Back Pain Support Group

I am not familiar with that but I have had fusion. Consider it carefully. It is very painful and, for me, was a long recovery. Doctors talk about the rule of thirds with this surgery - 1/3 get better, 1/3 stay the same and 1/3 get worse after the surgery. It truly should be a last resort.

I am so glad you wrote back to me. My aunt had it, she did get better, but I feel like I am just at the beginning of learning about fusion. It is all so scary, a person doesn't know what to do, but after reading this and hearing from others, I am hoping to get the biocuplasty. It is a VERY new procedure but FDA approved. Insurance companies don't like it for that reason, but it sounds better than this. I am sorry for what you went through. I never knew about this whole terrible world of back pain, it is unbelievable. Thank you for your comment about fusion. M

I agree with olddog2, I had l4 l5 fusion in March. I am 53 and am trying really hard to overcome this. I am walking everyday, (not far) but trying to keep my back from seizing up. By the evening I can hardly get around. Maybe I am one the 1/3. But am not willing to give up.

I admire your guts. What do you mean when you write seize up? I assume you mean strong pain. We are close in age, my pain is a little lower down, but I think it is the same type of issue. I live in such pain, but I know I am niot alone thanks 2 this site. Mty husband doesnt want me to have the fusion. I am waiting to see if the biacyuplasty is approved, it seems to take forever. Thank you. M

I wouldn't try anything with a 1/3 success rate, I wouldn't bet the ranch on this one!

Your husband must have something very intutive about him, follow that.

We all lokk for things to fix us, and I made the awful mistake of doing the fision same area.
It was 4 years ago this past Oct. 24 th, and my entire life has been ruined, It took me over 2 years to learn how to walk again, and I still can't go far. Forget about standing, sitting, for very long, or even picking up a full pot of coffee.

I wish I had just stuck with what I knew as a nurse of 30 yrs plus, and that is these patients always come back for more surgeies up to 6!

I would give anything to have the kind of pain I had before, because this is so much worse, and nothing helps the pain, then you also get pain cycles, and the pain is like 10 times as bad , and that can last anywhere from 3-14 days.

Gee what a life, physical therpapy anyday!

Good luck whatever you do!

Debbie