Back Surgery...

[black2002ls]

This did not work for me. I had a herniated disc L5/S1. I put it off 7 yrs going through countless nerve burns and spinal injections. After time they did nothing for me. My last MRI should no disc material at L5. I underwent a ALIF spinal fusion in March of this year. It was my only option. I have had good success up to this point. However, a major surgery like this was terrible. 2 weeks in the hospital, and terrible pain due to the spinal fusion. I now have plates holding my spine together.

If I would have went earlier, it would have been the evasive scope procedure. I was in bed for 2 months, and won't be released to full duty until March of next year.

I definitely would have handled things different if I would have known the big picture.

A fusion is my ultimate fear. So many horror stories. From the recovery time to loss of mobility.

My surgery was a day surgery, in and out in a few hours. I was walking the same day. 2 days worth of bed rest and I was back to work (no physical labor for 2 weeks). I had to hitch a ride as I wasn't cleared to drive until after my first check up. My incision is 1-1.5" long. For the most part a painless procedure!

[zora04]

Yup. Seems like you might as well be flipping a coin. I'll go as long as I can before I let any one cut on my back.

This did not work for me. I had a herniated disc L5/S1. I put it off 7 yrs going through countless nerve burns and spinal injections. After time they did nothing for me. My last MRI should no disc material at L5. I underwent a ALIF spinal fusion in March of this year. It was my only option. I have had good success up to this point. However, a major surgery like this was terrible. 2 weeks in the hospital, and terrible pain due to the spinal fusion. I now have plates holding my spine together.

If I would have went earlier, it would have been the evasive scope procedure. I was in bed for 2 months, and won't be released to full duty until March of next year.

I definitely would have handled things different if I would have known the big picture.

[cobrajet69]

Before long, the only things being raced at get togethers will be hoverrounds and walkers!

LMAO
... And to the pisser!


David

[black2002ls]

I think we are getting so fucking old now, we need a geriatric forum! LOL

David

Before long, the only things being raced at get togethers will be hoverrounds and walkers!

[cobrajet69]

I think we are getting so fucking old now, we need a geriatric forum! LOL

David

[cobrajet69]

Yep, weather changes do affect my back and knees fairly significantly. This round though has been excruciating to the point to where I'm not sleeping and after sitting for more than five minutes, I'll get up and am unable to stand straight for a few minutes. Just ready to get this shit over with.

David

That's extremely bad. You probably will need an MRI. Go to your Dr. Some cyclobenzaprine might fix you up.

[SMKR]

Well I guess it's my turn to go to the back doc. Three weeks ago I was bent over getting some nuts and bolts out of a bucket and adjusted my lean and felt something shift in my lower back and was immediately laying on the ground, took the legs right out of me. Back hurt rest of the night, took some pain meds and felt better after a while. Fast forward to yesterday, I bent over to pickup my daughter and out-of no where something happened and I was immediately laying on the ground. I don't know if that's disc, nerve, or what but it's got me concerned because when it randomly happens I lose everything and am on the ground in a split second.

FYI, David, you might be thinking it is getting worse right now due to the weather change. I have been fucking miserable for a week, ever since it dropped down into the 50's. Even the hot tub isn't doing much. Going to see my doc tomorrow and figure out all the new restrictions on pain management meds so that I have a few more hoops to jump through and pay for to get any kind of relief.

[black2002ls]

Original doc is Dr Kibuule but he's asked that I see an associate for pain management and MRI consultation first. DO NOT want surgery as final option either, and may opt out of that's the case, but really need to correct this pain, as I've been living with it for most of my adult life, and it's getting worse.



^ Correct.



David

Surgery was my last resort as well. I did good with PT and some pills for pain management for a while. I started seeing a chiropractor and it gave some relief as well. Once it herniated though, nothing really relieved the pain. It was only then, that I sat down with the neurosurgeon (Dr. Bartolomei) and had the discussion of surgery. As I mentioned before, to this day, I don't regret the decision to have it done.

[cobrajet69]

Which doctor is your appointment with?

I am really hoping that a round of steroids will tale care of my issue. I need to get bake on my bike, it helped quite a bit last year, I've just been too busy to get out and ride

Original doc is Dr Kibuule but he's asked that I see an associate for pain management and MRI consultation first. DO NOT want surgery as final option either, and may opt out of that's the case, but really need to correct this pain, as I've been living with it for most of my adult life, and it's getting worse.

I'm sure you already know this and I hope they do help you but unfortunately epidural corticosteroids are not a cure for back pain, but rather just a temporary masking of the pain.

http://www.healthcommunities.com/bac...ts-risks.shtml

^ Correct.



David

[black2002ls]

Ahhh, good to hear and I hope all goes well!

I am hoping for good news. I really need to get back on the bike. Things have slowed down a bit so hopefully I can make the time.

[stangin4lyfe]

Not looking for spinal injections. My first go round included an injection, which gave no relief at any point.. My hope is that it is just inflamation and a round of oral steroids will knock it down.

There was a second disk that had a loss of height, however at the time, they didn't feel like it had herniated. I don't think it is uncommon for it to take a couple of procedures to "fix" my problem. I hope that isn't the case, but I am prepared to address it if it comes up. I guess there is a chance it could be a build up of scar tissue as well.

Ahhh, good to hear and I hope all goes well!

[black2002ls]

I'm sure you already know this and I hope they do help you but unfortunately epidural corticosteroids are not a cure for back pain, but rather just a temporary masking of the pain.

http://www.healthcommunities.com/bac...ts-risks.shtml

Not looking for spinal injections. My first go round included an injection, which gave no relief at any point.. My hope is that it is just inflamation and a round of oral steroids will knock it down.

There was a second disk that had a loss of height, however at the time, they didn't feel like it had herniated. I don't think it is uncommon for it to take a couple of procedures to "fix" my problem. I hope that isn't the case, but I am prepared to address it if it comes up. I guess there is a chance it could be a build up of scar tissue as well.

[stangin4lyfe]

Which doctor is your appointment with?

I am really hoping that a round of steroids will tale care of my issue. I need to get bake on my bike, it helped quite a bit last year, I've just been too busy to get out and ride

I'm sure you already know this and I hope they do help you but unfortunately epidural corticosteroids are not a cure for back pain, but rather just a temporary masking of the pain.

http://www.healthcommunities.com/back-pain/steroid-injections-benefits-risks.shtml