Hi Everyone,Update after MRI for post surgery pain on KOC66

[koc66]

Again Thanks to all of you here for your input and support. Yesterday was a grueling day. I went to ER early am after my right leg went numb all the way up (post op 4 mo discectomy I thought), they gave me 2 Iv inj of Demerol, Zofran, Ativan and Vistaril and told me they called my surgeon and he wanted to see me right away. Well off I went, I had a appt to get MRI results on Thursday, now I have another MRI for Thursday because they did not use dye, they did not feel I needed it with my allergy risk, the surgeon really don't either, but he's doing it to erase a 1% doubt he has in the inital findings.

Turns out I had a Hemilaminectomy L5-S1 (whats the difference he did not tell me or I did not hear cause I was to upset) I have extreme amounts of scar tissue surrounding the nerve which he says he cannot remove (too high risk for further nerve damage) also a tear without protrusion at L4/L5 and Buldge at L3/L/4 and severe degenerative disc disease in L1/L2/L3/L4/L5/s1/s2 on top of it, he said at this pont I will most likely be in pain and on pain control for the rest of my life. That I will never be pain free. He said surgery is so risky at this point. He is trying to get a pain doc until then my GP is doing pain control Lortab and I see him to be put on a Anti-Depressant. I sure need it now!!!

Whats the difference between a Dicectomy and a hemilaminectomy? And any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks to all here, You are a great support source! K

[123dietdrpepper]

Don't give up and I highly recommend getting another opinion straight up. Don't take one docs word for it. Good luck and I am lifting you up in prayer.

[jinks67]

Sorry to hear of your pain.

As far as I know a discectomy is when they cut away part of the disc (which might be hernaited, bulging etc...) To reach the disc they can try and move everything to one side, do it with a microscope, or can remove the lamina. So, a hemilaminectomy (removing half or one side of the lamina) may well have been performed in order to get to the disc. I think I effectively had the same...but in my case to open up and clean out the foramina, as well as fix a small disc herniaton. So, I don't know for sure whether I've had a foramenotomy, laminectomy, discectomy or all three... but I know he fixed the disc and removed the bone covering the nerve canal..?

Hope you manage to get some relief soon, in whatever form. i'm interested as I'm still in exactly the same pain as I was pre-op (7 weeks ago)...did you have any relief from the op and if so, for how long? (i.e. is the pain mainly scar tissue or from the other pre-existing problems.

Keep seeking and pushing for solutions.

All the best
Jinks

[Moldova]

O boy, i don't like to hear stories like this, so sorry you have to go through this, really...
I hope you will recover and they will be able to help you.
Diet is right: you go for second opinion in any event. It always gives you a piece of mined and you want to make sure that you got the best advice.

Best wishes

[koc66]

Originally Posted by jinks67

Sorry to hear of your pain.

As far as I know a discectomy is when they cut away part of the disc (which might be hernaited, bulging etc...) To reach the disc they can try and move everything to one side, do it with a microscope, or can remove the lamina. So, a hemilaminectomy (removing half or one side of the lamina) may well have been performed in order to get to the disc. I think I effectively had the same...but in my case to open up and clean out the foramina, as well as fix a small disc herniaton. So, I don't know for sure whether I've had a foramenotomy, laminectomy, discectomy or all three... but I know he fixed the disc and removed the bone covering the nerve canal..?

Hope you manage to get some relief soon, in whatever form. i'm interested as I'm still in exactly the same pain as I was pre-op (7 weeks ago)...did you have any relief from the op and if so, for how long? (i.e. is the pain mainly scar tissue or from the other pre-existing problems.

Keep seeking and pushing for solutions.

All the best
Jinks

Jinks,
I am sorry to say although I have a big relief from the excruiating sciatica I had pre surgery from Aug 06 to 1/07 when they did the surgery I have never been pain free and the newest development is painful numbness. I go dead from my right foot up to my groin area and I have painful tingleing in my right food, now my pain is a ache a constant teeth gritting ache. Lortab takes the edge off but never really relieves it completely. I am waiting to get in with A PAIN Doc as soon as possible, most likely 3 months down the road I hope and pray my GP continues to provide my pain care until or I am up the creek as suegeons do not provide any pain relief in this state. Its better after surgery and it can take up to a year, but mine is always here in some form and will be for life according to my surgeon. But for most wherever you are at ! year is where you kinda stay..
Hope you feel better and your pain subsides K