Previous laminectomies at L5/S1 - looking for pain relief

[sammy]

Hi . I have had 2 laminectomies l5 s1 this year and one repair, as the surgeon tore the dural nerve sack.. I have had leg or nerve pain (as they think there is now some nerve damage)

I was told a couple of weeks ago that i am unfortunately in the unlucky 5% that this surgery does not work for, i think they called failed back syndrome..

I have my final mri results next week to determine the extent of the damage and if it warrants another surgery.
I am hoping i can gain information from the members here on ways to manage my pain, and hopefully i can wean myself of my pain medications...

I am looking forward to talking with you all and gaining some insight, because quite honestly i feel quite lost atm....

sammy

[sammy]

Thanks for the warm welcome.

[ajj1001]

hi sammy, not been around much as I had surgery cancelled two weeks ago and been chasing around to try and sort. failed back surgery syndrome is a coverall term that some doctors use, not really a diagnosis or condition.

[trkdoc714]

Sammy,

Sorry for not chiming in earlier. Working, the 4th, and 2 road trips had my time stretched thin.

You might want to discuss a few more tests. Both EMG and CT Myleogram can help pinpoint sources of nerve/ nerve root damage.

I went through 2 failed laminectomies/ discectomies too. It took a lot of research and reflection before I decided to go further with another surgery.

As for pain management, find someone that will try to find a solution to control your pain and not someone that just writes prescriptions for the strongest pain killer allowable. I took less than prescribed to control the pain throughout the process and had very little problem getting off of meds once the pain went away completely.

Bob

[Gilbert P]

Hi Sammy

I too had failed surgery at that level, i agree with Bob Test and find some comfort, Or go for the big surgery but as a last resort

Gil

[Justin]

Hi Sammy,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

You've been given some great advice above.

I have my final mri results next week to determine the extent of the damage and if it warrants another surgery.

Did you receive your MRI results? If you get a chance, please let us know how things turned out.

We are here to support you.

[sammy]

ok firstly i would like to apologise for being so short. It was just pure frustration and i meant nothing personal. I am truly embarrassed ...

Thank you so much for your replies, i feel for each one of you and is good to know i can gain insight from those in the same situation..
I am due to get my final mri results tomorrow morning, so will log in and let you know how it went. I have an awful lot of questions to ask my surgeon and hope he has the time to accommodate me.

AJJ i am hoping you have another date for your surgery.

[ajj1001]

Thank you so much for your replies, i feel for each one of you and is good to know i can gain insight from those in the same situation..
I am due to get my final mri results tomorrow morning, so will log in and let you know how it went. I have an awful lot of questions to ask my surgeon and hope he has the time to accommodate me.

AJJ i am hoping you have another date for your surgery.

thank you. it might help to write the questions down so that you can find out everything you need to know. hope it goes well.

[sammy]

Hello again, The MRI shows stenosis at the s1 l5 region. the surgeon thinks that physiotherapy may widen the gap enough to take pressure off the nerves,hence reducing my pain (thats my understanding of it)..If in 6 months my pain is the same, he is talking about a fusion, going in from the stomach instead of the back this time. He also says that i could have alot of scar tissue from the previous surgeries which are impinging on the nerves and causing my nerve pain. he said even with a fusion i will never be pain free..

I am very very reluctant to have more surgery and have at this stage said no, i have kept the appointment open in case things change.

I am hoping that physio will help reduce the symptoms. I was told that going back to work is no longer an option for me. I am finding this very hard to cope with as i was studying to go back to work in nursing. I have decided to remain optimistic as getting depressed hasn't worked so far and i am tired of moping about it all.

hoping you all have a good weekend

[ajj1001]

trying other options before surgery is a really good idea, hope you get some improvement in the next couple of months from the physio. not being able to work is very difficult to cope with, i found the process similar to grieving, it is something you have to go through but there will come a time when you can accept it however sad you still find it. i stopped working in 2008 and it started to feel less painful and a bit more normal this year. i've had to find other goals & rewards away from paid employment. I would suggest that you look at this next 6 months of therapy as your job now and put every effort into making it successful.