recovery from spinal fusion?

Hi Rockabillychick..

I am new here..just joined today..and came upon your question.  I have had 4 back surgeries in the L4-L5 region. I've had the fusion..when it failed I had rods/pins put in/my body couldn't tollerate the metal..so they were taken out.  Now I have what is said to be failed back syndrome.  I call it "chronic pain"!!  I have had the discogram..be prepared, it is NOT pleasant!  But I do know that if you are this far, you are no stranger to pain.  The nurse that held my hand assured me it would be over soon, and not to feel bad, they have grown men who cry thru this! (I don't mean to scare you really..I got thru it, so will you).

I'll try to address your questions/concerns..(but please remember..this is only MY exp)

Hospitol stay was about 3 days.  You know these days they don't like to keep you in very long, no matter how you feel!  I was released with a back brace (that was fitted to me prior to surgery..if you do get this..USE IT..it helps!).

My pain was excruciating!  But then again..my surgeries were not successfull!  That doesn't mean yours will be!  I went in to all surgeries with faith and hope...regardless of the outcome.

Stairs will be difficult..I left with a walker (and to this day still have the walker, use a cane regularly, and have a wheelchair for extended periods of outings)

Care..My wonderful husband was there to care for me. For the first week or so, he helped with all my personal care.  Yes, I had a shower seat.

Pain meds..My doctors perscribed a good dose right after surgery, to control my pain,  but like many doctors are afraid to subscribe pain meds, so was taken off and told to take OTC pain meds after a short period of time..too soon!

Now..having said all that..not all surgeries are the same and yours may be 100% successfull!  Which I pray is it!  I wasn't so lucky.  Therefore now living 24/7 in chronic pain due to my back and other conditions.  Oh, and what they don't tell you until later..if you start to have pain above the surgery site..they told me it's because that area is componsating for what the surgery area can no longer do.  And since you have DDD as I do, it will gradually get worse..or at least that's what I'm told on a monthly basis!

I will be praying for you during/after your surgery and will keep positive thoughts for you as well.  Stay strong and keep the faith.

Love, Annie

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Hello everyone-

I am looking for anyone who has had a spinal fusion.  I have getting ready to have one done on my lower lumbar due to degenerative disk disease that has greatly affected L4.  I also have major facet inflamation that is ruling out a disk replacement.

I will be in surgery ASAP after having a discogram next week. 

Can anyone tell me what recovery from a fusion is like.  I have read many websites but it always feels like none of the info is from actual patients.

Things that I am greatly concerned about-

1- How long is the hospital stay after surgery?

2- Could you walk up stairs after leaving the hospital?  I have a long stair case I will have to walk up to get into my home.

3- Did you need a shower seat?

4-Could you care for yourself immediatly after returning from the hospital?

shower, bath, make food, get water, get to the bathroom

5- How intense was the pain?

were you able to handle it with the meds you were already taking before surgery?

did they have to give you additional meds?

I have been on pain meds for almost a year now- raises in doses have been made as well.  I am afraid of how my pain will be handled after surgery adds more to it.

hi ya rockabillychick!!..boy you have a journey and many well thought ? ahead of you, the one thing is that caught my eye,, i am scheduled for a discogram and am anxious as heck, have you had it done yet? could you tel me abot it, the dr. said it is vry painful and also WHY are you having it done? is it because of the tears you might have or leaking??? i so would be very appreciative, if you could back with me and let me know how you are doing and about the disgogram..oh! it seems like everytime a person has a disco gram, surgery is to follow, am i correct, i feeel like i am having a panic attack right here and now, asking yo all these ?..the best of luck to you, rockabilly :) and if you do get a chance could you write about the discogram...have to get a xanax now..........cindi

Hi I just had a spinal fusion 3weeks ago. I stayed in the hospital a day and a half . I was able to do stairs when I got home slowly but I did it. I was able to take a shower 5 days after no baths, pools, or hottub (soaking) for about a month. I was in slight pain took pain meds as prescribed and it was under controll, just felt like I had been  to the gym for the first time in years , my muscles sore and very weak. I would do it all over again it took the pain that i originally had away. I'm feeling pretty good now still slow but I'm doing light house work dishes, laundry, just so I don't go stir crazy hang in there it willall be good.  Good luck to you.

                                                   Laurie 

Hi!  I'm brand new to this site, but I wanted to let you know that not all back surgeries end up as horror stories.  I had spondylolisthesis for 30 years...intermittent leg pain that would respond to exercise, chiropractic treatment.  Then about 3 months ago, I started having more severe leg pain in my right leg only.  This time it did not respond to exercise or chiropractic care.  MRI showed a herniated disc below the affected vertebrae.  Underwent a spinal fusion (L5/S1) on Sept. 4.  Turns out I had a completely broken vertebrae and part of the bone was sitting on top of the nerve!  After surgery, I continued to have some right leg pain, but it was much less.  Over the past month, the pain has slowly decreased - I would say I have about a 90% reduction in pain at this point.  I had a shower seat that I used for the first week and a half.  I walked with a cane for about the same amount of time.  Came off pain meds within 2 weeks.  I walk everyday and have minimal to no pain when walking.  I am overall feeling soooo much better and would do this all over again if needed.  I know some people have tons of trouble, but there are some success stories out there!  I hope this helps...