16 weeks and getting frustrated

[Anne]

Hi all,

I'm 16 weeks post op Pro Disc L3/4 and L4/5. i've been having problems with nerve pain in my feet and lower legs (L5/S1 level supposedly)which hopefully is just irritation, not something wrong at a different level. Now the PT says that my back is acting like it's building up scar tissue. I'm starting to have pain along my spine and I am limited on bending forward. It's like my lower back locks up.

I'm still very limited on sitting, haven't been able to return to the office full time yet - am there part time and working from home part time.

The nerve pain I'm getting is burning in both heels that comes on in an instant with no warning and is very hot and painful and then tingling in both feet and still having problems with the two toes that are numb on the right foot.

I took Nortriptylene prior to surgery for nerve pain but it had some nasty side effects, so the Dr. stopped it. So now the surgeon wants me to try Gabitrol (sp?) for the nerve pain. The only other med I'm currently taking for my back/legs is baclofen.

Is anyone else having similar symptoms? Has anyone had luck with Gabitrol?

Thanks,

Gem

[cosmo]

Gem, sorry about the pain. Might you have the opportunity to pursue some diagnostics to confirm what's going on? In past, the worrying and not knowing was the hard part for me...

[Harrison]

Is there any reason to suspect your l5/S1?

[Anne]

Hi Harrison,

Unfortunately I'm stuck in the waiting game. The Dr's think it's inflammation and want to wait and see if it resolves. I've got my next follow up appointment in December at which time they'll re-evaluate.

My xrays looked fine at 3 months so their theory was it was either inflammation or something happened to L5/S1. You're right that the worrying is bothering me. Guess I need to make some phone calls and see if I can get in earlier.

I'm just very frustrated right now.

Gem

[Anne]

Hi Pstewart,

My discogram before the ADR was discordant needle pain only at L5/S1 and the MRI showed that level as normal. CT was also normal.

In 1997 the MRI showed a bulge at the same level but comparison of the recent MRI didn't show the bulge any more.

I've been very careful since surgery so I don't know if there was anything I could have done to injure that level.

Gem

[Abit]

Gem

Are these sensations new? If so I'd lean toward the inflamation dianosis, esp given the PT activity. Were you that active presurgery?

Unless I am incapacitated. I go for the wait and see, ease off, figuring my bod is trying to tell me something. meds can mask too much and I avoid them if I can.

Scott

[Shadowspirit]

Hi gem,
I'm just picking up on what you said in your posting, which was: --"I am limited on bending forward. It's like my lower back locks up."

It sounds to me as if you are continuing to keep your spine aggravated by not starting to change the way you do things. At this point in the game, you should be starting to be bending at the knees before even thinking about bending your back.

I don't think that you are starting scar tissue or anything like that I think it's just a matter of getting out of bad habits -- -- -- and your spine is telling you that as well.

Try and think a little more carefully prior to doing things. Also when you're sitting down to give yourself a break after 20 minutes and have a little walk round for about a minute and gradually build that time up.

You might think that four months or 16 weeks is a long time following surgery but believe me it isn't -- -- -- it could be two years before your fully recovered.

So take things a little more gently, try and think about what you're doing before you do it, and I'm sure things will work out. Do you use a "Thigh Pillow" at night?
Best wishes,
Alastair

[Jason Goldberg]

Gem,

I personally know a 3-level person that had extreme burning in both heels/feet post-op. She said it felt like a sunburn. She told me that she contacted Dr. Bertagnoli (the surgeon who did her 3-level) and he said that some patients experience such sensations post-op and that the symptoms should fade with time. Her symptoms completely resolved (I forget at what time post-op, but I think it was around 6 months), and she is playing tennis almost at a competitive level now.

I can forward you her contact information so she can shed some light on your situation.

I hope you find some relief from your symtoms.

Justin

[john sanzone]

Gem, my wife Janet has serious surgery associated radicular pain in her groin, thighs, and feet six months post op 1-level prodisc suregery in Germany. There is also numbness in her thighs and burning in her feet. These symptoms were immediate after surgery, increased in severity at 3 months and migrated from the calves upward. Recently the burning feet has lessened and the leg pain is marginally not as severe. Hopefully this is a trend.

Janet's original back pain is more pronounced than pre-surgery levels with only a lessening of pain at about 7-9 week period followed by a steady increase in severity of pain.

You are not alone with continued post op pain but, hopefully you will have better results than Janet.


bob