Spinal fusion????

HI i had a 70% L4/L5 discectomy 5 years ago and was told i would more than likely need a fusion in time, well that may be now as MRI shows problem with remaining disc and a trapped nerve that is causing constant pain any way i'm enquiring if any one else has gone through this and how the fibro is affected and any other implications???

[Hidden]

Hi. I have had a L4/L5 fusion and bone graft and it was the best thing ever. You may take a bit longer to recover but with the right pain management you will be fine. I have to say it is the best thing I ever had done. My disc had completely gone and it was bone on bone and I was in agony. I even cried at the consultation. Good luck.

Piggie hugs xxxxx

[Precious44 in reply to Hidden]

Hi,Pinkpig99

I to have had the surgery and it was the best thing I ever did, also. I have 3 sons and they didn't want me to have the surgery, I too was in agony. I couldn't walk or stand.

[Hidden]

Thank's pinkpig, may i ask where you had it done? I want to be able to look for a job so feel i may have to go forth for the op if it is offered just have to wait and see exactly what the doc say's. It was so much easier in Germany i saw the specialist chose a date and that was it none of this waiting. Strsange although i'm walking etc i can't take the burning in my shin it is so painful and never had that before just had no mobility in my big to and no reflex in the leg. Sorry i'm rambling feel like jelly today think i slept to much, if thats possible. xxxx

[tiredofthis in reply to Hidden]

Hi, I too am having lower lumbar problems with my discs, the pain you describe in your shin is exactly what I have, it feels like a knife in the bone. I also have sciatica pain from a pinched nerve so the right leg is numb in areas and tingling in others. My GP pricked me with the end of a syringe and I could not feel the 'prick' just the pressure. I was notified yesterday that my 'urgent request' MRI is scheduled for July 2013!!! ARGHH! I have been in a fibro flare for what seems like forever as the back damage pain has not let the fibro lessen and it is going on 9 weeks now. Thanks for letting me complain on your line, but I saw a ah fibo fog here cant think if the word I want Have a good day

[Precious44 in reply to tiredofthis]

Where on God's green earth, do you live, that you have to wait so long for an MRI?

Precious44

[tiredofthis in reply to Precious44]

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

[Hidden in reply to tiredofthis]

No worries about complaining. I think July 2013 is not good enough, have you tried to get in contact and ask if you could be put on a cancellation list in the hope of being seen sooner? xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Sorry for the late reply.

I had my op done at the Regency Hospital in Macclesfield Cheshire. I was lucky enough to go private but by surgeon does NHS too. His name is Mr. Kapoor. You can google him.

Trouble is we all have un refreshed sleep so the longer we sleep the worse we can feel.

Piggie Hugs xxxx

[Ozzygirl64]

I have never had this done but Pinkpig makes it sound like it would be the right way to go. I have no idea why I have spinal problems apart from having Osteoarthritis of the spine. I may need help in the future but for now I am okay. I wish you luck with it xxxxx

[Hidden in reply to Ozzygirl64]

An op is the last result for many specialists. I had physio for years then a course of injections in my spine, before they would even contemplate surgery. The whole precess from the first MRI scan showing a bulging disc the the last showing bone on bone was 7 years. During that time the pain just got worse and worse until it was unbearable and I was offered the op.

Piggie hugs xxxx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I' know it's a last thing and i'm glad of it as after having 8 surgeries already i'm not in a rush to have more ( not all on my back tho ) but i have had physio and prescribed fitness and i used to get injections in my back and hips but they stopped it saying they can only give so much, i can cope longer but worry what permanent damage i am doing the the prolonged trapped nerve. I lived for 13 years with a slipped disc before i had surgery and in that time i had joined the army, done a hotel and pub managment coarse ( lifting and moving barrels and crates of bottles) and did so much damage but no doctor took my problem seriously untill my 2nd year in Germany wher i was finally given an MRI. Thank goodness because by then i was in a real state so i really don't want to go their again. So at which point do you say give me the op before i do permanent damage? x

[Precious44]

Hello!! I don't know where you live, I live in Tracy, California. I had surgery in May for the very same thing. I went to Northern California Spine Institute, my Doctor was Dr. Kevin Booth. He is wonderful a very skillful. He fixed my back and my recovery was fast, every one was amazed at how fast I had removed.As I said I don't know where you live, but if there is a Spine Institute where you are, it's worth checking out.

Good Luck, Hope you are able to find help.

Hugs, Hugs, Hugs

Precious44

[Hidden]

I live in Pembrokeshire, Wales 2 hrs from Cardiff so imagine that's where it would take place but will go and do some research. Thank you all so much for your kind replys it really does help to share. Take care my fellow fibromites xxxx