Bad/Good MRI result + my Rant

[magnetlady45]

Hi:


Sorry about all of your pain. I had a spine fusion on July 9th and am recovering. This was my 3rd back surgery. The first one was a laminectomy, the second one they cleaned up all the scar tissue that was pressing on the nerves.

If I were you I would contact another doctor for a second or even third opinion. It is not true that they cannot do anything about scar tissue. My first surgeon was a neuro, the next 2 were orthos. This last surgery was to stabilize my spine. Get on the internet and find yourself a few doctors to talk to.

I am so glad that I have a husband who has been so helpful and understand during all of this. He is a good Christian man and has a great deal of patience. He is very easygoing which is unlike myself. He is the one that tells me to slow down and relax.

Christi

[janb]

Hi Hazmat,
Sorry about all that you are going through right now. I can totally understand. My husband is disabled right now due to bad heart problems. So we are dealing with the social security issues. Never in a million years did we think something could happen to me. But I tore my rotator cuff had surgery seven months ago, was off work for 6 1/2 months. In the meantime I was in so much pain could not stand it. I had several MRI's, ct=scan, bone scan. Found out rotator cuff is still torn and I have 5 herniated discs. Three in cervical spine, two in lumbar spine. Dr's were adimant about not wanting me to return to work but if I didn't we wouldn't have health insurance. So my pain management dr let me go back. Believe me it has been awful. Of course no one at work understands the pain I am in and I have no choice but to go because of the insurance. I feel I am in a no win situation. I can understand your depression because this pain and the stress attached with it can become overwhelming. I joined this group in order to try to learn to deal with it and have found in reading others problems and how they deal with it has made me realize I can also cope. I too was taking Neurontin but found it didn't help me at all and gave me migranes. Just what I needed. I now am on Lorcet and Ultram. Doesn't help all that much but takes the edge off. I think just being able to talk to others who understand really helps. When you think you are alone in this you can see their are so many going through the same situations. Good luck to you and maybe you can see a good pain mangagement doctor. They seem alot more understanding.
Jan

[ricebird]

To Hazmat:

I'm so sorry about your problem. I too suffer. I had surgery 3 months ago. A terrible experience that continues.

But there are some things I'm doing now that offer some hope of getting well and keeping well.

Some time ago I saw an article about disks and dehydration. The article said that disks stay healthy when they have enough water and vitamin C.

So I'm making sure I get both every day. I have bought water bottles that hold about six glasses. I drink the bottle, then add at least half of it with juice or more water. This makes nine glasses. I try to see that I get this much every day. I add powdered Vit. C to it. It's a chore to remember to do it every day, but once a habit forms it's easier to do.

Another thing I'm doing is taking Congroiten and glucosamine. I also take something called Cal-Mag-Orotate. I read in a health book that Orotate has been used in Europe to help MS patients. Since MS patients suffer damage to nerve cells, I figured that if it could help heal nerve cells then it should help me with my nerve damage.

To soon to tell if all of this will do the job, but It all makes sense to do.

Hope this is helpful.
Ricebird

[jodawa50]

Originally Posted by Hazmat

Hi all and Janice I wish you well with your upcoming surgery.
I just had my second triple disk lamenectomy and discectomy in Nov 2002. There was mild relief, went through therapy blah blah blah, and now I am in more pain then I was before the surgery. I still have pain down BOTH legs, tingling in my feet and NOW pain accross my lower back due to the surgery, standing <-> sitting very uncomfortable. I just had another MRI and the Neuro secretary (I couldn't reach the neuro) said that the MRI came back negative for herniations, but the contrast shows the scarring is probably what is causing the pain.
********MAD RAMBLING****
I have been going through this on and off for 14 years (almost 1/2 my life)and I am a little fed up. My Neuro also is no longer taking my insurance so now I am gong to have to switch, again. You always hold out hope that surgery will help but now I am screwed. I have been taking neurontin, but got off it after it was effecting my job, taking percoset (endoset 5/325) everyday. I am in pain most of the day since I don't want to take this to much so of course that wears on me mentaly. I just hate taking so many pills. I feel out of it more often than not. I can't even remember what I used to be like.
GRRRRRR. I know there is nothing I can do, I know that i will have to deal with it but I am tired and frustrated. There is always the hope that it will end but it doesn't look like it will. I have always been a positive person and never let this get to me but I can't shake it this time. At least before I got a respite, a couple of weeks, maybe a month with nothing an occasional flare up that would put me out of work, but at least a break. I have now been in pain for at least 5 months straight with life to go. I hate being like this, I hate feeling weak and trapped. It effects my life, my wife (we want to have kids...yeah right have other issues thanks to nerve damage)my job, everything. Everyone has their problems, I have mine but I don't know what to do. Any suggestions, helpful hints anything?
If you got this far in the post, thank you. Every one who has had surgery or back problems has felt everything I have. My wife doesn't understand either, how could she? thanks for listening.



------------------
18 years old no trauma but severe leg pain
traction for 2 weeks didn't work
Epidurals, steriods didn't work
1988 triple disk Lamenectomy L3-4,L4-5,L5-S1. good for about 6 months pain on and off for the next 12 years
EMG shows nerve damage right leg
Nov. 2002 Triple Disk Lemanectomy, discectomy L3-4,L4-5, L5-S1. WORSE. MRI shows scar tissue causing pain. Neurosergeon says nothing can be done.
Seeing PM doc on Neurontin 1800 mg daily stopped taking neurontin effecting job performace
endocet 5/325 everyday

Welcome to the club Hazmat, Your not alone, I have just gotten results from an MRI where they can't see anything due to metal artifacts and as a result have been condemned to a life(the rest of it) of pain. I start Pain management next week. I've been thru the angry period and am now in the depression phase after three years of debilitating pain. I'm actually looking forward to it as, at least its something. I think the hardest thing is maintaining a positive attitude. Especially when your better half (mine too) cannot "see" what your going thru. I'm not the type of guy but I'm thinking of joining a support group. I understand there are alot of them out there. So good luck, and be good to yourself first eh. I have to go as I have spent my load writing this. PS: don't you love it when a Dr. says change your lifestyle.