L5 - S1 fusion

May 17, 2011

I'm so sory to hear that Janice...I know how frustrating it is to keep

injuring things. I hope you can get an MRI soon.

" Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied

hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo

spinal problems

From: faraway1@...

Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 13:14:44 -0700

Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion

I have had 3 operations including a fusion then removal of the metal 5 years

later and all 3 were completely sucessful. Last Thursday I hurt my back in the

mid or thoracic area of my spine I am in to much pain to know for sure where the

injury is. I am waiting for my doctor to call me right now to see if he will

order the MRI so I can get going on this problem (s). I haven't had this kind of

pain in many years. I dont' have enough pain control to last the month.

Janice

L5 - S1 fusion

Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in my

turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months.

Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so

long?

May 17, 2011

I believe one answer is to send you to a rehab center for sometime,

afterwards, visits from home health care?

In a message dated 5/17/2011 10:31:20 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

jls_tx2002@... writes:

I've wondered the same thing, .

Jim

>

> so then what do you do if you don't have any family or friends to help

out? i can't imagine what it would cost to hire someone for 6 weeks or

longer to clean and shop, etc. not to mention being bored out of my mind?

>

> Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they

are. M. Forbes

>

> Â

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>

------------------------------------

Groups Links

May 17, 2011

so then what do you do if you don't have any family or friends to help out? i

can't imagine what it would cost to hire someone for 6 weeks or longer to clean

and shop, etc. not to mention being bored out of my mind?

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. M.

Forbes

Â

May 17, 2011

Petsitters and a yard service I guess, or have it done in the, assuming

you don't live in Florida.

My own take on spinal fusions is " Not this side of a wheel chair, " in part

because I also live alone and don't see any ready way to deal with the

physical restrictions post-op, and in part because I've never met anyone who

had one and was " cured " for any length of time.

In a message dated 5/18/2011 12:40:39 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

andy24747@... writes:

and who takes care of the house and the pets while you are in the rehab

center? I can see how surgery would help but I can't see how to work out the

details of taking care of my life while I recoop.

so the bottom line is- are there other ways to deal with an injury without

surgery and all that time to recoup?

May 17, 2011

I've wondered the same thing, .

Jim

>

> so then what do you do if you don't have any family or friends to help out? i

can't imagine what it would cost to hire someone for 6 weeks or longer to clean

and shop, etc. not to mention being bored out of my mind?

>

> Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. M.

Forbes

>

> Â

>

May 17, 2011

and who takes care of the house and the pets while you are in the rehab center?

I can see how surgery would help but I can't see how to work out the details of

taking care of my life while I recoop.

so the bottom line is- are there other ways to deal with an injury without

surgery and all that time to recoup?

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. M.

Forbes

Â

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. M.

Forbes

Â

May 18, 2011

" and in part because I've never met anyone who

had one and was " cured " for any length of time. "

Being only 4 weeks post op I'm in no position to take issue with this statement

but I hope somebody can. I would be very depressed to think all of this was an

expensive & painful waste of time.

Jim

>

> Petsitters and a yard service I guess, or have it done in the, assuming

> you don't live in Florida.

>

> My own take on spinal fusions is " Not this side of a wheel chair, " in part

> because I also live alone and don't see any ready way to deal with the

> physical restrictions post-op, and in part because I've never met anyone who

> had one and was " cured " for any length of time.

>

> In a message dated 5/18/2011 12:40:39 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> andy24747@... writes:

>

> and who takes care of the house and the pets while you are in the rehab

> center? I can see how surgery would help but I can't see how to work out the

> details of taking care of my life while I recoop.

>

> so the bottom line is- are there other ways to deal with an injury without

> surgery and all that time to recoup?

>

May 18, 2011

I didn't say it was, was simply saying why I will pass on a fusion as long

as I can still walk without one. (And my surgeon is also making it clear

it's a long slow process, with no guaranteed results.)

YMMV

In a message dated 5/18/2011 9:29:16 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

ellenfarber@... writes:

" I've never met anyone who " is hardly scientific......! Maybe the people

who have had success are no longer on groups like this because they're out

enjoying life--biking, gardening, running, etc.! Hopeful that that's true.

For what it's worth,

Ellen

From: JLS <jls_tx2002@...>

Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion

spinal problems

Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2011, 12:05 PM

" and in part because I've never met anyone who

had one and was " cured " for any length of time. "

Being only 4 weeks post op I'm in no position to take issue with this

statement but I hope somebody can. I would be very depressed to think all of

this was an expensive & painful waste of time.

