coming back

[Jennilee]

Hi everyone! I'm not sure who remembers me since I've been gone about a year and a half. I had my spinal fusion with instrumentation from T3 to L5 as scheduled on 1/3/13. Dr Eberson (pedi scoliosis dr) did majority of surgery with Dr Robertson (adult spine dr) assisting. It's been a rough recovery for me to say the least but along with my physical recovery I ended up hooked on all of my pain meds which is why I kind of disappeared for a while. I'm now about 9 months clean and not even taking aspirin for pain. I'm in so much pain on a daily basis and was have a big open area near my 19 inch incision line which came out of nowhere along with 2 smaller open areas also on my back. Has anyone else had anything like this happen? Also at the top of my incision line there's a few big visible bumps which are painful. Not sure if they are vertebrae or screws or what? ?? I did have to get an additional 6 units if blood given to me on top of the 2 units I donated to myself. ..not sure if that could be causing the open areas? They came out of nowhere after my long incision healed. Also I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions concerning pain that doesn't include a narcotic. I'll try anything at this point. I'm 39 and can barely stand up long or some days even get out of bed. And sleep? Not more than 2 or 3 hours at a time then I wake up from the pain like the rods are digging into me and need to reposition myself. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! I'm just really struggling and very uncomfortable. My surgery did achieve a 80% correction which is incredible as even my cosmetic deformity was horrible abd my right rib cage was collapsed onto my pelvis which is now lifted and im almost completely straight except for a 20* curve but absolutely NO more deformity! I hope everyone has been well and look forward to any feedback! Thanks!!

[Pooka1]

Please have your surgeons evaluate you for infection on the hardware. I think that is consistent with the wound opening and there being pain. When do you see them again?

Your pain might be all related to an infection. Hopefully they can solve whatever the issue is.

Good luck.

[LindaRacine]

When was that photo taken? If that's recent, and your surgery was over a year ago, that's a problem.

--Linda

[titaniumed]

I'm in so much pain on a daily basis and was have a big open area near my 19 inch incision line which came out of nowhere along with 2 smaller open areas also on my back. Has anyone else had anything like this happen?

Jennilee, This doesn’t sound good at all.... Open areas are signs of infection, I wouldn’t play around with this at all....not for a minute.

I had detailed incision forms given to me and was told to inspect often. If there was anything funky going on at all, I was to come down immediately. This was in BOLD print! 1/2” Letters. Funny how the important things were in such large bold print. No matter what meds your on, you can see it.


I’m so sorry you have been having such a hard time...

Ed

[Pooka1]

I debated about saying this but I will say it... if you can't get an emergency appt with your surgeons then you should walk into the ER of that hospital in my opinion and get seen by a specialist. Scars are not supposed to look like that.

Don't mess around with urgent care... go back to the hospital where you were fused.

If it is an infection brewing for a year then it is an emergency in my opinion.

When is the last time you had a check up and what did the surgeon say?

[susancook]

Get thee to a doctor! You were addicted to pain meds because you were in pain! Your problems are not in your head. Being in bed and having a poor quality of life is not usual...not even close.

You need help. I am worried about you! Let us know how you are doing. Susan

[jackieg412]

Hi Jennifer,Looking at the picture of your scar ___I just have a question---do you use a heating pad? I was able to pull a part ok my scar off by burning it with a heating pad. It was not as long as yours but if you are using a heating pad do be careful The skin does not have total feeling. I do agree that you should have it checked. Let us know.