What a terrible thing to happen. I'm sorry you had to go through this. I'll bet the headaches where awful. I'm sure that loss of fluid is contributing to your level of pain and the duration of it. I didn't have much trouble sleeping in my bed when I got home and my back was somewhat swollen, but not specifically around my incisions. I used ice packs nearly every day. I had tegaderm dressings on my wound, so nothing could get in there to cause infection. As far as not being able to sit, yes, that is very normal for after a fusion. I had heard that hardware removal was an easier surgery, but it just goes to show you that it can be different for each person. Hang in there. I hope they get your pain under control and you're feeling better soon.

Linda

I told you it was a piece of cake. It wasnt for you by the sounds of it. It is to bad that they had that complication. I hope that soon your pain is under control. I am sure you are feeling the effects of the surgery, but if you are concerned at all call your Dr. With everything that happened, I dont feel that any question, is not deserving of an answer from them. So sorry you are going through all of this. I hope you get to feeling better really soon...Love, Robin

Oh sweet heart, I can sooo feel for you. I had a fusion/disc replacement (cage w/bone marrow) in L5S1 in 2006. Either during or just after the surgery, a screw or bone chip tore my dura. I went home from the hospital with a headache that I though was going to make my head explode. I have heard that a spinal leak headache is 10X worse than the very worst migraine. And boy, do I believe it. I was also throwing up non-stop and could not raise my head up. I went to the ER 3 x in one week and each time my dr. kept sending me home telling me to DRINK CAFFFEINE. He was/is an idiot. My friend who took care of me finally got a Dr. at the ER to admit me - some random infectious disease doctor. I had a spinal/dura tear and spent 16 days (in addition to the 5 for surgery) flat on my back in the hospital while they drained the fluid and tried to get it to stop. It didn't. Finally, on the 14th day, they went in and it turns out I needed 3 stitches. That doesn't sound like much...but when we are talking about the spinal cord...3 stitches is a LOT. Now, 3 years later, I still have problems. Constant pain in my tailbone. Considering having the hardware removed or my coccyx removed or something... Anyway, all that is to say that I can really feel for you and I hope and pray that you feel better every day...

Oh sweet heart, I can sooo feel for you. I had a fusion/disc replacement (cage w/bone marrow) in L5S1 in 2006. Either during or just after the surgery, a screw or bone chip tore my dura. I went home from the hospital with a headache that I though was going to make my head explode. I have heard that a spinal leak headache is 10X worse than the very worst migraine. And boy, do I believe it. I was also throwing up non-stop and could not raise my head up. I went to the ER 3 x in one week and each time my dr. kept sending me home telling me to DRINK CAFFFEINE. He was/is an idiot. My friend who took care of me finally got a Dr. at the ER to admit me - some random infectious disease doctor. I had a spinal/dura tear and spent 16 days (in addition to the 5 for surgery) flat on my back in the hospital while they drained the fluid and tried to get it to stop. It didn't. Finally, on the 14th day, they went in and it turns out I needed 3 stitches. That doesn't sound like much...but when we are talking about the spinal cord...3 stitches is a LOT. Now, 3 years later, I still have problems. Constant pain in my tailbone. Considering having the hardware removed or my coccyx removed or something... Anyway, all that is to say that I can really feel for you and I hope and pray that you feel better every day...