Spasms, sciatica etc after fusion

[dridobits]

Honestly, Ive been busy just getting all the info about a sacral block and doing reading on how fusions can cause this sacrum problem. I have so much more to learn before I would do another surgery. I am awaiting the written report still. My conversation was brief with the doc and I will talk more with him after the injection. Ill write more as I learn. I always knew a fusion could affect the discs above and below but was unaware of this specific problem.

I still dont regret the surgery but it aint all over yet. I will tell you that the docs after 15 years are finally giving me the medication Im requesting instead of giving me garbage and that helps.

[Maria]

I go from LA county to SD county to see my PM and for my injections in the past. Since I don't drive the freeway anymore I go by bus when I can manage to sort of drape myself across 2 seats. Thankfully I only go every 3 months tho have been in SD every other month these least 6 months or so.. I'd like to settle down. Am condo hunting.

Re more surgery..guess you'll cross that bridge if and when you get to it. Hoping the injections do give relief and thanks for updating!

[dridobits]

or as my mom used to say, we'll jump off that bridge later!

[dshobbies]

And Scarlet O'Hara used to say, I won't think about that today, I'll think about that tomorrow!

And here's hoping tomorrow doesn't have to come

[dridobits]

I had my SI injection done with CT scan on Tuesday, Sept 20, 2011. It is now Friday.

It was a bit more intense than I had thought. I am so sick of these injections!!! The caudal block, the facet blocks, and now this.

Yesterday I was in excruciating pain. If I had gun I would have used it I hate to say. They told me that after day two the pain would get worse as the longer acting steroid starts to take hold. I was in so much pain I was close to fainting. I think we all know what that is like.

Today was good. I've been lying down for so many months, I'm completely deconditioned so it's not easy. It will be interesting to see how long this lasts.
The doctor who did the injection said is was primarily for diagnosis. I've done some more research and this does seem to be a problem for people who have had fusions. What a bummer as the fusion area does not hurt so that was a succses. Can you believe it?

I'll post more as time goes on. I have absolutely no idea how long the relief will last but I'll take it one day at a time. I seem to be on that life plan anyway. If my doc recommends another surgery I will probably go for it. I don't want to spend my life in bed as I have in the last six months. It's been the pitts. More later

[Maria]

Dridobits,
That sounds like what my first ESI felt like. I'm sure you plan on asking your surgeon about success rate with surgery for this area should it come to that and I'd be interested to hear what he has to say (even tho we know all cases are individual tho statistically speaking). Like I mentioned before I've read about a few people that had that surgery after having success w/fusion at fused levels tho creating this other area of concern/pain. The few persons that had the surgery reported feeling better tho I have not kept up with forums they posted at to see if still doing well or ? Hope so.

Glad to hear you're getting some relief from the steroid and I hope that perhaps it will be enough to decrease the inflammation and allow some reprieve from pain/irritation. Good luck there and thanks for posting your update.

[dshobbies]

D,

While I have not been in your exact circumstances, I know when you feel like throwing in the towel. We say, no more surgeries but when it gets too bad, we'll reconsider. As for the gun, why didn't your doctor tell you about this amount of pain and prescribe something suitable?

I do hope that the next few days will bring you some relief. You have suffered enough for several lifetimes.

Dale