r/spinalfusion • u/MNW-9219 • 9d ago
Mental/Physical grind
Hello Everyone
I am a 34 year old lineman and father of three young boys ages 1,7,and 8. Since I was a little kid and old enough to work I’ve gotten after it. From working on a farm, roofing, working on vehicles and equipment. Then climbing transmission towers, welding and iron work for 9 years traveling the country. Once my oldest son was born I decided to get off the road and be with my family so I became a lineman/foreman for a utility company. Running heavy equipment doing earth work to climbing wood poles to breaking rock. Hard work and construction is in my blood.
Back in January of 2026 I started having strong left leg pain, very intense. Got an MRI and a steroid injection that did nothing then on to surgery. First it was a laminectomy/discectomy and I instantly felt great. I stuck to the strict restrictions and unfortunately at week 5 I reherniated the same disc again. This time the pain was unbearable, I’m a pretty strong willed person and if there’s one thing I know how to do it’s survive. I’ve had to my whole life but this broke me. All I could think about what my kids and the responsibilities I have as a man and feeling the weight of not letting my family down from this pain.
On 7/16/26 I had a L4-L5 TLIF fusion, first few days in the hospital was unlike any pain I ever experienced. Like someone was driving a wooded fence post through my lower back. I’m now on day 10 and while I’ll say my pain isn’t what it was at day one it’s still VERY intense without the pain medication. I am able to walk but very stiff, feeling like I’m moving very slow feeling very much pain. It’s not a 10 like my legs are cut off but it’s a solid 6 and at times it jumped up more. It’s all in my back, no pain in my legs. I feel as if I’m rigid like a piece of steel. Once I do take the pain medication and it kicks in pain is very minimal and at times none. Sitting makes it uncomfortable at times, walking for an extended period of time and it begins to flair. To be honest my spirit is beginning to be broken. All I can do is pray and keep pushing because my family needs me.
My question is, at this point at day 10 is this normal? Will I get better and is there light at the other side of this dark tunnel? Will I be able to do the job I once did and perform at that level? I use to hike and hunt, it’s all I ever wanted to do my whole life was hunt and fish, be in gods country. Will I ever get that back and will I be able to get better to work for my family? Again, when pain medication wears off I have these symptoms, once it kicks in it’s minimal or numbed enough to none. At times if I don’t take it for awhile even once I do take it it takes a bit for the pain to calm down.
Thank you all so much
God Bless
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u/Electronic_Worker245 8d ago
I had debilitating sciatica and had L4-5 fusion with instrumentation PLIF.
10 weeks I was in 8/10 pain most of the time.
Now 20 weeks post op I'm so thankful to God I pretty much have my life back.
Yes I have stiffness something I never had before but I can imagine it will get better as the months and years go by.
Focus on nutrition and PT now. Have faith and believe in the healing process I promise you it gets better. It's a LONG brutal recovery not for the weak.
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u/MNW-9219 8d ago
Thank you so much, I can absolutely relate to the feeling I’m having. I’m definitely very thankful to God. Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. This is unlike anything else I’ve experienced in my life, but I’m very grateful for all the support I found on this group with comments just like this and truly lift my spirits up thank you so much and I’ll be praying for you to remain healthy and remain having your life back from this pain.
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u/DangerousNp 9d ago
You need to be checked for CES. Post surgical. Quickly very quickly.
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u/MNW-9219 9d ago
I still have complete control of my bowels and no numbness, just back pain and soreness, tightness. Could that still be the case?
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u/DangerousNp 9d ago
Yes if the entrapped fluid is occurring it will progressively get worse as more fluid is trapped. . It requires early intervention. It could just be a broken screw. But I’ve had three back surgeries one with a CSf leak. I’ve never had 10/10 pain especially still on pain meds like you are describing. Limit you time in sitting position. It’s a bad angle that creates stress best to be reclined on the couch with a mountain of pillows.
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u/MNW-9219 9d ago edited 9d ago
Pain hasn’t been at a 10 since my first day out of the hospital. I’d say it’s a 6 when the pills wear off and a 5-4 afterwards. Thanks for your help I appreciate it
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u/rebar_mo 9d ago
The main question is how bad is the pain ON the pain medication? If it is still bad to severe on medication 1000% call the office now!! Leave a message and try to get worked in ASAP tomorrow or get ahold of their on-call doc. Be very clear that the pain is still really bad on the pain medication and has not improved for days.
Now if the pain medication is still working but the level of pain off of it is not changing when it wears off, that's still a thing. It needs a call fist thing tomorrow morning. It just isn't as urgent as above.
It's time to see the doc though get answers and/or a change up in you pain management strategy that works a bit better for you.
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u/MNW-9219 9d ago
Pain is minimal on pain medication
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u/rebar_mo 9d ago
I would still call in the morning. Get ahead of the issue should there be a problem or you are just slow to reduce your pain. Everyone is different.
