IUfan
07-27-2006, 01:35 PM
Hi to all and thanks for stopping to read and/or offer feedback. I haven't been back here to read or post for over a month. Partly because of my extended pity party and otherwise because I just didn't know what to ask or say.
A little background; I am 16 mos post-op dual level diskectomy w/Charite implants @ L4-5 and L5-S1. I had pre-op facet joint tears that were not addressed nor have they healed since.
As a matter of fact, and the reason that brings me to you kind folks is that the facet joints have gotten much worse. After returning to work late last June (`05) I took a job that allowed me to stand constantly and bend at the waist which I thought was good for me, and it was until... Dec 15th, '05 I started feeling unusually sore in the low back again and the burning/numbness in my right leg to my foot returned. All was so so until Christmas day when sitting on my sofa I changed positions and my right leg went numb. Egads I thought and I knew that this was not a good thing, having been through the drill before the ADR surgery. As soon as I could I contacted my Spine Surgeon's office to make an appt. I went to work Jan 4th and it was a horrible 8 hr experience that got worse as the day went on. By the end of the shift I was in tears driving to my primary care MD's office. I have not worked since.
My days have been filled with unimaginable pain, difficulty doing the most menial of tasks... I am sure I'm not describing anything new to most of you. I've been going through pain management, caudal injections, spinal blocks, facet joint injections, radio frequency treatment and meds that would put an elephant down.... all for naught except for the oral meds that like I read in another thread (greg of DRX9000) made me so loopy I didn't care about the pain. The only recourse my Spine Surgeon had to offer was that if the RF didn't work he could convert the ADR to fusion. I spoke with 2 Neurosurgeons and 1 Neurologist who looked at my Myelogram/CATscan films and said there was nothing to gain from a conversion to fusion. :confused: I just saw my Spine Surgeon yesterday and told him what I was told. He said that he had been to a conference and spoke to other Drs about my case and he was told of the Dynesys System. The procedure utilizes flexible rods anchored to the spine by small brackets attached with screws. The purpose is to stabilize the spine and as my Spine Surgeon stated to take the pressure off of the facet joints. I have limited knowledge of this procedure and don't know where to turn to find answers from others who have had the procedure. How durable are they? What happens if they break??? I have a friend who knows of a co-worker of hers who's friend had the procedure done and I am waiting to hear about her results. She has not had prior ADR surgery tho. Can anybody offer any info?? Please???
I have been home-bound for the past couple of months except to go only where absolutely necessary. I could go on about my woeful times but I'd only bring tears to my own eyes and repeat again what I have read in all too many threads today. My depression gets deeper and my sleep less, my LCSW told me yesterday that I should really seek a Psych MD and at least consider the meds. (I despise the idea of another pill :( ) However I am starting to come around that it may be the mental leveling agent I need to get me jump started back to life. I have had to apply for medical retirement from my work and I've had to apply, for the 2nd time now, for SSDIB.
I know I have to look for something else to do for my living and that is going to mean going back to school (I empathize with those who can't sit long enough to complete the lessons or classes) I'd like to know from those who have done it or are doing it how do you go about getting extended time for class completion, who do you talk to? This has been a very humbling experience for me and sad to say the least. To go from the high expectations they sell you with the Artificial Discs to failure and feeling like you're left high and dry. I'm hoping for devine intervention because sometimes I am just lost. The nights without sleep are too many and wearing down an already broken spirit.
Sorry, I am rambling I know and I guess it's because I am soooo frustrated and need to vent!!! I have never been so torn up inside!!!!!!!! And facing the reality that all the things I used to enjoy are likely activities that I can now only watch with envy. :mad: I know its something that is out of my control but it doesn't make it any easier or pallitable.
Anyway, I would appreciate very much any feedback, experience or knowledge about this procedure before I make another decision about another surgery... Does it never end?? I go back to my Surgeon in six weeks.
Charlie
A little background; I am 16 mos post-op dual level diskectomy w/Charite implants @ L4-5 and L5-S1. I had pre-op facet joint tears that were not addressed nor have they healed since.
As a matter of fact, and the reason that brings me to you kind folks is that the facet joints have gotten much worse. After returning to work late last June (`05) I took a job that allowed me to stand constantly and bend at the waist which I thought was good for me, and it was until... Dec 15th, '05 I started feeling unusually sore in the low back again and the burning/numbness in my right leg to my foot returned. All was so so until Christmas day when sitting on my sofa I changed positions and my right leg went numb. Egads I thought and I knew that this was not a good thing, having been through the drill before the ADR surgery. As soon as I could I contacted my Spine Surgeon's office to make an appt. I went to work Jan 4th and it was a horrible 8 hr experience that got worse as the day went on. By the end of the shift I was in tears driving to my primary care MD's office. I have not worked since.
My days have been filled with unimaginable pain, difficulty doing the most menial of tasks... I am sure I'm not describing anything new to most of you. I've been going through pain management, caudal injections, spinal blocks, facet joint injections, radio frequency treatment and meds that would put an elephant down.... all for naught except for the oral meds that like I read in another thread (greg of DRX9000) made me so loopy I didn't care about the pain. The only recourse my Spine Surgeon had to offer was that if the RF didn't work he could convert the ADR to fusion. I spoke with 2 Neurosurgeons and 1 Neurologist who looked at my Myelogram/CATscan films and said there was nothing to gain from a conversion to fusion. :confused: I just saw my Spine Surgeon yesterday and told him what I was told. He said that he had been to a conference and spoke to other Drs about my case and he was told of the Dynesys System. The procedure utilizes flexible rods anchored to the spine by small brackets attached with screws. The purpose is to stabilize the spine and as my Spine Surgeon stated to take the pressure off of the facet joints. I have limited knowledge of this procedure and don't know where to turn to find answers from others who have had the procedure. How durable are they? What happens if they break??? I have a friend who knows of a co-worker of hers who's friend had the procedure done and I am waiting to hear about her results. She has not had prior ADR surgery tho. Can anybody offer any info?? Please???
I have been home-bound for the past couple of months except to go only where absolutely necessary. I could go on about my woeful times but I'd only bring tears to my own eyes and repeat again what I have read in all too many threads today. My depression gets deeper and my sleep less, my LCSW told me yesterday that I should really seek a Psych MD and at least consider the meds. (I despise the idea of another pill :( ) However I am starting to come around that it may be the mental leveling agent I need to get me jump started back to life. I have had to apply for medical retirement from my work and I've had to apply, for the 2nd time now, for SSDIB.
I know I have to look for something else to do for my living and that is going to mean going back to school (I empathize with those who can't sit long enough to complete the lessons or classes) I'd like to know from those who have done it or are doing it how do you go about getting extended time for class completion, who do you talk to? This has been a very humbling experience for me and sad to say the least. To go from the high expectations they sell you with the Artificial Discs to failure and feeling like you're left high and dry. I'm hoping for devine intervention because sometimes I am just lost. The nights without sleep are too many and wearing down an already broken spirit.
Sorry, I am rambling I know and I guess it's because I am soooo frustrated and need to vent!!! I have never been so torn up inside!!!!!!!! And facing the reality that all the things I used to enjoy are likely activities that I can now only watch with envy. :mad: I know its something that is out of my control but it doesn't make it any easier or pallitable.
Anyway, I would appreciate very much any feedback, experience or knowledge about this procedure before I make another decision about another surgery... Does it never end?? I go back to my Surgeon in six weeks.
Charlie