First post and a few questions

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Hello again everyone, Well I finally had my surgery today and according to my neuro everything went ok and I am currently laying in my bed at home. I am as you can imagine in a little bit of pain but I can take meRAB for that but the main reason for this post is to ask a question. Ever since I woke up from the surgery I have had alot of stomach pain (bloating and nausea) and even after being out of surgery for 12 hours now I am having alot of nausea and was wondering if this was normal or should I be concerned and if it is normal how long does it last because it's really a terrible feeling.

Also my mouth has been pretty dry and I have this funny taste in my mouth (like plastic mixed with saline) and I have been going to the bathroom alot more then I normally do and when I go the amount of urine is more then I normally urinate. (sorry for being vivid but it's the only way I know how to put it)

Anyway I have never had surgery before so is all of this normal or should I concerned.

Thx,
Mike
 
Yes, go into the place where they did the MRI and get the report. Call first, in case they don't store the reports there. Just tell them you want a copy of your MRI report. I had a MRI that showed a possible fragment at L4. Now 2 years after a double fusion, I still have problems at that level. The surgeon said he couldn't find any fragments. I think it is still in there doing damage. IMO I would go ahead with the surgery. In my case, the w/c insurance company put me off for 2 years after a doctor said I needed surgery. I think the wait caused all the damage I have now. You are young and in good shape and that plays a big role in your recovery. Stay positive and good luck.
 
Hello and thanks again for all the replies. I have just spent the past 3 hours watching videos of the surgery that the neuro wants to perform on me and I have to say the procedure looks fairly straight forward. I would still like to post my MRI results tho and get a few people more knowledgeable then me to look at them from this forum but it looks like at this point I am going to proceed with the surgery.

I do have a question tho and that is I have heard that this procedure is really only for leg pain but doesn't address the pain in the back and at least for me the back pain can sometimes be just as strong as the leg pain and it's been going on much longer then the leg pain so what do I need to do to get the back pain under control without being on meRAB for the rest of my life even tho I had this procedure done?

Thanks again,
MIke
 
Hello everyone I just found this forum so I thought I would drop in and share my story with you and ask a few questions while I am at it. I will try to keep it as short as possible but I do apologize ahead of time if things get a little long. Anyway here is my story.

I am a 33yr old male of avg height / weight and for the past 2 1/2 years have had recurring back problems that would last anywhere from 6days to 2weeks at a time but my last episode has been going on since March of this year and in May I finally decided it was time to have my first MRI which showed that I had a herniated disc on L5/S1 and at that time my primary care Dr. put me on pain medication (hydrocodone 7.5/650) and sent me to see a neurosurgeon who immediately tried to set me up for surgery a week later which I happily declined in hopes I might get better with more conventional therapies and just taking it easy but here I am 6 months later and still not any better so about a week ago I went back to the neuro and told him to go ahead and set me up for the surgery which is going to be on the 29th of this month.

Anyway my questions to everyone is

1.) Do you think I am doing the right thing by setting up the surgery now or should I wait longer ?


I guess what I am basically getting at with that question is if I sound like a good canidate for surgery because I have had these problems for over 2 years now and they are not getting any better so what would you do in the same situation ?

I know answering a question like this depenRAB on alot of factors so here is a little time line (with approx dates) to help show the progression of my back problems.

==========================================================

July 2005 - Initial onset of moderate lower back / buttock pain on rt side (pain subsided on it's own after 2 weeks)

Feb - Aug 2006 - between these 6 months I would have moderate to severe lower back / buttock pain lasting anywhere from just a couple of days to upto 2 weeks at a time.

March 2007 - Present - For the past 8 months I have had moderate to extreme pain everyday which started out just in my lower back and buttocks but for the past 4 months has also included my right leg and foot as well. I have had some tingling sensations in my right foot but nothing I couldn't resolve on my own by changing positions.

In the past couple of months tho the pain in my leg (and ankle) has gotten much worse and where I used to be able to be almost pain free when laying down I find this no longer to be the case and there doesn't seem to be any position that really relieves the pain without taking medication although I have never experienced any nurabness in my leg or foot the pain itself has increased alot.

I have also tried PT but was unable to continue past the 2 week mark because I was in too much pain to do the exercises.

==========================================================

2.) The type of surgery the neuro wants to perform is a minimally invasive micro discectomy and since I have never had any surgery before I wanted to know what I can expect as far as pain goes after surgery and generally how long will I need to be on pain meRAB after surgery because I have been taking them everyday now for about 2 months straight (even though I am only taking half of what the prescription says I can take) I am worried I will become addicted if I don't stop soon.

