T
TERRA157
Guest
Here's a suggestion, look into Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction before you do any surgeries. Got groin pain, legs, buttocks, hip bones, do the search.
M
Melsie
Guest
Bless your heart, you sound like you're in a dither!! 
I've been reading all the responses to your initial post, and most seem positive, so I've been reluctant to post mine.
I've had several surgeries and a three level fusion. Since then, my life has been filled with unimagineable pain that I wouldn't wish on an enemy. But, for your question....
Some people have these extensive fusions and do just fine, with a little bit of limitation because of the fusing. ie: not being able to bend 'quite' like you use to, but nevertheless, are still very functional. I'm just not one of those people.
When I had my first back surgery, my surgeon made it sound like have this surgery was going to cure me, and I would be back to normal and have no more pain ever again. I was soooo nieve, but I believed him. What him and other surgeons don't tell you is the things that can happen because of having fusions....the bad hip pain, the fusion itself causing other vertebral levels to rupture because they're trying to compensate for the levels that cannot bend anymore, sciatica, problems from scarring, etc.
If you can manage to live with the level of pain that you are at now without having this fusion done, it would probably benefit you to not have it. However, you may be one of those people who have this and do fine. Sometimes, people do fine for a few months after this surgery, and then suddenly things so wrong and you end up with pain that never goes away.
It's really going to be according to you and your body, your surgeon's level of skill and how much he tries to avoid the nerves while he's doing the surgery. You may want to consider getting a 2nd orthopedic surgeons opinion, but I definately think you should see a neurosurgeon to get their opinion. A neurosurgeon is going to be very careful with the nerves that branch off the spinal canal, and nerve damage is where people end up having a lot of pain.
I wish you luck, and will keep you in my prayers.
Melissa
I've been reading all the responses to your initial post, and most seem positive, so I've been reluctant to post mine.
I've had several surgeries and a three level fusion. Since then, my life has been filled with unimagineable pain that I wouldn't wish on an enemy. But, for your question....
Some people have these extensive fusions and do just fine, with a little bit of limitation because of the fusing. ie: not being able to bend 'quite' like you use to, but nevertheless, are still very functional. I'm just not one of those people.
When I had my first back surgery, my surgeon made it sound like have this surgery was going to cure me, and I would be back to normal and have no more pain ever again. I was soooo nieve, but I believed him. What him and other surgeons don't tell you is the things that can happen because of having fusions....the bad hip pain, the fusion itself causing other vertebral levels to rupture because they're trying to compensate for the levels that cannot bend anymore, sciatica, problems from scarring, etc.
If you can manage to live with the level of pain that you are at now without having this fusion done, it would probably benefit you to not have it. However, you may be one of those people who have this and do fine. Sometimes, people do fine for a few months after this surgery, and then suddenly things so wrong and you end up with pain that never goes away.
It's really going to be according to you and your body, your surgeon's level of skill and how much he tries to avoid the nerves while he's doing the surgery. You may want to consider getting a 2nd orthopedic surgeons opinion, but I definately think you should see a neurosurgeon to get their opinion. A neurosurgeon is going to be very careful with the nerves that branch off the spinal canal, and nerve damage is where people end up having a lot of pain.
I wish you luck, and will keep you in my prayers.
Melissa
A
anxiousinnj
Guest
girl22 & Melsie- thanks so much for your replies- I really appreciate it.
I'm not rushing into anything- have my mind made up on that. I've been reading a lot & there is so much research being done right now on new methoRAB for multi level that if I can handle the pain & buy tim e. that's my plan. It seems every more adavanced & preferred method cannot be done with more than 2 levels.
IN Europe they are doing triple level disc replscments with the Maverick with good results & a 0% revision rate. Seems to me if I can hold out I should until better things come alone.
My PT actually said he thought from my folms that we could get it down to a 2 level with some work.
Melsie, I have gotten 3 opinions actually- first from an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in spine, 2cnd froom a dual certified orth-neuro surgeon who does only spines at one of 18 specialized spine cenbters in the country, & 3rd from an orthopedic spine specialist. My PT said if my 3rd opinion guy suggests surgery, not to hesitate & go for it as he does not do surgery unless absolutely neccessary & he feels positive quality of life will be better. I'm not sure I woud have him do my surgery- I probably would go back to the neuro-ortho guy. But I will value the opinions from guy #3 since I know he is not pushing it.
