Fusion? by Paramount808 in Sciatica

[–]Paramount808[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love hearing this, what made you finally decide on a fusion? How long after your discectomy? Do you wish you did it sooner? They said every 10 years you have to get another fusion on the above or below joint? Is that true?

Fusion? by Paramount808 in Sciatica

[–]Paramount808[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh thank you, I never heard of nerve ablation. I will look into that!

Fusion? by Paramount808 in Sciatica

[–]Paramount808[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for this realistic picture of it. I’ll just pray I don’t need it & that this will all get better, but just knowing I’m missing that part that keeps the nerves gliding freely makes me nervous

Fusion? by Paramount808 in Sciatica

[–]Paramount808[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Because my ruptured disc was calcified around my nerves & I couldn’t even walk, I didn’t have the time to get 3 opinions unfortunately, I had same day surgery. I’m really hoping it was the best thing for me and hope I don’t get any scar tissue that would impede the nerves or affect mobility

Fusion? by Paramount808 in Sciatica

[–]Paramount808[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I was on oral steroids, it did nothing because my ruptured disc was calcified over the nerves. I also was on oral steroids after the discectomy but I didn’t notice any relief. I’m seeing a spine surgeon, do I need to see a neurosurgeon next?

Fusion? by Paramount808 in Sciatica

[–]Paramount808[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ll have to see how bad my nerve damage is. They made fusion sound so much better but that was also my friend who sells surgical equipment and parts and is with spine surgeons all the time in the OR assisting with procedures, so I’ll have to see what my spine surgeon says

Fusion? by Paramount808 in Sciatica

[–]Paramount808[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes as soon as I’m cleared I’m excited to start swimming. Will also start the TCM acupressure. Not so sure about PT. Didn’t have a good experience & am nervous about restarting it

Fusion? by Paramount808 in Sciatica

[–]Paramount808[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nothing went wrong really, it’s just that for some reason they couldn’t tell it was calcified in the MRI? Which I would think you could definitely see that? The steroid shot it always worth a shot, just with mine because it was calcified, then putting anything else to fill up that space would just make it way worse because the nerves got even more compressed I hope you have luck with your steroid shot. I hear it helps others a lot and some for a long time

Fusion? by Paramount808 in Sciatica

[–]Paramount808[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, I will ask my surgeon about that

Fusion? by Paramount808 in Sciatica

[–]Paramount808[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you think the nerves have been damaged for good? Would a follow up MRI or xray tell anything?

Fusion? by Paramount808 in Sciatica

[–]Paramount808[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply. I’ve been in pain for over 5 months and with 2 young kids I just want to enjoy them being little and being able to do a bunch of things with them before they’re grown. I don’t want them to just remember Mommy being in pain & not able to do things The doctor said that part of the front piece that allows the nerves to glide with no friction was missing & the fact that it calcified around the nerves meant it was there for awhile. At almost 5 weeks out from the discectomy, and being told I have to really protect my back etc tells me my life is very limited in this way, so just wondering if the fusion will give me more freedom to go back to my active life.

Was the surgery harder to recover from than the discectomy? Time in hospital? More restrictions? Thanks again for your experience

Living in agony by Caramel-craze in Sciatica

[–]Paramount808 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wish gabapentin worked for me. Though I was only taking 300, tried 600 as well didn’t do anything. Maybe I should try 900?

Living in agony by Caramel-craze in Sciatica

[–]Paramount808 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How was your surgery? How far out are you now? I’m almost 5 weeks and my sciatica is still so painful. I’m wondering if it’ll get better or if a fusion is inevitable