Things going very wrong after Dynesys

LC in UK · #1 (**permalink**) 11-16-2007, 04:05 PM

Pleased to hear everything went well for you Nigel, you certainly sound a lot brighter than before you went in! Things obviously went very well.
So you're not Nigel of the green Capri 1974 after all!
Another Nigel in Bexhill!
As Mark says, post some more details of your Dynesys experience when you can, there's not many of us in this club!
I'm still hoping my op will come through quicker than the projected 4-6 months so I can get it over with. Have an appointment for EMG tests on 19th December at Kings London.

nigel · #2 (**permalink**) 11-18-2007, 08:16 AM

Hi all. Well its now sunday 6 days after my Dynesys. I'll give a short run down on what I thought I was going to have and what I actually received. I originally thought I was having L5 disc out and possibly fused and Dynesys at L4. After speaking to the Consultant post op I found that in reality I had had Dynesys at both levels. He when he operated found that the L5 had just about fused itself so he decided to take the pressure of this and L4 by using D. My main symptom originally was apparently caused by the chemical excreted by a degenerating disc L5 inflaming the bone. This showed up on MRI scan as white areas on the bone. Anyway so far I am doing ok. I went in on Monday 12th Nov and walked later that day and was discharged on Tuesday PM. I have come off the stronger meds as they caused me constipation which was even more painful and I am now just on Paracetamol. Not really enough but bearable and better than having chronic gut ache. Back is improving every day going for follow up on the 27 Nov and also expect to have stitch out then. (apparently they used one long one for this). Anything else anyone need or wants to know I am always willing to help. Regards Nigel

LC in UK · #3 (**permalink**) 11-18-2007, 07:43 PM

Well done Nigel, it all sounds good. You were discharged even quicker than me!
Glad you got some info on the procedure, I think it helps a lot to know what was actually done and why.
Your experience of pain medication was exactly the same as mine. In the second week - I think - I did get some severe pain which worried me and I had to take Arcoxia (now banned I think) but soon went back on paracetamol for the same reasons as you. The more you can move around the quicker your recovery I think.
I'm very angry at the moment as my first outpatient appointment for my cervical fusion has been delayed for a further 2 months, from January 7th to March 3rd.
Thats despite letters from my GP and Mr S at Hastings. Wonderful. Not my happiest weekend.
Anyway, glad to know you're on the up!
Be in touch
Lynette

fireyangel76 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-19-2007, 03:27 AM

Nigel,
Glad to hear your experience with the dynesys surgery wasn't as painful as you thought it might be, and welcome to the small handful of us here that have had it.
I would have taken constipation with the pain meds....all I got was vomiting! Needless to say I came off those quick.
I hope you continue to have a uneventful recovery and your discomfort be minimal.
Did you have leg pain pre-op? If you did, is it less already?

nigel · #5 (**permalink**) 11-19-2007, 07:39 AM

Hi I did not have anyleg pain as my problem was more the degenerating discs. Before I had my disc out 6 years ago leg pain was the main problem but not this time as no nerves were involved. I'm sorry your meds made you so ill I guess constipation was not so bad after all just real painful at the time. Have gone back on the codeine phos today as constipation gone and want to suffer as little as poss. I won't really know if all has been a success until op pain has all gone but I must say I don't seem to have the same pain as I did have but am reluctant to commit myself as I don't want to set myself up for a fall if you see what I mean. Anyway please keep in contact. Many regards Nigel

steveb872 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-29-2008, 09:12 PM

Hi, new to this, posting from the UK. I work in an operating theatre that does spinal surgery, the consultant I work with did a Dynesys fusion on my in the summer of 2006, I was back to work in 10 weeks. Since then its all been downhill, lol. I am off work at the minute with raging back pain, I am taking 20mg morphine every 6hrs. A recent MRI shows the screws are in place an have not migrated. My surgeon stopped doing the Dynesys about 12 months ago because he was not convinced about the long term sucess rate. I have now been refered to a different consultant, my symptoms seem to point to a facet joint problem, boy is it painful, so hopefully nothing to do with the original surgery, but on reading various web sites not 100% convinced. See ya

mmglobal · #7 (**permalink**) 04-29-2008, 10:47 PM

Steve... thanks for the update. It's pretty hard to get our head wrapped around so many new technologies. We've seen some wonderful successes with Dynesys and too many not-so-successful surgeries too. Real world experiences like yours will help us to evaluate our options more effectively.

Is there anything unique about your configuration that makes the doctor understand why you were not a good candidate, even though the indications were there for him?

I hope you find some relief... thanks for sharing.

Mark

nigel · #8 (**permalink**) 11-19-2007, 07:44 AM

Hi Lynette sorry to hear about your newest delay. I guess these people can't feel your pain and to them you are just a name. Did they say why the delay. It doesn't seem fair. I have always been lucky and once in the system things have always moved fast for me. I hope you get some joy soon its horrid just sitting around waiting for something to happen. Good luck to you. Regards Nigel

ddavie1 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-24-2007, 01:22 AM

There are a few posts related to the uncertainty of the volume of dynesys occurring in the US. I have no clue how often it happens but I know I've had it. Sincerely, since the surgery my feet and legs are literally perfect. Prior to the surgery I had already endured 2 laminectomy's (sp) and COUNTLESS "pain relief" injections such as facet blocks and the RF stimulations to "burn" the nerve endings. Nothing was working.

The dynesys has done an excellent job relieving the leg and foot pain but my lower back is a train wreck to this day. I am and IT professional and spend a great deal of time at a computer workstation. I have plenty of opportunities to move around as well because of other workstation support for company users but the time is still spent in near agony with my lower back itself. It's as if the surgery corrected only the issues with my appendages and not my lower back. I am still taking Norco, oxycodone, valium (muscle relaxer) and occasionally I am still taking fentanyl (200mcg) which is given to most cancer patients who are in dire straits.

It's driving me insane to have gone through so much for the last 4 years with 3 surgeries, countless injections and so many many prescriptions I want to vomit. If I had that Rx money back I could buy my own private jet!

Anyone else having similar discomfort in this fashion...basically only a partial fix? It is so tiring to live in perpetual back pain because it drains you personally and those around you that do not have it or have not experienced it just can't understand the limitations it creates.

dshobbies · #10 (**permalink**) 11-24-2007, 01:51 AM

ddavie1,

I am so sorry, after all you've gone through, that you're still in such pain. I know you want to scream at the world. Spinal 'fixes' are still in research infancy though with so many sufferers, you'd think we'd be further along by now. I met a man yesterday who had 3 fusions and is scheduled for his forth. (I think he'll call you Mark)

Partial relief is also a common tale but in this instance, no one wants their misery to have company. You might want to give Mark a call too... you'll never know where it can lead.

Welcome to the forum and I hope your cure is out there somewhere.

Dale