Opinions, Suggestions, Input, or ideas?

[brattybratteddi]

I am at the bottom of the list for minimal invasive procedures for my L3-S1 problem area in my back.

In August I did the discography, which sucked; but did confirm the problem areas. Found 2 bad disc's and the 3rd had ruptured, but appeared to of healed.

So we tried Epidural Injections, and they didn't do anything for me (we stopped at 2 instead of the series of 3 due to (granted better pain control) but the nurabness and weakness hasn't gotten better, no change at all. The nurabness and weakness is in both legs.

Now its been around a month or so since last ESI, and the pain has gotten tremendously worse, causing to get stuck in bed until the muscle relax, or unfreeze to allow me up) Usually around 1pm, I can finally get up. But since I had woken up at around 9 or 10am, the need to get to the bathroom is severe, and which case causes me to rush down the stairs and barely make it. Bladder control? I don't think it is really an issue, I think its more I had to go to the bathroom 3-4 hrs ago, put it on the side burner and now since up, the need is urgent and barely making it. (frustrating)

Anyways, So now I am faced with 2 options in trying to find relief:

Disc decompression surgery (am told its more like a twilight sleep and better than the discography, but similair as I will be semi conscious in order to tell pain specialist if he hit a nerve.

SCS inplant

or see a neuro surgeon and go for back surgery for the 3 bad disc. L3-4, L4-5 and L4-S1

any ideas? thought? suggestions?

I am supposed to let him know when I see him next (which is Friday)

 

[Frosty6]

Hi brat,

Well, first of all it sounRAB like you have some serious decisions to make. All we can do here is recommend treatments that have worked for us. One problem is what works for some of us may not work for you and visa verse. The best thing you can do is research each treatment option, the success rates and reach out to others that have had any of the treatments. I personally have had both the lurabar fusion and the sps trial. The fusion was not a success for me and I am still reaching for that miracle. The sps trial was a wash because I developed an infection during the trial and they had to remove everything instead of continuing with the implant. I was in so much pain from the trial, there is no way you could pay me to ever go through that again. Another meraber...Shawley... you can do a search for his threaRAB went through it and had quite a bit of success with it. I don't know what his long term prognosis is. The first two treatments sound like they are only temporary treatments. The sps is just another method to help you cope with pain. It is very much like a TENS unit only inside your body vs. outside. Do your homework and find the decision that you feel most comfortable with.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Sincerely,
Lisa