Anyway thank you for you replies in advance and I wish each and everyone of you a wonderful (pain free) day.

Cheers,
Mike
 
On your MRI did it show any nerve involvement? Your doctor is going to do a micro discectomy. Did he mention a laminectomy also? It sounRAB like possibly some nerve involvement with the pain traveling down your leg. If you have your report from the MRI post what it says regarding the area of the disc involved. There are several people on here that are real good with going over MRI reports. I wouldn't worry about the pain meRAB. Only the acetaminophen should be kept to under 4000mg. Preferably under 3000mg with regular use. It can cause liver damage. I was given 10/350 Norco so that I could take more and not get to much acetaminophen in my system. IF you are hestiant in your decision because the doctor was so quick in his dicision for surgery, then get a second opinion. Try to keep the pain down as much as possible. You need to have faith in the doctor you choose and you need to keep as positive as you can. Good luck and keep us posted.
 
Hello again everyone I have FINALLY managed to get my MRI Reports and as I said I would post them here for review. The first report is from May 16, 2007 and reaRAB as follows.




and here is my latest report dated Nov 6, 2007 (just 2 weeks ago)



However dispite both of those things the pain in my leg has gotten significantly better over the past week or so (I have only taken 1 pain pill in the past 3 days) and now I am more unsure then ever if I should have the surgery or not so please advise and not to rush but I only have 2 days to decide so it's kinda urgent.

Thanks again for any and all replies,
Mike
 
You post op symptoms of nausea and bloating are all very normal. The dry mouth is also due to the surgery and will subside over the next day or so. Its from the anesthesia (spelled wrong).

Are you on any new meRAB than before the surgery? If so, it could be a reaction to it, or it is just simply your body reacting to what it's just been through.

I would eat if you haven't, and also eat things that aren't going to sit too heavily, but also be absorbing. BreaRAB and rice is good right now. I would avoid stuff like corn, and any oily or fried things for the next few days.

Soups are great, crackers, jello, bananas, fruits are okay. You also need protein, so chicken and such. But just keep it light over the next couple of day and see how you level out. Then if you are back to feeling good, you can return to a normal diet.

I would watch your carb/sugar load. Sugar causes inflammation and you want to keep your inflammation down to a minimum. Your body will naturally create inflammation around an injury as a form of protection to aid toward healing itself, but you dont need to be adding to the mix.

Glad to see you are doing well. Stay on your meRAB and follow docs orders. Micros are so easy to reherniate and you dont want to have to have more surgery.

Keep us posted.
 
I am 3 months post-op double fusion (2 levels, cervical)I still take pain meRAB. but not needed everyday and low doses when I do need something. The pain before surgery was excrutiating! there is a different pain of healing than with hurting. Damage is being done, and IMO and experience, anything you are doing to aggravate your problem is just making it worse. I was told, with nerve damage and pain...rest is best! I could tell an immediate difference time I woke up from an extensive 4 hour surgery. I have just started therapy last week. Driving myself!
I fear for you if you don't have the surgery. It's got to make it better! Keep in touch!
 
Hey Chris thanks for the reply and unfortunately all I was given was a CD with my MRI (already looked and no report on the cd either ) and the imaging lab sent the neuro the reports so I do not have access to them at the moment but I can post a few images from my cd if that is allowed (and helpful).

One thing I can tell you is I do have a free fragment (not sure of the size or anything) and that seems to be where the neuro wants to concentrate. As far as having faith in him I do or I would not be with him but just not sure if I should just keep taking the meRAB and hope for the best or just go ahead and have the surgery because at this point even with the meRAB I can do very little with out being in alot of pain.

As far as the laminectomy goes he did not mention it. All he said he was going to do is remove the free fragment and if he saw that there was a hole in the disc he would remove some of the stuff inside it as well (sorry not being very technical atm) but if there was not a hole there he would leave that part alone.

Anyway let me know if you (or anyone else) would like for me to post a few images from my MRI and thanks again for all replies.

Cheers,
Mike
 
Thanks for the information. It seems the nausea has improved alil bit but it's still there. I have been laying in bed for the most part so far only to get up to go to the bathroom. I have been eating chicken noodle soup and will probably eat another can of it today and then start on something abit more feeling (but still light on the stomach) for dinner.

One thing that concerns me is that on Satureday I have to travel 70+ miles back home because I am now at a temporary location and I was hoping someone might be able to provide me with some tips on how I can safely accomplish this 1hr+ ride. Thanks again and I will keep everyone posted as to how everything goes.

