Anyone familiar with laser for scar tissue?

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halfpint830

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hi deb, I honestly am not sure how he goes about the surgery he just said it was 1 of 3 things i could do. first is theraphy, second is there are injections that they could do that they put in where the scar tissue is and its suppose to break up the scar tissue and last would be surgery. at this point and time i am doing the theraphy with no improvement yet. since i am only 8 months out of my last surgery and just am not ready to undergo it again. and i am a big chicken when it comes to needles in my back that i am not ready for that either but i am sure at some point or another i will be ready. but right now pain medication and theraphy is what im doing. i will keep you posted and i hope you also will keep me posted. take care julie
 
Hey Deb53:

Long time no chat! I haven't been on the boarRAB much but just saw your post. I'm in the same boat as you with the scar tissue and no one ever recommended to me the idea of removing it. In fact, my pain doc said he would recommend against any future surgeries due to the scar tissue issues, but that's his bent and he's not living in my body.

I'm glad to see you're doing your research, and hope that something turns up that can help you. I had acupuncture once and it didn't do me much good, so I hope your experience (and yours too, Peppy!) is better than mine.

Just rehauled my pool so am going to force myself to swim some laps for the old back tomorrow!

Hugs,
Schragie-girl
 
Deb, I have adhesive arachnoiditis, which is scar tissue strangling my nerve roots and clumping nerves together inside sub-arachnoid space. There is no surgical hope for me regarding this. There are a couple folks in my arachnoiditis support group who tried scar tissue surgery and it was of no lasting value. I truly hope your condition is better than mine, as palliative care is all I can hope for, at least until something new comes along.:angel:
 
Hey Schragie....you must be doing well, I don't see you on the board much anymore. Then again I haven't been on as much either. TRYING to live life and in total denial that I'm not going to get any better. If they could tell me that I had a good chance of feeling better with more surgery, I would do it today. But removal of scar tissue is only going to create more. Enjoy your pool, I hear that is good exercise for back patients.

Pepper...thanks for your sharing and honesty. Today is a horrible pain day and that makes it a bad emotional day also. You said it has taken you 6 months to come to some sort of acceptance. I think I need to take a few steps back and give myself time to grieve. My family is great but it's almost like they think the pain is supposed to disappear since nothing else can be done for me. I try not to complain but you know how it is....when the pain flares you walk differently, act different and look different. Sometimes I get the "are you in pain again?" Oh Pepper, I just can't see me doing this for the rest of my life. It takes over your life..."will I be in bad pain if I do this? Can I sit in the car long enough to get to the beach? Can I make it to work today? Is my leg going to give out on me?", on and on and on. Thanks for being there Pepper.

Deb
 
Well, the neurologist and surgeon have agreed that scar tissue and permanent nerve damage from my injury and laminectomy are the cause of my pain and that I will live with this for the rest of my life. :( Not good news. Has anyone had any experience with laser surgery for scar tissue? I've done a little research and talked to those who feel very strongly that nothing can be done for scar tissue. Any input? thanks.

Deb
 
Deb my dad has his open heart surgery scar lasered by his dermatologist. He was quite happy with the results
 
Hey Deb I am so sorry about your diagnosis and I hope the accupuncture works for you. You never know!!

I just wanted to let you know that I was also thinking about getting the front loading washer and dryer because I was not a happy camper the other day when I was doing my laundry and my back was hurting and having to bend over to get the clothes out of the washer and dryer. I told my husband (well he would probably say I screamed to my husband) that our house is not set up for someone who has back problems. I am short also so it seems like everything I do causes me more back pain. So I can see why you would be excited.

Take care and I hope and pray things will get better for you.

Linda
 
Deb, I really think the success of this surgery depenRAB upon on the delicacy of the area being lasered. Nerves versus abdominal cavity.

My brother has failed back syndrome due to scar tissue and his sciatica nerve being nicked. He has been to over 20 doctors including the mayo clinic and has been told that in his case the scar tissue is to bad that they can't surgically remove it period. He was told this last year.

So I am praying that you have found something out new or there has been a discovery in this area. Would you please keep us posted on your findings?