Jim

>

> Petsitters and a yard service I guess, or have it done in the, assuming

> you don't live in Florida.

>

> My own take on spinal fusions is " Not this side of a wheel chair, " in

part

> because I also live alone and don't see any ready way to deal with the

> physical restrictions post-op, and in part because I've never met anyone

who

> had one and was " cured " for any length of time.

>

> In a message dated 5/18/2011 12:40:39 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> andy24747@... writes:

>

> and who takes care of the house and the pets while you are in the rehab

> center? I can see how surgery would help but I can't see how to work out

the

> details of taking care of my life while I recoop.

>

> so the bottom line is- are there other ways to deal with an injury

without

> surgery and all that time to recoup?

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

Groups Links

May 18, 2011

Jim,

When you have a fusion, it accelerates the deterioration of the discs

above and below it, so that's one reason the pain returns for many

people. You have to be careful and protect those discs, especially if

they are already deteriorating at the time of your fusion. I have a

long fusion, so I need to protect my C-spine, hips, SI joints, and

knees now, since they are my only points where I can bend.

On Wednesday, May 18, 2011, JLS <jls_tx2002@...> wrote:

>

> " and in part because I've never met anyone who

> had one and was " cured " for any length of time. "

>

> Being only 4 weeks post op I'm in no position to take issue with this

statement but I hope somebody can. I would be very depressed to think all of

this was an expensive & painful waste of time.

>

> Jim

May 18, 2011

" I've never met anyone who " is hardly scientific......!Â Maybe the people who

have had success are no longer on groups like this because they're out enjoying

life--biking, gardening, running, etc.!Â Hopeful that that's true.

For what it's worth,

Ellen

From: JLS <jls_tx2002@...>

Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion

spinal problems

Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2011, 12:05 PM

Â

" and in part because I've never met anyone who

had one and was " cured " for any length of time. "

Being only 4 weeks post op I'm in no position to take issue with this statement

but I hope somebody can. I would be very depressed to think all of this was an

expensive & painful waste of time.

Jim

>

> Petsitters and a yard service I guess, or have it done in the, assuming

> you don't live in Florida.

>

> My own take on spinal fusions is " Not this side of a wheel chair, " in part

> because I also live alone and don't see any ready way to deal with the

> physical restrictions post-op, and in part because I've never met anyone who

> had one and was " cured " for any length of time.

>

> In a message dated 5/18/2011 12:40:39 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> andy24747@... writes:

>

> and who takes care of the house and the pets while you are in the rehab

> center? I can see how surgery would help but I can't see how to work out the

> details of taking care of my life while I recoop.

>

> so the bottom line is- are there other ways to deal with an injury without

> surgery and all that time to recoup?

>

May 18, 2011

BTW, my decision to avoid a fusion isn't' based on Net lists, but people I

know in real life. As I said, YMMV, and your options may also be limited.

May 18, 2011

http://www.oversizesolutions.com/Toileting_Aids_s/29.htm?gclid=CODNu8OB8qgCFYFM4\

AodLHYFEQ

I had lumbar decompression last September and could just reach without any aids

when using the bathroom, but I come across this sight that actually sells

bathroom aids for wiping! I can't say they work, but they appear to be useful

for people in our situations...

Wishing all a pain free day!

mark

________________________________

From: Bunny <christina_bunny@...>

spinal problems

Sent: Tue, May 17, 2011 6:25:27 PM

Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion

Just be really careful for the first 6 weeks and I'm sure you'll do fine. It

takes that long for the muscles to repair...up to 2-3 moths for the fusion to

take.

" Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied

hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo

spinal problems

From: jls_tx2002@...

Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 20:26:40 +0000

Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion

I had DDD too. And I may be speaking prematurely. I'm only 4 weeks post op and

still in the brace. Everything could still go to hell, I suppose.

Jim

> >

> > From: Bunny <christina_bunny@>

> > Subject: RE: L5 - S1 fusion

> > spinal problems

> > Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6:44 AM

> >

> > I had an L5-S1 Spine fusion with hardware and cage at the end of December

and

>I wore my back brace for 2 months as well. Second month they let me take the

>dish out of the thing. They had me start weaning off of it at 6 weeks.

> >

> > " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied

>hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo

> >

> > spinal problems

> > From: jls_tx2002@

> > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 04:23:34 +0000

> > Subject: L5 - S1 fusion

> >

> > Hello, new to the group. Apr 15 I had L5 - S1 fusion surgery. I'm still in

my

>turtle shell back brace as I will be for another two months.

