Fusion!

June 9, 2010

Hi, all. I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hypermobility type) which has resulted

in general joint degradation, particularly in my lumbar spine.

In the past I have had injections, patches, a TENS unit, braces, lots of

physical therapy and two multi-level laminectomy/decompressions, all of which

have combined to keep me out of a wheelchair so far.

This February my regular orthopedist sent me to a back fusion specialist, who

looked at my films and said I need a 4-level lumbar fusion.

Today (finally) I went to see another surgeon for a second opinion. He did all

the tests and toddled off to look at my films and all I could think was that he

was going to tell me I didn't need a fusion at all and to just live with the

pain.

But he came back with a why-have-you-waited-so-long look on his face and

concurred completely with Doctor No. 1. He said the surgery should bring my pain

level down to a 2 or 3 or 4 and I just burst out laughing!

I can't imagine living with so little pain! The doctor said my reaction was the

sort that makes him know the patient really could benefit from the surgery.

So I will have a four-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion at the end of this

year if I can hold out that long. I'm a bird farmer and I really want to last

long enough to get all my Thanksgiving and Christmas orders out. I will also

have that long to get ready for this surgery, to maximize its effect.

I lost 40 lbs last year and am trying to lose 20 more this year so that my body

fat index will be somewhere approaching normal - I'm told weight loss is the

single best thing to do for your back - plus I plan to step up the exercises and

get my body as strong as possible.

I would really appreciate input from any of you out there who have had lumbar

fusions - how did you prepare? What worked best? Was your pain level lowered,

and for how long?

It seems strange to be excited by the prospect of a painful major surgery that

will have a long, difficult recovery period, but I am as giddy as a kid at

Christmas and DETERMINED to make this work as well as possible!

Thanks for any input!

in New Mexico

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