My husband found this site for me last night; While I'm sorry that we all have to be here, I'm grateful that there is a place we can find understanding and support.
I have had two failed back surgeries, the first in '97,
the second fourteen months later (an attempt to correct the first mistake.) Lower lumbar: L4, L5, S1 with front and back(own)fusion with implementation.
--I was on pain meds. following the surgeries (oxycontin, vicodin, soma) until I received my morphine pump in 2000.
--Included in the pump are baclofen and clonidine; I am having the clonidine removed from the concentration because it is causing major tooth loss. I'd like everyone to know that clonidine can, and often does, cause a change in saliva composition that leads to excessive dry mouth, thereby causing teeth to decay. It can take years (in my case seven) for this to be noticeable, unfortunately.
--I also have severe muscle tightening/spasms, that are treated with trigger point and Botox injections.
I received some tp shots today and really can't sit here much longer.
--I just wanted to introduce myself tonight. Thanks for reading my story.
Thanks for the info on clonidine. I hope the trigger point injections and botox help. I had 8 weeks of 8 injections of trigger points and know it elongates the muscle to stop the muscle spasms from referred pain. I hope the botox works for you. This has been a helpful forum for me since I joined last year. I hope you get some relief from the botox. Take care. Charry
My 2nd MRI showed no herniated disc and no stenosis. Mild loss of signal intensity in intervertebral discs L1-S1 and mild loss of height from L1-L4. Mild DDD throughout the lumber spine. Still have back pain and some leg tingling, numbness though. 3rd opinion Neurosurgeon Oct. 6, 2009.
1st report last year Feb. 2008.
L5-S1 herniated disc with annular tear with disc material in contact with L5 exiting nerve, arthropy facet joints L4-L5. 5 Epidurals. Facet joint injections and 64 trigger point injections. Off work 21 months due to back and leg pain. Not a surgical candidate x 2 Ortho opinions. (history C5-7 osteoarthritis and DDD)
Infrared Platinum heating pad 4x/day and while sitting.
MS Contin 120mg, Cymbalta 60mg, lasix 20mg, Diovan for B/P . oxazepam 30mg for sleep. Excercise ball, recumbent stationary bicycle 30 mins. day, posture-pump for lower back. Tried PT, accupuncture, traction. Pool therapy Oct. 27/2009
http://www.livestrong.com/article/14700-self-affirmations/
Charry
Hi and Welcome! Wow, 2 failed, that's rough.
I can't begin to know what you go through, but you will find a lot of support here, and others that have similar experiences to share. We are all here for you, if you ever need to vent 
or even (cross fingers), tell us how good you are doing! 
~kat (my posts are from my own experiences only, I'm NOT a Doctor!)
(user error?)
"Whyme" previously known (or unknown) as "Jusserfinn"
Where did my sig go?
For some history, I guess just click on my name
hi and welcome to the forum!
we are here to offer you support and answer what questions we can. so glad your husband found us and you are going to hang around for abit!! 
sorry to hear about the side effects you are experiencing!! 
i do not have a pump, but several "spineys" do and find they work well for them.. 
please drop by anytime!! 
Jenny 
Double laminectomy L4-L5, bulging discs, DDD, Bone spurs, nerve damage in left leg and hip, DJD, and that to familiar visitor,arthritis
hi!! error!!
Jenny 
Double laminectomy L4-L5, bulging discs, DDD, Bone spurs, nerve damage in left leg and hip, DJD, and that to familiar visitor,arthritis
Rofl lulu, err, Jenny
~kat (my posts are from my own experiences only, I'm NOT a Doctor!)
(user error?)
"Whyme" previously known (or unknown) as "Jusserfinn"
Where did my sig go?
For some history, I guess just click on my name
...for the welcome replies. I have not had a chance to return to the site until now. I'd like to spend some time fiding my way around.
my name is pete...i've been a member for about 3 weeks and have found the site excellent. what you need you can obtain here whether its info or love and support, understanding or just someone like yourself to chat with. i'm a fellow sufferer and would be happy to chat with you anytime so I will be looking forward to OUR helping each other grin and bare ouR situations....hang in there. i said something yesterday that bares repeating....HOPE IS CONTAGIOUS
PETE
Banned from Spine-Health
I'm really glad to find this site - I was feeling really sorry for myself until I started reading the other posts & what many of you have been through. I had C-5 C6/7 anterior cervical fusion with plates & pins on June 16 & am wearing the Aspen hard collar which is driving me nuts. I'm having trouble sleeping & with depression. I don't like feeling this way. Don't know what I'd do without my husband who has been wonderful.
So glad to find you all.
2 level ACDF C5-C6, C6-C7 with titanium plates & pins on 6-16-09
steff
and welcome to you steff! Don't ever feel bad about feeling sorry for yourself, you have every right! Just don't let it drag you down the pit so far you can't get out!! If you have questions, or need to vent, don't be afraid to post a thread!
~kat (my posts are from my own experiences only, I'm NOT a Doctor!)
(user error?)
"Whyme" previously known (or unknown) as "Jusserfinn"
Where did my sig go?
For some history, I guess just click on my name
what is a thread??
Thanks for the words of encouragement. It has been so nice to find this site.
Steff
2 level ACDF C5-C6, C6-C7 with titanium plates & pins on 6-16-09
steff
Welcome to SH
Sorry it took me a while to find your post. Sounds like we have a lot in common too- the two back surgeries I had didn't relieve the pain either and I suffered complications. I also have severe problems in L4-S1. I will be having a "morphine" pump 
implanted permanently in a couple of weeks. 
Thanks for letting us know about Clonodine. Much of the information like that we have to find out for ourselves, and that's why I love belonging to this community. Everybody is so nice and very supportive, and you will fit in really fast.
Please keep us posted on how you're doing, and I look forward to getting to know you. Take care
Past history: L4-5 central disc herniation, left lateral HNP L5-S1, L4-5 recurrent post op herniation, L4-5 Grade II retrolisthesis,
Current history: Post laminectomy syndrome, scar tissue, permanent nerve damage, severe DDD, facet arthropathy, DJD, OA, chronic degenerative endplate changes
Back Surgeries: Microdiscectomy/ laminectomy,
2 level TLIF/Laminectomy w/ instrumentation
Meds: Methadone 30mg, Oxycodone 15mg, Dilaudid, Cymbalta, Zanaflex, motrin.
Spineys Rule!
I am new to this site as of today. Had two large synovial cyst removed from spinal canal on May 2nd with fusion of l4-5 with cage,rods,and screws. Thought was recovering according to schedule, was only prescribed 5/325 percocet not even muscle relaxers and 3 wks ago he asked how I thought I was doing and I made the mistake of saying I believed I was 80% improved so he reduced my medication from percocet to Ultram and all of a sudden I cant bear to lay down as can't get up. Am in so much pain I can't stand it he finally agreed to change med to tyleneol #3's. I can't sleep cant lay down do nothing but sit and cry and can't get anyone to take me seriously. I am loosing it.... Tinap
tinap, hi and welcome to the forum.
a thread is a continuing post.. simple.... just what we do here when you post under someone's post. 
glad you stopped by.. good luck as you search for pain relief.. Jenny 
Double laminectomy L4-L5, bulging discs, DDD, Bone spurs, nerve damage in left leg and hip, DJD, and that to familiar visitor,arthritis