Help

[EloiseH96]

I'm 19, and going to be having L5 fusion surgery in January. I don't know what to expect and I'm really nervous, but I can't go on any longer with this pain. Has anyone on here already had it and can prepare me? I keep crying myself to sleep overthinking about it at night and it's making me feel really ill😩

[luckyjim]

Eloise

Your fears are perfectly reasonable. You are young and you will succeed.

Stay strong

Jim

[Hartleyhare2]

Hi Eloise,

I'm a grumpy old fibro bear of 49! But once I was a handsome young cub of 21 who injured his back in a parachute accident. I spent nearly a year in agony on strong painkillers and the best physio in the world from a German Army Dr in Aldershot.

Then I gave in and had a keyhole op fusing three discs in my back. The next day I was like a new man, all the pain had gone and I could walk properly it was amazing.

I'm sure yours will go just as well if not better as I'm sure technology has advanced in thirty years.

Best wishes

Patrick

[Steve_inpaintoolong]

Hi there,

I had a slipped disc in my Lower back L4 L5 years ago now.

They removed the protruding disc and some bone to improve the nerve route.

It just didn't work for me as I said it was years ago, Thatcher was in charge and the waiting lists were endless.

It was over eighteen months after my final diagnosis that I had my operation.

That type of op seems to work best if it's done ASAP.

but I think all if the people id met who'd had the spinal fusion they have gone on to live relatively pain free lives.

You'll always have to be careful. I'm sure all will go well. But why not voice your concerns with the specialist? Perhaps once all is explained properly you'll feel better.

Also discuss whats happening to you with your own Doctor. I'm sure you'll get something to help you sleep.

In years to come you'll have forgotten all about your anxiety over the opperation.

[TheLongWait]

My mother in law had a fusion at your age, and she was fine. She has done over 50 years of hard core gardening. She wouldn't have had the great life she has had without it. Do remember it takes time to get over a big operation like this, for many the real benefits are a year or so later, for some almost instant. Don't rush anything, don't panic if it takes some time...you will get there. My dad also had this operation and it took months to really feel better, but he went back to training with weights and all sorts.

These operations are done in the thousands worldwide every year, and unfortunately the horror stories you read can be very scary. Just remember most have a good outcome and just get on with their lives, so they don't tend to talk about it on the internet so much.

Have faith, do everything you are told to do before and after. Look after yourself and the very best of luck.

[Jtal19305]

Hello El

Yes I had fusion surgery with hardware but at a different spinal level t12 l1. I also had a laminectomy at that level as well as a laminectomy at l2 l3 on the left side (hemi laminectomy). Both surgeries were done the same day back in June of 2015. I'm male 49 years old from Florida. The recovery is been and still is very tough. I'm in pain management and will be for years to come imo. I Was active and healthy. My advice to you is to approach with caution. You are only 19 and this is very young to have such an invasive major surgery. I would get multiple opinions and at least one from an independent doctor who specializes in assessments for surgery. I know one or two of these folks and they can review your Mri and cat scans remotely. If you are interested just let me know and we can connect by email or phone. Be very cautious about this surgery. You should try very other thing possible short of fusion if it is advisable and fitting for your case. We're you an athlete of any kind? What would cause the degradation of your discs and bone at such a young age. Please be careful as surgery like this is a serious life altering matter. It does not automatically cure the pain and may cause a new host of issues and limitations. Any surgery such as spinal fusion will also affect the dynamics stability and strenght of your spinal column and cause adjacent levels to degrade much faster. Please let me know I have so much to share as I went through this process and it has been very difficult and life altering.

Jerry

[EloiseH96]

Thank you everyone for the positive replies! I had the surgery 3 weeks ago, all went well and I am now on the road to recovery. Didn't know what I was scared about. And I've grown 3 inches! Thanks again x