I am 25 yrs old and was diagnosed with
severe degenerative disk disease at the
age of 23. I was a gymnast for 14yrs. I
began at age 6 and had to quit because of
back pain at the age of 20. I finally saw
a spine surgeon at 23 and he said that the
ddd was from repetive movements in
gymnastic for so many years. I did
everything from therapy to shots and
finally after 2 yrs of those methods not
working I underwent an l4-s1 spinal fusion
with titanium screws and rods. I only
decided to do this after I had started
losing complete feeling of my leg and had
bladder control problems and could no
longer walk without a cane. I am now 4
months out of surgery and I am having alot
of heaviness in my back when I get up from
laying on my back. I am also still having
bladder problems but my doc. Says this is
from the nerve damage and has put me on
lyrica for bladder prob. And for the
nerve pain. I have been in physical
therapy for 2 weeks now. The doc. And
therapist said the heaviness is just my
weak muscles being overused. Is it
possible that the heaviness is just my
muscles and will heal with time or is it
something I should be concerned about?
And will the lyrica help my bladder
control problem?
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IMShirl
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Mar 2005 Posts: 204 Location: Wisconsin, USA
Thanks: 1
Thanked:0
Posted: 04-26-06 16:29pm
Hi pooh ~
I am sorry you are still having so many
problems. I also have the same levels as
you do fused and more. I am now fused
from l3-s1 both anterior and posterior
with bak cages and rods and screws. I
also am fused posterior and anterior from
c3-c7 with plate, rods and screws. The
one thing you have to remember is fusion
surgery takes time to recover from and can
take 18 months to 2 years.
If you would like to check out a very
supportive group please check the link
below.
