Ugh...more pain

[naptown78]

I have been experiencing pain in an area that is new for me. It has been 17 months since my spinal fusion, 2 months since my 2nd opinion diagnosis of sagittal imbalance. In the last 3 weeks or so I have been having burning pain in my upper spine above my fusion. It sometimes hurts so much I can't lift my head up or turn side to side. Sleeping is difficult due to positional discomfort. It seems surgery is in my future although not rushing it. I have made an appt with my new surgeon to see if there is something he can do to help me until I am ready for surgery. Is there anyone out there who has experienced this? Right now, I am using Aleve, OTC heat packs, and I have one Percocet left. Nothing really works .

[rainbow2010]

It could be a nerve growing back or one that is being irratated by your hardware. The doctor could have you try Lyrica for the pain or you could get a nerve block to see if that helps. Nerve pain is the worst as nothing usually helps it medicine wise. I use heat and exercise in a pool heated to 90 degrees. Just soaking in the warm water helps.

[jrnyc]

Hi Kristy
wonder if a pain management doctor could do nerve ablation..the nerves grow back...just til you have the surgery....my pain management dr. did nerve ablation for me a while ago...it lasted a few months...alleviated pain in the area...temporarily

hope you feel better
jess

[rainbow2010]

I so to a pain management doctor for my ablations (had one yesterday). Each time you have one done, it lasts longer. The area I had done yesterday had been 1 1/2 years without pain. Check with your insurance company. Rumor has it that they might not cover ablations much longer.

[theizzard]

I guess my scoliosis fusion was actually fixing my kyphosis or sagital imbalance which i had never heard of before. I leaned forward terribly and could barely walk. Do you have difficulty walking or is it just the pain in the thoracic region? After my fusion which is 9 months I don't lean forward and can walk a lot better. I do have thoracic pain/discomfort, which I hope will go away.
avis

[naptown78]

My original fusion was to correct my scoliosis curve and stop the progression . That surgery caused a sagittal imbalance which is a whole other problem in itself. Yes, I lean forward now and have lots of problems with walking and standing. The pain has now started in my upper spine because my head is not balanced over my sacrum the way it is supposed to be. I am glad Izzard that your surgery has given you some relief. That is my hope when I have my revision.

[52skeedoo]

I'm sorry to hear about all your trouble and your pain.

Has any doctor explained why you developed this imbalance? Did you have trouble with fusion?

Sheri

[naptown78]

Avis, can you tell me about your surgery? How long did it take for you to recover? It sounds like that is what I will have to have done. I was told I would have to have my fusion extended to the pelvis with an osteotomy to correct the imbalance. I was off work for 5 months the first surgery. I am hoping that this surgery will not be harder to recover from. I am glad you got good results and are able to stand up straight and walk. It seems such a simple thing, but I get envious of people who can stand upright!!

[ldwest]

I also had my last surgery to correct kyphosis and saggital imbalance. I was leaning over with no rods and the 2nd set made it way worse. It was very difficult for me to walk. I had great correction and look my age now standing tall though leaning some to the right. Though I still have pain(this 3rd set of rods) I do not regret having this surgery for 1 minute.


2000- spinal fusion w inst. t-2 L-4
2002 top1/2 rod removal due to rods loose and protruding at the top
2004 bottom rod removal due to pain starting to protrude
2007 spinal fusion t-9 to L-5 due to kyphosis and leaning forward(made it worse)
2009 oct 15th rod removal,repair of fusion new rods t2 to pelvis with osteotomies

[naptown78]

Thank you for your reply. My imbalance seems to be getting worse. I am 14 cm forward and having a very difficult time walking, standing, lifting, anything. Ugh. It seems I have no choice but to have more surgery. But am very scared. The surgeon has explained the surgical risks and this is another complicated surgery. I can't even get clothes to fit anymore because my body is so not right. Pants don't fit, I have become so short waisted , my shoulders feel like they are in my ears. I just need to know that this surgery will fix my problem and enable me to stand upright.

[jrnyc]

Hi Kristy
when did you say your revision surgery will be?

hopes & prayers go out your way that this next surgery is the last one needed to put you upright & feeling good!

jess

[ldwest]

The surgery you are having sounds like the one I had. T-2 to the pelvis with osteotomies. I was so stooped over for so long after the correction I felt like I was arching my back. But now (2 months) I dont feel that way. Though still some pain 2 months out the actuall process of walking was easier almost instantly. My clothes also fit better and I do look better. Brazzeer shopping is easier too. It pulled those up and gave me a nice arch above my rear so my jeans no longer slide down. I am 100 million times happy with the new look and the fact it is easier to walk. I just pray to God more of the pain will go away. Lately I feel like someone is sticking a knife in my right shoulder(upper rihght back) and I am having pain in my right buttocks. Also my neck is soar and I still get tension headaches...but remeber this is only 2 months post op..I have to keep reminding myself that.

[naptown78]

Thank you ldwest for your reply. After my first surgery, I too had pains in my shoulder blades, and my hips that I now don't have. It probably is a process of healing, and all the manipulation during surgery. It has been 17 months for me so keep the faith! I appreciate you telling me how happy you are with your ability to walk and keep upright... that is all I want at this point. Do you have to wear a brace? Do you have a job and if so, how long do you expect to be off work? I was off for 5 months with my first fusion, is this surgery harder or same to recover from as your previous surgeries? Sorry about all the questions!!!
I plan to schedule my surgery for late March or early April and am looking forward to getting fixed but am also dreading starting the whole process all over again.....I keep telling myself that by next Christmas I will be able to shop again, in a mall! Ha Ha!!!

[ldwest]

I wore a brace for less than a month. He almost didnt order one at all. I was gonna where it for 3 months but we were having trouble with it rubbing and irritating my inscision at the bottom(to the point it was draining). I was a nurse (lpn) for 10 years. I have had 6 total surgeries in 10 years(3 sets of rods and removals), A few years ago I had to quit I just could not physically do it anymore....I am trying to get my ss disability. I know that's not what you wanted to hear but everyone is different some people bounce right back and do great at work. It takes all I have to take care of my kids. I have 3 girls and sadly am going to make an appt. for my 11 year old to see a scoliosis specialist. We are starting to see a curve in her spine. She has watched me suffer for so many years she said she wont mind wearing a brace at all if she has to(I was never braced). Anyway I do not think you will regret this next surgery at all. Did the surgeon say that he will be doing a few osteotomies to give you a little arch? ldwest

[naptown78]

I am a nurse too, and hope to return to work following my surgery. I felt I could have returned sooner, if I could have been able to stand upright. It takes so much more energy to hold the body up and to walk, I was on a walker much longer than I should have been and was on a cane for months. My surgeon plans to do an osteotomy , yes. Not sure the exact plan or if there will be more than one. We haven't gotten that far yet. I am sorry to hear that you are unable to return to work. Hopefully this will be your FINAL surgery!!! I can not even imagine what you have been through in the last 10 years. Thanks for your support :-) and Merry Christmas!