8 Months Post-Op - still not better?

[LaurieAnne]

Update on things...

I just wanted to give you an update. I went to see my gp (general practitioner) today for separate issue and over the wknd I've developed chills and muscle spasms in my arms and legs. She asked about urinary issues and whether I go to the bathroom a lot...weird that she even inquired...so she ran a urine test and turns out I have a urniary tract infection. The fear with this is it can travel quickly to spinal fusion which it REALLY feels like it has. My back pain has worsened everyday for the last several weeks and feels like a balloon is blown up inside pressing on each side of my spine. It's so painful to be sitting and worse standing. I have a had constant headaches as well for last two weeks. Surgeons office finally called back today at 3pm after several days of phone tag. I told her the story and she just said to take the antibiotics and call them back in 5 days when antibiotics are finished. So if it's not doing better by Thursday I'm calling or going to ER bc I'm done messing with this. It's so frustrating when they don't take you seriously. I just wish people would listen. Sorry for the vent I am just so overwhelmed right now. Thank you all SO MUCH for you replies. This forum really is a God-send!

[Singer]

Most of these surgeons seem to be terrible at follow-up problems that aren't directly related to the fusion...they're so extremely specialized. I hope the antibiotics make a difference but you're right to go to the ER if you're not feeling better in a couple of days. Good luck!!!

[titaniumed]

Laurie Ann
I have had kidney stones and gall ileus. Any urinary tract infections seem to transfer incredible amounts of pain to the back.

They gave me Azithromicin, and the next day I was 95% better. Of course, this is a 5 day program and needs to be taken all the way through.

You should be doing a whole lot better tomorrow.
Ed

[peachrush7]

poor thing!!! I really hope the antibiotics start making a huge difference quickly! I sure hope a few scoli kids who are having the surgery now grow up to be scoli surgeons. THEN they'd realize how it feels to worry about everything that happens post-op. I don't think they get it, because they've never been in our shoes.

Keep us posted!

[LaurieAnne]

Well after 3 doses of antibiotic the burning sensation is finally dwindling in my upper back and neck. Everthing still feels very tight and the headache has yet to go. Also still having involuntary muscle twitches or spasms but hopefully these subside soon. My lower abdomen has started hurting today. Anyone else been diagnosed with kidney infection or uti that had this happen after getting on antibiotics?

[golfnut]

Laurie Anne,
Are you feeling better today?

[LaurieAnne]

Hi Karen,

Well yesterday was a fiasco but finally got everything checked. Thankfully there was no remnance of a spinal infection though they do think it was heading in that direction based on the burning in the upper back and neck. The intense pain in my upper back subsided Tuesday after 2 antibiotic doses but I was still having a lot of mid and lower back pain so Kelly said to get it checked to be sure the antibiotic was working. Other than feeling completely exhausted, having a few spasms, and some residual pain I am doing better. I do have to remain on the antibiotics for a bit to make sure the infection doesn't come back. I'm just sooooo relieved it didn't turn into something severe. I really believe there was divine intervention that I just happened to have a follow-up appointment with my general practitioner on Monday and she decided to do a urinalysis which showed infection. Anywyay, thanks for all the kind thoughts, word, and prayers.

[golfnut]

Laurie Anne,
Yes, you can be thankful that the infection was detected before moving to your spine. I am glad things are getting better!

[Doodles]

Laurie Anne--
I'm so glad this is getting cleared up & things are looking better. So sorry you had to go through all of this. Here's hoping and praying there is some smooth sailing ahead. Janet

[JenniferG]

What a near-miss. So glad it didn't get any further. Take care and hope you are feeling much better very soon.

[Mojo's Mom]

Okay, can someone please explain how a UTI can spread to the spinal fusion? I can't understand that, unless we're talking about a UTI that has spread to the kidneys and gotten so bad that it's gone septic. If someone can explain it for me, I'd be grateful. Just one more thing to worry about post-surgery. Yikes.

[Marina63]

I still felt fragile and in pain at one year post-op, and had dramatic improvement between 18 months and two years. I continued to improve between years 2 and 3 also. From what I've observed and experienced, lumbar fusions are a bit more difficult to recover from. Increasing activities, nerve regeneration and using new muscles all caused ongoing aches and pains for a long time for me.

That being said, I would be concerned about steadily worsening pain at this point.

Hope you feel better soon.

Can you tell me what nerve regeneration felt like to you? I have a stinging/burning sensation along my spine. Anything help to ease it for you?