[Spinal Fusion / Lumbar] L5 S1 Fusion; 1 month later and still in pain

[Dav1d]

I suppose I expected more from the surgery. Its a month exactly and I still take 4 or 5 pain pills a day. Initially this was oxycodone but I've moved down to vicodin today. I feel like a junky asking for this stuff. As much because I thought by now I'd be beyond the need. I'm starting to wonder if there's something amiss with the recovery. I resumed work a week go.

Now, apart from the pain around the incision site I'm developing stabbing pains in the cheeks of my butt and one leg. This is recent, starting about 3 weeks after surgery.

I'm hoping there's someone who's reading this that's gone down the same path as me, who can maybe shine a light and let me know I'm still on the right path?

[ajj1001]

you are back at work so it can't be all bad. if you are still like this 3 months post op then that would be a but more concerning.

are you doing no bending, lifting, twisting? are you taking regular breaks from sitting and walk regularly? have you had any post op checks? if so is bone forming?

[Dav1d]

Thanks for the reply. No, no lifting, twisting; I sit and I walk. I try not to be sat for more than an hour then I walk around the block. Ivehad one post-op, two weeks out. I go for another in 2 more weeks.

Is the 3 months you suggest a decent benchmark to be pain-free (narcotic-free) do you suppose?

[ajj1001]

... not pain free but things start to improve post op by then for most people. its also the normal point that signs of bone formation show though this can take up till 6 months. you are doing really well to be working and being able to sit for that long. keep up the good work with no BLT, take the pain killers and keep healing.

[Justin]

Hi David,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

One month post-op from a spinal fusion is VERY early in the recovery process.

Thanks for the reply. No, no lifting, twisting; I sit and I walk. I try not to be sat for more than an hour then I walk around the block. Ivehad one post-op, two weeks out. I go for another in 2 more weeks.

Is the 3 months you suggest a decent benchmark to be pain-free (narcotic-free) do you suppose?

Every Spine Patient is unique. Coming off of pain medications is based on a lot of factors: duration of injury before surgery, extent of operation, other elements of the spine causing pain (osteoarthritis, any inflammatory processes, etc.), any comorbidities that might contribute to ongoing pain, etc.

Good luck! Each day should get better (although I do know recovery can be 2 steps back, 1 step forward)...remember the small victories from day-to-day. Keep us posted.

[Dav1d]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your thoughts. This is such a drudge and it shakes up all my previous expectations of wellness. Now I become fixated by limitations - what I can't do - and the pain. The days when you take a few motrin and the ache goes away is a memory.

Here's the question I get stuck on. It's easy to flag up your pain level on the 1 to 10 scale, isn't it? Basically it falls between 6 and 7. The prescription talks about 1 to 2 as needed, but what's the target? Easing it back to 4 or 5? Taking a day's vacation to a 3 or 2, and then fretting that you're taking too many for your long-term good.

[ajj1001]

I wouldn't worry about taking painkillers whilst you are in early recovery. keeping your pain at manageable levels si you can do your walking, exercises and stay mobile is most important. once you have a solid fusion thn you can do a planned reduction and see how your pain responds. keeping it at a constant 3 - 4 is a good place to be at 4 weeks post op.

[Dav1d]

Time flies. It's 5 weeks on from my last post so 2 months, 5 days since my fusion. About 3 weeks ago I had a CT scan to check for any reason for the ongoing pain and the result was very good. The fusion is happening, everything looks good, the pain is just "your body readjusting to all the stuff that got moved about".

Pain remains a constant companion. My work schedule is partly to blame; 6am train (1 hour commute) desk job, commute to be home by 7 pm. I take 1 or 2 vicodin when I wake, another about 11am, 2 more at 4pm to have me covered for the evening. If I take more later I don't sleep well.

Happy hour for me is when I first get up. I'm almost pain free for an hour and it's so tempting not to take the pills and so enjoy the clear-headedness. It's a folly though; I then have to play catch-up with the pain. Vicodin seems best for preventing pain rather than fixing it; basically it's a coward drug, it only works when it's winning I've noticed a pattern that my pain gets worse as the day progresses. I'm pretty good about no bending, lifting, etc, but by home time i'm aching and wishing I could massage the spine.

I start physio, or rather we're scheduled to discuss starting it, early August. Perhaps that will help. We shall see. Until then I keep taking the medicine 4 - 6 a day. And I look forward to the days I can do stuff, like mow the lawn, fix stuff and generally be myself again.

Best wishes
David

[Justin]

Hey David,

The PT should really help when you start in August. Keep your head up--things do get better.

[Dav1d]

Kind words, my thanks