Hi all,

I know I may have been able to use the search feature to find answer to some of these question but please forgive me but I am in so much pain to even hold my head up.

Here is my story:

I had a L5-S1 discectomy in 2002 for a herniated disc, results were fabulous, I was up and running in less than a week back at work with absolutly no symptoms.

In March of this year I had a recurrence, same level L5-S1. This time the surgeon refused to operate immidiately and chose to send me through "conservative therapy". Nothing worked and finally had a discektomy in May. I got better, however 10 days after surgery, the numbness and tngling are gone but the sciatica pain in my right leg and back pain is back with a VENGEANCE.

A post operative MRI showed no recurrence but some scar tissue build up. My surgeon keeps telling me that the pain will get better with time and that it may take up to two years for the pain to completely go away.

My pain is mostly consentrated in my buttock, thigh and calf. Has anyone had a similat experience ? Please help with any thought cause the pain is so intolerable, I have been subscribed 10mg Hydrocodone, but it does not work. Dr. said I can take 2 but I am afraid to do so.

By the way, I am only 29 years old :(

Hi, My first fusion was L4 thru S1. It was very painful. I woke up feeling like I'd been hit by a freight train. I did get better for a yr. or so. Next I had stenosis and lots of scar tissue & so doc took out my hardware. In 3 yrs. he done another fusion L2. He fused with my bone this time. Now 3 more yrs. have passed and he would do surgery again, but I decided to go and get onother opinion and am going to get a stimulator implanted. Surgery hasn't been the answer for me. By the way my main dr is at Indy also. Wish I could say names, but doubt if I can. I do like him, but repeat surgeries just don't work. I do take Neurontin 2400mg. daily, plus Hydrocodone 10mg every 6 hrs. if I need it. I just hope the Stimulator works. It is looking like its my last hope. You may have good luck with L5/ S1 Fusion I certainly hope so. They told me one back surgery is enough, After that, they consider it "Failed Back Syndrone". Wish I'd been told that a long time ago. Wishing you the best.
BJ