.

I just want to be back normal I'm 29 I've always worked and for the last year I have barely left the house