> > Has anybody here gone thru similar surgery and had to wear the brace for so

>long?

> >

May 18, 2011

Actually I know of two people who had spine fusions in the lumbar area and have

been happy with the surgery for over 10 years. It was part of the reason I made

the decision to have mine. As far as I know htey are not on any support forums,

probably because they are out enjoying life.

" Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied

hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo

spinal problems

From: ellenfarber@...

Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 06:28:58 -0700

Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion

" I've never met anyone who " is hardly scientific......! Maybe the people who

have had success are no longer on groups like this because they're out enjoying

life--biking, gardening, running, etc.! Hopeful that that's true.

For what it's worth,

Ellen

From: JLS <jls_tx2002@...>

Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion

spinal problems

Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2011, 12:05 PM

" and in part because I've never met anyone who

had one and was " cured " for any length of time. "

Being only 4 weeks post op I'm in no position to take issue with this statement

but I hope somebody can. I would be very depressed to think all of this was an

expensive & painful waste of time.

Jim

>

> Petsitters and a yard service I guess, or have it done in the, assuming

> you don't live in Florida.

>

> My own take on spinal fusions is " Not this side of a wheel chair, " in part

> because I also live alone and don't see any ready way to deal with the

> physical restrictions post-op, and in part because I've never met anyone who

> had one and was " cured " for any length of time.

>

> In a message dated 5/18/2011 12:40:39 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> andy24747@... writes:

>

> and who takes care of the house and the pets while you are in the rehab

> center? I can see how surgery would help but I can't see how to work out the

> details of taking care of my life while I recoop.

>

> so the bottom line is- are there other ways to deal with an injury without

> surgery and all that time to recoup?

>

May 18, 2011

,

There are several ways to treat the spine before surgery, but usually those of

us who have had the fusion done have failed all those treatments and are down to

maintaining with pain killers.

My take is, by the time I had surgery I was only cleaning the house before

company anyways and recieved a great deal of help from my husband. I also had

moved to a townhome so I did not care for a yard anymore...I was no longer able

to do these things before surgery. I could still feed my rabbit and such but

couldnt clean her cage without help. so when I had the surgery my husband was

doing a lot of the care he was doing for me already...just a bit more for the

first couple months.

If your going to have the surgery you'll have to work out the details on someone

to care for you for the first 6 weeks. You may not need someon in the home at

all times for more than a couple 3 weeks though. And yeah, someones gonna have

to clean the house and feed your pets for a few months. Its a tough decision and

I had to call in a lot of favors, and I have some friends who think I asked too

much of them, but dont known what else I would have done.

" Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied

hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo

spinal problems

From: andy24747@...

Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 04:40:36 +0000

Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion

and who takes care of the house and the pets while you are in the rehab center?

I can see how surgery would help but I can't see how to work out the details of

taking care of my life while I recoop.

so the bottom line is- are there other ways to deal with an injury without

surgery and all that time to recoup?

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. M.

Forbes

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. M.

Forbes

May 18, 2011

Are you presently on any medications?

In a message dated 5/18/2011 9:54:16 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

andy24747@... writes:

so basically surgery isn't going to be an option for some of us. so what

are the other options to reduce the pain level?

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.

M. Forbes

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

Groups Links

May 18, 2011

Well phoo, I was going to suggest Neurontin which helps me more than

anything.

In a message dated 5/18/2011 10:00:26 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

andy24747@... writes:

i'm on celebrex, neurotin and muscle relaxers. i also try to stay active.

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.

M. Forbes

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

Groups Links

May 18, 2011

lyrica helps me tremendously with muscle spasms and pain a two for one

special as I also have a seizure disorder as well. I take ultram ER 200 mg,

zanaflex 4mg Q6 hours, and vicodin 7.5/750at bed time or BID if needed. Plus

celebrex 200 mg BID.

In a message dated 5/18/2011 10:03:21 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

jarcher107@... writes:

Well phoo, I was going to suggest Neurontin which helps me more than

anything.

In a message dated 5/18/2011 10:00:26 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

_andy24747@..._ (mailto:andy24747@...) writes:

i'm on celebrex, neurotin and muscle relaxers. i also try to stay active.

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.

M. Forbes

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

Links

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

May 18, 2011

I reached a point where VIcodin was doing nothing, even two 7.5/500 at

once, so was switched to Percocet, plus the Neurontin for nerve pain. Plus

killer PT in prep for most likely hip replacements (they are shot, it's my

call as to when to give up on them), and an MRI to look for thoracic spine

issues.

