Feedback For Lower Back Lumbar Spine Surgery

  • Thread starter Thread starter JCW247
  • Start date Start date
J

JCW247

Guest
Back with a quick update. Still have not had corrective
surgery after what I went through 17 months ago. Still
in pain, still taking painkillers and still doing physical therapy
twice a week. I DON'T THINK I WILL RECOVER OR SURVIVE
ANOTHER MAJOR SURGERY. These major fusion surgeries
seem to be outdated and barbaric. There must be a better
way with all the technology out there.

My Advice: DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE LETTING
ANYBODY TOUCH YOU WITH A MAJOR SURGERY.

Would love to come onboard here with a update that
I'm doing great, but unfortunately I can't.

Everyone have a wonderful year.

Leticia
 
when i read your first post tonight, i didn't realize how old it was. i had a tough time stopping myself from telling you, "don't do it". then i felt relieved when i saw how old the post really was because i wasn't really allowed to answer it anyways. we get this question on the board all the time and I answer to them in my head (because mostly i just refrain from posting); please don't do it. i know there's the camp that says, " the successful one's never come back to this forum so we don't see them as often". I still think there's more of us than them. Perhaps the successful one's are the one's that tend to be the one's that had just one level done and or were younger or just had a corabination of things going right for them. and it so often seems one fusion leaRAB to another and another. so sorry, Leicia. i hope you can find some way to feel better. you're right-these fusion surgerys are outdated and barbaric....Janiee
 
Good morning Leticia,

My back problems started 25 years ago. It started with some sciatica pain upon sneezing or coughing, and a CT scan showed a bulge at L4/L5. Suddenly the pain got much worse, and a visit to my doctor showed I had lost reflexes in my left leg. Within a couple of days I was in the hospital having a laminectomy before nerve damage became permanent. The surgery was 100% successful except for a small area on my leg that remained with reduced sensation.

Everything was great for 23 years, so great I could easily forget I ever had surgery and had absolutely no restrictions. However, 2 years ago diffuse pain and spasms in my lower back started, and after cortisone shots and steroid pills, pain killers and PT, nothing has worked - and in my case the PT actually worsened the pain.

My current problem has nothing to do with the laminectomy. The disc below it has collapsed on one side, and the original L4/L5 is starting to bulge again. I also have some serious arthritis in the spine and SI Joints, and some mild stenosis. So basically, this is age related but the L5/S1 is pretty nasty. I do not have serious nerve impingement, but the bone on bone causes a host of nasty symptoms.

So, I am having a fusion from L4-S1 in 18 days. This will be a posterior instrumentation fusion.

I hope this helps you, and I sure hope you're not in very bad pain.
 
In response to your questions:

I have a bulging herniated disc L-5 S1, seeing a spine specialist,
physical therapy for two years 2 - 3 times a week, Steroid injections
(3 times), not sure if the pt are spine specialists. Anything else, please
let me know and hope this helps you to offer me more options, taking
painkillers daily. My spine specialist can do a 15 minute microscopic
surgery which I'm seriously considering. Leticia
 
Has anyone had the Microscopic Surgery to repair
their Bulging Herniated Disc L/5/S1. It seems to
be less evasive then a fusion. My Spine Specialist
told me it's a simple 15 minute procedure. Feedback
before I make a final decision about this to relieve
my pain. Leticia:angel:
 
Message For CAYOZGIRL

DO NOT RUSH INTO ANY MAJOR SURGERY THAT YOU
WILL REGRET.

Like you I had a BULGING HERNIATED L5/S1. My option
was to have MINIMALLY INVASIVE MICRODISCECTOMY
as per communications with the well known Orthopaedic
Surgeon instead he does a six hour HEMILAMINECTOMY
to fuse L5/S1, plus complications that put me in ICU
SUPPORT.

Get a second/third opinion, ask many questions and
know exactly what they are going to do. KEEP IN TOUCH
ONBOARD HERE. Following your heart. If it doesn't seem
right it probably isn't right and keep looking until you
find that passionate surgeon with compassion who will
make it right without major surgery.

Leticia:angel:
 
I am seriously considering surgery for my LOWER BACK
LUrabAR SPINE. I'm in alot of pain, and need to take
painkillers to relieve the pain. Have done physical therapy
which is not working. Have seen the doctor about this
and he advises surgery.

My symptons when in pain are:

Alot of pain in the lowerback Lurabar Spine area, pain
radiates across the buttocks, when I stand up I lose
balance, because my legs feel nurab with pain similar
to pins and needles, unable to walk long distances,
because my legs feel heavy. I'm 20 lbs over my normal
weight for my height.

Would appreciate any feedback from anybody with similar
symptoms who did have surgery and let me know what
to expect. Look forward to your kind responses. Leticia
 
Thanks for your kind imput. Will be going for pre-op this week
and will keep everyone posted. Leticia
 
Responding to MOLDOVA Questions:

I have had two EMG and two MRI, injections, PT (temporary relief)
EMG & MRI show Bulging Herniated Disc L5/S1. Will be making plans
for the Micro Surgery soon.

Again, would like to thank everyone for taking the time to respond
kindly. Leticia
 
Respectfully, thanks for your feedback FREETOWN.

I still don't know why this surgeon tells me at a
office visit that he could fix my problem with a one
hour micro surgery and then does a six hour
Hemilaminectomy that fused my bulging herniated
Disc L-5 S1. Yes, I intend to have a personal visit
with this well known neuro for an answer to get
some closure. NOTE: Decision by the neuro for
major surgery was before, not during the surgery.
AS A PATIENT, I THINK I HAVE THE RIGHT TO
REFUSE ANY SURGERY AND DIDN'T HAVE THAT
OPTION. This neuro lost me as one of his patients
and am seeing someone else who can correct
what this other neuro messed up with. Yes, he
does major six hour surgery and can't even do it
right.
 
