2Months Post-op L5/S1 Fusion Nerve Issues

[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.

[Nairek]

CLS,

You may notice that as times goes on, you are able to sit a little longer & walk a little further. At 1 month out from my fusion I was still in pain & had to lay down a lot throughout the day. At 2 months out from my fusion, I was in Florida climbing in & out of the car looking at houses. We must have looked at 35 houses in 2 1/2 days. I was amazed that I was able to get out of bed the next day & walk! At 3 months out, I was able to sit for long periods of time & not be in much pain.

I have noticed though that over the last week, I have been having weird nerve like issues in the right buttock & leg again. I'm wondering if it's from pulling my 1 leg up onto my other knee to put my socks on. My leg muscles are so tight it's not even funny. My OS cleared me to go to P/T 3 weeks ago but I told him that I have a treadmill & stationary bike @ home. I have been bad though & haven't been doing either. I've just been so beat after work that I crash on the couch & fall asleep. He told me that I could do the elliptical as well now. In theory, that is suppose to be better on the spine.

I know that I have an appointment with my pain mgmt. doc coming up. I'll have to mention the weird leg thing going on now. I'm still dealing with tenderness in my abdomen at the incision site. I can't believe that I am still dealing with that 3 1/2 months out from surgery.

I hope that you are feeling better. I will be moving at the end of June, so things are getting nuttier than usual around here. I'll try to keep in touch with you to see how you're doing.

Karin

[cls]

Karin,
I don't know how you get through a whole day of work. I simply cannot sit for more than an hour without pain. Next week I will be 3 months post-op and it seems like I am about a month behind everyone else who has had L5/S1 fusions. My pain is no where near my incision it is lower back and bum. I think I have a big problem with inflammation as my lower back muscles are tender to the touch. I think I will just have to wait this out and continue with Advil, icing and PT. I am so sorry about your incision site pain. I know what that is like with two previous surgeries. It took me a whole year before those nerves calmed down/regenerated. I sure hope this will not be the case for you. I know it is unpleasant but my previous PT said to gently massage this area to keep the scar tissue from forming plus it gets your nerves used to touch and then your jeans, etc. will not bother you as much. When is your big move day? You must be excited to leave the cold NE? If you can't get a workout in at home then at least go for a walk after work. As tired as you must be it will reinvigorate you