2Months Post-op L5/S1 Fusion Nerve Issues

[phylly]

I had an L4-S1 fusion 2 months ago. As I have become more active I have increased burning and nerve pain in my left leg similar to the pain I had before surgery in that leg. I am starting to suspect piriformis syndrome in that leg because I am positive that there is no nerve compression. I will not see my Dr. for another 3 weeks so I have to wait to ask. Let us know what your Dr. says, I would be very curious. I am hoping that my pain resolves with some stretching. Time will tell.
Phylly

[Justin]

cls,

I sent you a private message.

[Kathy]

I second Maria on the Lyrica suggestion. It has helped my nerve pain tremendously. I actually started it for a numb thumb issue and mild carpal tunnel syndrome in the same arm. The pain from this was definitely nerve pain as narcotics did not help it at all. I have since had my pm dr. double the normal dose in hopes that it would help with my back pain (never really have been able to tell a difference in the back with or without it; but continue to take it for my arm/numb thumb issues).

Please post when you find something out and keep us updated. You are only 2 months out from major surgery, so I wouldn't get to worried about it. Your nerves and muscles are still adjusting to the new changes in your spine. We are here to help you in any way we can.
Kathy

[Liz]

hi cls,

i'm sorry you are suffering. i'd suggest, if your NS did not the other day, that you have an EMG and nerve conduction study performed, see EMG's and Nerve Conduction Tests for general info. You basically have the crap shocked out of you but it's a useful diagnostic, esp if you can't have the myelogram. It should show your NS if you have any old or existing nerve compression and to what nerve and if consistent w/your symptoms. I recently had one performed which confirmed old L5 radiculopathy to 4 muscles in my right leg because i waited so long to have my op but the EMG showed no nerves were compressed now. i think EMGs are about 80% accurate and mine corresponded w/my symptoms.

since you didn't have compression pre-op perhaps your nerves are just inflamed now or could the fusion hardware be up against a nerve? i had a lot of bizarre nerve symptoms after my ADR op (and still do 1.5 yrs later but symptoms are less "global"); it's hard to explain nerve pain to people. i'm sorry but 2 months isn't long so don't despair yet... your body went through major trama.

some people have some luck w/ B-12 (methylcobalamin) for nerve regeneration if a nerve was damaged (i've taken it for 2 years) but the neurontin or lyrica would help more w/the nerve related inflammation pain.

i had a neurologist perform my EMG and they could also test for other diseases if they think appropriate or diagnose other types of pain.

stay positive and i hope your NS gave you some leads.

take care,
liz

[cls]

Maria, Phylly,Dr. J, Kathy and Liz,

Thanks so much for your replies. You all pretty much echoed what I was thinking -- I guess I have already been educated by you all from reading posts for the last 6 months! Since the post surgery nerve issues seem to be intermittent I am hoping that the nerves are just irritated from the procedure and stress from the healing process. There is a definite correlation between increased activity and nerve flare ups. Phylly, it sounds like you are experiencing the same thing Your surgery was far more invasive so I would guess you have some very ticked off nerves. Hang in there.

I spoke to my NS on Monday and he said he would send me for another MRI. I presume based on the "new" nerve issues and the increase in back pain although he did not say specifically. He was not impressed with my lack of walking. I told him that the leg weakness was keeping me from getting the exercise that I want and need - believe me I am sick and tired of looking at the same four walls. I live in the land of outdoor life and would do anything to get back to running, hiking, cycling. Anyway, I mentioned that after standing or walking for about 15 minutes my leg goes weak and I start compensating which places a lot of pressure on my knee so I end up NOT walking much. I overheard the NS translate this into "she is not walking" "she has only been to four PT appointments". Of course this is not the entire picture so I was mad, my pride was really hurt.

I went to PT yesterday and had a chat with my physical therapist and I told her that I wanted to see how things go over the next two weeks before having yet another MRI. My PT has had many discussions with me about NOT trying to get in a set amount of miles or a particular amount of time each day just walk and walk correctly. If it is only 10 minutes then it is only 10 minutes. So I am going to work on this and there are two other things that I am going to work on. No stretching and I will limit my sitting time to 20 minutes max. I took it upon myself to try and do some very basic hamstring and piriformis stretches and they set off the nerve pain right away. My PT said who told you to do this???? I guess I want to be back to my old self and my body is saying forget it!!! Last week I had a few appointments where I ended up sitting for more than an hour and I think that this brought on the back pain and certainly the increased nerve pain down the back of my thighs. So with the suggestion of my PT I am literally going to carry a timer around with me and when it goes off after 20 min I am done sitting. Sounds absurd in some ways but I WANT IMPROVEMENT and my LIFE BACK!

Thanks for the Lyrica suggestion. I am hoping that I will not need to go that route. My body does not seem to tolerate much. For now I am just going to have to suck it up. I asked my NS when I can have my beloved Advil and he said he would let me now but I could tell he would rather I wait. So in the interest of not screwing up this fusion I will wait. Next month I have my CAT scan maybe I will get lucky and I will be fused -- I know this is pretty optimistic.

If the next two weeks things don't improve then I will get the MRI and then (you are right Liz) the next step is the EMG.

I will keep you all posted and thanks for your thoughts and support.

[Nairek]

CLS,

I'm sorry that I haven't kept in touch with you about your recovery. I'm such a bad egg. I have just had a lot of crazy stuff going on in the personal life & haven't been keeping up on the messages.

I'm sorry that you are still having issues. I was hoping that your recovery would be going well.

Ugh, my laptop battery is about to crap out. I'll try to send you a PM this week in between my the craziness in my life.

Stay positive!

K

[cls]

Hi Karin,

Thanks for thinking of me - you're not a bad egg, I know you have a lot of things going on in your life. I am sorry that you too have some lingering spine/nerve issues. Things continue to go downhill for me. My doctor ordered an MRI and when I got to the imaging center I found out that it is supposed to be a "with and without contrast". Being the freak that I am, I said no to the contrast, I am scared to death of the gadolinium. With my luck I will wind up with NSF. But that was last Friday, yesterday I was driving to my son's school and the back of my legs and feet went numb. I have been having some intermittent nerve pain and numbness but nothing like this. This is like it was (actually worse) than before the surgery. So today I have my CAT scan and then I am supposed to bring both the MRI and CAT scan to my appointment with the NS tomorrow. I guess I have to pollute my body with the dye and get the contrast MRI done. I just can't understand what is going on. If I leave my NS tomorrow feeling this much in the dark I will HAVE to scour this country for another doc. I can't live without my legs or feet.

I hope you are ok- let me know.