Let me give you the history first.
Four years ago I hurt my back when we moved. I did pt, esi, and chiropractor. Got better for a while, then I reinjured it at work. More pt.. But was denied surgery. Did chiro on my own, until I couldn't afford it anymore. Then I injured it again.. Doing pt now. But it is not helping (again). I have 2 bulging dics (l3-l4 and l1-l2) and one herniation at l5-s1. I have severe lower back pain, my right foot is numb and I have sciatica pain going down my right buttock and at times, into my right hip. I also were a lumbar corset at all times, excpet when sleeping.

I really can't take the pain anymore. 4 years is a long time to deal with this. Any mis-step, strain, lift has always caused short-term pain.. But the 2 re-injuries are extreme and last a long time.

I mostly just want to vent somewhere where someone understands.

I have a desk job and the sitting for 8 hours can send me into fits of tears some days. I take vicodin and naproxen, but I seem to have built up immunity for vicodin, as I have to take 2 to feel any relief. So I don't take any, I don't want to become addicted. I traded a friend for some percocet, and only take them at night so I can sleep. Plus the painkillers are making me gain weight...( I just lost over 60 pounds... I refuse to put it all back on)

i have 2 more weeks of pt, then my neurosurgeon appointment. I think i'm going to tell him I want surgery. (laminectomyand discectomy)

but... I've read several times that people that have surgery either re-herniate and need more surgery, or the surgery is not successful (either scar tissue or nerve damage)

i guess i'm just confused and stressed and scared.

The one thing I do know is that I need to do something. I can't live like this. I'm 36 years old and feel like i'm 90..

Thanks for listening (reading) to me rant.. Sometimes it's just overwhelming..

Brenda

I can't help with a recommendation as to whether to have surgery or not. I am in somewhat of the same situation as far as being scared to go ahead with surgery. I too am waiting for some of those on this board with experiences with surgery to reply. I just wanted to sympathize with you and the problems you are having.

I can't help with a recommendation as to whether to have surgery or not. I am in somewhat of the same situation as far as being scared to go ahead with surgery. I too am waiting for some of those on this board with experiences with surgery to reply. I just wanted to sympathize with you and the problems you are having.

Thanks Marcia Ann.
I guess we have some reading to do before we will know what we want to do.

I am certain many will be glad to share their stories with both of you. For me, I had my 1st fusion last year. Unfortunatlly, I was one of those whose fusion did not take (this is a small persentage of fusions). Then w/in the year I have stenosis of the 2 levels above the fusion.

With that all said, non fusions are not the "norm". My surgeon says that maybe twice a yr. he has a non fusion (and he is a spine surgeon, so this surgery is all he does). When I've been asked if Im sorry I had the surgery, I say no. I could not continue to live in the pain that I had. I am going to have a 2nd surgery and I am not going to look back.

Obviously, you don't want to go into any surgery with out having tried everything else first. But once you have done that, there may come the point where surgery is the next decision. Only you can decide if you can live with the pain and limitations that you are having now. Also, remember that a lot of people who post are going through the down side of surgery. Either they are in need of, are recovering from, or preping for surgery. A lot of the patients who are recovered and doing well, are out living thier life. Even though I have been riddled with problems, I still believe their are more positive stories than there are negative ones. I believe their is a thread about "looking for success stories". You may check that one out. Also, at the top of the back threads, check out the thread about "new info." It will be very helpful.

Keep posting and good luck to both of you. I will keep you in my prayers.

Lorie :angel:

Also, remember that a lot of people who post are going through the down side of surgery. Either they are in need of, are recovering from, or preping for surgery. A lot of the patients who are recovered and doing well, are out living thier life. Even though I have been riddled with problems, I still believe their are more positive stories than there are negative ones.

Keep posting and good luck to both of you. I will keep you in my prayers.

Lorie :angel:

That's what I was looking to read. That people HAVE gone through this and are out being ALIVE. It seems that what I read are mostly failed operations. I'm hoping the odds for a successful operation are higher.

I do believe that it is up to me if I can live with this pain or not.. and for the last 7 days I decided I can't. Then today I see a different PT and he gives me hope. But I know this cycle. Hope -->less pain-->live-->pain -->doctors--> PT--> hope. THAT'S what I can't do any more. I just want to LIVE and be painfree.. I guess so does everyone else that posts here.

