Help! Spinal Fusion may not work, options?

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DesertGuide

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I will ask my doctor to craft a letter to support my decision to apply for immediate disability retirement, she did last year, but I didn't submit it, and civil service (OPM) will require I apply for social security disability concurrently, which I have enough points. I guess I chickened out last year due to pride still writing checks my body won't cash.

I have to have a sit-down with my boss who has been very supportive so far, but with the news about the bone loss, I can't help but feel that my final option of a fusion, which I've resisted, and still don't want (desperation?), but the pain is so constant, I have not slept for more than 2 hours at a time for well over a year, etc., has led me to this crossroad. I read several other posts regarding a book, The myths of osteoporosis (SP?) and ordered it today, as I'm not going down without a fight, but with my only support system being phone calls and emails, I will hope the disability is approved and see about cutting my hours to 20 per week in the meantime.

OFF TOPIC: I also worry about driving to work and back due to the fact I have either MS Cotin, Vicodin or Percocet (not at the same time), in my blooRABtream, and would hate to get pulled over for even the smallest infraction. Sorry if I sound paranoid, but it's just another brick in the wall, and who wants to go to jail?

I really appreciate the kind worRAB and information. Glad to find a forum of people who can understand, as I'm sure you have had encounters with those who don't...

Thanks again, and Happy Independence Day! - If you see or know a Veteran or Servicemeraber, please thank them for their sacrifices they have made. I still feel privledged I was able to serve my country for 20-years, and pray we can pull ourselves out of this muck and uncertain times that lay ahead.

All the best,

William:angel:
 
Hi All,

My name is William M., first time poster on this board.

HISTORY: Back injury 25 years ago - finally had one, then two prior laminectomies L-4/L-5, have DDD, Stenosis, etc. First surgery 11/05, repeat 03/07, with continued pain daily, narcotic pain management, still working @ desk job, problem getting worse. I am 53 years old.

CURRENT: Have always had problems limited to my left side, nurabness, pain etc., starting 3 weeks ago my right leg, upper thigh area started to become nurab, has now expanded down to my knee and burning pain down to my ankle, was told by primary doc and V.A. doctors, its progressive, so I see my primary doc this Monday, she tells me its part of the DDD and offers lidocaine patches, which I now use, I jokingly tell her "So, do I need to start picking out my Hoveround?" - She tells me (same past 2.5 years), do nothing and I'm probably looking at a wheelchair or only other option offered is spinal fusion.
Also have bulges/pain at C-7/T-1 (story for another time).

I have had 3 neuro consults with current MRI's, last doc told me since I've been taking steriod shots quarterly, it may compromise the fusion as it makes bones brittle and the hardware (screws/roRAB/bolts), can just detach from your spine and gave me a 60% success rate.

Today, per my discussion with primary doc, I undergo a "Bone Density Test" - I forget the medical term, then receive a call from the nurse a few hours later telling me test results show I have severe Osteoarthritis and need to start taking "Alendronate" 1X weekly and 1,000mg of calcium daily - tells me my doctor HAS DOUBTS that a spinal fusion will work due to todays findings, main concern is the fusion hardware staying in place.

My QUESTION is: Do I have any options? I've done years of P/T, heat, ice, traction, TENS, blah, blah - with limited results. Those of you who live with this daily like me know what a game changer how it effects your life - I feel like I'm ready for a 90-second breakdown, a human-doing, not human being. I have always stayed upbeat and positive attitude despite my circumstances. My family is 3 states over and don't have anyone locally to lean on presently.
Considering disability retirement and moving back to Arizona where my adults children will and have always been there for me.

Sorry for being so long-winded, but would appreciate any insight from those who may have similar experiences. I reduced my hours at work (Air Force Civil Service) to 30-hour work week, but now that is a feat unto itself. Just sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Thanks in advance,


William Mc
Altus AFB, OK
 
I know it's tough to face filing for DR and SSDI. When I was on STD I was okay with that. When it became LTD I felt "no, really? Me?" Especially because I'm in that industry. Then earlier this month when they mandated I apply for SSDI it became kind of hard to accept and is still scary. I do think of it this way, maybe someday work will be the right thing and if so I'll face that later. But right now, as you do, I have to protect my financial well being. Best of luck to you!
 
Thanks again, I was getting homesick for my native Arizona anyways, I only moved to Oklahoma to accept my civil service job. Gov. Brewer sure is getting a lot of press these days, but thats another topic, for another forum. Best of luck to you too!

Bill
 
Hi William...I'm Jenny. Got almost 6 years on you and 2 spine surgeries as well. But mine are cervical.

First things first....you have osteoPOROSIS not just osteoarthritis and it makes any kind of fusion impossible. Your bones are too thin. The 2 areas they test are the hip and lurabar spine and if you are in trouble, then you need to address that first. It can literally cause vertebrae to dissolve. Could be the cause of your pain. If the drugs they prescribed are too tough on your stomach, there are injections you can get...one is every 3 months and the one I get is an IV once a year. I've improved my bone density by 7% in 3 years which is good. You may want to consult a rheumatologist on this one. That is their field as well as arthritis.

