Anyone else had a back fusion in the group???

[Guest guest]

Hi, I know Rob had a back fusion, has anyone else had a back fusion in

the group?? I am curious how the healing process went for anyone else.

Its not the same as my neck fusion I can tell that already. So I am

wondering how it went for others so I can figure out if its going well

or not. So has anyone else out there had a back fusion that worked or

didn't work???? Want to know how it felt as it was healing and how

slow or how quickly the surgery pain went away and you can tell if its

working well or not??? I already know my back HATES!!!!!!!! being in a

car still. It is sure screaming after going to the dr today. So looks

like car rides are still out for me for awhile. Thats tke kind of

thing I want to know how it went for others if anyone out there had a

fusion. Thanks for any input. Sharon Group Owner

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon,

Sorry I can't be of any help with the fusion (honestly, I don't even know what it entails?) but you caught my attention with the "car ride" comment!

I keep wondering if I will ever drive again??

It is not comfortable at all. I have to have hubby drive and I have to lay the passenger seat back almost all the way to go out with my family, but I must say ... I thank God I can at least walk now! Which was not the case a year ago?! PRAISE GOD!!

Please be careful around the house ... I'm with you on being accident prone... if there is an ice cube on the floor, a rug to trip on, a slippery counter, a well meaning "hit & run" hug (from my 3 y.o.) I'M THERE!! LOL!

I get hurt even walking into doors that are SUPPOSED to be open (unlocked) but guess what ... THERE NOT, LOL!

It's a big joke in our house!! "Mom's doesn't have butter-fingers .... she has butter-feet!! ha, ha, ha"

Yes, I have to live with them!! (God love'em all :0))

As an aside my 9 yr old fell asleep last night in her room doing S.S. school work ... I went in and woke her up so she could go use the bathroom and hit the hay ... well a couple mins latter I hear a huge crash, thump, and thud ... then comes "uh Mom, can you please come here"? (mind you it's almost 9:30 pm)

I open the bathroom door to find my sweet, sleepy, girl on the floor sprawled out like Sylvester the cat after tweety beats him up!

She was so asleep when she went in there that she trip on the waste basket, then fell into the toilet ... and finally ended half way into the shower stall and half way out!!! ( I had to hold it together)

So, I helped my sweet girl up and she says ......... (ready?) ......... "I guess it runs in the family Mom" LOL!!!!!! I almost dropped her from laughing so hard, LOL!!!

So, I checked her out, gave her kisses and off she went to sleep. Told hubby what happen and he almost fell off the bed laughing!

Just take it easy so this works the way it's meant to and then after you're all healed up (God willing) you can then ... "conquer all those tasks you need to"!

Many prayers, hugs & smiles are coming your way :0)

TGIF,

Marisol.

Anyone else had a back fusion in the group???

Hi, I know Rob had a back fusion, has anyone else had a back fusion in the group?? I am curious how the healing process went for anyone else. Its not the same as my neck fusion I can tell that already. So I am wondering how it went for others so I can figure out if its going well or not. So has anyone else out there had a back fusion that worked or didn't work???? Want to know how it felt as it was healing and how slow or how quickly the surgery pain went away and you can tell if its working well or not??? I already know my back HATES!!!!!!!! being in a car still. It is sure screaming after going to the dr today. So looks like car rides are still out for me for awhile. Thats tke kind of thing I want to know how it went for others if anyone out there had a fusion. Thanks for any input. Sharon Group Owner

[Guest guest]

At 01:20 AM 6/9/06, you wrote:

>Hi, I know Rob had a back fusion, has anyone else had a back fusion in

>the group?

I had 2 levels fused in 1987. I had excellent results until all hell broke

loose in Jan 2000. For 13 years I was about as pain free as I was going

to get, and was able to keep up with my daughter riding coasters, lots of

swimming etc.

Jan 2000 I hit the floor and couldn't get up. After 3-4 months of trying

everything else, my Neurosurgeon took out the old hardware and put in new,

including doing a 3rd level. Even he said it was pretty brutal getting the

old stuff out, pedicle screws plates, etc. I was self employed. So even

though he told me to not work for 10-12 weeks, I was back in less than two,

I had no choice. I guess from the fact that it was my 3rd operation on my

Lumbar spine it was pretty successful. I went from Excruciating pain, to

just agonizing pain. In December of 2000 I had 2 levels of my cervical

fused in my neck. That has been a total failure. I'm in more pain than

before the operation. It's been 5 1/2 years, and I haven't worked in a

year. But I am able to walk and care for myself. The one thing I always

said to myself through every operation or P/T or test is that Unlike Poor

Reeve and many others, I was able to get up after it was all

over and walk away.

So to give you some hope, my 1st fusion was a total success for

13 years, then I got a rip in my Dura (sp?) the sheath covering the spinal

cord and that was some really extreme pain. I wish you the best. I would

say you'll feel better after say 4 weeks, Dave

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave I remembered you had one fusion I just couldn't remember

when you had it done. Sorry to hear your neck one failed after your

back had already messed up on you. I knew going in it was a 50/50

chance it would work or not. And when I asked the dr what my chances

were he wouldn't answer me. That kind of told me he really wasn't

sure. I knew my back had looked pretty bad when he went in there he

told me that in the hospital. And after over 5 yrs of living with

the pain I knew it had to have been bad. I am just praying my

sciatic nerve will recover, cause its been thru an awful lot. The

worst part to me is IF the dr's had listened to me and fixed it when

I told them I first was in so much pain maybe I would have had a

better chance. But no I went from dr to dr and got turned down by

severall of them. Why you have to be in so much pain for them to

finally listen to you I don't understand. Those poor nerves can only

take so much abuse Right now I feel lucky my leg and foot only hurt

some of the time, NOT at all like it did before. That was the BEST

feeling in the world to wake up to after surgery. Even with my back

SCREAMING in pain in recovery I could feel how wonderful it felt.

