Discogram results say......

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Devon07

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Well after the dreadful discogram we came up with the answer....Im going to have a 360 two level fusion.....Im mentally ready for something and Im very comfortable with my doctor......him and his nurse have spent alot of time answering my questions and also explained all the risks involved.....Can anyone give me the patients point of view?....I will be digging through the archives trying to find any helpful info I can.....thanks in advance.

Devon
 
Devon,

I am sorry to see that you need a two level but you can go into surgery knowing that your surgeon is clearly operating on the proper levels.

I often refer to another meraber on the board, who had a discogram done and found out that the disc everyone thought was the culprit was not in fact the problem level. It was the innocent one above causing the problems. She has since had surgery and is doing well.

Unfortunately in my case, they could not do a discogram because of a spinal birth defect and my nerves do not follow the normal pathways so they would obtain false results.

I wish you much success with your future surgery and want you to know that we are here for you in the months to come as you recover from your surgery. Be sure to post with any questions or concerns that you have, and we will try to answer them to the best of our ability.

Pepper
 
Thanks Drpepper,

Its good to know someone is here....Im big time nervous and not sure what questions to ask yet....when it sets in im sure you guys will roll your eyes and say this guy is a pain...lol thank you!.....now if I could just get rid of this killer headache.....;)

Devon
 
I just got to thinking....when you have a 360 how do you sleep? I mean you will be cut on the back and the front.....so does it mean sleeping on your side.

Anytime I've had surgery when I came out I had real low blood pressure....Im kinda worried about this being a long surgery and maybe low BP again....anyone have this? I will tell my doctor but was curious if others have this.

DEVON
 
Thanks Michelle,

That helps a bunch....at what point does the pain get to where you can cut back on the meRAB? I know everyone may be different but a general rule will help.....I dont care for pain meRAB at all.

I had an arm injury with sixteen screws and two plates .....when I let the pain meRAB wear off I was in trouble.....the worst pain of my life. So I wont do that again....just dont want them when they arent needed.

Thanks for the prayers.....I dont have a date just yet but will real soon.....Its going to happen just in time for the holidays im sure.

Is your material titanium or Stainless? ....I hear the stainless is much stronger and if a fusion dont take its prefered.....any thoughts on this? the titanium can be brittle and break easily without the fusions help.

Devon:cool:
 
Hi Devon,
Iam titanium with tons of BMP. I started Cyrabalta about 6 weeks after surgey and was able then to cut sown pain meRAB substantially. I had a large amount of scar tissue develope around the nerve root two years after the surgery so I was ALMOST fully recovered. I am now in pain managment and take a long acting med before bed along with Lyrica for the nerve pain. I do have a shorter acting med for break through pain when I have been especially active.
Accepting that you will never be back where you were before the pain is really key. Accepting who you are and what your limitations are going to be will lead to a more fullfilling life in my opinion. Dwelling on what we CAN"T do makes us miserable. I can garden(I have a HUGE garden), cook and clean, hike with my kiRAB, walk the dog, run all my regualr erranRAB, go to church--everything I did before but maybe for less time or activities spread farther apart with break inbetween. I work a full time job on a university campus that has me running all over the place! The pain doctor helped me find a balance and I am happy with where I am. The people on this board have been my lifeline for two and a half years!!! I am gald you found us!
Blessings,
Michelle
 
Well.....I just got the phone call.....I will have a date by days end.

I am nervous as heck!...but I know I will have some relief soon.

any last worRAB on the 360 two level fusion?....thank you all for the help.

Devon
 
Hi Devon,
I am so sorry you had to endure the dreaded discogram but its the best diagnostic tool for your doc to know exactly what he is going after.
I had a two level 360 L4-S1 in July 2006. I slept some on my back and alot on my sides with pillows pushed under every crevice that could roll! My husband and mom were great about getting me comfortable so I could at least sleep 2-3 hours at a stretch. When you roll everything inside seems like it is moving too but that all settles down. It did feel wierd-I swore I could feel the instrumentation! but the doc said it was my imagination and the stitches(staples). LOL
The MOST IMPORTANT thing I can remeraber is making a schedule of your meRAB-what to take at what time. Make it as brainless as possible! STAY AHEAD OF THE PAIN! You may feel like you can cut back after a week but stay on it-don't wait till it hurts to take something. Then you have an agonizing hour of waiting for it to work.
Walk! Walk as soon as you can! NO bending, lifting, twisting. Don't be a hero and try to do stuff too soon! Listen to your body and you will know when you are getting stronger!
We are here 24/7 my friend! We will be praying for you!
Blessings,
Michelle :angel:
 
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