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9 months post op; Advice anyone?
Topic Started: 17 Sep 2010, 01:26 PM (278 Views)
yalapj
Member
[ *  * ]
Hi there,

Thought I would post an update after 2 level ADR in December 09.

I was getting along quite nicely until end Feb when I started working from home.

I still had slight nerve pain and tingling in my legs along with post op pain - all of which I decided to ignore and treat with meds.

Problem was the meds I was on prevented me from being at my usual performance levels and I was really struggling by the time I got to doing 5 hours a day.

Then I crashed and burned. The nerve pain increased 100 fold, pins and needles ran up and down my legs all day every day, toes were numb, legs got weaker and weaker up to the point where I now need crutches or scooters to go out for any reason.

I can't drive as 2100mg of Gabapentin, 200mg of Tramadol, 2000mg of Codydramol and 75mg of Diclofenc along with 7.5mg of Oramorph when needed up to 4 times a day are not condusive to doing any activity other than my exercises :ph43r:

I have had an MRI and CT scan which showed "nothing serious" and then referred by the Orthpeadic consultant back to the pain management consultant, who I am seeing at the end of the month.

When I first saw the pain management consultant her first leaning was toward a trapped nerve... as is my GP's opinion.

The Orthopeadic guy said I would get better but it could take another 6-12 months... :angry:

Please tell me if any of you are having/ have had similar experience(s)?

With much gratitude and well wishes,
Yalah
2005: Accident while deep sea fishing
Four years of lower back and leg pain
Two years with Chiropractor, then two years with physio, tried acupuncture and core exercises, all to no avail
August & Oct 2009: 7 spinal injections
November 2009: Discogram, positive
December 2009: 2 level ADR L4/5 L5/S1
Meds: Gabapentin, Tramadol, Diclofenac, Oramorph, Paracetamol, Laxatives
2010/11:Several lumbar epidural injections to no avail
Jan 2012: Revision Lumbar Fusion L4/5 L5/S1
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ajj1001
Advanced Member
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Sorry that you have hit this problem in your recovery. After my two level adr i felt rubbish for months and wasn't anything like normal until 18 months afterwards when I started to look for employment. I didn't have the nerve issues then but I know from subsequent nerve problems that these do take time to settle down.

Hang in there and I hope that the pain consultant has some useful suggestions in how to deal with the problems.
Std Meds Gabapentin, MR Tramadol, Paracetemol, Laxatives
2011 Sept PLIF L4 - S1
2010 May Discogram L2/L3 & L3/L4 both looking ok.
2009 May PLG Fusion L5/S1 Charite in situ
April Dismissed
2008 Caudal Epidural failed to work
2007 Deterioration L5/S1 Facet arthritis, Loss of disc height.
2004 Returned to Work
2002 Aug - physio
March 2 level ADR Charite L4/5, L5/S1
2000 Broadbased disc prolapses L4/5, L5/S1
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yalapj
Member
[ *  * ]
Thank you SO much for sharing your experience - I was beginning to feel sub-human in having and expecting such a long recovery period.

You have really given me inspiration and relief!!!

Thank you for your well wishes re the pain management and now at least I can stop beating myself up about being so disabled...

Kindest regards,
Y
2005: Accident while deep sea fishing
Four years of lower back and leg pain
Two years with Chiropractor, then two years with physio, tried acupuncture and core exercises, all to no avail
August & Oct 2009: 7 spinal injections
November 2009: Discogram, positive
December 2009: 2 level ADR L4/5 L5/S1
Meds: Gabapentin, Tramadol, Diclofenac, Oramorph, Paracetamol, Laxatives
2010/11:Several lumbar epidural injections to no avail
Jan 2012: Revision Lumbar Fusion L4/5 L5/S1
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Tony L
Full Member
[ *  *  * ]
Hi Yalah
I know how you feel, I am only 3 months post surgery and not recovering as fast as I hoped. My surgeon has told me it will be a long process and may not get any better then I am now. Do not feel alone there any many of us in this situation.