Have you considered talking to the back and spine hospital in

SanFranciso??? I checked into there before because they specialize

in fixing screwed up surgeries on backs. You can email them and mail

them your films and they will give you an opinion. It might be worth

a shot to see if they could help you. If its not in the links I will

find it for you. It might be worth a shot just to talk to them and

see if they can help. I am sorry both of your surgeries failed, I

know that has to be very disappointing and not to mention extremely

painful too. Thanks for the information I will check into that link

for you. Best wishes for as painfree day as possible. Sharon Group

Owner

>

>

>

> I had 2 levels fused in 1987. I had excellent results until all

hell broke

> loose in Jan 2000. For 13 years I was about as pain free as I

was going

> to get, and was able to keep up with my daughter riding coasters,

lots of

> swimming etc.

>

> Jan 2000 I hit the floor and couldn't get up. After 3-4 months of

trying

> everything else, my Neurosurgeon took out the old hardware and put

in new,

> including doing a 3rd level. Even he said it was pretty brutal

getting the

> old stuff out, pedicle screws plates, etc. I was self employed.

So even

> though he told me to not work for 10-12 weeks, I was back in less

than two,

> I had no choice. I guess from the fact that it was my 3rd

operation on my

> Lumbar spine it was pretty successful. I went from Excruciating

pain, to

> just agonizing pain. In December of 2000 I had 2 levels of my

cervical

> fused in my neck. That has been a total failure. I'm in more

pain than

> before the operation. It's been 5 1/2 years, and I haven't worked

in a

> year. But I am able to walk and care for myself. The one thing I

always

> said to myself through every operation or P/T or test is that

Unlike Poor

> Reeve and many others, I was able to get up after it

was all

> over and walk away.

>

> So to give you some hope, my 1st fusion was a total

success for

> 13 years, then I got a rip in my Dura (sp?) the sheath covering

the spinal

> cord and that was some really extreme pain. I wish you the

best. I would

> say you'll feel better after say 4 weeks, Dave

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon I had my back fusion about 18 months ago. I had an anterior/posterior lumbar fusion between L3 and L5 if I remember correctly. It was brutal, I bled out while they went in through my stomach, fixed me up and transfused my blood and quit after 4 hours. I was in ICU for 4days before they could finish me up. They were able to do the posterior without any major problem, except, I believe I was dropped sometime while they were transferring me from bed to bed- but that's another story. After 8 days I was able to go home wearing a pre-madeback brace..I was given a supplemental pain drug on top of one of the ones we can't name that I had already been taking, and was under orders to wear that back brake every moment I was awake, and it really helped keep me from being jarred around and helped the healing. Then I had PT for a couple months. I still have to take the can't name drug, but the pain is not near as bad as before the surgery. It took about a year

to completely fuse and heal, and I know I will never be pain free, but with my low doses of the pain med, it's tolerable. I am completely disabled, and my arthritis has spread up my spine, and is now in one of my shoulders and in my neck. Have had MRI's on both, will be having arthroscopy on shoulder in the fall, will find out about my neck on Monday. Am petrified about going through another surgery, although I am healing from a knee replacement, went through another blood transfusion, but only 1 extra day in the hospital. I still have pain from my back that radiates down my legs, but overall, the surgery did lessen my pain. I felt better after about two months, but am still not allowed to left over 15 pounds, and can't work. Hope my info helped a little. I hope after I get the results of my neck MRI, someone out there can advise me, I almost think the pain in my neck is as bad as my back pain was pre-surgery. Take care, I'm glad I had the surgery although I know people

who swear they will never have back surgery. I hope you have an easy time healing and will be thinking of you darkstarzz1019 <darkstarzz1019@...> wrote: Hi, I know Rob had a back fusion, has anyone else had a back fusion in the group?? I am curious how the healing process went for anyone else. Its not the same as my neck fusion I can tell that already. So I am wondering how it went for others so I can figure out if its going well or not. So has anyone else out there had a back fusion that worked or didn't

work???? Want to know how it felt as it was healing and how slow or how quickly the surgery pain went away and you can tell if its working well or not??? I already know my back HATES!!!!!!!! being in a car still. It is sure screaming after going to the dr today. So looks like car rides are still out for me for awhile. Thats tke kind of thing I want to know how it went for others if anyone out there had a fusion. Thanks for any input. Sharon Group OwnerJeannie __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi there, I had a back fusion, plif 3-4, last March.

I don't remember the first week since I had a reaction

to the anesthesia and developed some form of dementia.

For seven days, I have no memery at all of what went

on in the hospital at all. But, I was told I was not

a good patient. I kept trying to get up and walk, I

fell several times, I was hallucinating about animals,

and many other things. My poor husband and children

were so frightened that I might not come out of this.

On the seventh day, I woke up lucid enough to go home.

