5 months post ADR & Fusion-big problems

[sarah.p]

Hi Runner,
Im really sorry to hear that you are in the same position too, Im an intensive care nurse, so it sounds as though we come from a similar background.
Are you on sick leave from work due to back problems at the moment?
I get really sad having to think about the options ahead of me, and I cant believe that I am in this position and at 33 having to discuss ill health retirement. It is such a shame, and I would so love to be able to go back to being a nurse.
Thanks for posting, my thoughts are with you too.
hugs
sarah

[marion]

Sarah my heart goes to you what an awful situation but there must be hope you must never give up hope. The facets can be regularily injected 3 times a year I belive and they are usually successful like you experienced so that means just 3 months of pain and wait and see what happens there are many new approaches so hold on you are not alone and this is manageable!! what meds do you take?? Marion X

[sarah.p]

Hi Marion,
Thanks so much for your kind message, its the kindness and support of others that gets me through some days.
I take oxycodone, slow release and quick release, as well as amitriptyline, co-codamol and Im on citalopram too (anitdepressant). ive tried a few times to take meds such as gabapentin and pregabalin, but my body does not react well to them so ive not been able to carry on. I do have the option of increasing the does of my oxycontin slow release and that may well soon be an options for me.
Sadly the injections didnt last for me for more than a few hours, but I do keep positive mostly. This is how life is at the moment, and I just try to take one day at a time (with the odd off day!).
I will probably feel a little better once my surgeon has a full picture of what is going on and he can then think more about options.
again, thank you so much for your kindness, it really means so much at the moment.
warmest wishes
sarah

[mmglobal]

what kind of fusion did they do? is the integrity of the contruct suspect or did everything fit together nicely. BMP? Allograft? ...???

Is it possible that congenitally fused L5-S1 is overloaded since they fused 4-5 and is now painful?

[sarah.p]

Originally Posted by mmglobal

what kind of fusion did they do? is the integrity of the contruct suspect or did everything fit together nicely. BMP? Allograft? ...???

Is it possible that congenitally fused L5-S1 is overloaded since they fused 4-5 and is now painful?

Hi There, I had bmp with my fusion, but due to previously being hypermobile L4-5 because of the congenital fusion L5-S1, I remain hypermobile and therefore will not fuse without more hardwear being inserted, and as everything is unstable, I have pain from the screws at the moment currently flaring up nerves and scar tissue etc.
Hopefully tightening the fusion area together will offer some relief at the bottom of my spine centrally,
Then its just all about finding some help for the adr and facet issue, this is causing a great deal more pain to me than the fusion issue, and the problem that concerns me the most at the moment.

[Terry Allen Blackburn]

Sarah:

I am so sorry that you are struggling. This is such new technology that it is difficult in determining who is going to be successful with it and who isn't. It holds such promise compared to fusion surgery but, there are so many unknowns. On one hand, I can understand insurance companies, claiming that it is experimental and investigational, to deny payment, as the longevity is still an issue. Some, with facet issues, still do well with ADR and, some do not. I just hope that they can get you back to a decent quality of life, where you can do what you love to do. I am in a similar position of having pain after my ADR surgery. I had SI joint injections before Christmas and am struggling today with pain. I am far older than you but, equally scared of the possibility of becoming disabled, and not able to support myself. I will pray for you that God gives you the healing you deserve as you are a gift to others in pain. It just seems so unfair about who is stricken. We need good nurses in the world, as you care for people when they cannot.

May God be with you and your family.

Terry Newton

[sarah.p]

Thank you so very much for your kind words Terry, I am really sorry to hear that you are also struggling post ADR. It is a really difficult position to be in, and takes over your whole life. I knew pretty soon after surgery that I had problems with my fusion area, but only found out a couple of weeks ago about the ADR/Facet problems, and it has been a real shock, but I still keep faith, and the kindness of others really does help to keep me sane, so thank you for the kind wishes.
I wish you the very best of luck also,
warmest wishes to you
sarah

[marion]

Terry and Sarh I am so sorry about what you are going through and pray that God sends healing to you. Sorry your facets injections havent kicked in by now Terry have you got s plan B? Sarah I know you are waiting to hear from Mr Lam and hope it is a sollution form him Love M

[Jakea222]

I don't know what I would do without this site. I have a lot of the smae things going through my head as many of you. We have to keep on going. Take care and realize that you are not alone - at least here - these people are wonderful