[Spinal Fusion / Lumbar] Looking For Answers - 9 Month Post PLIF and Still Having Pain

[Jan P]

It's been awhile since I have written and I am hoping that someone can possibly help me out.

My PLIF with screws and rods was done Dec. 1, 2010. At three months my NS wanted me to get off all meds, Gabapentin 1800 mg, Vicodin and Tramadol. I tried very unsucessfully to step down from the 1800mg Gabapentin - leg pain was incredible. I did start PT about the same time and over the period of the next 2 1/2 months I was feeling pretty good. However, still taking the Gabapentin, but hardly needed the other pain meds.

We took off in our Motorhome the third week of May and leg pain returned very shortly thereafter. I have been doing the stretching exercies that the PT gave me. We had committments so had to be away from home for the next few months. I even increased the Gabapentin to 2700mg. While away I contact my NS office and explained the problem - Increased nerve pain in right leg, sometimes with lower right back pain..........same thing I had prior to surgery. They sent an order for an MRI and X-ray then I sent the CD to him. I was told he did not see anything to be concerned about, but wanted to see me in his office.

My appt. with the NS was on Friday. He basically stated "he is at a loss as to why I am still having pain". Although, it is comforting to know that there is no additional problems with the back and that there is no problem with the surgery site. It is not comforting to still be in pain. I requested another order for PT which I will be starting in two days.

My concern is........Is this failed surgery? Do I just need to give it more time? Is there something else I should be doing?

As always I appreciate any thoughts someone may have.
Jan

[Tuliptoday]

Hi, I have just written a new thread which sounds more or less exactly the same as yours, Doc said the same thing - I can see you are in pain but I dont know why? He talking about going back to epidurals again and said it can take up to two years to settle. I am, like you so fed up with taking pills, I just want my life back again, I think I am going to try a sports physiotherapist, some one I know had a good result seeing one, Chin up you are not alone

[Katie]

Can you send your images off to other surgeons? Even international ones? I never settle for just one opinion, especially if it doesn't give me answers. I am leery of any doctor who would insist that you have a specific deadline for getting off meds, regardless of your pain levels.

Also, sometimes one drug works better than another. I went through a whole pharmacy it seemed before I found one that would work, especially without nasty side effects. While your main goal is to find the reasons for your pain, it would be nice to reduce the pain in the meantime. As you know, driving/sitting can be one of the worst things you can do for pain. It may have just stirred things up and avoiding it for the next while may help settle things....just throwing ideas out there with good wishes as well.

[Jan P]

Hi, I have just written a new thread which sounds more or less exactly the same as yours, Doc said the same thing - I can see you are in pain but I dont know why? He talking about going back to epidurals again and said it can take up to two years to settle. I am, like you so fed up with taking pills, I just want my life back again, I think I am going to try a sports physiotherapist, some one I know had a good result seeing one, Chin up you are not alone

Tuliptoday - Sorry you are dealing with the same situation as I am. Very frustrating and upsetting, as I too just want my life back!
I did ask the NS about starting epidurals (had a series prior to surgery) and he said he did not recommend it at all for me - due to the metal in my back. The risk of infection would be to great. Not sure if this is how all doc's feel about this!

I have started a diet to lose 15-20 lbs which is the most I could possibly lose - in hopes of taking strain off my back. My husband thought getting a personal trainer could be helpful, of course after I see how I have done with PT.

Thank you for your thoughts and I wish you well also.

[Jan P]

Katie

I hadn't thought about sending images off to someone else and will certainly check into that. Thanks for the suggestion. I would probably have to agree that our driving trip contributed to this renewed pain. Likely premature to do so. So now my only hope is to start the PT and see if he can get me back to where I was.

I also have an appt. coming up with the the Pain Management Doctor to discuss other med choices. What pain meds worked best for you? Obviously, the Gabapentin isn't cutting the pain, like I think it should or wish it would!

Thanks for thoughts and well wishes.

[KanRunMo]

I'm not in your situation but I have had pain. As Katie mentioned, sitting causes the most pain and especially in a car. Somehow car seats tip back a little putting pressure on your spine. I found traveling in my husband's previous car, a Toyota Camry, gave me almost immediate pain in my back and down my leg. I previously had a Honda Odyssey van that seemed to keep my back straight. Now we have two SUVs, and both seem to be better for my back, especially in the driver's seat. My car is a Toyota RAV 4, and my husband's is a Toyota Highlander. Anything to help the back stay straight is good.

[Jan P]

KanRunMo,

I do agree that sitting is one of my biggest problems. So of course this Motorhome Trip was probably poorly timed, but I had hopes it would have gone better. I did use my Lumbar Pillow as the passenger seat, although very comfortable (reclines, tilts, etc) is very soft.

Does it ever get easier to sit? I know when ever we go anywhere, I constantly have to get up or just stand. Our friends understand, but it would be nice to get beyond this.

Thanks for your support.

[Frances144]

I could've written your post tbh.

I am about the same date post-op as you and I still have pain.

It is exhausting and I am off the meds and just live in constant degrees of pain.

I don't know what to do or where to go next and some days are better than others but none are great.

Take care. You are not alone. That is all I can say really xx

[Jan P]

Francis

Very,sorry you are also going thru the same.

I have spent alot of time at Physical Therapy and my Therapist is great. I have gotten to the point (thanks to him) where I can identify sooner, triggers for the leg/back pain.

1) I have had to re-invent the way I get in/out of the car both as a passenger and driver - being certain to keep my back and hips in line without twisitng.

2) I purchased a new office chair for our home office (I do not work). The large type executive chair was a real issue. He showed me the proper position for arms, legs, height, etc. Just received, so hopeful this will help. Otherwise I tend to stand with the computer at the bar counter in the kitchen and shift the my weight and walk away frequently.

3) Daily very low stretching exerices that he gave me, that I do on the floor twice a day.

4) Icing my lower back several times a day for 15 - 30 minutes, especially after a walk, shopping, the exercies or whenever I feel tingling in the leg or tightness in the back.

I spoke with my Pain Management Nurse Pract. last week to get a refill on my Gabapentin. She also suggested getting in to a very warm swimming pool and walking around (of course in the shallow end but with shoulders nearly underwater), moving arms around, out to the side and meeting in the front, stuff like that. Of course, the big challenge is, where I can I do this?????

I hope that some of this might be helpful to you and me alike.

Take care and Good Luck

[Pbchoclovr]

JanP,

On the swimming note, my PT is very insistent that I get into a pool and do the walking thing also. She told me to walk backward instead of forward, so I don't lean forward and everything stays in alignment. She also told me this needs to be something I do for the rest of my life.

As for where... Do you have a gym locally that has a pool? Here is MD outdoor pools only operate from Memorial Day to Labor Day. I belong to one in the summer. Several of the local gyms here have indoor pools. I even found one with a therapeutic pool. Might be a place to start looking. You might also try your local Parks and Planning group or the equivalent for AZ. They may be able to point you in the direction of a year round pool.

Hope you're able to find some answers and relief.


Linda