Spinal Problems Archives

3rd surgery on L4

I had 3 surgeries on L4&5 in 6 months, the last a fusion with bone from right hip, that was in June of 99 and have been out of the brace for a couple months. I am having severe pain in my lower back, my legs are aching badly in the morning it is the worst. The pain goes down my left leg. The numbness in both feet is still there and up my right leg, although that is better than a couple months ago. I was in pain management and am going to try another clinic as the doctor I was seeing has kept me on a dose of 20 mg of oxycotin 2x day for 2 months, after 1 month I told her it was not helping.. I really wanted to get to a point were I would be able to tolerate a hole day and I was basiclly told if I was not happy go somewhere else. I am getting an MRI Friday morning so I will have a better understanding of what is happening. This is driving me crazy. hopefully I will end up with a doctor that will at least listen. The MRI's in the past have shown a bulge at L5-S1. any suggestions would really help.. Linda

Follow Ups:

• Re: 3rd surgery on L4&5 a spinal fusion--Search Archives & Glossary Paulette 22:41:37 2/16/00 (1)
  • Re: 3rd surgery on L4&5 a spinal fusion--Search Archives & Glossary Tammy 08:26:56 2/17/00 (0)

In Reply to: 3rd surgery on L4&5 a spinal fusion posted by Linda collins on February 16, 2000 at 21:52:28:

Hi, Linda

Not a Doctor, however,among other conditions,have herniated Bulging Disk L-4/L-5. Went through Pain Management for 3 epidural injections, physical therapy. They advised me it was temporary relief giving me ability to diet & exercise. You can correct situation with bandaid, however, it'll keep coming back until one gets rid of the cause. My cause is bracing and presently doing Skilled Relaxation 3 times daily for now up to 15 minutes. This week I'll be having first of ten Rolfing session in order to relieve cause. That'll hopefully give me a year to get rid of cause and improve my total health.

If I were you I'd search the archives under L-4/L-5 using
glossary for unfamilar terms. Take care and good luck.

Paulette

Follow Ups:

• Re: 3rd surgery on L4&5 a spinal fusion--Search Archives & Glossary Tammy 08:26:56 2/17/00 (0)

In Reply to: Re: 3rd surgery on L4&5 a spinal fusion--Search Archives & Glossary posted by Paulette on February 16, 2000 at 22:41:37:

I am also not a doctor but it seems to me that surgery isnt helping or the people doing the surgery are missing something like the real cause(s) of your pain. Check out all your options before surgerizing again. If necessary with multiple doctors. Mutliple surgeries also can lead to other problems and even worse conditions than before. It wont hurt you to read and read and then read more. It may all seem redundant but then again so is repeated surgeries with no benefit.