Second, did anyone tell you that a bad disk or arthritis in your neck can cause those same symptoms in your legs? If it presses on the spinal cord, it can cause all sorts of problems with the legs and a lot of what you describe I had with my neck. Time for an MRI of your neck to see if the problem is from there.

But get the osteoporosis taken care of first. It takes time to rebuild bone but if you don't the spine will slowly collapse. And any attempt to fix what is wrong will fail without strong bone to start with.

There are always options but the problem is, where to start and with you, it's rebuilding bone. then you look at surgery if you need it. It might all be from osteoporosis. Very painful!

good luck............Jenny
 
Jenny,

Thank you for the information, It's apreciated. I was able to get the test results from my Bone Density Test this morning, since I've never had one and my Doctor wasn't available, the test or "T" scores as follows:

Hip "T" Score: -1.48
Spine "T" Score: - 3.29

Below my score read the following:

0 - -1.0 = Normal
-1.0 - -2.5 = Ostopenia
Less than -2.5 = Osteoporosis

Since I don't have an appointment with my family practice doctor for a week, can I presume that my spinal "T" score is something a Neuro surgeon would look at and tell me I'm not a candidate for a spinal fusion? I'm presuming this is the case, in which narrows my options, as stated make this an all-around game-changer. Just thought I'd ask your opinion or anyone else please who is familiar with any suggestions. I have started the Fosamax (70mg) and Calcium Supplement (1,000mg/day) as of this morning.

Thanks in advance,

Bill
 
Hi Bill - I'm also a Zonie, so I wish you luck in returning home to be with your family. I don't have a lot of "spinal knowledge", but there are many here who offer great advice.

As Spine said, it is hard to accept you can no longer work. It is upsetting to have to make these kinRAB of decisions based on your health, as opposed to retiring at the end of your career. I am on disability and the financial security certainly helps when you are trying to focus on getting well.
 
Jenny may know more but I'm guessing that before they'll do the fusion they want to get you more bone density. If the bone is not dense enough then a fusion won't occur with or without hardware. Even with hardware the bone has to have the ability to heal around the screws.
 
HI William...sorry to take so long getting back to you.

Your bone density shows you have osteoporosis in your spine and are half there with your hip too. Osteoporosis is the major cause of broken hips in older folks too so you need this treated ASAP.

Again, I would consult a rheumatologist to see if you need to be on Vitamin D as well. I also have osteopenia and I have to take 1000 IU's of Vit. D daily. I was just on the edge of full out osteoporosis and have pulled back and after only 3 years, am almost out of osteopenia too. So it can be reversed quickly if you take what you need.

A lot of people think their back pain is always from some kind of injury or spine problem but it's amazing how many actually find out it's osteoporosis. If you have to take cortisone for any reason, it can kill your bones. A neigrabroador of mine has Crohn's disease...inflammation of the large and small intestines...and had 6 vertebrae dissolve on him. Went from being over 6' tall to 5'2" in a matter of months. Incredibly painful disorder if not found and fixed before it gets too advanced. Anyone with chronic back pain should have a bone density test to make sure the problem is not osteoporosis.

I don't know a lot about the different types of osteoporosis drugs and of course they differ from men to women as estrogen is involved. So you need a good doc to guide you on it.

I bet you find out a lot of your pain is from the osteoporosis and will go away with treatment. At least I hope so.

hugs.............Jenny
 
William. I feel your pain. I too have had years of lower back pain, done the physical therapy route, narcotic pain meRAB, spinal fusion with implementation. Currently I am on a 90 day short term disability from work. Have you tried taking time off from work to see how you feel? I am strongly considering applying for social security disability. I've been unable to do anything prolonged, ie sitting, walking, standing, etc. I've been off from work for approx. 2 weeks now and my pain has lessened significantly. I still have pain but I'm able to pace myself so I can complete my activities of daily living. I'm sleeping better and my mood has also improved.I would suggest taking some time off from work if you're able to and see how you feel. If you notice improvement then I'd go for the disability and move to AZ closer to your family. Good luck. Living with pain all day, every day sucks the life out of you. My prayers are with you.

Tizzy50
 
The more I research this "disease" at least that what it is to me, the more I wish I had 20-20 foresight. I was naive, and got lots of cordisone and steriod injections, over the years trusting my doctors knew what they were doing. I'm sure their intentions were good, but I guess that's why they call it medical PRACTICE.

When I see my PCP this Thursday, I will ask for a referral to a rheumatologist, the other bad part of living in a one-horse town, I will probably have to drive up to OKC, some 120 miles from here (I hate driving nowdays), as well as ask for her support with disability retirement.

It now clicks... About two months ago on a regular Dr. appointment, I had my height taken, which they normally don't do, and she said 5'-7" - and I snorted, "Hey not only does this thing lie about my weight, no... I'm 5-8", so I double checked, and she was right - I have shrunk an inch. My daughter's said the same thing last Deceraber when I picked them up at the airport that I "looked shorter" ha ha I said (Mom was 4-11)... If I could only do THAT with my waistline.

I received the book on the myths of osteoporosis yesterday (Amazon Prime Rocks), and plan on reviewing that - I will probably have more questions than ever, but at least its good to find this out now, and not under the knife!

I greatly appreciate all of the help, information and suggestions, I'll just have to trudge the road of happy destiny and keep hope alive.

Thanks again!
 
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