I need advice please!!

addessa · #1 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007, 12:30 PM

I did not tell you what kind of surgery I had Sponylolisthesis L5/S1, Decompression and Fusion With Titanium bars and screws.

mmglobal · #2 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007, 08:02 PM

What do other levels look like? Did they do a discogram prior to surgery?

8 weeks can still be early days after a fusion... you may still get substantial improvement, but if symptoms are identical to pre-op, it's hard to say.

Mark

addessa · #3 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007, 02:18 AM

Mark,
I have never had a discogram. I have had two sessions of pt and nine epidural injections.
I am in no better if not worse condition than before surgery.
I do hope pt can give me some advise for self help. You are just existing
not living when you have this degree of pain and both of my md's (my gp and or surgeon) do not like to give narcotic pain meds for very long.
Just hope I get some relief soon.
Thanks for your support.

dshobbies · #4 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007, 05:09 PM

Addessa,

I'm sorry you're still in the same pain as prior to your surgery. From reading many posts, it appears that fusions surgery recovery times are longer than even ADR and other back surgeries but I would think you'd have at least some relief.

As for narcotics, I was on them for 6 months following my surgery and others, much longer. If your doctors are uncomfortable prescribing the appropriate pain relief, I suggest a pain management doctor. Their specialty is relieving your pain. My doctor referred me to a pm as soon as I returned from Germany. Two years later, I'm still seeing him.

By the way, a discogram would have defined the discs that actually generated your pain. Perhaps S1/L5 was your only one...??? Maybe a pm can shed some light on your situation and recommend an appropriate course of action, including a consult with another doctor... and then again, maybe the healing process is just taking its sweet time.

I do hope you find relief soon,

Dale