What do you think?

mel1977 · 08-20-2004, 06:24 PM

Just doing some thinking on what my options may be regarding my back. I want personal stories on what your options were, what you chose to do, and your results. I have a posterior protrusion and stenosis at C5-6, bulge and stenosis at L4-5, and bulge, annular tear, and spur at L5-S1. I suffer from pain all over including my neck (headaches and pain that radiates through both shoulders), mid and lower back, hips, thighs, buttocks, groin, abdomen, knees, entire left leg and heels (burning, pinching, spasms, regular pain). I had my partial discectomy at L5-S1 in 2002, and at that time only had DDD in addition to my bulge. I want to apologize for repeating my story, but I am interested. As I have said before I see the back specialist for the first time next Wed. Thank you in advanced, and I look forward to reading your stories

Jenna'sMom · 08-20-2004, 10:25 PM

Dear Mel,
I am a 44 year old female with a great husband, and a six year old daughter. One dog, one cat.

I am 4.5 weeks post op from Posterior/Anterior Interbody Lumbar Fusion L4 to S1. I had cadaever bone instead of cages, and have 6 pedicle screws and 2 rods holding it all together.

22 years ago I was posteriorly fused with a harrington rod and bone graft from ilia from T5 to T12 for a 49 curve due to scoliosis. I still have a 19 degree curve in my lower back.

My current fusion is the result of several different problems. Hyperlordosis due to "flatback" from my previous surgery. slightly bulging disc and moderate stenosis at L4/5, and spondylolisthesis with L5 slipping.

I started having pain about 2 years ago, that got worse when I did my morning walks, did PT, no real relief. Had pain blocks, which were more diagnostic than anything else. I got relief for a week max. Due to all things combined, my doctor, who is the head of Spinal disorders/scoliosis at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles said he thought I would benefit from a fusion.
Having had great results from my first one, I decided to go ahead with this. It was going to be an eventuality because of the lordosis sooner or later. I thought sooner was better, because I'm only 44 and can recover easier and my HMO insurance would cover it, and I work for a really supportive company that's been behind me all the way.

Everyone's problems and situations are different. You need to make a decision that works for you.

I wish you good luck in your decision.
Take Care,
Julie

Stormy01 · 08-20-2004, 11:27 PM

I have a torn/herniated L4-L5 disc with left leg nerve root impingement. I've had a bad back for about 12 years, but it got real bad when I fell in a weird twisted way while clearing some land we bought. I was tugging on a grape vine when it gave way and I went butt over tea-kettle, so to speak. I also broke my scapula, practically knocked myself out and turned my back into a screaming mess.

After a few years of dealing with quacks trying to find out what was wrong with my back, I finally ended up with an excellent Ortho who wanted to find out just as much as I did. After doing every test in the book, I agreed to a discogram, and that told the tale.

Being afraid of the knife, (especially after the dicogram,) I decided to do the least intrusive thing possible for me. An IDET. (Introdiscal Electrothermal Therapy.) Unfortunately, three weeks after the prodedure, I fell on a twisted rug in the dark. (The cats play with them and I was too lazy to turn on the light.) I sound really clumsey don't I? hehe.

Anyway, I just had another MRI to see what damage the IDET has done as I heard that failed IDETs can have some not so nice effects on the disc. My disc is reherniating or in the first stages of collapsing, which is what happens to failed IDETs. Oh joy. The only thing left for me is surgery and my only option is to decide what kind.

I have applied to the Artificial disc implant clinical trials being done by Flexicore at Brighams and Woman's Hospital in Boston, and I have an appointment to go see them on November 1st. If I'm included, I will either have a Fusion or the Artificial disc. They are doing 2 ADR's to 1 Fusion as a control. Either way, I'll be having the surgery done by the best surgeons in the best hospital this side of the Mississippi. I can't pass that up, and since they've already pre-qualified me, I have high hopes of being invited into the trials. So even if I get a fusion, which I am prepared for, it will be done by the best in one of the best hospitals in the world.

If not, I'll have to find a doctor to do a fusion, as my insurance wont ever pay for an ADR. I am reading these boards and soaking up what seems to be the best fusion types and I love the sucess stories as well as the non-sucess stories. This is information I need to know in order to make an informed decision. Right now I'm leaning towards the caged fusion with bone harvested from me and my own blood. There is one surgeon about an hour away who does this. He'll be my second option after I see the people in Boston in November.

That's why I'm here. Plus I've become to enjoy all your insights and humor in the face of horrid pain. I too am dealing with the pain, and many a day goes by that I get a good laugh from someone on the board. I appreciate that more then I can say.

That reminds me... anyone know anything about a drug called Avinza? It's a one a day, timed release morphine pill. My Primary care just put me on it (They had to order it and I wont get it until Tuesday.) I take 60mg 2x a day of Oxycontin. It's not working anymore. Any suggestions would be fine by me. But this is what I think.... better to take drugs and have a semi-life, then none, and want to jump off a bridge. hehe.

/hugs to all

Stormygale

mel1977 · 08-20-2004, 11:35 PM

wow, you two have a lot on your plates!! I have loss of lordosis in my neck, but I don't think it is severe. My main concern is going to school and bending over papers when I study and so on. I need to be able to fully concentrate on that. But, I have to be as pain free as possible in my back too. I didn't mention, but I am only 26. I am very optimistic that I will have good results no matter what they do, I am not scared at all of surgery, I have had 5 (though only one back related) and have always healed well. Though I know surgery is a last and final option, it does not scare me if it is possible I will have one. We shall see.
Keep the stories comin', this is really neat

mel1977 · 08-22-2004, 06:28 AM

Am I doing something wrong? Every time I post a topic, I get like two responses and then nothing. Am I over doing the posting? Am I getting,oh, dear I say it, ANNOYING? I hope not, I am on here with the best intentions!! Well, whatever the case, wish me well on my visit to the doc on wed????