Severe nerve pain after ALIF

ImpOssibleOne · #1 (**permalink**) 02-21-2009, 06:06 PM

I had an ALIF 11 days ago and my leg pain is far worse than it was pre-op. I'm also having all kinds of quirky little pains in my abdomen. I just think the entire area has been violated and is doing it's best to regroup, inflammation being a major part of the healing process.
I was told that it would take a good month to six weeks before everything damps down.

Still, it doesn't hurt to give the office a call. I've called twice this week, once to beg for NSAIDS(no-no) and once for a laxative recommendation because I.....well I guess I don't need to elaborate.

Terry Allen Blackburn · #2 (**permalink**) 02-21-2009, 08:30 PM

You might want to see about getting on Lyrica for the pain. Lyrica is a medication that targets the nerves and it acts locally instead of globally like Neurontin. I had horrible feet burning, cramps in the calves, pain in the legs, etc. The Lyrica was a God-send even if I gained some weight from them. I had distraction pain for over a year since my ADR Surgery. I was moved up to 400 mg per day which took care of the pain nicely. It's worth talking to your primary care physician about it.

Hang in there.

Terry Newton

Eastex · #3 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 02:30 PM

I wish I could take Lyrica instead of Neurontin. My wife would definitely be out the door if I got back on it. We are going through tough times and the Lyrica made me a monster last time. I may ask them about cymbalta. The surgeon did allow me to start taking anti-inflammatory medications now. Aleve seems to stop the pain a little for a short amount of time. The directions just limit you on the amount you can take. When I urinate now, the pain doesn't get worse. It was just a few times and the pain wasn't anywhere else besides the nerve in my leg. The other function down there seems to be working fine. We tested that last night! Just something simple with no weight or movement on my part. My bowel movements aren't great either. I started taking mineral oil last night, and nothing yet. I will update on what the nurse says. I wonder if something else should of been done other than an xray last week. Something more detailed.

dshobbies · #4 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 05:52 PM

After my surgery, both my legs felt like they were on fire. Even a breeze hitting them was excruciating. I was on Dilaudid for 6 months. I couldn't drive during this time but this pain overshadowed all else. I'm glad that my pm realized the severity of this pain and knew that controlling it was first. I was also on a very large dose on Neuontin during this time which did little to control this specific pain.

A little tip - if instructions call for pain meds every 4(6) hours, I would take 1/2 every 2(3) hours so it was never out of my system. The hour that it takes to enter your system plus the last 1/2 hour when it begins to wear off is no longer an issue. My pm liked this idea so much he now recommends it for controlling severe pain.

Terry Allen Blackburn · #5 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eastex

I wish I could take Lyrica instead of Neurontin. My wife would definitely be out the door if I got back on it. We are going through tough times and the Lyrica made me a monster last time. I may ask them about cymbalta. The surgeon did allow me to start taking anti-inflammatory medications now. Aleve seems to stop the pain a little for a short amount of time. The directions just limit you on the amount you can take. When I urinate now, the pain doesn't get worse. It was just a few times and the pain wasn't anywhere else besides the nerve in my leg. The other function down there seems to be working fine. We tested that last night! Just something simple with no weight or movement on my part. My bowel movements aren't great either. I started taking mineral oil last night, and nothing yet. I will update on what the nurse says. I wonder if something else should of been done other than an xray last week. Something more detailed.

I recommended this on your other post before seeing this one. I know there are side effects reported for Neurontin and Lyrica. I have never heard of somone turning in to the Green-Eyed Monster from it.

I will take your word for it. There are other alternatives. I was on Cymbalta for a short period. I couldn't stop yawning and had to force myself to eat. It completely took away my appetite which was great for weight loss.

Talk to your primary care physician for alternatives. Hang in there.

Terry Newton