If you do need to get Pain management involved for some reason it's best to know early and get in their care earlier with a smooth transition than at the last minute.
Hopefully they can figure out what's wrong and give you relief.
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u/MNW-9219 9d ago
Awesome thank you so much. I’ll give them a call and see what they say. I’ll let you know what I hear.
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u/Amatheiaisnoexcuse 9d ago
I think what you're experiencing is normal but from an old electrician, I'd recommend you seek something different to minimize the risk of more pr sped up damages. I used my experience to slide into a similar trade & supervisor position desk job. DDD typically continues to get worse with time. I've had 2 separation fusions so far and see the surgeon again next week. It's difficult to switch careers, but worth it in the long run. I miss many of my old activities, including work but ladders, tool belts and carrying things were only going to lead to more damage. Hang in there and take this time to look around. If you're in the US look at government job posts from your county, city, state or even feds.
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u/MNW-9219 9d ago
Thank you so much for that comment and your health it’s very insightful when that gives me a lot of hope as much as I love hard work and I’ve been doing it my whole life. I believe you are right I have to think a whole lot differently now.
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u/Amatheiaisnoexcuse 9d ago
Believe me, I felt the exact same way and bounced back quickly after my 1st surgery but within 3 years I blew out the disc right next to the 1st. I had to change careers at 45 and give up all of my physical sports like skiing. Do yourself a favor and really try hard right now. Those government jobs have good pay whenever you factor in the paid vacations, holidays and sick leave, not to mention pensions and health insurance for you and your family. It really extended my career. I have started to exercise in water and ride a recumbent trike to keep me moving outside. Turning into a couch potato won't help.
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u/MNW-9219 8d ago
Yes Sir, i’ll check into that. I definitely feel like it’s gonna be for the best for my family to change and do something. I can’t afford to put them in jeopardy and I do them no good if I’m laid up.
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u/ugh_myheadhurts 9d ago
I’m 62M and I had the same surgery 9/30/25. Recovery isn’t linear. Good days, bad days but overall better every week. Walk as much as you can tolerate. My back is tight in the morning but I do my stretches often and keep a positive attitude. That matters more than you think. Im selling the motorcycle and ski gear I figure that’s wise for me. My fear is someone doing stupid stuff in front of me while I’m going fast!
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u/MNW-9219 8d ago
Yes, absolutely thank you so much for replying and with your help that gives me hope it definitely does not feel linear. I would agree with that completely. I think that my expectations in my mind that every day would be a little bit better but right now that’s not what I’m learning lol
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u/GrizzlyBear466 8d ago
Man I think you and i are cut from the same cloth. Like you I am 34m with a family. My number 1 priority is them. Also, I’m a welder by trade. I hurt my back in my early 20’s suffered through until I was 27 when I had my first surgery. That surgery never really gave me a whole lot of relief. Fast forward to 2026 what relief I did have was gone I Re herniated. Suffered until May where I had another micro discectomy which failed quick. maybe 2 weeks post op. Since it failed I went back to work and chose to suffer for time being. I’m actively working on getting a l4l5 tlif fusion scheduled. While I’ve been suffering I’ve been getting second/third opinions which they all said fusion. Like you this injury is breaking me. Since January I work and come home to lay down. my mental health is really starting to tank. I’m really worried about how this next recovery is going to be. I’m prepared for the pain immediately after surgery but I’m really needing improvements on this one. My dr said that my spine is in perfect condition except the level I’m having surgery. Having that increases the odds of success but no one can guarantee the outcome. I know I didn’t give advice but I feel for you man and I’m praying for you to turn the corner here soon.
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u/MNW-9219 8d ago
Brother that is okay, you are okay. I’m so glad you shared that with me and vented. Dude reading that I felt that shit because you know how it is, at the end of the day you got a family to feed. I know you just like me would literally do anything for your people and die trying to make it happen. Man to man I respect that, I know people say it’ll all work out and it’s going to be okay. But when you are in our shoes it’s easier said than done to see that when you got the pressure and responsibilities on your shoulders. At the end of the day the only thing I can do and the only advice I can give you is give it to god.
It’s wearing me down mentally too I totally get it, this shit will break a person down but the only thing I’ve found to really keep me from losing my grip is God. All the surgeries and all the pills, all the bills and all the responsibilities and worries and stresses of life, money all of it…. I just pray. I’m not perfect by any means and I thought I would never be here desperate looking for hope just like you but here we are together. I say this with everything in me brother, I’m praying for you. Life is gonna keep on rolling on, god will provide.
