Thread: "Back" from Back Surgery

I had back surgery on Thursday the 21st. I've been in pain for years and years, and pretty much tried everything. The pain got so bad, I was taking the meds you hear about on the news all the time, Oxycontin, Dilaudid, Hydrocodone. With those, I was at least able to have some quality of life. What makes me mad is how bad these meds have become. It's hard for people like me, to even get them. Pharmacist's give you a hard time, Most Doctor's don't even want to write them because they're afraid of the DEA. It's a shame that idiots do illeagal crap and make it hard for legitimate people to get meds they need. Lucky for me, I found a good pain mgt dr who knew my condition, and gave me what I needed to have quality of life....

I saw so many Doctor's, and Pain Mgt, Neuro, Ortho, etc...I was about to give up. Finally, I went to the Mayo Clinic. We have one here in Jacksonville. FWIW, If you ever have to go to the hospital, that's the one, believe me. Every room is private, flat screen TV's, Room Service, Not kidding, Video on demand, etc...Oh, and the staff is top notch...

The Doctor there discovered I had a Pars Fracture, quite long, about 2 inches I believe near L5, That's the lumbar area. Lumbar is such a common place for pain, I think a lot of Doctors, just blew me off, thinking it was normal back pain. I think we all know, when it's something more than muscle strain, etc..You just know. I needed plates and screws, etc...I think I have enough metal in me now to set off the metal detectors at the airport....This fracture only showed up through a CAT Scan with dye injected into my spine....Yes, that hurt like hell too...they use 6 inch needles I think....Your given morphine, but it doesn't work when the pain is severe....


The first 36 hours after the surgery was absolute hell. I have a nice 8 inch scar down the middle of back on my spine...I can't even begin to put in words the pain I felt. I had 3 injections, back to back of pain meds following the surgery...Turns out, I had a reaction to it, It was injectable Dilaudid. I had no trouble with the pills
Now, don't ask me why, but Morphine was OK, ...I know they're the same class of drugs...Drugs are funny that way. I was taking 5 different types of pain meds to control my pain.

The moral of this story, is don't give up. If your hurting and a Doctor tells you it's nothing, Don't give up, See another one. Always get a second, third, or even forth opinion. I hurt now, but down the road, I know I did the right thing, Even though it's early, and I"m in bad pain, I can feel that the original pain is gone, and the only pain I feel is from the incision....

Get well soon RIch. I know more than one person who has been though that low back surgery and came out okay. My boss being one of them. Three fusions, cages and screws and he is alright. It has been a few years and he is pain free still.

Zib,

One of the supervisors I work with had the same thing. He had the surgery a few years back and is happy he did.

I can't imagine how bad back pain must be. It will all be worth it.

Get well soon!

Rich,
get well soon. Almost know how you feel about the pain.
I had a knee surgery and although it does not compare full scale my first night after was hell, fever, pain etc.. it was a whine fest literally.

Glad you were able to find treatment, Rich. Hope you heal quickly and completely and that you have may days of painfree life ahead of you!

Rich,

Have a speedy recovery. My cousin was at the Mayo in in Minnesota, and he said it was truly amazing. I'm glad you got the care you needed from such a great place. See you around.

Chip

Great news Rich. It's good to hear they found your problem and that you tackled it head on. The road to recovery is not an easy one, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. I had 3 levels done 5years ago in my neck and it DID make a BIG difference in my quality of life. I have the lower back to take care of now (L5 just like you) but have managed to put that off till now(scary cat) Good luck on a speedy recovery and hope for a fantastic outcome.

speedy recovery, rich

I know how you feel I blew the jelly out of my doughnut a few years back 3 surgerys later. The first one the Dr. misdirected a screw into my spinal collum at the nerve root. The 2nd one the NEW Dr. fixed that but the damage was done the 3rd one was to inplant a stimulator This I would not wish on anyone they maybe good for some but not me. And I still need a Pain patch my pain med Dr. doesn't want me taking pills because there is a chance that they wear thin and they do before it's time for the next one and it's to easy to go to the pill bottle and take another. So now I wear a Pain patch and for now this works really well. So hopefuly yours goes better than what I have endured Take things slowly and get well soon. There's always a little pain but it can only get better. Best of luck to you.

Get well soon!
All the best

Dave