Anyway, I had to wear a corset type back brace any

time I was out of bed. I wasn't allowed to ride in

the car for eight weeks unless it was to a doctors

appointments. I tryed very hard to stay active and my

husband tryed very hard to get me to rest )). The

pain that I had the surgery for was gone. I didn't

have any stitches... they used some kind of glue and

steri-strips coverd by a large band aid. Once I was

allowed to shower, the steri-strips just wore off. I

used narcotic pain meds for the first two months, then

went to OTC. I think I was very lucky that I had no

complications. At six months, there was some fusing

but not much. I went back to work part time at week

10. I work in an unit for people who are in the

mid-late stages of Alzheimers. I tried to be careful

but sometimes, I just couldn't help myself and did

some things I shouldn't have but fortunately, I did no

damage to the fusion. It is now 15 months post-op, I

am fused but there is some arthritis in there. I can

do almost anything that I did pre-op. I have no lost

motion in my back. I do have new pain, probably from

the stress. I have a bulging disc at l4-5 and a

Tarlov's cyst but try not to let the pain get to me.

I try not to use narcotics because I know farther on

down the road, I am going to be in much more pain and

I don't want to develop a tolerance to the meds.

I don't know if this has halped or not. I hope your

fusion goes smoothly and you have a complete recovery.

peace

Minx

--- darkstarzz1019 <darkstarzz1019@...> wrote:

> Hi, I know Rob had a back fusion, has anyone else

> had a back fusion in

> the group?? I am curious how the healing process

> went for anyone else.

> Its not the same as my neck fusion I can tell that

> already. So I am

> wondering how it went for others so I can figure out

> if its going well

> or not. So has anyone else out there had a back

> fusion that worked or

> didn't work???? Want to know how it felt as it was

> healing and how

> slow or how quickly the surgery pain went away and

> you can tell if its

> working well or not??? I already know my back

> HATES!!!!!!!! being in a

> car still. It is sure screaming after going to the

> dr today. So looks

> like car rides are still out for me for awhile.

> Thats tke kind of

> thing I want to know how it went for others if

> anyone out there had a

> fusion. Thanks for any input. Sharon Group Owner

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

everyone keeps telling me its ging to be awhile, but i swear my fusion feels

healed. the muscle around it, the pain is just gone. i have back pain

still, and it feels exactly like it did before the fusion. i think i have

something else going on with scar tissue and what not. the surgery i truly

believe to be healed already; it was almost a year ago. i know you were

asking for someone elses experience, but i feel the fusion went well, it

just wasnt the answer.

rob

<html><div>No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no

one cares or understands. </div></html>

>From: " darkstarzz1019 " <darkstarzz1019@...>

>Reply-neck pain

>neck pain

>Subject: Anyone else had a back fusion in the group???

>Date: Fri, 09 Jun 2006 05:20:43 -0000

>

>Hi, I know Rob had a back fusion, has anyone else had a back fusion in

>the group?? I am curious how the healing process went for anyone else.

>Its not the same as my neck fusion I can tell that already. So I am

>wondering how it went for others so I can figure out if its going well

>or not. So has anyone else out there had a back fusion that worked or

>didn't work???? Want to know how it felt as it was healing and how

>slow or how quickly the surgery pain went away and you can tell if its

>working well or not??? I already know my back HATES!!!!!!!! being in a

>car still. It is sure screaming after going to the dr today. So looks

>like car rides are still out for me for awhile. Thats tke kind of

>thing I want to know how it went for others if anyone out there had a

>fusion. Thanks for any input. Sharon Group Owner

>

>

>

>

_________________________________________________________________

Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE!

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[Guest guest]

-Hi thanks wow you have a horrible time in there sorry to hear

that. If you have to have another surgery at least they can be

prepared ahead of time knowing what happened to you before and

hopefully avoid it. I wondered about a brace but my dr said no he

didn't want me in one. Although I think I will get one anyway -for

when I get a little more active than I am. To try and protect myself

as much as possible. Right now I am not even allowed to walk my dog,

or see my babies (my horses) which is really killing me. I want to

go out there and brush and touch them so bad. But no one will let

me they are all afraid I will get hurt. Which I know could happen

but hey they could have run me over before my surgery too. So sooner

or later they will have to let me go out with them. I am trying to

be real careful but I can't live in a glass house forever. Still I

will rest for another couple of weeks, then we go on vacation,

fishing. After that it will be almost 2 months so I should be on my

way to healing pretty well. But the boredom of it is really getting

to me. My leg started hurting yesterday so I hope thats not a bad

sign, better today so am praying the nerve was just having a bad

day. Sure did make me remember the pain too well, so I sat right

down and put heat on it. DO NOT ever want to feel that again. Hope

things work out for you with your shoulder and neck. Let us know

what you find out about it and hopefully they can find a way to

help with your pain. Best wishes Sharon Group Owner

- In neck pain , Abbott

<jeannieboo1@...> wrote:

>

> Hi Sharon

> I had my back fusion about 18 months ago. I had an

anterior/posterior lumbar fusion between L3 and L5 if I remember

correctly. It was brutal, I bled out while they went in through my

stomach, fixed me up and transfused my blood and quit after 4 hours.