Thank you kindly JANIEE08. I would have posted
with good news if that was available. Like you
said if it was earlier, you would have said no to
this major surgery. Trust me, it was not surgery
wanted. I wanted a Minimally Invasive
Surgery which was agreeable by myself and the
surgeon. On Septeraber.2, 08 I'm looking forward
to this one hour micro surgery to relieve my pain
and suffering and then this surgeon tells me that
he is doing a implant which I still didn't know that
this was going to be a long major surgery until I
finally woke up and recovered from ICU Support.

Anybody reading these postings, Please be careful
and don't let these doctors screw you around.
These Lurabar Spine Surgeries are very lucrative
for these doctors and I'm not sure some of them
really care about your pain and suffering.

YES, I AM A REAL PATIENT THAT IS STILL DEALING
WITH ALOT OF PAIN.

Leticia
 
Hi Leticia, and welcome to the board!

I have had two fusions, which I very much needed and don't regret for a second. But my problem is different from yours. I hope someone with a similar problem to yours will see this and chime in.

What I recommend, no matter what the back issue, is getting at least two opinions before signing up for surgery. Make sure that you're seeing doctors who specialize in only the spine and preferably have done fellowships. See doctors in different groups, as doctors in the same group share notes. When you see the second one, don't mention what the first said. It's fine to let them know you're there for a second opinion; they're used to that. Just don't tell them anything about what the first doctor said so they won't feel any pressure to support a colleague. Doctors don't like to knowingly contradict each other.

You're doing the best thing you can right now: asking questions and educating yourself!

I wish you the best,
Emily
 
I can't agree more with Justoneofus...

While many people are very happy going through surgery, many of us did not get pain relieve we were expected for. In fact situation is much worse and more complicated than before the surgery.

After surgery for about 6-8 month it was eiforia: o, thank God I went and I am doing better day by day. Meaning stronger day by day. Pain is there for a long time. I agree that it's different type of pain after the surgery and for everyone is different: it can be levels from 1 to 10. All depenRAB.

I don't really want to go into my details because what happened to me not nesesseraly happens too often I think. I met many people after spinal surgeries who are doing great many years later (usually inot after multi levels fusions but lami, decompresions or some other surgeriens where hardware and fusions are not involved); I met those who had one level and did so well for couple of years and than back to square one.

I want to give you an advice not to really reliy on only our posts here, because everybody so different, recovery time and physical problems are so different, healing process is different as well.

There are so much research done on good webs about this problem - read it all carefully. If you got yourself a good Spinal (make sure he has fellowship in spinal surgeries) Orto, get his opinion and take all your pictures, reports and for your piece of mine go and confirm with another DR. This is so important.

I agree that surgery is the last resort. All your symptoms are very familiar to me, seems like your nerves involved and this is not a good sign. I don't want to play a DR here, but you need a good evaluation. Did you have EMG test done with your Neurologist? Did they confirm any nerve damages?
What is your Ct or MRI show?

Best of luck to you. My heart goes out to you: I know how hard this is to leave in real pain.:angel:
 
i am suffering from L4-L5 disc migration severly compressing L5 nerve root. potrusion also at L5-S1 disc. My first doctor suggested surgery but put me on one week's complete rest. there was no relief. I took the second opinion. The second opinion did not suggest surgery and put me on two week's rest. Let's see what happens. I wonder what complete rest is? Is use of laptop lying sideways permitted ?
 
Hello everyone. Was scheduled for surgery last week
and then it was canceled, because someone messed
up in the office with my medical recorRAB. Once I get
approval, will go forward with the surgery and keep
you informed.

HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY, BLESSED DAY.

Leticia:angel:
 
I just had a anterior/posterior fusion surgery of the L/5 S/1 and it was the worst decision in the world for me I still have the pain I had surgery 20 Jan 2010 My leg pain is worst than it was before surgery I also had a infection in my incision I had to be cut in the front and back with hardware, and BMP AND RORAB. I feel that this surgery was not a good choice and feel that it went wrong go back to dr on 25 Feb 2010 for follow up and I feel so bad. Make sure you really think about this surgery it is life changing not just for you but for your family and it is a very long healing process good luck in your decision.
 
Sorry to hear of the foul up. It sounRAB like you're taking it pretty well. Hang in there! Let us know how you're doing and when they reschedule!

:wave: Emily
 
:confused: Sorry to hear that your surgery did not go well. I
totally agree with you, these surgeries do not work and I keep
repeating myself that these fusion surgeries are BARBARIC and
should be banned. Just wondering if you were able to get a
second/third opinion before going forward with this surgery.
Continue to heal, it will take some time, but expect to be in
pain and hope that you don't need followup corrective surgery.

Leticia:angel:
 
I am now 3 months post op from a laminectomy and diskectomy L3,L4 L5. I am glad I had the surgery. It had been 3 years from the original back injury. I too did physical therapy and an epidural. I was really uncomfortable and starting to feel I couldn't tolerate it anymore when I finally had the surgery. Workmanscomp jerked me around even though surgery was recommended.
I still have pain but it is a different kind of pain. I do have the tingling, nurabness and heaviness in one leg but I have just started physical therapy. I didn't want to have a fusion and will still have to deal with arthritis issues, but at least I don't have those horrible sharp foot pains and nerve pain down the leg as bad as I did. It is going to take time for my nerves to settle down if they do completely.
I also think second opinions are important. Good luck
 
Back
Top