increased pain following spinal fusion

I too am going through the same thing and the retest me with MRI's and the test show that everything is fine but my pain is still here as a matter fact it has gotten worst. More meds is what I get now, the problem is that I dont want more meds because you really cant function on all the different pills and if your a mom you really cant take all those pills. I do a lot of praying and that does help it relax me to know the GOD is there with me and to be honest who really know what you are feeling is the LORD. Some people turn to the wrong thing and the next thing you hear is that they have pass away. GOD keeps me strong and makes me want to fight these doctors and I dont feel like the little person because Im talking to a doctor, I always thought they knew everything so I would do everything they say well guess what they dont because if they did I wouldnt be in this pain that im in smh.

I just want to say one more thing to add to what I have said earlier. DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!! Even when you feel all alone and no one understands you there is one that does that is GOD let me say to that I understand 100% and i mean this from my heart I really do and if you need a push every once in awhile I will be here, Im going to check here everyday and we will get through this together because I know that when I need a push I would love to come here for that help this is why I came to this site to see if there was someone out here going through what I am. Thank GOD there is.

I had same surgery last augest and iam in so much pain in back hips and legs.doc said everything look good but theres no way.Fixing to get second appen.

I had l5-s1 and removal of l4 in June and am also in more pain now. I don't know what to do either but it does make me feel better to know I am not alone. Everyone thinks I should be fine but I am not. Now I can not even get my neurosurgeon to call me back. Thanks doc for everything!!!

Hello
I am 18 years old and I have had three spinal fusions in the last three years. Last night I got the results from my last CT and it says I am completely healed. The problem is I do not feel healed at all. No matter what I do I always seem to be hurting. My neurosurgeon keeps telling me I'm fine but I dont feel fine. I hate that people think I am crazy because I still hurt. Nobody understands what its like. I wasnt a normal high school student and now I'm not a normal college student. I am so incredibly frustrated. I want this to stop affecting my life, but most of all I want to be pain free. My surgeon told me to work out, how am I supposed to work out when I cant even sit? I am looking for a way to be pain free with out being in a drugged haze all my life! I feel alone in this.

Do not feel alone because I am right here with you. I finally got a call from my doc and now we have to do more imaging to see what is going on. My family even thinks I am crazy because I hurt like I do but they just do not understand. I am here if you ever need to talk. I just want to be pain free again too but I think I have just about given up on that. I have to find some way to live with the pain and not let it affect my life but that is very hard to do. I am in college as well but I go online. I also am married and have 4 boys to raise and I have a job. I hurt all of the time and it affects every aspect of my life and especially my kids. Just remember you are not alone. I am here if you need a ear to listen.

Thank you for all of that. Its nice to know I am not alone in all of this. I am so past frustrated with all of it. I want to get through the day without wanting to cry. Someone mentioned I go to see a pain specialist, but I feel afraid to tell my mom I want to see another doctor. I know that she struggles with this as well but she doesn't understand how im feeling. Also someone mentioned a Neurostimulator which would be surgically implanted to block pain signals but I am scared to talk to my mom about that too. I just want to feel better. I don't know what to do. I hate that people don't believe that I am in pain. 

I had a spinal fusion in 1985. I had a 45 curvation. I had 4 vertebrae fused together.  I never had any pain or issues until recently. Now years laters I have horrible lower back pain. It seems to come and go. But here lately it is mostly constant. The pain seems to radiate from the site of my incision and go up my spine.  I have also noticed that when my pain is the worse my left hand will get cold like there is no circulation. Also, I think I have sciatica, because sometimes the pain will radiate from my lower back to my thigh.  Is anyone else having these problems? I don't know what to do.

Hi 36 yr old Male L4 S1 removed Spinal Fusion From L5-S1 to S1 after 2 other Operations removing L5 S1 I had my Fusion on 10-8-10 and My Pain Is Now Chronic I was in a Nursing Home for a Week. On 1-27-09 a Pain Doctor Performed an Epidural at L5 S1 The after Math was My leg Pain and Numbness was Worse. I went to chicago Nuro Spine Center and On 2-11-09 My Disc was removed The Doctor Said My Nerve will Heal the size of a Pc of Paper. I Have To Ask Has Any of You Lost The ability to walk as Much Run or Feel Like You Pain Imprison's You from Life??

I had a neurostimulator implanted July 2010. At that time was on Fentanyl 100 patch every other day with Oxy for the breakthrough pain, in addition to many others. Took me until December to wean myself off the narcs. My husband was my cheerleader and, until he died March 9, 2012, did not comprehend the amount of things he did for me that I cannot do for myself. In May 2013 had to break down and go back on the narcs. Norco 10-325 and we will probably add something for inbetween because the Norco just barely cuts the pain - but at least I can get out of bed in the morning, eventually. My stimulator now needs to be recharged at least two to three times per week and I have advanced my programs from level 4 to the highest levels on the programs (14 to 20) I have had it reprogrammed two times since surgery. I am thankful that I was able to get off the meds for the time I did because they help now. I thought I was being such a strong person not being on the meds but now I just want a quality of life. I am 56 years old and the fear of dependence is nothing. The stimulator still helps with the pain and I really fear what it would be like if I had not had the surgery. I have a wonderful PC Phy. who has been with me since 1992. I, too, have had people look at me and call bull about the pain. Hang in there, we believe you.

I have had a spinal fusion from S1 toL4 and it has made my life better. Doc said it will only last 10 years before I need another surgery but I figure 10 years with less pain is better than being in the worse pain ever everyday. I would just make sure you are very comfortable with your doctor that is all I would recommend. The doctor patient relationship is very important.

i had spinal gusion t1-t12 in dec 2013. almost a year..spinal fusion failed and have extreme pain even more then ihad before surgery and in legs now also..going to Ann arbor university of mich' next month to get another opinion..i can see and feel 3-4 screws in my back buldging from within ,,freaks me out sometimes but the pain is my concern andnow that drs are so reluctant to give pain meds i suffer more then i should,,Having Hope for new drs at U of M ;-)

I was 39 when I had a 3 level fusion of my lower back by a teaching hospital in Milwaukee, WI Froedart (called the mayo clinic of wisconsin. The dr told me if I did not smoke and was under 40 years old he had a 99% success rate. I had it done and was up and out of the hospital afte 3 gruelling days and started therapy at a nearby hospital. I could do every move and they asked "who on earth did this fustion, I have never seen anyone with this able to move like you...as a result I did not need any therapy.

these fusions are only good for so long and the vertibray below and above take the extra stress from the fusions not bending. Average live of a fusion is 20 years. then you are screwed because you cant get a mri of the back because of the rods. Mine was great for 20 years and now I am in the same boat. I am overweight and will have some fat physically removed off my body, since I am 60 yr old now and cant seem to loose. I suggest you go to the nurosergeons at Froedart Hospital in Milwaukee. They are voted some of the best DR.s in WI.

I am having the same issue. I believe that you should check out piriformis syndrome. I believe that is what is causing my pain.