Multiple Microdiscectomy?

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Bigdog54

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Quick history, I am a 38 year old white male. I have an active job (Police Officer/Pilot) and active off duty life (Motorcross). In 2006 I woke up one morning with horrible pin in my left leg. I assumed it was from my active life but there wasn't any one event I can point too that caused the injury. Dr. said I herrniated the L4/L5. In Aug 2006 i received a Microdiscectomy. I recovered fine and had no problems. I even went back to racing Motorcross without any problems.
In Septeraber 2008, while on duty, I stopped for a traffic accident on the interstate. A drunk driver slammed into another driver and kept driving. To make a long story short, while working the scene another traffic crashed occured. One car rammed into the rear of another car. It shot that car into the emergency lane where i was walking. The car impacted me at around 40MPH. The impact threw me over the guard rail and off the overpass I was standing on. Needless to say that got things "flared up" again in my back.
I didn't have pain immediately but over the next few weeks he pain increased. Luckily PT eliminated the pain. The next year or so it was touch and go. I would have little "flare ups" but they would go away with PT.
In Feb 2010, the pain came back full force. Over the last 4 months i've gone through Chiropractic care, Acupuncture, Epidural Injections, Nerve Blocks, and PT. I've also be told I'm not a candidate for Radiofrequency lesioning. The medication I'm on keeps me sane but without it and I'd be sucking my thurab and asking for my mommy, LOL. Due to my job I can't take narcotics so I'm having to suck up alot of the pain. I spend an hour in the gym every morning stretching, doing core exersizes, and 20 to 30 minutes of cardio (treadmill or bike). I get a little relief but it only lasts an hour or so. A MRI revieled a pinched nerve S1/L5, and possibily some scar tissue from the first Microdiscectomy. My pain management Dr says he's done all he can for me right now and is refering me back to my surgeon. The surgeon has stated in the past that if surgury is needed he would do a Microdiscectomy at S1/L5 and L4/L5. I have an appointment with him next week.
My question is this, How many Microdiscectomys can someone have? I'm worried about scar tissue. I've heard the doctor say in the past that eventually I would probably need a fusion. I do not want a fusion and will explore ALL options before I even consider that but I also know when I've had my fill of pain I'll do anything they say. That being said has anyone out there been where I'm at and lived happily ever after, without pain, and without living life like an old man, LOL.
 
I've had 2 Microdiscectomies of L4 & L5. I believe and have been told by a neuro doc friend that any surgery causes scar tissue! After the 2 micros(1 in 96 & 98), in 2000 I was at work and my right leg went completely nurab! I had another micro and a partial laminectomy to L5. My neuro doc said I needed L4 & L5 fused. I declined. In 2004, after alot of pain I finally had the fusion to L4 & L5. A fusion procedure is usually 2-3 hours max. I spent 8 hours in surgery! They said the scar tissue was like spider webs. Please be conservative, as we only have one spine. Stick to palliative care for pain and prescribed physical therapy.
 
Thats what I'm scarred of, scar tissue. I dont want to have a procedure today that will make me feel better for a few years only to leave me in worse pain 4 years from now.
I'm in enough pain now that I can't play with my little girl and I can't do my job the way it should be done. I've got people at work helping me carry the load but I can't count on that forever. And now I've got the pain management Dr. telling me he's done everything he can do for me.
I'd love to find someone who's had 2 Microdiscectomy's and never had a problem again.
 
Would Vax-D help when all the other treatments, that usually work, have not? I planned on asking my surgeon about Vax-D next Wednesday but you know how doctors sometimes look at "alternative" tratments as a "waste of time"

Have you used Vax-D? If so how long did it take for you to notice a difference? And if so, did it last?
 
I worry about too many microdiscectomies - are they just removing part of the problem or will it truly fix your problem. I've seen some who have a microdiscectomy and then have a fusion because the microdiscectomies just made the area more unstable.
 
Yea, I worry about that also. I take meRAB daily so I can work but I still can't play with my child and do my job 100%. Without the meRAB I would be completely useless. So, something has to be done. I've tried LOTS of treatments but nothing has worked. It's not for a lack of trying. I'm going into the 5th month. The back is not fixing itself. I dont want any kind of surgery but if its the only thing to fix the problem i'll do it. I just dont want to do something the leaves worse off in a few years.
 
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