L5 s1 fusion 4 months ago

[Jeaniem130]

I am doing better in some ways. But nerve pain is awful mostly in my right foot. I just got an increase to 900 mg gabapentin. Ice pack on my foot helps a lot but of course that is not always practical. Anyone have experience with this and found any tips or tricks to help? I see wrap around feet ice packs and a slipper you freeze?

[HeBgBgirl]

Hi Jean I had L4/5 fusion actually 1 year ago today!! I posted about my experience here I will repost for you. It was hell ! With my RLS!! I am suffering still. It seems since surgery my RLS starts in my right side n butt ! Also both of my feet are hurting! I cannot wear any shoes walking is very painful by end of day I’m in so much pain. The L4/5 nerve goes directly to foot . They said it might get better!!! But it got worse and now it’s both feet!! I feel like Doctor is only concerned about the fusion/device is good so everything ok!! NOT!! He did send me for EMG in December of 21 said all good. But it is clearly not. I feel your pain n frustration. Pain management doctor is good for nothing!! She did an epidural at my T1/C6 level hit scar tissue I went through the roof!! Said she gave me anesthetic and anesthesia but it felt like she ripped my back open with a serrated knife! After in recovery my left arm started getting electric shocks non stop from shoulder to fingers! It was horrible!! It lasted over a week!! Off and on. Sometimes for an hour. Hell !! Dr said oh she didn’t think it was from epidural!! Imagine that!! Of course they think they can do no wrong!! That was February 2022 I am still having repercussions from it! She hit my ulnar nerve for sure!! I’m so frustrated with them all!!

So tips you want?? Ice is good, try CBD oil or lotion highest #amount. I take Gabapentin 3x day 800mg each. Does nothing. Been in them for years!! Also some pain meds. That just about take edge off. Don’t even get me started on that subject of pain doctor and meds!! We are treated like addicts as if pain is nothing we are just supposed to live with it! Who cares about our quality of life!! I cannot do much with out paying for it!!

My best to you…. PS maybe an EMG might show something? Or podiatrist can give you shot in foot to ease your pain?? Doesn’t last though. 🙏😔🌸

[Catr12]

I’m like you have severe nerve pain in my left ankle. I take amitriptyline at night and in the morning as soon as I start walking the pain starts. It like someone putting broken glass in to you horrid pain. I’ve had 3 mri scans all clear. I’ve tried every medication nothing works. Someone told me medical cbd oil or medical cannabis would help. I’ve not went down that route yet.

[Robto]

Hello Jeaniem130,

I have Fibromyalgia, me/cfs and chronic pain in various parts of my body.

Regarding Gabapentin I'm taking at the moment 8x300mg a day along with Co-codamol and Amitriptyline. This helps lessen the pain but doesn't take the edge off it.

For me the only thing that really helped was Morphine, but unfortunately the NHS panicked and stopped everyone with chronic pain and long time prescribers were told it doesn't work, (it did for me!)

So, I had to go to a pain clinic and advised how to come off it and was told I could have Methadone if needed. I think they thought I was a junkie just because I was on Morphine. I asked the question (three times) 'what can I take if I'm still in pain' Their answer was 'you won't be'. Well they were Wrong!!

Going back to the Gabapentin, when you manage to get the dosage right you will get some pain relief, but there is nothing that will stop pain all together.

Hope you find your happy medium.

Keep on fighting pain warrior.

Keep well, stay safe and keep strong.

[Jeaniem130]

Thank you everyone for your responses! Most people in my life don't understand.

[Robto]

Hiya Jeaniem130,

Regarding the Gabapentin, one thing I forgot to mention is taking the Gabapentin you will put on weight.

So that is another thing to think about.

Please take care, stay strong and keep well. Xx

[Emma2017]

Hi there. I had a the same fusion fusion just over 2 years ago as mentioned before. The nerve pain in my leg was awful at nights especially afterwards. Not just a pain but an awful crawling feeling that drove me insane. I was already on pregabalin and had the dose increased to the maximum allowed. This helped somewhat but did not make it stop. In the end I decided I did not want to be on so much medication as I also took dihydrocodeine and started to reduce the dose. I finally managed to be free of pregabalin. Gabapentin is the sister drug to it. It was very hard to reduce it but finally got there. (I took cbd oil to help me somewhat) The leg strangely enough started feeling better. it still annoys on and off but its not as often and not as bad so can live with it. When it gets too annoying at night I hang my leg out from under the blankets which cools it down. I did increase my daily walking which made me stronger and as said before I practise AT plus get regular deep tissue massage.

It takes time to get over all the trauma and for the body to heal itself. Take care

[Jeaniem130 in reply to Emma2017]

Can you tell me how you decided on a good cbd oil? Drops or cream? Thank you!

[Emma2017 in reply to Jeaniem130]

Hi. My daughter looked it up for me and recommended CBD brothers. Since then others have come that are good too. I got the CBD brothers one at the time. You can choose various strengths. I chose a medium one in a sample bottle which lasted quite a bit and helped. I chose the drops.