I was in ICU for 4days before they could finish me up. They were

able to do the posterior without any major problem, except, I

believe I was dropped sometime while they were transferring me from

bed to bed- but that's another story. After 8 days I was able to go

home wearing a pre-madeback brace..I was given a supplemental pain

drug on top of one of the ones we can't name that I had already been

taking, and was under orders to wear that back brake every moment I

was awake, and it really helped keep me from being jarred around and

helped the healing. Then I had PT for a couple months. I still have

to take the can't name drug, but the pain is not near as bad as

before the surgery. It took about a year to completely fuse and

> heal, and I know I will never be pain free, but with my low doses

of the pain med, it's tolerable. I am completely disabled, and my

arthritis has spread up my spine, and is now in one of my shoulders

and in my neck. Have had MRI's on both, will be having arthroscopy

on shoulder in the fall, will find out about my neck on Monday. Am

petrified about going through another surgery, although I am healing

from a knee replacement, went through another blood transfusion, but

only 1 extra day in the hospital. I still have pain from my back

that radiates down my legs, but overall, the surgery did lessen my

pain. I felt better after about two months, but am still not allowed

to left over 15 pounds, and can't work. Hope my info helped a

little. I hope after I get the results of my neck MRI, someone out

there can advise me, I almost think the pain in my neck is as bad as

my back pain was pre-surgery. Take care, I'm glad I had the surgery

although I know people who swear they will never

> have back surgery. I hope you have an easy time healing and will

be thinking of you

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

HI ne, sounds like you didn't have a good time either at the

hospital sorry that happened to you. Your dr had you wear a brace

too. Mmmmmmm see my dr said no so I don't get it. think I will ask

him again. How did they know it had fused did they do an MRi or Xray

of your back to check?? The pain in my back gets a little better

each day IF I take it easy. But even doing small things its still

acting up and telling me to SIT DOWN YOU IDIOT!!!!!!!! So I can tell

I am not ready to run a marathon yet -I know this is the most

important part of my healing So I am trying my best to be good. But

I know what you mean its hard not to want to do stuff. Especially

when you are not one to sit around and watch dust settle in the

house, or watch your plants fall over cause they need a drink and nI

get yelled at if I TOUCH the hose still geez!!!!!! The most I am

allowed to do is put wash in and unload the dishwashe yee haaaaa so

exciting I may loose my mind. Thankfully I get to go fishing in a

few weeks that I LOVE doing and being out on a boat will be heaven

compared to being cooped up in the house all day. Thanks for your

reply its does help to hear how it went for others. Best wishes

Sharon Group Owner

-- In neck pain , adrianne dill

<minxie8@...> wrote:

>

> Hi there, I had a back fusion, plif 3-4, last March.

> I don't remember the first week since I had a reaction

> to the anesthesia and developed some form of dementia.

> For seven days, I have no memery at all of what went

> on in the hospital at all. But, I was told I was not

> a good patient. I kept trying to get up and walk, I

> fell several times, I was hallucinating about animals,

> and many other things. My poor husband and children

> were so frightened that I might not come out of this.

> On the seventh day, I woke up lucid enough to go home.

> Anyway, I had to wear a corset type back brace any

> time I was out of bed. I wasn't allowed to ride in

> the car for eight weeks unless it was to a doctors

> appointments. I tryed very hard to stay active and my

> husband tryed very hard to get me to rest )). The

> pain that I had the surgery for was gone. I didn't

> have any stitches... they used some kind of glue and

> steri-strips coverd by a large band aid. Once I was

> allowed to shower, the steri-strips just wore off. I

> used narcotic pain meds for the first two months, then

> went to OTC. I think I was very lucky that I had no

> complications. At six months, there was some fusing

> but not much. I went back to work part time at week

> 10. I work in an unit for people who are in the

> mid-late stages of Alzheimers. I tried to be careful

> but sometimes, I just couldn't help myself and did

> some things I shouldn't have but fortunately, I did no

> damage to the fusion. It is now 15 months post-op, I

> am fused but there is some arthritis in there. I can

> do almost anything that I did pre-op. I have no lost

> motion in my back. I do have new pain, probably from

> the stress. I have a bulging disc at l4-5 and a

> Tarlov's cyst but try not to let the pain get to me.

> I try not to use narcotics because I know farther on

> down the road, I am going to be in much more pain and

> I don't want to develop a tolerance to the meds.

> I don't know if this has halped or not. I hope your

> fusion goes smoothly and you have a complete recovery.

> peace

> Minx

>

> --- darkstarzz1019 <darkstarzz1019@...> wrote:

>

> > Hi, I know Rob had a back fusion, has anyone else

> > had a back fusion in

> > the group?? I am curious how the healing process

> > went for anyone else.

> > Its not the same as my neck fusion I can tell that

> > already. So I am

> > wondering how it went for others so I can figure out

> > if its going well

> > or not. So has anyone else out there had a back

> > fusion that worked or

> > didn't work???? Want to know how it felt as it was

> > healing and how

> > slow or how quickly the surgery pain went away and

> > you can tell if its

> > working well or not??? I already know my back

> > HATES!!!!!!!! being in a

> > car still. It is sure screaming after going to the

> > dr today. So looks

> > like car rides are still out for me for awhile.

> > Thats tke kind of

> > thing I want to know how it went for others if

> > anyone out there had a

> > fusion. Thanks for any input. Sharon Group Owner

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

At 11:33 PM 6/9/06, you wrote:

>Hi Dave I remembered you had one fusion I just couldn't remember

>when you had it done. Sorry to hear your neck one failed after your

>back had already messed up on you. I knew going in it was a 50/50

>chance it would work or not. And when I asked the dr what my chances

>were he wouldn't answer me.