Thanks for the encouraging words.. I'm off to read some more. :cool:

Stertaz - "You hit the nail on the head" - Aiust saying meaning you are right. People who have experienced good surgery outcomes have no need to discuss there outcomes in a forum such as this one. They r living normally. I had a fusion many years ago and had I not got adventurous and got behind the boat on a rubber tube I would not be gere either. Post surgery I havelived normally for years.

The trouble I have now is in part related to the fusion but it could have been avoided had i Stuck to a strict exercise routine and ben a little more conservative in my approach to life.

Surgery is a last resort - so make sure you have exhausted all other optins prior to surgery

Losy ;)

Hi
I had sciatica pain for 6 mo. because L5-S1 herniated disc.I decided for surgery (micro-laminodicsketomy) and Have no regrets. My sciatica pain is gone although at times I feel some minor discomfort but nothing like the pain I had before surgery. I am in my 14th post-op week and even do some exersice lik walking/jgging and push-ups.
Of course every case is different and you should evaluate all the possible scenarios.
I was given a 94-96% probabiltiy that I would be pain free after surgery.
Beeing re-injured is up to how you take care of your self.
If you decide for surgery, be very positive, don't have any othe thought than that it will be succesfull and you will go on with your live in a short period of time.
Be well
Felix

Ifoster21, I have the same problem, Nonunion,.I have my second surgery Oct, 17
I hope it takes this time, I dont even smoke ???

shawley, do they know why you did not fuse. Like you, I do not smoke and although I could benefit from losing some weight...I'm not extremely over weight. Dr. said every now and then he has a case where there is no fusion and for no reason. I do have Fibromyalgia and I wonder if that might affect the fusion.

I am set to have my surgery on Oct. 6...that is if W/C approves it. What has your Dr. said about the liklyhood of fusing the 2nd time around? My Dr. is using BMP this time is very optimistic. Good luck to you and keep us posted.

Lorie :angel:

Felix, thanks for your story.

I went to a new PT yesterday. He said he can help, but it takes time (heard THAT before). BUT... I walked in at a pain level of 6 and walked out of there ALMOST pain free..I'd give it a .5. Lasted almost 3 hours. He had me doing some different stretches and even tho I screamed when he tried to flex my facet joints he didn't stop.. and finally the dopamine started kicking in.

The pain came back last night around 9pm, but this morning I was able to STAND when I got out of bed, instead of standing up in increments. I have pain now, but it's more acute, not so much of an ache spreading throughout my lower back. And my sciatica in my right buttock is talking to me.. but it's not NEARLY as bad as it has been in the last few weeks.

I'll give him to the 27th and see how I feel... I really really hope he can help me this time.

I can so relate to you as I'm trying to decide to have surgery as well, and it does get to the point where the pain is too much, and I think we are both there. He wants to do fusion onL5/S1 and I'm worried I'm not ready for surgery, but we can only take so much. It sounds like you have exhausted all other alteratives, so I hope if you decide on surgery, it works out as well as mine. Good luck

1Foster, I read that smoking / Medication could cause a nonunion ? Thats all I know.
Maybe our doctor's did somthing wrong ? Sorry I couldn't help.

It should be obvious to you by now that 8 hours a day at a desk is not going to work for your body. Humanscale Freedom, BodyBilt, StealCase Leap... very expensive very good chairs but may not be enough. How long until you figure out that you need a different job, or do you let the job kill you? Once you are disabled you won't be able to work anyways. If you don't fix the cause of you back problems you will never get better. Many people have just as much or more pain after surgery. I just spoke with a retired Orthopedic Surgeon, he made his living doing surgery and his advice was "Avoid Back Surgery at all costs".

So you are probably thinking - what do I do for money?

I've been there. The more important question is: Is what you make worth completely destroying the rest of your life?

People ruin their health to make money. Then they spend all the money they made trying to recover their health.

I would bet that you have not even addressed any dietary issues either. I am not being mean, I am just trying to encourage you to CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE. See how you feel after you're body has adequete rest and proper Postural adjustment. Read everything you can at Walt Stolls site. Consult with your surgeon. Then after everything has cleared decide. Surgery will always be there. But once the discs are gone - then what? What do you do if you have back pain after the surgery?

Should you decide on surgery research Dr. John Regan in California. He has worked with many artificial disc studies, and an artificial disc allows movement saving (potentially) the non fused discs from further damage.

I hope everythign works out well for you.