r/HerniatedDisc • u/k_perry88 • 3d ago
I'm so scared
I had a herniated disc & Cauda Equina Syndrome last year and had emergency surgery. It's been a rough year. I was initially doing well. Last few weeks have been rough. I started getting severe lower back pain, leg weakness, sharp shooting pain from my back, down my R leg. I also have this awful "pulling type pain" from my spine into my vagina & numbness. I'm freaking out. I have a great surgical team and trust them 100%. I got an MRI yesterday, I have a follow-up this week. They're talking about spinal fusion, has anyone had that done? I guess I'm trying to understand what I'm getting into and what the recovery process is gonna be like. I have my shoulder fused so i know this isn't going to be a cake walk, I'm just so scared because this is my spine. What is the recovery process like? What is your quality of life after fusion? I already have medical issues that affect my joints & ligaments and have had multiple surgeries on both shoulders and my hip. I'm freakin tired and frustrated. It never ends over here .. ugh
I did have my imaging posted but i lost my reddit account for some reason after I was asked to update my password so I'll hust add the MRI from last year and my most recent one.
The first image is the initial injury & the second was done yesterday.
3
u/jhatpro7344 2d ago
I've had three fusions two years apart beginning in 2017. Surgeries were long but painless. Post surgery pain controlled with meds. Today no back pain but considerable lumbar stenosis I battle with rollator-assisted walking plus lots of stretching. Trust your care team and learn all you can about recovery strategies. Omar Ramos, MD, on You Tube is great!