Not sure what's with all this, although I'm 65, there is no family history

of arthritis or spinal issues, and I've never had weight issues. Oh well.

Life goes on.

In a message dated 5/18/2011 10:10:14 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

KLRRRT2@... writes:

lyrica helps me tremendously with muscle spasms and pain a two for one

special as I also have a seizure disorder as well. I take ultram ER 200

mg,

zanaflex 4mg Q6 hours, and vicodin 7.5/750at bed time or BID if needed.

Plus

celebrex 200 mg BID.

In a message dated 5/18/2011 10:03:21 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

jarcher107@... writes:

Well phoo, I was going to suggest Neurontin which helps me more than

anything.

In a message dated 5/18/2011 10:00:26 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

_andy24747@..._ (mailto:andy24747@...) writes:

i'm on celebrex, neurotin and muscle relaxers. i also try to stay active.

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.

M. Forbes

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

Groups Links

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

Groups Links

May 18, 2011

so basically surgery isn't going to be an option for some ofÂ us. so what are

the other options to reduce the pain level?

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. M.

Forbes

Â

May 18, 2011

i'm on celebrex, neurotin and muscle relaxers. i also try to stay active.

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. M.

Forbes

Â

May 18, 2011

and celebrex is such a two edged sword. it works well but it is so expensive.

there isn't a generic so it costs me almost $100 a month. with all my meds I

probably do spend over $100 a month to function enough to go to work every day.

and I try to exercise everyday to keep the pain level down. so i feel like all i

do is go to work and manage my pain. oh and argue with the cats. there is a old

saying- there is no better alarm clock than a hungry cat... this morning both

cats started jumping on me cos it was time for breakfast. the vet put my 26.5

pound cat on a diet and neither cat is happy...

anyway, back to the pain... has anyone found a comfortable sleep position with a

neck injury?

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. M.

Forbes

Â

May 19, 2011

Hi Everyone,

Jim, hang in there. The biggest reason that L5-S1 fusions, heck - all fusions

fail is, as one person wrote, the discs above and/or below fails. That is very

true. But why do they fail? It's because as soon as we start to feel better, we

tend to go right back to our old living habits and lifestyle. It's pretty simple

really. You cannot just go back to the way you were, because " you are not that

way anymore! " You have a deformity that Yes, you may be able to some what fix,

if you're lucky, but you're just not the same. So Jim, alter your lifestyle

accordingly, and you should be fine. Keep the " Gut Strong " and stretch, and stay

in the best shape that you ever been in. Never, ever get lazy about protecting

your body from the simplest of injuries!! Like turning your torso without

rotating your hips...that kind of stuff. And you should come thru OK.

Best,

Des

> >

> > Petsitters and a yard service I guess, or have it done in the, assuming

> > you don't live in Florida.

> >

> > My own take on spinal fusions is " Not this side of a wheel chair, " in part

> > because I also live alone and don't see any ready way to deal with the

> > physical restrictions post-op, and in part because I've never met anyone who

> > had one and was " cured " for any length of time.

> >

> > In a message dated 5/18/2011 12:40:39 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> > andy24747@ writes:

> >

> > and who takes care of the house and the pets while you are in the rehab

> > center? I can see how surgery would help but I can't see how to work out

the

> > details of taking care of my life while I recoop.

> >

> > so the bottom line is- are there other ways to deal with an injury without

> > surgery and all that time to recoup?

> >

May 19, 2011

I hear what you are saying, Des, and that sounds like good advice.

Jim

> > >

> > > Petsitters and a yard service I guess, or have it done in the, assuming

> > > you don't live in Florida.

> > >

> > > My own take on spinal fusions is " Not this side of a wheel chair, " in

part

> > > because I also live alone and don't see any ready way to deal with the

> > > physical restrictions post-op, and in part because I've never met anyone

who

> > > had one and was " cured " for any length of time.

> > >

> > > In a message dated 5/18/2011 12:40:39 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> > > andy24747@ writes:

> > >

> > > and who takes care of the house and the pets while you are in the rehab

> > > center? I can see how surgery would help but I can't see how to work out

the

> > > details of taking care of my life while I recoop.

> > >

> > > so the bottom line is- are there other ways to deal with an injury

without

> > > surgery and all that time to recoup?

> > >

May 19, 2011

Great perspective Des...thank you.

Ellen

From: Des <l5pine@...>

Subject: Re: L5 - S1 fusion

spinal problems

Date: Thursday, May 19, 2011, 7:24 PM