All the best to you
Tony
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Alastair
Member Avatar
Alastair
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
I'm sorry to hear about your setback, I hope things work out okay for you
Best,
Alastair :D
Founder of this board 24th February 2007
Slow and Steady Wins This Race
Over 23 Years experience and research into spine surgery and over 2500 surgeries discussed and recorded

ADR L5/S1 Surgery with Dr Zeegers 26th July 2002 in Munich
8 facet joint ablations 28 – 8 – 12 with Dr Baranidharan and Jake Timothy in Leeds Diagnosed Forestiers disease
Your Best Asset Is Your Health
I live in West Yorkshire aged 81 now

Knowledge is power
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Mrs R
Full Member
[ *  *  * ]
This sounds very similar to what I have experienced and I have a diagnosis of complex chronic pain and am currently doing the pain management course at INPUT, St Thomas's Hospital. Ask your pain consultant about it, and whether she thinks it might be relevant for you. It's an excellent course and having done week 1 of 4 I feel I have got much out of it already.

Also I was on on 2400mg Gabapentin and got some relief, but when I switched to Pregabalin got a lot more relief with fewer side effects. It might be worth asking to try out Pregabalin.

I hope things improve for you.
2004-05 After 12 yrs of serious competitive sport, degeneration and tears L5/S1 and L4/5. 6 wks off work and went back p/t only. Told too young for surgery at 31 and that it probably won't help
2005-09 Dorsal root ganglion/steroid injections, amitriptyline, physio, osteopath, pilates and swimming 4 times per wk, back to working f/t
2009 Pain worse, saw Mr Lam at Guys. MRI: further degeneration in both discs and tear in L4/5. Discogram May 2009
14 Jan 2010 ADR L4/5, fusion L5/S1 by Mr Lam
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yalapj
Member
[ *  * ]
Hi,

Thank you all for your encouragement. I tell myself daily that I WILL get better but the faster I go the behinder I get ;)

Tony, as you say we are in this situation and it is very early days for you so please don't make the same mistakes I did by not listening to my body and forcing it to do more than it was ready to. I know some days I myself just want to (or do) lie in bed crying with pain and despair but we must persevere :)

Mrs R, thanks for the advice, I will definitely find out more about the pain management course and pregabalin. I appreciate the advice! Did you not recently have another procedure, how did it go and how are you feeling?

Kind regards and infinite well wishes,
Y
2005: Accident while deep sea fishing
Four years of lower back and leg pain
Two years with Chiropractor, then two years with physio, tried acupuncture and core exercises, all to no avail
August & Oct 2009: 7 spinal injections
November 2009: Discogram, positive
December 2009: 2 level ADR L4/5 L5/S1
Meds: Gabapentin, Tramadol, Diclofenac, Oramorph, Paracetamol, Laxatives
2010/11:Several lumbar epidural injections to no avail
Jan 2012: Revision Lumbar Fusion L4/5 L5/S1
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Tony L
Full Member
[ *  *  * ]
Hi Yalah
I try not to do anything my body dosn't want to but it's hard at times when things need to be done. I like Mrs R was on gabapentin but even at the highest dose it stopped working for me. I was then put on amitriptyline but that did not last between doses, I am now on pregabalin and it is working much better. All we can do is try different medications until we get it right, other then that take it slow and easy.

Regards Tony
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yalapj
Member
[ *  * ]
Hi Tony,

Tell me about it!!! I reckon one of the hardest aspects of recovery is NOT doing things.. ;)

I am thinking a shake up in meds is called for aswell and look forward to asking my pain management consultant about pregabalin - wish me luck as I wish you better :D

Take care
Y
2005: Accident while deep sea fishing
Four years of lower back and leg pain
Two years with Chiropractor, then two years with physio, tried acupuncture and core exercises, all to no avail
August & Oct 2009: 7 spinal injections
November 2009: Discogram, positive
December 2009: 2 level ADR L4/5 L5/S1
Meds: Gabapentin, Tramadol, Diclofenac, Oramorph, Paracetamol, Laxatives
2010/11:Several lumbar epidural injections to no avail
Jan 2012: Revision Lumbar Fusion L4/5 L5/S1
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