My Neurosurgeon and subsequent other specialist have told me that when you

have had 4 surgeries, 3 in the same area and your only in your 40's that

this ( meaning living with pain ) is as good as it gets.

There are real successes out there. Gloria Estephan the singer had fusion

after a back accident with her tour bus. She was touring and dancing and

say's she feels great less than a year after the surgery.

The Doc who did my fist fusion with hardware was sued out of practicing

because the pedical screws he used were not FDA approved. I have nothing

but praise for him, and I was not part of the suit because he gave me 13

great years. My non fusion surgery was a failure with a long recovery to

get back to walking. My second with the fusion I was up and walking the

second day. I could feel a big difference immediately.

Dave

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon,

I'm one of those people who is getting a lot of those emails with " graphic

site " contained in the heading, thank goodness we were warned, I would have

looked at it otherwise. I'm getting at least one a day.

The brace i have is made out of some sort of hard plastic, I think! It looks

like a turtle shell, and they measured me and made a mold from my measurements.

It really did help. My surgeon says it can take up to a year to completely fuse,

I guess it's different for everyone. They found out it fused by doing an x-ray

in the office. I had another one done yesterday, fusion is still good, but they

found signs of scoliosis! Not a real bad curve, but I have to go back Thursday

because I have bone spurs under the C4, 5,and 6, more arthritis along my spine,

and want to do surgery. The P.A wants the surgeon to make the final decision of

course, but he says it's past the point that shots or increased pain meds. would

help, which i came to that conclusion on my own. The only thing that seems to

help is keeping my neck perfectly straight. I was so upset I forgot to ask what

kind of surgery they would be doing! Maybe a fusion? I'm going to have to put

off my shoulder arthroscopy. I

thought this stuff only happened to elderly people, or to those who are

athletes, I sure was naive...I am grateful I found this group, I sure have been

enlightened. Everyone is so helpful, and compassionate, and I appreciate all the

help I have been given. I guess until I found out what type of surgery they're

going to do I can't ask for any suggestions! Are there any special pillows, or

anything other than ice and pain meds. that will help until I have surgery? It's

hard to turn my neck when I'm driving to check for cars behind me, not good.

I do remember with my back fusion they wanted me to walk for no more than 10

minutes, I used a walker till I got stronger. It sounds like your dr. is being

very strict with you. I wasn't allowed to lift over 9 pounds, I took a trip to

Seattle while I was healing, brace and all, and I wasn't allowed to pick up my 5

month old grandson, they had to put him in my lap. But at least I could hold

him. I did heal very well, other than what occured in the hospital. I'm

obstinate, I could not just sit or lie down all that time, I just tried little

steps at a time, and I think it helped me heal faster. But that's just me..

Thanks for letting me vent, I hope you keep doing well

Jeannie

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I have had 5 back surgeries with 4 fusions. One fusion was

anteririor and posterior. I don't remember the few days following

each surgery except after the first fusion. I was pain free for 6

months after that one. I am so sorry that you are in so much pain.

I hope we can get to talk more soon.

> >

> > Hi Sharon

> > I had my back fusion about 18 months ago. I had an

> anterior/posterior lumbar fusion between L3 and L5 if I remember

> correctly. It was brutal, I bled out while they went in through my

> stomach, fixed me up and transfused my blood and quit after 4

hours.

> I was in ICU for 4days before they could finish me up. They were

> able to do the posterior without any major problem, except, I

> believe I was dropped sometime while they were transferring me from

> bed to bed- but that's another story. After 8 days I was able to go

> home wearing a pre-madeback brace..I was given a supplemental pain

> drug on top of one of the ones we can't name that I had already

been

> taking, and was under orders to wear that back brake every moment I

> was awake, and it really helped keep me from being jarred around

and

> helped the healing. Then I had PT for a couple months. I still have

> to take the can't name drug, but the pain is not near as bad as

> before the surgery. It took about a year to completely fuse and

> > heal, and I know I will never be pain free, but with my low

doses

> of the pain med, it's tolerable. I am completely disabled, and my

> arthritis has spread up my spine, and is now in one of my shoulders

> and in my neck. Have had MRI's on both, will be having arthroscopy

> on shoulder in the fall, will find out about my neck on Monday. Am

> petrified about going through another surgery, although I am

healing

> from a knee replacement, went through another blood transfusion,

but

> only 1 extra day in the hospital. I still have pain from my back

> that radiates down my legs, but overall, the surgery did lessen my

> pain. I felt better after about two months, but am still not

allowed

> to left over 15 pounds, and can't work. Hope my info helped a

> little. I hope after I get the results of my neck MRI, someone out

> there can advise me, I almost think the pain in my neck is as bad

as

> my back pain was pre-surgery. Take care, I'm glad I had the surgery

> although I know people who swear they will never

> > have back surgery. I hope you have an easy time healing and will

> be thinking of you

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon, I had an x-ray to determine if I had fused.

I also had an MRI to find out where my new pain was

coming from. Between the two, my Dr. was able to see

the fusion, the scews and also the arthritis that had

settled in. I know how hard it is not to be able to

do the things you love. The previous year, I had

started a rock garden and really wanted to work on it,

but couldn't. This year I am making up for it )). I

think the brace helped me very much. It helped keep

my back straight, prevented me from doing more bending

that I shuld and also took the pressure off. I know

this is not relevant, but I think the fact that I

fused is so amaxing because I am a smoker. I am a

light smoker but nevertheless, I am a very lucky

person. Good luck with your healing.

