Re: Lumbar fusion on 2 levels

[Guest guest]

What two levels? I was told last week (after an extremely painful

discogram) that I needed S1/L5 fused (after a microdiscectomy 4 years

ago was a miserable failure) and I need a disk replacement at L3/L4.

The replacement will be experimental since it hasn't been FDA approved

at that level. I can also opt to have a fusion instead. At issue is

the good disc in-between....most likely I will lose that one in the

course of time as well as the one above the L3/L4. Not a pretty

picture, but since I have a hard time getting out of bed now a

days....it is worth a shot. I'm having injections this week to help

relieve the pain, while I go for a second opinion....

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!!!

Lynda

>

> I am having a Lumbar fusion on 2 levels on the 28th

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynda,

I'm sorry but I don't know the level number but it is the very lowest

and then the next one up.The pain is all on my right side and feels

like the nerves being pinched, then radiates out to both sides as a

very crimping steady pain. I am unable to turn to my left without

screaming my head off. Years ago (1980) I had an emergency laminectomy

at the same level because of the pain radiating down my left leg and

then the disc rupturing. The surgeon I am seeing now told me part of

the problem I am having now was because of the botched up surgery

then. I had two epidurals recently but they didn't help. Also tried PT

before that but it made it worse. He then scheduled a discogram with

another surgeon that has a pain managemnt practice because the MRI was

unclear about the next level. He didn't want to involve it if it

wasn't causing pain right now. After all the complaining about the

fear of pain, it must have worked because after they gave me the

Versed to relax me and rolled me into the OR that's all I remember.

The surgeon came in to see me after to tell me the bad news that the

disc above was bad but the next in line was normal. Apparently I

screamed really loud but I don't remember a thing. Maybe they gave me

that drug that makes you forget, but luckily I don't remember

anything. After I saw the Neurosurgeon the next week, he confirmed it,

and scheduled my pre-op for next Thurs. and the surgery the following

Monday A.M.

I don't really know your position, but for me, I don't want to have

any more surgeries in my life if at all possible. I am 58 as of

yesterday (so sad:). However I do know that the discs above these will

be affected by this and will probably collapse if I live long enough LOL!

Best of luck with whatever you decide and I will be happy to let you

know how this goes. I probably will be confined to this chair or the

bed for a while after although the surgeon says I will be up and

walking the day after surgery to minimize the risks of blood clots in

the legs.

I don't mean to scare you but I hope you have a good surgeon if you

opt for the disc replacement. I know what you mean about having too

many discs fused but I also have heard of problems with the disc

replacements being placed wrong or moving because they are so new so I

would check out the surgeon completely to see how many of these he has

done. You are also right to have a second opinion but in the end, only

you can decide what is best for you.

Don

> >

> > I am having a Lumbar fusion on 2 levels on the 28th

> >

>