New member facing l4 s1 fusion

**Hooch** · 08-01-2010, 08:44 PM

Gday,

I've probably got a similar story to many in this forum. DDD and bulging at two levels, facet arthrosis and hypertrophy, moderate central stenosis at one and moderate bilateral stenosis at another.

Clinically I just seem to break down with the least amount of load put on my back these days. Lots of painful tightening of muscles unless I lean forward to relieve it, cannot seem to walk more than a few kilometres without stirring it up. I have done heaps of research on surgery and physio, have done lost of physio and fully activated my core muscles and developed good body mechanics (if anyone here with back troubles hasn't done 'spine stabilisation' pt I suggest you get into it, it's helped me significantly), but I just seem to be going nowhere. There are obviously multiple pain generators in there present in flexion and extension and despite all my efforts I can't get things to a reasonable level. I have no neurological symptoms, just axial back pain.

Anyway been in at times severe pain in a physical profession, after 2 and a half years finally couldn't go any longer when I realised the intractable pain was never going to go away, lost my job. Surgery was offered a year and a half ago (alif 2 levels) and I refused. Now I am moving states and consulting specialists (I'm Australian) and if surgery is offered I intend to take it. I am at the end of my rope.

Anyway now that I am sitting around not doing much but a bit of studying, walking and housework the pain levels have obviously dropped but I am still very limited, and have lost all confidence in my back.

Anyway all I really wanted to post here was to tell my story to some people who have experience this nightmare and understand the situation. I overcame some significant challenges early in my adult life, and lost close to 6 years to it. I've finally gotten over that, and now I am watching in horror as my stupid back just tears my life apart. I am terrified of surgery as especially for me there are no strong indicators, but I am completely out of will power. I don't if know if many can understand this but I busted through the white wall of the pain barrier for close to 3 years everyday and now I am completely spent in my heart and my head. I just can't face a life of pain anymore. The only thing that's stopped me going under the knife is I know you can come out worse off, and the one terrible truth about pain seems to be that it can always get worse.

Talking to family is hard, as they expect me to get better now that I am taking a break from work. Of course they can't get their heads around the condition. Before all this, the idea that pain would start and not stop was completely foreign to me too. Of course friends fall by the wayside, and you can't mention it to people because of the stigma. They think you are weak psychologically. And it just builds inside. But the truth is the pain is real and now I don't how to manage it, apart from going onto narcotics. I don't how I can work like this.

So that's all a bunch of negative ****, but I spose that's what I'm dealing with and that's why I intend to take surgery if its offered, and I hope it is now.

Thankyou for listening to my story. I have read many stories about surgery on forums, but if there is anyone here who suffers similar symptons\condition to mine I would be grateful to hear how it turned out for you, surgically or non-surgically.

Cheers,
Chris.

**KBear** · 08-01-2010, 09:15 PM

Chris,
I am so sorry you are going through this, back pain is tough and it sucks. No one can really understand what you are going through unless they have been there (I know I didn't get it until I lived it myself). Being in pain day in and day out wears you out physically and emotionally, where you would do anything to make it stop. I think you are very wise to be researching though, because you are right that surgery can make you worse, so you want to get it right the first time. What levels are affected? There is a light at the end of tunnel, even though it probably doesn't feel like it now. If you would have told me 2 years ago that I would one day be close to pain free, I wouldn't have believed it either; but here I am. I also went through 3+ years of pain before surgery and then it took another year to heal from surgery. I am so glad I had surgery and feel 100x better than before. Do your research, get multiple surgical opinions and then make the best decision you can with the information you have. Feel free to ask any questions you may have, as there is not a dumb question when it comes to your spine. Good Luck and hoping for many pain free days ahead of you!
Kathy

**Katie** · 08-02-2010, 08:49 AM

Hi Chris,

First I want to welcome you here, and let you know that you have come to a safe place where no one judges and almost everyone 'gets it'. We are all in some state of suffering and/or repair and are simply here to help others and try to find help for ourselves.

You said that you are ready for surgery if anyone offers it to you and that you are not on narcotics. The latter will certainly help you cope with everyday life, and getting off them after surgery, while no picnic, is better than the alternative of barely coping with pain 24/7.

There was another patient or two on here from Australia a while ago. One had gone to Dr. Luiz Pimenta for revision surgery after his previous ADR surgery in Germany I think ran into complications. Because of his recommendation, I ended up going to the same surgeon to help my rare problem, a severe allergy to all the metals used, both for fusion and ADR. I had three levels done in March, two lumbar and one in my cervical, and while not 100% yet, I'm truly enjoying life again.

There are a number of extremely good surgeons out there....I guess my worry is that you are so desperate that you might take the first one that offers help. Despite how difficult sitting and searching on the net is, it will be worth your time and effort to do.

I hope you can first find a pain management doctor so that you aren't in such misery, then let us help you with our collective experiences.

Many here have had ADR in the lumbar levels, although most surgeons I've consulted with (all out of my country) have advised a fusion at L5/S1 and ADR at L4/5, to retain mobility in the top level. Because of my special circumstances I was only able to have a two level fusion, and am happy for it. But I would have chosen the other option if I had a choice.

Hang in there and reach out....we are here for you.

**Cindylou** · 08-02-2010, 12:07 PM

Hi Chris,

I would like to welcome you as well.

You have already received excellent advice from Kathy and Katie so I will try not to be redundant. My pain experience and surgeries are in my signature, so feel free to ask me any questions if you want. Everyone here is so helpful and compassionate. I will say I agree with Katie about not jumping at the first surgery offered you, and a pain managment clinic can and should help you make a more clear-headed decision if you are not so desperately in pain. I would definitely be seeking out that type of clinic. Again, glad you found us and hope we can be of some help. No one gets us like us.

**Gilbert P** · 08-02-2010, 02:27 PM

Hi Chris

As stated we are here to help. You have been given some Great advice.
I am also looking into surgery and seeking many opinions and looking at all my options. With multi levels I would like to have one last surgery.

It is a big decision, You want to make the correct choice on surgeon and procedure.

All The Best

Gil

**ajj1001** · 08-02-2010, 05:09 PM

Hiya and welcome to the forum.

alison x

**New-disc** · 08-02-2010, 05:28 PM

**Hooch** · 08-02-2010, 09:38 PM

Hi, thanks for all the kind welcomes and advice, it meas a lot to know I'm not the only one facing these difficulties.

I don't intend to jump at the first surgery offered, but I have some issues with my level of health cover that make it difficult to see certain specialists without waiting a long time. But I'll be chasing a second or third opinion before I go under a knife.

Anyways, nice to meet all of you.

Chris.

**trkdoc714** · 08-04-2010, 08:00 PM

Chris,

Your story reminds me so much of the experience I had (not to mention your pathology is similar). It's hard to make others understand what we go through since we don't have a cast or bandage. The most understanding I received was after a co-worker ruptured a disc.

If I can offer up suuport, feel free to contact me.

Bob

**Katie** · 08-04-2010, 11:56 PM

Chris, with having to wait a year between each surgeon's or other specialist's appointment, I understand your frustration completely. I was battling our health care system and its inadequate insurance coverage at the same time....it was an extremely frustrating period. And it seemed like it would never end.

I don't know if you've looked at my whole story, but the delay in treatment literally saved my life...hard to accept at the time, but true. I unknowingly had a severe allergy to all surgical metals that would have been used at the beginning of my fight; thankfully through this forum, I was able to be tested and then searched for a surgeon who could accommodate that issue.

It went very quickly after that, a matter of a few months until I had surgery. Keep the faith that you will get to that point soon enough. But research is critical.

If you ever need to chat, feel free to PM.