Adge

--- darkstarzz1019 <darkstarzz1019@...> wrote:

> HI ne, sounds like you didn't have a good time

> either at the

> hospital sorry that happened to you. Your dr had you

> wear a brace

> too. Mmmmmmm see my dr said no so I don't get it.

> think I will ask

> him again. How did they know it had fused did they

> do an MRi or Xray

> of your back to check?? The pain in my back gets a

> little better

> each day IF I take it easy. But even doing small

> things its still

> acting up and telling me to SIT DOWN YOU

> IDIOT!!!!!!!! So I can tell

> I am not ready to run a marathon yet -I know this

> is the most

> important part of my healing So I am trying my best

> to be good. But

> I know what you mean its hard not to want to do

> stuff. Especially

> when you are not one to sit around and watch dust

> settle in the

> house, or watch your plants fall over cause they

> need a drink and nI

> get yelled at if I TOUCH the hose still geez!!!!!!

> The most I am

> allowed to do is put wash in and unload the

> dishwashe yee haaaaa so

> exciting I may loose my mind. Thankfully I get to go

> fishing in a

> few weeks that I LOVE doing and being out on a boat

> will be heaven

> compared to being cooped up in the house all day.

> Thanks for your

> reply its does help to hear how it went for others.

> Best wishes

> Sharon Group Owner

>

>

> -- In neck pain , adrianne

> dill

> <minxie8@...> wrote:

> >

> > Hi there, I had a back fusion, plif 3-4, last

> March.

> > I don't remember the first week since I had a

> reaction

> > to the anesthesia and developed some form of

> dementia.

> > For seven days, I have no memery at all of what

> went

> > on in the hospital at all. But, I was told I was

> not

> > a good patient. I kept trying to get up and walk,

> I

> > fell several times, I was hallucinating about

> animals,

> > and many other things. My poor husband and

> children

> > were so frightened that I might not come out of

> this.

> > On the seventh day, I woke up lucid enough to go

> home.

> > Anyway, I had to wear a corset type back brace any

> > time I was out of bed. I wasn't allowed to ride

> in

> > the car for eight weeks unless it was to a doctors

> > appointments. I tryed very hard to stay active

> and my

> > husband tryed very hard to get me to rest )).

> The

> > pain that I had the surgery for was gone. I

> didn't

> > have any stitches... they used some kind of glue

> and

> > steri-strips coverd by a large band aid. Once I

> was

> > allowed to shower, the steri-strips just wore off.

> I

> > used narcotic pain meds for the first two months,

> then

> > went to OTC. I think I was very lucky that I had

> no

> > complications. At six months, there was some

> fusing

> > but not much. I went back to work part time at

> week

> > 10. I work in an unit for people who are in the

> > mid-late stages of Alzheimers. I tried to be

> careful

> > but sometimes, I just couldn't help myself and did

> > some things I shouldn't have but fortunately, I

> did no

> > damage to the fusion. It is now 15 months

> post-op, I

> > am fused but there is some arthritis in there. I

> can

> > do almost anything that I did pre-op. I have no

> lost

> > motion in my back. I do have new pain, probably

> from

> > the stress. I have a bulging disc at l4-5 and a

> > Tarlov's cyst but try not to let the pain get to

> me.

> > I try not to use narcotics because I know farther

> on

> > down the road, I am going to be in much more pain

> and

> > I don't want to develop a tolerance to the meds.

> > I don't know if this has halped or not. I hope

> your

> > fusion goes smoothly and you have a complete

> recovery.

> > peace

> > Minx

> >

> > --- darkstarzz1019 <darkstarzz1019@...> wrote:

> >

> > > Hi, I know Rob had a back fusion, has anyone

> else

> > > had a back fusion in

> > > the group?? I am curious how the healing process

> > > went for anyone else.

> > > Its not the same as my neck fusion I can tell

> that

> > > already. So I am

> > > wondering how it went for others so I can figure

> out

> > > if its going well

> > > or not. So has anyone else out there had a back

> > > fusion that worked or

> > > didn't work???? Want to know how it felt as it

> was

> > > healing and how

> > > slow or how quickly the surgery pain went away

> and

> > > you can tell if its

> > > working well or not??? I already know my back

> > > HATES!!!!!!!! being in a

> > > car still. It is sure screaming after going to

> the

> > > dr today. So looks

> > > like car rides are still out for me for awhile.

> > > Thats tke kind of

> > > thing I want to know how it went for others if

> > > anyone out there had a

> > > fusion. Thanks for any input. Sharon Group Owner

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon, I had an x-ray to determine if I had fused.

I also had an MRI to find out where my new pain was

coming from. Between the two, my Dr. was able to see

the fusion, the scews and also the arthritis that had

settled in. I know how hard it is not to be able to

do the things you love. The previous year, I had

started a rock garden and really wanted to work on it,

but couldn't. This year I am making up for it )). I

think the brace helped me very much. It helped keep

my back straight, prevented me from doing more bending

that I shuld and also took the pressure off. I know

this is not relevant, but I think the fact that I

fused is so amaxing because I am a smoker. I am a

light smoker but nevertheless, I am a very lucky

person. Good luck with your healing.

