I did have significant nerve pain after my fusion and my legs just went nuts. My doc called in a prescription for Lyrica for me -- it really helped. Some docs use gabapentin, but I had that in the hospital and it just wasn't cutting it for me. I ended up taking the Lyrica for about a month. By then the nerves had settled down pretty well. Of course, I've had to take it on a couple of other occasions when I've had flare-ups. I'm beginning to think I need to start back on it tonight, as my right hip and butt are just screaming tonight. I'm not sure what brought this on.

At any rate, I hope you're able to get it under control. If you're getting by with that little pain med, you seem to be doing well. I do understand though what you mean by the percocet winding you up. Something for the nerve pain would be better.

Linda

In a posterior fusion the nerves are moved around more than with a lami or discectomy. It is very common to have residual nerve pain for a time after surgery...months is probably more common than weeks.

Nerves do not behave in a specific way. Doctors cannot tell you if or when a nerve has been injured, how severe it might be or how long it might take to regenerate, calm down, etc.

You will find that a standard pain medication will not touch nerve pain. Ask your doctor for something to help with nerve pain -- it will be something like gabapentin, which is the generic for Neurontin, and the newer big brother, Lyrica which has fewer side effects for most people.

I think the fact that the sciatic-type pain lessens during the day is probably a good sign. Hopefully one of the nerve pains will take care of it and it won't last too much longer.

Otherwise it sounds like you are doing well. Remember to rest and walk, rest and walk and pay attention to whatever restrictions you were given by your surgeon.

Lisa,
I am having the same kind of problem and I am about 16 days post op right now. I went to a post op appt a few days ago and told my doc about the issue. I was told about the Neurontin, but he said to give it a few weeks unless it got to the point I couldnt handle it. But I too have pain at night and then it wakes me. It I am walking or standing I have no leg pain. My Doc said that my nerve was actaully streched a little during the surgery. Not exactly sure how that happens but I know they had to lift my L4 up about a half an inch.

Gwennie,
Thanks for the name of the other drugs used for the nerve pain. I will start doing some research before I get any perscribed.

Thank you so much Linda, Gwennie and Mark for your helpful posts. Just hearing that my pain is normal and that it can take a long time for nerves to heal is very comforting to me. I appreciate the information about the nerve medications that are available. I am seeing my NS on December 3rd for my post-op and will discuss the medications suggested.

Mark, I hope you get some relief from your nerve pain soon. Sounds like you and I are in the same boat together!

Thanks again guys for your help and valuable information.

Lisa

December 3rd is a long way off when you're in pain. Maybe you should call the doctor and tell him the situation. He may decide that you should wait like Mark's doctor said, but I had to have Lyrica called in for me a few days after surgery because the nerve pain was so bad. I wasn't sleeping at all and in fact couldn't even keep my legs still - it was like the case of restless leg syndrome from hell. The Lyrica really helped me. I know other folks have had good luck with the other meds Gwennie mentions.

Linda

Over 4 yrs ago I had a sciatic and L5/S 1 disc problem.......it was pretty awful the pain just controlled me. I had surgery the procedure being microdiscectomy. It went well and I recovered quickly.

I was back to my busy life, speed walking had been big part of my exercise routine, I also done this before my problems arouse.

8 months ago, I had been 3 weeks into a new position of employment in a high school, when my left leg had a twinge...like a pulled muscle. I left it and told myself I'll stretch it out and, give it just over a week, to see if the problem would disappear. It didn't this little pain got worse so bad, I could not breathe within pain 3 weeks I had to have an ambulance take me to the hospital..the only way I could move was them giving me gas and air..............................

I could only say this, I've never experienced so much pain, pain which knocked me out. The second time around was worse than the first by miles...I really wanted to die. My partner could not understand just how much pain, I was in and showed me no comfort or support...this has been damaging as we've a 9 year old daughter.

I was in hospital for over a week, and was given lots of different pain relief from pain doctors, nothing worked. I then had an epidual which bought down the inflammation.
Came home to recover........You know what gets me, is when you see persons you know and the conversation although, appreciated concern. Seem to say wow your still not walking popularly like, I've a bad cold that will get better in a week...I live my life like ground hog day!!!. Hi yes my leg is still numb, the nerve is still trapped, and I cant walk properly.

I hate how my leg feels, the uncomfortable, the disability, the restrictions on all the things able bodied persons take for granted that I can't do so well anymore.

I want my leg back!!!! and I never want to go through this problem again, I've been told however this may well happen again, and asked what about work!!! ......I was on 6 months probation, that time has been used on my problem. I was told I may lose my position and be out of work.

For any new CV I will have to add server back problems what hope is there for me to be employed. I'm up for surgery 1st of February the procedure L5?S1 Foraminotomy.

I'm very scared very alone worried about this in general...could anyone tell me a little more about this procedure.

Over 4 yrs ago I had a sciatic and L5/S 1 disc problem.......it was pretty awful the pain just controlled me. I had surgery the procedure being microdiscectomy. It went well and I recovered quickly.

I was back to my busy life, speed walking had been big part of my exercise routine, I also done this before my problems arouse.

8 months ago, I had been 3 weeks into a new position of employment in a high school, when my left leg had a twinge...like a pulled muscle. I left it and told myself I'll stretch it out and, give it just over a week, to see if the problem would disappear. It didn't this little pain got worse so bad, I could not breathe within pain 3 weeks I had to have an ambulance take me to the hospital..the only way I could move was them giving me gas and air..............................

I could only say this, I've never experienced so much pain, pain which knocked me out. The second time around was worse than the first by miles...I really wanted to die. My partner could not understand just how much pain, I was in and showed me no comfort or support...this has been damaging as we've a 9 year old daughter.

I was in hospital for over a week, and was given lots of different pain relief from pain doctors, nothing worked. I then had an epidual which bought down the inflammation.
Came home to recover........You know what gets me, is when you see persons you know and the conversation although, appreciated concern. Seem to say wow your still not walking popularly like, I've a bad cold that will get better in a week...I live my life like ground hog day!!!. Hi yes my leg is still numb, the nerve is still trapped, and I cant walk properly.

I hate how my leg feels, the uncomfortable, the disability, the restrictions on all the things able bodied persons take for granted that I can't do so well anymore.

I want my leg back!!!! and I never want to go through this problem again, I've been told however this may well happen again, and asked what about work!!! ......I was on 6 months probation, that time has been used on my problem. I was told I may lose my position and be out of work.

For any new CV I will have to add server back problems what hope is there for me to be employed. I'm up for surgery 1st of February the procedure L5?S1 Foraminotomy.

I'm very scared very alone worried about this in general...could anyone tell me a little more about this procedure.

Hi Goo Goo,

I am so sorry for your pain. I know how painful spinal issues can be, especially at L5/S1. I have had a laminectomy, discectomy and most recently a fusion, but never a foraminotomy. If you would like information about this procedure, I would suggest you create a new post under "new members" since you are a new member. I'm sure that there are a number of SH members who can share from personal experience about your condition. There may also be some articles written on this site, but I'm not sure.

I hope this helps, and that you soon find some relief from your ongoing pain issues.

Lisa

Hello there I have portruding disc at l5-s1 with a level one slippage. up until about a week ago there was constant pain now I have numbness in the centre 3 toes on my right foot with pain in the ball of my foot as well