J
jinks67
Guest
Hi all,
I've been off and on the boarRAB for a long time now (in some ways I'm one of the old spineys), so some of you will know my story well, others less so.
To keep it as brief as possible - I had two operations in 2007 for a left-sided disc herniation. The left-leg pain that builRAB up whenever my back is straight (standing, wlaking, lying) is caused by narrowing of the foramina (the pain is largely neurogenic claudication rather than strict sciatica). This has largely remained the same thorughout, and today there is certainly scar tissue on the lft that is compounding the problem.
Over the year since my last operation I developed considerable back-pain, and in August 2008 saw a new surgeon for a fresh opinion on treatment. I didnt expect to be recommended a third surgery, just perhaps alternative thoughts on the future and treatment. Anyhow he suspected that I'd developed an instability, that was shortly after proven to be correct, and recommeded fusion.
So, I've been thinking about the possibility of fusion for a few months now.
In the meantime, things have gotten a lot worse. I developed brand, new sciatic pain in the right-leg, that was severe enough to put me in hospital. In the department that were treating me, for the pain largely, they are very concerned about the large instability (severe retrolisthesis at L5/S1) and are also recommending surgery, sooner rather than later because of a muscle-deficit in the right big toe. I have a back-brace, which although I can only wear for 10 mins or so at a time (before the claudication starts up in both legs), does prevent me over-doing it and bending too much, and it seems to be helping the general level of pain by reducing the amount of sliding going on at l5/S1.
Initially they wanted me to wear the brace all the time, to immobilise L5/S1. Appraently this is a good indication that surgery will work. Because not all my pain comes from the instability (the claudication) I was sceptical that it would help, and actually thought it would make things worse, but thankfully i seem to have been proved wrong.
Anyhow, when I went into hospital (3 weeks ago) I felt absolutely ready for the fusion. I'd thought about it over a few months, pain was getting worse and I felt sure that when I'd found a surgeon I was comfortable with, that it would be right for me. (unfortunately the surgeon who diagnosed the instability is based in the UK - I live in France - and isn't a feasible option).
However, I'm now starting to freak out. I know that part of this is because my pain levels are a lot better since I've returned from hospital and stopped all physical activities, and been wearing the brace (the brace was never meant to be a permanent solution, just a test). I do know deep-down that if I want a life for the next 30 years (I can't lie in bed for ever), and even if though I will probably have remaining pain, that surgery is the only option for pain relief and prevention of the slippage getting worse.
But I'm just starting to get cold-feet. My previous surgeries were relatively straight-foward and minor (no hardware, one level) but even they didn't cure all. I don't have complications of problems at other levels, so besides scarring from the previous op, I guess I'm an ideal candidate (clear problem of instability, one-level only, back brace helps with pain-relief). But its just that the fusion is such a big surgery, there are so many potential problems, my scarring could get worse, there are different ways of approaching it (posterior/anterior etc..) its all freaking me out... And of course, it could be my last chance, and I could up worse off than now (though I only have to remind myself of the pain levels when I was admitted to hospital to counter this thought)
I see a new surgeon at the end of January, after a new MRI, and I know I have time to do a lot of research and I can get other opinions afterwarRAB...but right now I just need to know that this tooing-and froing is normal. I never felt like this with the previous surgeries.
Please, can any of you old spineys offer me some encouragement??
Thanks as always
Jinks xx
I've been off and on the boarRAB for a long time now (in some ways I'm one of the old spineys), so some of you will know my story well, others less so.
To keep it as brief as possible - I had two operations in 2007 for a left-sided disc herniation. The left-leg pain that builRAB up whenever my back is straight (standing, wlaking, lying) is caused by narrowing of the foramina (the pain is largely neurogenic claudication rather than strict sciatica). This has largely remained the same thorughout, and today there is certainly scar tissue on the lft that is compounding the problem.
Over the year since my last operation I developed considerable back-pain, and in August 2008 saw a new surgeon for a fresh opinion on treatment. I didnt expect to be recommended a third surgery, just perhaps alternative thoughts on the future and treatment. Anyhow he suspected that I'd developed an instability, that was shortly after proven to be correct, and recommeded fusion.
So, I've been thinking about the possibility of fusion for a few months now.
In the meantime, things have gotten a lot worse. I developed brand, new sciatic pain in the right-leg, that was severe enough to put me in hospital. In the department that were treating me, for the pain largely, they are very concerned about the large instability (severe retrolisthesis at L5/S1) and are also recommending surgery, sooner rather than later because of a muscle-deficit in the right big toe. I have a back-brace, which although I can only wear for 10 mins or so at a time (before the claudication starts up in both legs), does prevent me over-doing it and bending too much, and it seems to be helping the general level of pain by reducing the amount of sliding going on at l5/S1.
Initially they wanted me to wear the brace all the time, to immobilise L5/S1. Appraently this is a good indication that surgery will work. Because not all my pain comes from the instability (the claudication) I was sceptical that it would help, and actually thought it would make things worse, but thankfully i seem to have been proved wrong.
Anyhow, when I went into hospital (3 weeks ago) I felt absolutely ready for the fusion. I'd thought about it over a few months, pain was getting worse and I felt sure that when I'd found a surgeon I was comfortable with, that it would be right for me. (unfortunately the surgeon who diagnosed the instability is based in the UK - I live in France - and isn't a feasible option).
However, I'm now starting to freak out. I know that part of this is because my pain levels are a lot better since I've returned from hospital and stopped all physical activities, and been wearing the brace (the brace was never meant to be a permanent solution, just a test). I do know deep-down that if I want a life for the next 30 years (I can't lie in bed for ever), and even if though I will probably have remaining pain, that surgery is the only option for pain relief and prevention of the slippage getting worse.
But I'm just starting to get cold-feet. My previous surgeries were relatively straight-foward and minor (no hardware, one level) but even they didn't cure all. I don't have complications of problems at other levels, so besides scarring from the previous op, I guess I'm an ideal candidate (clear problem of instability, one-level only, back brace helps with pain-relief). But its just that the fusion is such a big surgery, there are so many potential problems, my scarring could get worse, there are different ways of approaching it (posterior/anterior etc..) its all freaking me out... And of course, it could be my last chance, and I could up worse off than now (though I only have to remind myself of the pain levels when I was admitted to hospital to counter this thought)
I see a new surgeon at the end of January, after a new MRI, and I know I have time to do a lot of research and I can get other opinions afterwarRAB...but right now I just need to know that this tooing-and froing is normal. I never felt like this with the previous surgeries.
Please, can any of you old spineys offer me some encouragement??
Thanks as always
Jinks xx
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