Adge

--- darkstarzz1019 <darkstarzz1019@...> wrote:

> HI ne, sounds like you didn't have a good time

> either at the

> hospital sorry that happened to you. Your dr had you

> wear a brace

> too. Mmmmmmm see my dr said no so I don't get it.

> think I will ask

> him again. How did they know it had fused did they

> do an MRi or Xray

> of your back to check?? The pain in my back gets a

> little better

> each day IF I take it easy. But even doing small

> things its still

> acting up and telling me to SIT DOWN YOU

> IDIOT!!!!!!!! So I can tell

> I am not ready to run a marathon yet -I know this

> is the most

> important part of my healing So I am trying my best

> to be good. But

> I know what you mean its hard not to want to do

> stuff. Especially

> when you are not one to sit around and watch dust

> settle in the

> house, or watch your plants fall over cause they

> need a drink and nI

> get yelled at if I TOUCH the hose still geez!!!!!!

> The most I am

> allowed to do is put wash in and unload the

> dishwashe yee haaaaa so

> exciting I may loose my mind. Thankfully I get to go

> fishing in a

> few weeks that I LOVE doing and being out on a boat

> will be heaven

> compared to being cooped up in the house all day.

> Thanks for your

> reply its does help to hear how it went for others.

> Best wishes

> Sharon Group Owner

>

>

> -- In neck pain , adrianne

> dill

> <minxie8@...> wrote:

> >

> > Hi there, I had a back fusion, plif 3-4, last

> March.

> > I don't remember the first week since I had a

> reaction

> > to the anesthesia and developed some form of

> dementia.

> > For seven days, I have no memery at all of what

> went

> > on in the hospital at all. But, I was told I was

> not

> > a good patient. I kept trying to get up and walk,

> I

> > fell several times, I was hallucinating about

> animals,

> > and many other things. My poor husband and

> children

> > were so frightened that I might not come out of

> this.

> > On the seventh day, I woke up lucid enough to go

> home.

> > Anyway, I had to wear a corset type back brace any

> > time I was out of bed. I wasn't allowed to ride

> in

> > the car for eight weeks unless it was to a doctors

> > appointments. I tryed very hard to stay active

> and my

> > husband tryed very hard to get me to rest )).

> The

> > pain that I had the surgery for was gone. I

> didn't

> > have any stitches... they used some kind of glue

> and

> > steri-strips coverd by a large band aid. Once I

> was

> > allowed to shower, the steri-strips just wore off.

> I

> > used narcotic pain meds for the first two months,

> then

> > went to OTC. I think I was very lucky that I had

> no

> > complications. At six months, there was some

> fusing

> > but not much. I went back to work part time at

> week

> > 10. I work in an unit for people who are in the

> > mid-late stages of Alzheimers. I tried to be

> careful

> > but sometimes, I just couldn't help myself and did

> > some things I shouldn't have but fortunately, I

> did no

> > damage to the fusion. It is now 15 months

> post-op, I

> > am fused but there is some arthritis in there. I

> can

> > do almost anything that I did pre-op. I have no

> lost

> > motion in my back. I do have new pain, probably

> from

> > the stress. I have a bulging disc at l4-5 and a

> > Tarlov's cyst but try not to let the pain get to

> me.

> > I try not to use narcotics because I know farther

> on

> > down the road, I am going to be in much more pain

> and

> > I don't want to develop a tolerance to the meds.

> > I don't know if this has halped or not. I hope

> your

> > fusion goes smoothly and you have a complete

> recovery.

> > peace

> > Minx

> >

> > --- darkstarzz1019 <darkstarzz1019@...> wrote:

> >

> > > Hi, I know Rob had a back fusion, has anyone

> else

> > > had a back fusion in

> > > the group?? I am curious how the healing process

> > > went for anyone else.

> > > Its not the same as my neck fusion I can tell

> that

> > > already. So I am

> > > wondering how it went for others so I can figure

> out

> > > if its going well

> > > or not. So has anyone else out there had a back

> > > fusion that worked or

> > > didn't work???? Want to know how it felt as it

> was

> > > healing and how

> > > slow or how quickly the surgery pain went away

> and

> > > you can tell if its

> > > working well or not??? I already know my back

> > > HATES!!!!!!!! being in a

> > > car still. It is sure screaming after going to

> the

> > > dr today. So looks

> > > like car rides are still out for me for awhile.

> > > Thats tke kind of

> > > thing I want to know how it went for others if

> > > anyone out there had a

> > > fusion. Thanks for any input. Sharon Group Owner

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi welcome to the group. I read what you have been thru and

its sure been alot. Sorry to hear you have had such a hard time with

your back. SOunds like you have a wonderful partner though who really

shows he loves you with all he does. Someone like that is as good as

gold Welcome to the group. Sharon Group Owner

>

> I have had 5 back surgeries with 4 fusions. One fusion was

> anteririor and posterior. I don't remember the few days following

> each surgery except after the first fusion. I was pain free for 6

> months after that one. I am so sorry that you are in so much pain.

> I hope we can get to talk more soon.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi welcome to the group. I read what you have been thru and

its sure been alot. Sorry to hear you have had such a hard time with

your back. SOunds like you have a wonderful partner though who really

shows he loves you with all he does. Someone like that is as good as

gold Welcome to the group. Sharon Group Owner

>

> I have had 5 back surgeries with 4 fusions. One fusion was

> anteririor and posterior. I don't remember the few days following

> each surgery except after the first fusion. I was pain free for 6

> months after that one. I am so sorry that you are in so much pain.

