Future surgery yes or no? - Pain Management Message Board

crocheting · 03-01-2009, 01:57 PM

Hi guys, I have already told my story a while back. Check out my last few posts on this board, that will give you my history. I do live in chronic pain, bad neck pain, disc bludgeing, bone spurs from spine, little cushion left on at least four vert., pinned right femur clean throuGh break of the hip. I am going to have to have my hip replaced oneday, choosing when I am older I am 41 now. Doctors say I will need surgery on vert. Someday when there is no more cushion. But they said there is way to tell if it will help my pain. And if I let them do the surgery, they will have to go back in several times to do maintance! I say no thank you, I could end up worse off and in more pain, and lots of surgeries! What do you guys think? Thanks for your feedback.
Crocheting

Jema X · 03-01-2009, 02:36 PM

Wow, you've been through a lot. Good on you for continuing to question & stand up for yourself. Surgery is a very personal thing. I waited until I literally couldn't move before I had my thoracic surger and that was a mistake inretrospect. I was just scared because thoracic surgery has some incredible risks. I had surgery last year on a liver tumour - it wasn't fun but again, I felt I had no choice and I have no regrets about that. I am now booked in to have a cervical fusion because it's putting a lot of pressue on my thoracic and my left arm is losing function. Surgeons say that weakness is the number one reason to have spinal surgery. I guess you have to weigh the pros against the cons. In my situation with my back, I wish that I had had surgery earlier, aftet my accident. Chronic pain isn't fun. Which way are you leaning at the moment? I wish you luck, you deserve it.

crocheting · 03-01-2009, 04:34 PM

Thank you so much for sharing with me. As of now, I will not have surgery. My doctor say's that it will not get better only worse, and that in the future I will need surgery. It is impossible for me just to wait around till that happens. My problem with what my doctors say, is even after they did do surgery they can't tell me now you will better. Have a better day to day life with my CP. In fact they would have to then do maintance surgerys. When I asked what they thought, they told me they couldn't tell me yes or no that it was a personal choice. The doctors said that it might not help at all! With my femur and hip, well that doctor did the wrong surgery in ER after my accident! I was on a walker with a non bearing right leg for eight months, with a four year. Old to take care of alone. I am a homemaker and of course my hubby had to work, he works 45 mins away. Horrible experience, my leg and hip will never be the same. I am walking with temp. Pins, my femur broke all the way through off the hip. I am only 41 and if I had a hip replaced now, and needed another one when I am older that is dangerous for me. The reason is they can only do a hip replacement on me two times in my life. If I fell again and injurged my leg or hip I could face not having a working leg and hip the rest of my life.Also have bad siactica in my bad leg. Most of the pain I live with now in my bad leg the doctor say is siactica! They just figured out in the past few years that a lot that is wrong with my spine had been there for years wearing down. Also norn with a bad shoulder, it has been hurting for years. They said they could go in and do something to help maybe. The doctor said it miGht help maybe. Then I would probably face several surgeries with my shoulder. My neck is so bad it feels like my head is to heavy for my body. My neck is always inflamed all the way around, and very hot to the touch! I hope I didn't forget anything, it is going to rain soon and that really gets me in my bones, I also have arthritis since I was in my twenties, fibromyalgia, brucitis. My pain level is a 9 today. I am so sorry this is so long, I hope I didn't miss anything, had trouble sleeping last night. I wanted to let all you guys know my medical problems some people have asked. I love these boards and respect all of you so much. I welcome any questions and advice! Thanks again, Crocheting