2Months Post-op L5/S1 Fusion Nerve Issues

[ImpOssibleOne]

Hey, I haven't been around much and I'm sorry to hear about your continuing issues.
My nerves are still acting up as well but, right or wrong, I'm doing my best to ignore them. They flare at the least little thing or the slightest increase in exercise but they always come back to baseline so I figure I'm not doing any real harm. Who knows? The walking is making me stronger, that's for sure, and everyone agrees I should keep at it despite the flares but no one really knows what they're doing so you have to just do what works for you.

Email me when you get a chance. Hope your MRI and CAT are helpful.

[phylly]

cis,
My Dr. was very concerned about my continued leg, buttock, and back pain and rushed me in for an MRI of pelvis and hips. We already had the lumbar and the surgery was an all clear. He spoke with another Dr. in the Practice and today I had an EMG which showed my piriformis muscle to be crackling quite loudly as soon as the needle went in, while the other areas were very quiet. He gave my an injection of cortisone and long and short acting lidocaine. I think that the buttock pain calmed down until the lidocaine wore off and then it returned. I would be happy to know if I do have a piriformis issue because there are so many things I can do for it including Botox shots. I have always suspected it could be that along with my back issues. I will have to wait and see if the cortisone kicks in and helps in a few days.

Don't be afraid of the EMG, it is very helpful diagnostically and I would do again if needed. At least for me it was helpful to find the irritated muscles. Let us know what happens, it sounds like you are having a rough patch and need to figure out what is happening. BTW I also take quite a bit of nuerontin and muscle relaxer's which help a great deal.
Phylly

[runner]

Glad you got things looked at, Phylly.
BTW, be careful about Botox, there are some things coming out recently about how the toxin can travel nerves and such. Don't quote me but there is some research about Botox that is not good.
I hate the EMG, but I have a feeling they may recommend one. We'll see.

Runner

[phylly]

That is good to know Kim, where can I look that up? Phylly

[runner]

phylly,

I was just trying to look it up, did not find what I was looking for, but did find interesting LA Times article.
I saw it on the news a little while back. They had found that botox injected into the forehead will not necessarily stay there and will migrate away from the site and travel along the nerve paths. Got a sinus infection or otherwise would located the info. I feel really uck.

K

[guymontag]

I hope you feel better soon. But I just want to add. Don't do any weird exercises even if you are having a good day. I was about 8 months post op microdisectomy and did 10 minutes on an elliptical trainer. ( i had a lot of nerve trouble post op which was much worse than pre op) My nerves went to hell and now 2 months later they are still trying to get better.

Slow and steady. Find what works and do it gradually. Neurontin for me has worked well. It's taken the edge off the burning nerve pain when it really flares up and I just have to deal with a bit brain fog now and again.

[cls]

Thanks everyone for your input.

Guymontag you are absolutely right about the elliptical trainer, my PT said they are no-nos for awhile. She said this on my first appointment which was 3 weeks post op and I forgot why she said not to use it but it was definitely off limits. I agree with you about over doing anything - it's hard to define overdue after surgery because it seems like we all have our own thresholds. Phylly, I will do an EMG in 6 to 8 months if I my right leg stops improving but the good news is that I am regaining strength in this leg!!!! The new concern are the flare ups in my left leg and the new LBP. I saw my NS yesterday and he said that my MRI did not show any nerve compression and my CAT scan revealed that I am fusing. ALL GOOD NEWS! (I read on the MRI report that there is fluid by my SI and around the "disc" space - my NS did not think this was causing the problems but I wonder if it is a contributing factor). He did not have an explanation for the new nerve issues but thinks that I have some inflammation hypersensitivity. As far as the LBP I pointed to the area and he said that it could be my SI joint. I asked if it could be the hardware and he said that it also could be causing the pain. Here are some of the options that he gave me. Get a hardware block, SI injection, see a rheumatologist, see a neurologist. He certainly did not brush me off but I think he has done what he can for me at this point. I do think that he is right about the inflammation. Now that I am cleared to take NSAIDs I came home after my appointment at 5:30pm and inhaled 3 Advil. Usually by this time of day I am hurting and absolutely need to lay down but I had to go my son's school for his presentation and sit through 90 kids presenting their "Night of Notables". I actually made it through two hours and could actually walk out of the place when it was over. Thank God for NSAIDs!!

Phylly- hang in there and let me know if you make any progress with the piriformis issues. Hopefully the cortisone kicks in!

ImpossibleOne- Good to hear from you and even better that you "have not been around" much, to me it means that you are on the mend. I'll email you later.