[Spinal Fusion / Lumbar] L5/S1 Fusion in 2001, still in pain

[TheDuc]

Hello Everyone,
I have come to this site, to get some info and some feedback. Back in 2001 I had L5/S1 Fused, back and front with a bone stimulator implanted for 6 months. One week in the hospital, one to 3 weeks at home doing rehab, and a total of 3 months with a full back and leg brace. The surgery worked, I was able to walk again, but still had chronic pain... Pain Management to this day, and now after a head on car accident, I went from a 4 to a 7 with pain, even with the meds. It feels like a knife in my spine day and night.
A client of mine just had L5 and the next level up fused, but using the orthoscopic method, he was walking and working, with a cane, one week after his surgery. I am have been trying to see how he has been doing, as of late, but we are playing phone tag.
Knowing I will have to get another fusion, I was wondering the pros and cons of both methods of this type of surgery, which had or has the better % of helping the pain.
I hope this will be the right place to find some answers, most of the other boards I have seen are mostly drug seekers, THIS IS NOT WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR!!! I want to be drug and pain free, that is my goal, as I'm sure it is with most people. I just wanted to make this clear. Sorry if I came off so strong about that point, but it's important to me. I hope there are people who are going thru close to what I'm going thur and can ofter some advice, links, anything... I'm desperate for help. I'm going to start Rakie (sp) next week.

Thank You all and I hope that I can help as well as receive any info from anyone.

[KanRunMo]

You have come to the right place. Although I'm not the one to give you advice since I'm looking for artificial disc replacement (I think), there are many people on this sight who have been through lots of surgeries and can tell you what worked or didn't for them. I assume you've had epidural/steroid/corizone injections which must not have worked for you or have tried spinal decompression etc. I agree with you, that meds are not what you want to be on. Keep looking in the forums on this sight, especially "Surgical Outcomes" and you will get some ideas.

[Gilbert P]

I cant agree more pain meds for life can be hard but some people have no other option

you need to get several opions and see many Docs.

You have only one spine and no two spines are alike.

Keep asking questions and educate your self to find the BEST solution for your condition.

We are here to help

All The Best

Gil

[KBear]

Welcome to the site, and sorry you are going through this. I had ADR, not fusion, so don't know much in that area. I would suggest getting at least 3 surgical opinions before making a decision. I completely agree on the pain meds, they are a life saver when you need them, but who wants to be on them forever. When I was 27, I had a dr. tell me I needed chronic pain management and there was nothing else they could do for me. That was seriously the worst day of my life, very depressing to hear that.

[Greg]

You've been given some really good advice so far but I am going to reitarate because it is so important to get several opinions on what treatment you choose. Once you've done your homework and learned what it best for you and you can match it with what the majority of the opinions you receive, then thats the path you should take. DO WHAT YOU FEEL IS BEST :thumpup: because it is your decision to make!

And I cant agree with you more on the pain meds. They almost ruined my life (well pretty much did for 5 months) but thats a whole different story.....here;s a link to the thread if you feel like reading about the worst time of my life and its all because of the darn little pills that I hate to take but have no other choice. Help Please!!!! I screwed up with the pain mgmt doctor

Have you tried all the conservative treatments for the area you feel may need to be fused? Have you had a discogram or facet block injection to confirm that its your pain generator? What level is it that you think is causing the issues? Since 2000 the medical options for treating spines (well at least what they'll allow in USA) have increased drastically and there are a lot of option other than fusion. Of course this all depends on whats wrong and where. Besides lots of opinions:thumpup::thumpup::thumpup: and becoming an expert on your condition:thumpup::thumpup: my biggest suggestion for you is to start as minimally invasive as possible:thumpup: (and thats even if surgery is necessary) and work your way up if need be. Again, I dont know exactly what your condition is so I cant offer too many ideas on procedures without knowing but I pray and hope you can get by with the easiest one out there.

Look forward to hearing back from you and dont worry. WE DONT THINK YOU'RE A DRUG SEEKER as we all dislike having to take these meds as much as you do.

[linda]

Welcome to the site but I am sorry you are sufferng so. However, I am glad you survived such a terrible accident. I have not had surgery yet but am also a pill hater. As of late I have been trying to reduce my meds since they don't seem to be working as well anyway. They really have done a number on me physically and mentally. Once again welcome to the site and I look forward to hearing more from you.
Linda

[TheDuc]

I would like to thank all of you who replied to my intro post. I have a lot to lean from many of you. I can't come on every day, but right now I am needing help on all the acronyms of the procedures, and I have to get my spine picture out. I'm 42 and I feel lucky enough that I can walk, with pain. But it's getting back to the point that I can't make it thru the day without needing the whole night on my back, but I digress. Thank you all for your in sites and info. I will be coming here more often, I have been waiting on my surgeon to get an updated MRI, my last one was right after the accident. I will have to figure out how to put my medical history up here as well. It helps when you are talking with others. I hope to hear from more people... I can't believe I had so many responses... Thank you all again so, so, much... I don't feel so alone, which I'm sure you all have felt in the past.

[KBear]

The acronyms can be confusing at first, I guess we need thread with the definitions of each of them. ADR and TDR are used interchangeably to mean artificial disc replacement and/or total disc replacement (same surgery, just different words). This is just what it sounds like, instead of fusing the segment in place, an artificial disc is put in place, which allows the segment to move as it would with a 'normal' disc (at least in theory).
I was 2.5 yrs. into my injury when I found support forums and it has helped me so much. Wish I had found them sooner. I wasn't being my own advocate, didn't know what to ask and felt alone. It's hard having something like this wrong and having no one who gets it. I think that's why we all bond so quickly and deeply on here, because we all get it and have been there.

[Gilbert P]

KBear

Ditto you hit the nail on the head

Duc you will have our support,

All The Best

Gil