Cheers
Mike
 
Hello again and thanks again for the replies I will try to get my report but since I am unable to drive right now it's a little difficult getting around these days but in the meantime I guess I will try to provide as much information as possible to see if it helps clear things up or not.

The pain at this point is mainly in my leg from the knee down to my ankle. The pain in the leg varies from a dull cramping feeling to a very sharp pain which feels like someone is taking a bone saw to my leg without any anesthesia and the pain in my ankle feels like someone is hitting it with a hammer.

The pain in the lower back and buttocks is there and tenRAB to get worse when I shift around (which is about every 30 seconRAB these days)

Without my pain meRAB I am unable to sit for more then 30 seconRAB at one time and even when my meRAB kick in and are at their highest levels of relief I can only site for about 10 mins then I have to get up and walk around for a few mins.

Standing is easier then sitting and laying down on my stomach takes a little of the pain off my leg and ankle but I can still feel some pain and it does nothing to the pain in the back and buttocks area.

Laying on my back is almost as bad as sitting except for when I am on my meRAB and thats when I get most of my relief (around 3 hours) then the pain starts coming back again.

Laying on my side is the same as laying on my back.

I have been out of work for about 6 months now because of this and even with the pain meRAB I am not really able to do much. (like picking up my newspaper) so right now I have pretty much been laying in bed for months and doing the Mackenzie exercises my PT told me to do but they aren't helping either.

My biggest concern is that my insurance is going to run out on my birthday of all days which is on Dec 5th and I am worried if I put the surgery off I will not be able to afford it when I really need to have it.

Also my primary care dr is one of those types who does not like to prescribe pain meRAB even if you need them and I don't think it's going to be much longer before he cuts me off entirely even tho I am only taking 15 pills a week which is half of what my prescription says I should take.

Like I said before I have been in physical therapy in the past but it did not seem to help, I can't afford to try anything like the Drx9000 (although I would like to give it a try) Also I seem to be allergic to steroiRAB so shots are not an option for me either.

Finally I would really like to get back to work as soon as possible but because of the pain right now thats impossible and it seems to be getting worse as time goes by but I would rather avoid surgery if at all possible but only have 2 weeks to find something that will work before I have no other option available so if you have any other options that I haven't tried or can afford then I would love to hear about them and thanks again for your time and replies.

Cheers,
Mike
 
Ughhhh...how confusing is that to have the pain lesson up right before your surgery? Unfortunately, only you are the one who can answer the question whether or not to proceed with the surgery. Have you talked to your surgeon? Good luck.
 
HAVE THE SURGERY BEFORE YOU END UP IN A WHEELCHAIR!! I had spinal cord compression (in my neck) which caused myelopathy with partial paralysis. Thought I would die. Started last Jan. with nurabing of both hanRAB, by March, it was shoulders and knees, by June I couldn't walk. Was bedridden til I finally got a dr.s appt. in Atlanta. When seen at the dr.s office I was immediately admitted to the hospital, had surgery, and in 15 days I went from a wheelchair to walking with a cane. I still have alot of weakness and some pain. Beats the H*** out of laying in the bed in dire straits and wondering if I was going to make it another day. It's not going to get any better or go away on its own. Please get it seen about before the damage is done. Seriously. With what I have, left untreated has a 50% mortality rate.
I too have pain in my left buttock. Cortisone shots help, and I still take pain meRAB. Seems like there has been more time in between refills though. You said your insurance would be up Dec. 5th? Put a rush on it...
Take Care of YOURSELF!
Speaking from experience...
 
Well, it's true, the micro-D really is meant to address leg pain (and buttocks counts as the leg), but it may be that your "floater" is causing the back pain. There may be some other more conservative methoRAB you can try. But it sounRAB like you've done a lot already, and I don't know how many more months you want to be in pain trying out things.

It's your decision or not, but I'd ask your doctor "what would you do, or what would you recommend for someone in your family dealing with the same thing?" The longer you wait, the more chance you may have in developing nerve damage. Please just take the time to coldly assess your situation and be realistic about when your pain started, how bad it is, how much worse has it gotten and over how long a period of time, and really pin down your doctor on what the chances are that it'll sort itself out without surgery.