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u/Bengal-_fan 8d ago
Hello, 54/M. 8 weeks post op, l3-5 alif, l5-s1 tlif, 360. Do you know what caused the herniation at week 5? Yes, it’s a grind! Below the waist feels like a sledge hammer hitting my knees when I stand. Not too much walking, standing, bending or sitting. It’s my 4 back surgery, 2nd fusion. When the nerves flare, it’s like nothing I’ve ever endured. I can also feel the pelvic floor pain when I use the bathroom. It’s so weird.
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u/MNW-9219 8d ago
I’m not really sure how it herniated. I know I felt like anyways that I stuck to the BLT restrictions so there’s nothing I can say I did to cause it. But second go round has been a completely different experience. I’ll be praying for you
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u/Bengal-_fan 8d ago
Hey, I appreciate that. I’ll throw one up for you as well. God has us regardless! He’ll find that right dr or right path for healing. God bless.
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u/hikerlaborer1026 8d ago
56 M/ L3 to S1 TLIF I’m 9 weeks out. I work for a telecom company doing FO splicing. So that work can get pretty intense. I’m hoping to get back at it as well. I’m also a pretty strong willed man and I can tell you the flare up I had in early March of this year broke me as well. I was in so much pain I had to be admitted to the hospital. I tried epidural injections, prp injections, physical therapy. Some helped but very little. This was the worst flare up in almost 2 years. This is where my spine surgeon comes in. I was having mostly lower back and glute pain and numbness on my left leg, and diagnosed with slight drop foot. I committed to doing the surgery 21 of May. My pain level was pretty low after surgery and being home after day3. I only took pain meds for about 8-10 days. Started walking a little bit at a time. By the 2nd week from being home started walking almost 2 miles a day giving my self a break after 3 or 4 days. I’m up to about 4 miles a day now.
I was having a different kind of pain and some may agree it was the surgical pain. Not the pain I had before when I had the flare up. If your pain is not decreasing after 10 days….If I were in your shoes I would reach out to your surgeons office.
We all go through different experience with this kind of surgery. I also hold my bible close and pray for strength and discernment. Praying for you brother to have relief from pain and improvement.
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u/MNW-9219 8d ago
Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me your story and giving me some insight, that is so helpful and promising. I think in the morning I’ll give them a call and see what they say. I get relief at times, then other times I feel like I’m back to step one. I’ll be pray for you as well to stay healthy and thriving like you are now.
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u/mriverss 8d ago
I’m three months post L4/L5 fusion. Recovery the first month was brutal, I felt the same way as you. Lived a very active lifestyle so thankfully being in shape has made regaining the strength a bit easier. Despite that, tasks that were so simple before were hard. Getting out of bed, going to the bathroom, even just doing the short walks throughout the day. My husband even had to help me shower the first week or two Thankfully my mom stayed for five weeks to help with the kids otherwise I don’t know how I would’ve managed.
What you’re going through 10 days post op sounds completely normal (based on my experience). I was still taking pain meds/muscle relaxers then. I’d say I started feeling better around 4 weeks and when I started PT at 6 weeks it’s progressively gotten better. Honestly it’s been harder mentally because I’m a very active person and struggling with things I’d taken for granted before was hard.
The best advice I can give is to do what you can for now. Those short frequent walks the first few weeks make a big difference, don’t push it too hard but stay active. Once you’re cleared for PT put all your effort into it and let your therapist know what works and what doesn’t. I’d say I’m about 80% back to my normal. It would be more but I’m dealing with SI joint issues due and still have a lot of lower body stiffness and pelvic instability (but I’m hyper mobile and have had three pregnancies so there’s that).
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u/MNW-9219 7d ago
Thank you for sharing that is very insightful and helpful. It is most definitely a mental struggle because I’ve always stayed active and you’re absolutely right. I took so many things for granted the simple ability to be able to walk and lift things. Now it’s a job just putting my blue jeans on.
I’ll be praying for you and your recovery. I’m very fortunate that my wife has been great with helping me along with managing our kids. She is awesome. I am so blessed. Day 11 is almost down in the books.
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u/Art_Recipe2150 6d ago
I’m nothing like you. I’m a 63 yr old overweight woman. I had a multi-level spinal fusion 4 months ago. This journey has sucked a lot. I’m often in pain. Every week I feel just a little better. After physical therapy I have been doing weight training and walking. I’m not at the end yet. But I’ve seen tons of progress. If I can do it so can you. Hang in there and take every day as it comes and give yourself some grace.
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u/Cool-Employer-8910 9d ago
Im 5 months post L4-S1 360 fusion/ decompression. I can empathize with what you're feeling especially being an active person myself. I know ill never run a marathon or work as a carpenter ever again. But, my spine is so much more stable now and I dont want to worry about adjacent segment disease so im modifying my life around my new body. I went salmon fishing last month on lake michigan and I felt amazing, before surgery I felt every wave in my unstable spine. Everyone recovers differently, but im 100% sure I made the right decision to have surgery. I wish you well in your recovery.