> I hope we can get to talk more soon.

>

[Guest guest]

HI ne thanks when I see the dr next I am going to ask him

about a bone growth stimulator and a brace. But I already think I

will get a brace for when I have to go start taking care of my

babies soon (Horses) they have been taken care of by some boys till

now but they really need their MOM out there. I noticed the other

day three of them had ticks all over their heads so I know no one is

paying attention to them the way I do. My daughter said she'd help

me this weekend get them all tick free again. Cause they will

RIPPPPPP their entire beautiful manes off trying to get rid of the

devils so

its time for MOM to get to work again. I am doing ok, back is a

little sore. My dog took me for a short walk across the porch the

other day trying to give someone else doggie kisses.

Unfortunately they did not understand when I said " GET INSIDE " till

it was too late and I was already getting tugged more than I needed

too. So the last few days I am been down as much as possible.

HOpefully I didn't damage something, doesn't feel like it just sore.

Good thing I stepped on the leash too to help out.Still sitting has

been pretty painful lately. When did your dr do the xrays to check

on your fusion?? My dr told me he did checkups for 3 months after

surgery then I guess I am on my own. I will loose him cause of my

insuarnce company unless I want to pay him myself. But I knew that

was coming, I was lucky they let him do the surgery as he isn't in

my insurance company anyway. I know what you mean its hard not to

want to work in my gardens and let the weeds grow. But it still

hurts to even put my socks and pants on or wash my feet. I don't

even want to think of trying to bend over far I'd DIE!!! Thanks for

all the info its really helped me get some ideas. I am gettiing a

brace today, I found one I think will be cool enough to be outside

in. Thanks again. Sharon Group Owner

>

> Hi Sharon, I had an x-ray to determine if I had fused.

> I also had an MRI to find out where my new pain was

> coming from. Between the two, my Dr. was able to see

> the fusion, the scews and also the arthritis that had

> settled in. I know how hard it is not to be able to

> do the things you love. The previous year, I had

> started a rock garden and really wanted to work on it,

> but couldn't. This year I am making up for it )). I

> think the brace helped me very much. It helped keep

> my back straight, prevented me from doing more bending

> that I shuld and also took the pressure off. I know

> this is not relevant, but I think the fact that I

> fused is so amaxing because I am a smoker. I am a

> light smoker but nevertheless, I am a very lucky

> person. Good luck with your healing.

> Adge

>

>

[Guest guest]

HI ne thanks when I see the dr next I am going to ask him

about a bone growth stimulator and a brace. But I already think I

will get a brace for when I have to go start taking care of my

babies soon (Horses) they have been taken care of by some boys till

now but they really need their MOM out there. I noticed the other

day three of them had ticks all over their heads so I know no one is

paying attention to them the way I do. My daughter said she'd help

me this weekend get them all tick free again. Cause they will

RIPPPPPP their entire beautiful manes off trying to get rid of the

devils so

its time for MOM to get to work again. I am doing ok, back is a

little sore. My dog took me for a short walk across the porch the

other day trying to give someone else doggie kisses.

Unfortunately they did not understand when I said " GET INSIDE " till

it was too late and I was already getting tugged more than I needed

too. So the last few days I am been down as much as possible.

HOpefully I didn't damage something, doesn't feel like it just sore.

Good thing I stepped on the leash too to help out.Still sitting has

been pretty painful lately. When did your dr do the xrays to check

on your fusion?? My dr told me he did checkups for 3 months after

surgery then I guess I am on my own. I will loose him cause of my

insuarnce company unless I want to pay him myself. But I knew that

was coming, I was lucky they let him do the surgery as he isn't in

my insurance company anyway. I know what you mean its hard not to

want to work in my gardens and let the weeds grow. But it still

hurts to even put my socks and pants on or wash my feet. I don't

even want to think of trying to bend over far I'd DIE!!! Thanks for

all the info its really helped me get some ideas. I am gettiing a

brace today, I found one I think will be cool enough to be outside

in. Thanks again. Sharon Group Owner

>

> Hi Sharon, I had an x-ray to determine if I had fused.

> I also had an MRI to find out where my new pain was

> coming from. Between the two, my Dr. was able to see

> the fusion, the scews and also the arthritis that had

> settled in. I know how hard it is not to be able to

> do the things you love. The previous year, I had

> started a rock garden and really wanted to work on it,

> but couldn't. This year I am making up for it )). I

> think the brace helped me very much. It helped keep

> my back straight, prevented me from doing more bending

> that I shuld and also took the pressure off. I know

> this is not relevant, but I think the fact that I

> fused is so amaxing because I am a smoker. I am a

> light smoker but nevertheless, I am a very lucky

> person. Good luck with your healing.

> Adge

>

>

[Guest guest]

At 05:27 PM 6/15/06, you wrote:

>HI ne thanks when I see the dr next I am going to ask him

>about a bone growth stimulator and a brace.

I had a bone growth stimulator for my last fusion. It's pretty tricky,

they download info from it to see if you really wore it and for how

long. I think I needed to wear it 4 hours a day. My insurance was billed

about $8000 for it but only paid about $3000. The company that made the

stimulator ate the cost. I've seen them on Ebay for under a $100.00. My

Fusion bone growth is fine so I guess it worked. Dave