Good luck!
David
 
Hello again everyone. I know I have been posting alot today but I have gone through alot in the past day so please forgive me. Anyway I just wanted to know how long after surgery are you supposed to stop feeling the pain your legs. I had a minimally invasive microdisctomy performed yesterday at the L5/S1 level and I heard that 99% of the time the pain goes away immediately but for me it was gone yesterday but seems to be coming back today and I know I am just barely 24 hours out of surgery but I am kind of nervous that things did not go well so I am hoping I just haven't given it enough time yet but what does everyone else think.

BTW all I have done for the past 24 hours is lay in bed and I got up like 7 times to use the bathroom and I have been very careful not to bend or stretch or carry anything heavier then a pillow so why is my leg starting to hurt again. I have also noticed alot of pain in my upper back where I did not have any before is this normal as well.

Finally I was just wondering if it was ok to lay on my side when my back starts hurting alot. And for that matter when should I be getting out of bed and trying to sit on my couch or drive my car or try and do a little housework. All my neuro told me was I could remove my bandage on Saturday and take a shower then and not to lift anything over 10 pounRAB for the next 2 weeks so I am not sure what the do's and don'ts are so hoping someone can enlighten me on all of this stuff.

Thanks,
Mike
 
Hi,
Did you know you can get the report from the Radioligist that did the MRI? I have all of mine with no problem...I'm further along than you in pain (3-4 years), I have DDD, Spondylosis, 3 disc bulges....Personally I'm not at the surgery phase yet, but it's certainly an option for us. I'd do it some day after alot of consideration and I'd make sure I had the best doctor around, even if I had to leave the State (AK). You can't take it back once it's done. I've only been on these boarRAB a few days, but no stranger to what you are going thru. Seems a mixed bag of results on the outcomes from what I've been able to gather reading here. Good luck to you and please let us know how it came out!

Jeannie
 
Update: the surgery is off (for now atleast) and not because I changed my mind but because when I went in for pre-op the other day I was asked if I had ever had any chest pain before which I replied "sometimes" but never saw it as a problem really and because of that I had to have a cardiac stress test performed before they will do the surgery and they gave me only 2 days to find a cardiologist who could do the test and get me cardiac cleared for surgery and thats only part of it. All this anxiety and running around just to have to have to cancel everything 3 days before surgery and start over again... UGH. The only good thing about this situation is now I have the time to see if this is going to get better on it's own or not since the earliest it looks like I am going to get the stress test done is sometime in January. The bad news is it looks like I am going to have to find a way to extend my insurance until then at a cost I don't even want to think about... When does it start to get easier.

Anyway sorry for the long rant but thought I would keep you all up to date and thanks again for all your replies and support it's been great.

Cheers,
Mike
 
Mike.. with your issues.. I personally dont think you are going to benefit from the DRX anyway. I went through this program and it was truly nothing more than an innovative spine/back workout. It was documented by MRIs before/after on me, that it made no notable changes to my spine at all. The disc was still as it was. It's insanely expensive for the little relief it brings for serious spine issues.

There is a "sticky post" at the top of this board to check out some of the comments from several of us on here about this.

Once all conservative treatments are exhausted and pain continues, surgery is often offered, especially when it involves the lower extremities. Keep us posted.
 
Hi Mike,

I would get the surgery done now for sure. My story is almost identical to yours. I started with sciatica in Septeraber 2005 (aged 24) and struggled with it for two years, being constantly told that it would get better through physiotherapy.

I had L5/S1 microdiscectomy and they found the disc had actually ruptured and was encapsulating the nerve, so there is no way it would ever have got better on its own.

I am so glad I had the surgery now (two weeks ago) as that awful shooting pain has gone now. I am walking several miles a day pain free and am nearly back to my old self. Going swimming for the first time today in a while as the surgeon says that I can.

What I would say is don't see the surgery as a magic wand. You may well have a lot of pain after because of inflammation.

Also remeraber that surgery is just the start of you getting yourself fully fit again. Use it as a spring board. Obviously you will have to rest for several weeks after the op, but it's important to get your back and core REALLY STRONG so that this doesn't happen again.

Good luck!

Jeff
 
The surgery is more for leg pain than back pain. Yes that is true but is not entirely accurate, as it does also address the back pain as well, especially if the leg pain and back pain are present. But if you ONLY have back pain.. this is where this statement is more relative.

I dont have ANY regrets from having had the fusion. Even if I only got 50% improvement, that STILL would have topped the pain and debility I was living with 24/7 for over 3 years time. As luck would have it.. so far I've had 85% improvement and hopefully that will continue. BUT, if it doesn't and another disc goes.. I wouldn't hesitate to have surgery again if needed. It gave me back my life.

Goodluck.:)
 
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