I am so sorry you have received this diagnosis and I applaude you for not giving up. Sometimes it is a matter of simply finding the right doctor. Good luck.
 
Deb, I am sorry you are having a rough day. (((Gentle Hugs))) I know I try to not say anything but sometimes you don't have to say a word. Today I went to church, went to straighten up, and my back seized up so badly that I could not straighten up. I literally looked like a 90 year old lady. Two old men helped me get out to the car. How erabarrassing here I am in my early 40's and two 70 year olRAB are helping me. LOL So I can relate to what you are saying.

I know you were on cyrabalta. Did they put you on anything else as far as an anti-depressent?
 
i myself have been told that i have alot of scar tissue on l4,5 s1 and thats why im still having so much pain and my surgeon also has mentioned surgery to remove the scar tissue if theraphy doesn't give me any relief. as of right now i can't even imagine going threw another surgery at this point since its only been 8 months since my last 1. Its to fresh in my mind with the pain i was in and the little pain medication they sent me home with. its nice to read all the post on this and its amazing just how many of us have to deal with this.
 
Thanks Mel for the info. My scar tissue is internal...around the L5-S1 nerve root so this would be an invasive procedure to laser it.

Pepper, not a lot of good info. Results aren't all that impressive. I know in my heart that pain from scar tissue is not a good prognosis....I just keep hoping, hoping, hoping.....it doesn't seem that the risk is worth it, I could end up alot worse. I'm just having a hard time making myself accept this. The surgeon is writing an order for accupuncture (yea I was surprised) but there is no gaurantee that W/C will pay for it. I'm certainly willing to try it. Have you tried accupuncture? Results?? Did your brother have a laminectomy or fusion? What does he do for the pain? How are you girl??

Just a little aside.....I LOVE my front loading washer and dryer ( you really need to get the pedestal that goes with it). If anyone has back pain (don't we all have back pain??) I highly recommend it. I can't tell you how exciting it is to wash clothes now and not have to bend over (yea I know that sounRAB a little sick to get so excited over a washer and dryer).

Deb
 
Wow..thanks to all for your support and info!

Kyma...tell hubby getting you a new washer and dryer is the best thing he can do for you. This may seem quite weird to some...but the first time I washed clothes I actually stood and cried. What may seem so routine and simple to some was such a blessing to me.

Halfpint...did your surgeon say what the success rate is for scar tissue removal surgery? I'm not finding a lot of positive info. Does he do laser or manual removal? I'm 13 months out from my surgery. The surgeon waited until it had been a full year before he said that there was nothing they could do for me. I would gladly go through another surgery if the odRAB were in my favor that I would feel better. I'm so sorry you are dealing with this also.

Stymie...thanks for sharing with me. I guess we will just continue to pray that something will come along. My surgeon told me last week that if he could invent something to avoid scar tissue, he could retire.

Pepper....thanks for your never ending support. I will ANXIOUSLY await your post regarding your accupuncture appt. I'm waiting to see if W/C is going to pay for it but will pursue this avenue on my own even if they don't pay. And I will definitely give it a try if it helps you!!! It seems your pain is worse than mine so if it helps you...??? I'm still thinking I'll wake up one day and feel better. I can't get myself wrapped around "pain management only" for the rest of my life. I had a meltdown the other day but I was REALLY p-ssed, angry, felt really sorry for myself....I saved a patients life at the expense of my back. Please don't think bad of me....I'd do it again without even thinking, I know I would. It was just a moment I guess, but then I feel bad that I felt that way. I should be thankful I don't have cancer, thankful I have a wonderful family, on and on. But sometimes I'm just plain mad. Does this make any sense at all to you Pepper? I know I'm just rattling on. I'll visit the pain mgmt. board. Please keep me posted about the accupuncture.
Take care my friend, you are in my prayers.

Deb
 
Oh Pepper you poor thing! The old guys helping the young chick. :D
No, I'm not on an anti depressant right now. The Cyrabalta was such a horrible nightmare that I am SO hesitant to go on anything else. I know it may help and I'm sure I'll get to that point, but I just keep thinking I don't want to go through anything like that withdrawal again. Good luck at your appt. tomorrow.

