Calling all Spinal Fusion TW members

Had L4 L5 and S1 fused in 2010. Had a good few years, now I’m back in pain below the point of fusion.

 

Not to get too personal, but did you gain any weight? When id gain 15-20lbs I’d get sore much easier and of course less lazy. All our bodies weight is held up essentially by our spines and man I could tell a difference when the scale showed more lbs. I’m back down from the 210ish to 185… moving around is a lot easier with those lbs gone…

 

Have the doc inject the SI joint directly if they haven’t already and see if that gets any relief. Damn these backs of ours!!!!

 

Im about 195. I could stand to loose a few pounds but nothing major. My problem is im a pipe fitter/construction worker, so years of abuse has taken its toll. My surgeon 12 years ago told me i could not go back to my trade. But being mid 30’s with no other training I had to do what i had to do.

 

Good luck brother, hoping the best for you!

 

Ive met people who asked me why the hell im not on disability!? And that I should get a disability lawyer... or inquire about it... not sure how that all works as ive been fortunate enough to still be able to work... anyone have any experience with getting on disability? Im sure my day will probably come but yeah...

 

exactly what I'm having done on 8/2/22. realllllly hope this helps some.

 

I am sorry you are still having issues.

 

I had to go on short term and then long term disability from my job. I knew after the surgery that I wouldn't be able to return to my job. I had to be off work for a year I think before I could apply for SSI Disability. Might be different for other states. I guess the best way to find out is see if "Google" can tell you anything.

 

Thank you sir. Bad news for me, is I"m never going to really get better. At best this is a giant band aid. Even the Doc told me with the amount of damage with my spine, it wouldn't last very long. So you just live day to day and do the best you can.

 

I totally understand

 

What a Story. I would like to think that you had a Guardian Angel looking out for you that day. I hope that you stay well and safe, and pain free as possible.

 

Greeting Fellow Pain Sufferers, I though I'd post an update that might help a fellow member at some point in their life. Recently i've been suffering from really acute back muscle spasms and violent cramps from the buttocks up the left side of my spine, with really bad lower back pain. Well I went in for another steroid injection last week, and my pain relief was much improved for the first couple of days. Then the muscle spasms and cramps came back with a vengeance. On Monday this week i started getting extremely painful abdominal muscle spasms and cramps. On the Pain Scale, I'd give them an 8-9.
So here's the kicker, Last night they were so bad at times, I could hardly breath. Don't ask me why, but out of desperation, I took another 99mg potassium pill and 30-45 minutes later, Boom everything stopped. I did some Google Fu and started reading up on the effects of Low potassium, and what medications can cause it to decrease. Seems my blood pressure med is the culprit in my case. So for those of you who suffer from violent muscle spasms and cramps, Try taking an extra potassium pill each day. I've always taken 1 each morning, but now I'll add the second one with Dinner. So far Today, not one spasms or cramp,(Thank you Jesus). I go back to see the Doc in 90 days for more blood work and I'm going to request he re check my potassium levels. Last time I had blood work done, it was on the Low side of the scale. Anyway, Cheers Ladies and Gentlemen, so far I having a Great Day.

 

If you don’t want to take another pill banana has 422mg of potassium eat one a day. Lots of other fruits to. You could make a big fruit salad containing them and just have a good bowl of fruit every day. And it tastes good too.

 

Too much Sugar. I was also advised by my Primary Doctor to start counting Carbs and cutting out sweets. Otherwise, I'll have to start taking diabetes meds, and I already have to take more pills than I care too. But your right, Bananas, Avocados and others have extra potassium.

 

Your blood pressure meds were causing the spasms and cramps? What meds are you taking?

Thanks.

 

No, google what meds can lower Potassium. My Blood pressure meds can cause lower potassium levels. Do I know this for sure, not 100%, but since taking the extra potassium pill, all of my muscle spasms and cramps have stopped. Coincidence, maybe. I'll know for sure when I get my blood work done in 90 days.

 

Well sucks for me, but I had to have another CAT scan done on my lower back. My pain has been really bad lately. I was bending over at the fridge getting some salad stuff out and felt a "Bang" in my lower back and heard it inside my head, if that makes any sense. Well I have a broken rod at L3-L4 with failed fusion. So I have an appointment on the 19th of next month to talk with my Neurosurgeon and see what my options are. Not really looking forward to another operation to fix this broken shit, but I can't live like this. I've been going to the gun range just about every week, back and weather permitting. I figure to shoot every week that I can before I go back under the knife, since I'll be out of commission for 6-9 months, "Again". Only down side to shooting right now, is laying up for a couple of days to let my back rest up.
Would really like to kneecap the S.O.B. that screwed up my back with the 2nd surgery I had, but what would that really accomplish.
Well, it's 1:15 in the am, and going back to bed for a couple of hours. For all you with back issues, believe me, I feel your pain, and wish you all the best.

 

Sorry to hear that OP. That really sucks. Godspeed and I’m going to the range tomorrow so I’ll send couple hundred extra rounds down range for you.

 

@gotoman1969. Thanks, I'm hoping for a quick in and out, just fix what's broken and nothing more. Surgery date most likely won't be until May or June, depending on the doc's schedule. So in the meantime, my goal is to shoot one day every week. Switching between my pistols on day, and AR15 on the next. Hope you had a great day at the range.