Emily-- thank you-- I am better today-- sort of. I think I hit rock bottom the opther night for a lot of reasons-- thnaks for listneing to my woes. A bit of true depression sort of crept in as hard as I try not to allow it to.
I saw my pain management doc today & he wants to do another set of facet injections on 11/15 because I had some relief. He said this is for diagnostic purposes to helkp him make sure he knows where the pain is coming from. If I have even just a few hours of improvement he saiud he will then discuss radio frequency as he thinks will give longer & better relief. I'll try whatever he thinks might give me some pain free time so my mind can mend a bit as well as my body.
Thanks all of you once again-- especialaly you emily. You have been thru a lot and you give so much support to so many people- I have been reading your posts and your an angel from above for sure :angel:
Melsie I'm sorry you have gone thru so much and still in pain. Do pain meRAB help you at all ? It must be so frustrating.
Good night all ~
anxiousinnj
I'm not rushing into anything- have my mind made up on that. I've been reading a lot & there is so much research being done right now on new methoRAB for multi level that if I can handle the pain & buy tim e. that's my plan. It seems every more adavanced & preferred method cannot be done with more than 2 levels.
IN Europe they are doing triple level disc replscments with the Maverick with good results & a 0% revision rate. Seems to me if I can hold out I should until better things come alone.
My PT actually said he thought from my folms that we could get it down to a 2 level with some work.
Melsie, I have gotten 3 opinions actually- first from an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in spine, 2cnd froom a dual certified orth-neuro surgeon who does only spines at one of 18 specialized spine cenbters in the country, & 3rd from an orthopedic spine specialist. My PT said if my 3rd opinion guy suggests surgery, not to hesitate & go for it as he does not do surgery unless absolutely neccessary & he feels positive quality of life will be better. I'm not sure I woud have him do my surgery- I probably would go back to the neuro-ortho guy. But I will value the opinions from guy #3 since I know he is not pushing it.
Emily-- thank you-- I am better today-- sort of. I think I hit rock bottom the opther night for a lot of reasons-- thnaks for listneing to my woes. A bit of true depression sort of crept in as hard as I try not to allow it to.
I saw my pain management doc today & he wants to do another set of facet injections on 11/15 because I had some relief. He said this is for diagnostic purposes to helkp him make sure he knows where the pain is coming from. If I have even just a few hours of improvement he saiud he will then discuss radio frequency as he thinks will give longer & better relief. I'll try whatever he thinks might give me some pain free time so my mind can mend a bit as well as my body.
Thanks all of you once again-- especialaly you emily. You have been thru a lot and you give so much support to so many people- I have been reading your posts and your an angel from above for sure :angel:
Melsie I'm sorry you have gone thru so much and still in pain. Do pain meRAB help you at all ? It must be so frustrating.
Good night all ~
anxiousinnj
T
tazchar
Guest
I had C2-3 3-4 4-5 done 2 years ago Feb. it all started with a lump at base of neck which by the way is still there I cant tell you now why but Over 3 year period I was told everything from carpal tunnel to trigger finger I'm not the best example I didnt get follow up and had an infection at wound My DR. didnt feel I needed follow up care as I was a charity case worst complication I think is hard time swallowing and that hasnt stopped I was in a car accident 7 months ago from 55 instant stop I feel a few things arent right . I have to say though Im relatively healthy happy and thankful I can walk talk and eat and grateful for common sense and good frienRAB I dont know if this helps at all just be really careful about your choices and ask lots of questions and dont stop asking untill your sastifed Good Luck
C
Coast Guard Dad
Guest
your 2nd and 3dr opinions are scary, if they keep you in pain with what they "think they can do for you" I would run away. They are telling you what you want to hear. I would see yet another spine surgeon to go againts the first opinion. Sometimes you have to set the life style aside and spend the time to heal. The annoying job and commitments in the race do not care if you are healthy or not. I would see another spine specialist, fusions are major, but it's not the end of the world.
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anxiousinnj
Guest
Thank you so much Emily - you made me feel much better, & I appreciate your gentle honesty.
I know if it comes to it has to be- well it will have to be. We have horrible health coverage & we have to pay for it all ourselves-- if I don't work-- well it's just a viscious cycle.. this is adding to the stress & fear. I have already put out over $7,000 cash for doctors this year for my health problems- bills our plan did not pick up. And we pay a high monthly bill to boot for this horrible coverage. Looking into other plans but it's hard to concentrate when you arent' feeling well.