Deb
 
Deb, the anger is part of the acceptance. It is almost a phase in itself. I got so angry that I could not post for some time. Imagine me, not posting? I was worried about frightening new merabers or sounding negative towarRAB the outcome of my surgery. I wanted and prayed for my surgery to work and I was very saddened and angry by the outcome of the surgery. I did not have unrealistic expectations, my pain just continued and in fact got worse after surgery - it was not because I was weak in anyway - my surgery failed. I had no control over it - it just happened. If I could have changed it, I would have. I prayed to wake up and find that this was nothing more than a nightmare. Instead I was left with a well of sadness and anger that things did not work out and my future was going to be filled with pain and pain meRAB. Just remeraber that is a temporary stage and I am glad to say that six months later after my diagnosis I am pulling myself out of this thanks to a wonderful friend and psychologist.

I hope sharing my inner most feelings with you helps you just a tiny bit to know that anger is normal and it does get better.

FYI - Don't be suprised if you read things online or frienRAB and family say little things that bother you -- no one understanRAB failed back/failed laminectomy syndrome until they have lived thru the diagnosis. I highly recommend finding someone who does relate to this to lean on during the rough times.

Just remeraber I am here for you just hollar.
 
Deb hanging on to the hope is a good thing to do and I still am clinging to hope myself but I must admit as time goes on and I keep hearing that diagnosis - 3 times so far - that I have begun to venture into the next chapter of my journey called Acceptance.

I want to share a thread that is currently over on the pain mgmt board and invite you to read this thread on acceptance of chronic pain:

http://www.healtrabroadoarRAB.com/boarRAB/showthread.php?t=598883

It was extremely helpful to me and it might provide some good information to you as well as you come to acceptance of your diagnosis. Just remeraber that accepting this diagnosis does not in anyway mean that you should give up hope. I cling to hope that something new will be developed in this ever evolving world of technology that we live in today.

Actually, I am going for my first accupuncture on Saturday morning and I will be sure to come home and post to you. I met with the accupuncturist and she told me that generally within 3 visits she knows whether or not you will benefit from it or not. So I am signed up for 3 visits and pray that it provides me with some relief. I aim to give anything a try at this point.

My brother had a laminectomy. He has been on long acting medication since the 1990's. He is on patches with breakthru pills. He tried to have the stim implant implanted but they were unable to implant it due to the amount of scar tissue. Unfortunately my brother is not doing well and it is very hard on both of us to see each other struggling with failed back surgeries and chronic pain. He lives out of state and to be honest talking to one another is next to impossible. We both become extremely emotional. It is hard enough going thru it yourself but to know a loved one is experiencing it to is alot too cope with.

As far as me, I am dealing with the wrath of chronic pain and trying to deal with acceptance. I have good days and bad days. I am finally learning that I need to take care of ME and if I don't take care of me not only do I suffer but my entire family is affected by it.

I am happy to share that I have been blessed by meeting another cper online and communicating with them numerous times daily. Today we chatted 10 times via email and I feel that the LORD mean't for us to meet up with one another and provide that extra strength and support to get thru this spinney journey. This relationship has been the best thing that has happened to me since my hubby and children. I can share all my most inner most feelings and they get it and are able to provide a wealth of support. Such a blessing!!

I know what you are going thru is extremely hard and I encourage you to post and come visit us on the pain management board to chat. There are several chronic pain patients over there and many of them are spinal patients. However, I understand if you are not ready for that yet.

Take care of yourself and remeraber anytime you want to chat. I am here and I understand what you are going thru. God Bless.
 
Just saw that all these threaRAB were quite old but has anyone done the laser surgery's? I am looking into doing it for my back. I have a back injury for 4 years , L4, L5 and Severe nerve damage in my S-I Joint. I have tried everything but surgery. All the drugs you can imagine, all the therapies you can list. I am at my witts end. Any suggestions? I am only 43 and don't think my life should be over yet.
 
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