Anyway- again you made me feel better. I just have this horrid picture in my head of never being abnle to bend in any way- and if you do screws are breaking or something-- I just have a frightening mental picture as I don't personally know anyone who has had a fusion- let alone a triple. I have had a few people tell me that a triple is looking for trouble & best to try to find pain control if possible, so I just don't know what to think.
I wish I could interview 100 people so I could actually see what type of various recoveries have been made......sigh.
I hope you recuperate fully & quickly !
Please keep us posted- will pray for your recoup.
anxiousinnj
I know if it comes to it has to be- well it will have to be. We have horrible health coverage & we have to pay for it all ourselves-- if I don't work-- well it's just a viscious cycle.. this is adding to the stress & fear. I have already put out over $7,000 cash for doctors this year for my health problems- bills our plan did not pick up. And we pay a high monthly bill to boot for this horrible coverage. Looking into other plans but it's hard to concentrate when you arent' feeling well.
Anyway- again you made me feel better. I just have this horrid picture in my head of never being abnle to bend in any way- and if you do screws are breaking or something-- I just have a frightening mental picture as I don't personally know anyone who has had a fusion- let alone a triple. I have had a few people tell me that a triple is looking for trouble & best to try to find pain control if possible, so I just don't know what to think.
I wish I could interview 100 people so I could actually see what type of various recoveries have been made......sigh.
I hope you recuperate fully & quickly !
Please keep us posted- will pray for your recoup.
anxiousinnj
L
lhines
Guest
Maybe I am not the best person to respond, but unless you have life altering pain, avoid surgery. It is not natural and is an absolute last resort. My mother just had a 3 level lurabar fusion , but with a decompression, and there is no way she will be without a walker for at least another month. She is 2 weeks post op, and she only resorted to surgery, because she wanted to be able to walk again pain free. Who knows if that will happen. I just know that this is a huge surgery, and unless the pain is too much to bare do not have it done. Hope I helped you. Sincerely Lauree(lhines)
J
jackielu
Guest
I too am facing a 3 level spinal fusion. I have been seeing neurosurgeons and ortho surgeons for approx. 15 years now. I have done a dozen epidurals, A dozen physical therapies and the end result is the pain just never goes completely away. I had a lamectomy and synovial cyst removed from my spine 3 years ago and I think that weakend my spine and caused more problems because now I have Spondilolisthesis 2nd stage and it seems nothing I do helps. I have my surgery scheduled for Dec. and I am scared to death. If anyone has any suggestions for me I would also be glad to hear from you.
S
settledintex
Guest
Hi All,
I realize I am only two level fusion (L4/L5/S1) but three months out I can bend over and touch my fingers to the floor. I was flexible and VERY busy before the surgery so my Ortho had me in PT at 5 weeks. Thats the earliest I ever heard of anyone starting but he believed I would quickly regain the flexibility I had before and didn't want to see me sit around afraid to move thinking I'd "pop a screw" in my worRAB. I was walking 1/2 mile at 2 weeks, driving my own SUV at 3 weeks-I took whatever pain meRAB I had to but I kept moving then resting-moving then resting. I feel really good now. I am still careful but feel like alot of my "old" life has been returned to me with some exceptions.I was so scared of accepting limitations in my life and was so lucky to have found a doctor who believed in working thru them.
Blessings,
I'll be praying for you all!!
Michelle
I realize I am only two level fusion (L4/L5/S1) but three months out I can bend over and touch my fingers to the floor. I was flexible and VERY busy before the surgery so my Ortho had me in PT at 5 weeks. Thats the earliest I ever heard of anyone starting but he believed I would quickly regain the flexibility I had before and didn't want to see me sit around afraid to move thinking I'd "pop a screw" in my worRAB. I was walking 1/2 mile at 2 weeks, driving my own SUV at 3 weeks-I took whatever pain meRAB I had to but I kept moving then resting-moving then resting. I feel really good now. I am still careful but feel like alot of my "old" life has been returned to me with some exceptions.I was so scared of accepting limitations in my life and was so lucky to have found a doctor who believed in working thru them.
Blessings,
I'll be praying for you all!!
Michelle