Introduction

May 18, 2007

Hello,

My son is now 25 and was 5 years old when his cholesteatoma was discovered. He had three surgeries in New York and 3 here with Dr. Balkany when he was 18 and 19 years old. Dr. Balkany performed a typanomastoidectomy on him plus a modified canal wall down procedure. He still has a hole in his ear drum and he can't get his ear wet. He has about an 80% hearing loss in that ear. Reconstruction of the ear to bring back some of his lost hearing was tried a few times but didn't work. Now we see Dr. Balkany every 3-6 months for an in office cleaning. Because he has a perforation in the drum, Dr. Balkany can see if there are any new pearls of cholesteatoma or granuloma tissue growing. He has removed those growths in the office through the perforation. My son gets draining and discharge from the ear whenever he gets a cold or bad allergies. We use drops to prevent it from turning into a nasty infection. Occasionally my son will get dizzy, light headed and off balance and we know his ear is to blame. I highly recommend Dr. Balkany. He is a very skilled surgeon and his after care is superb. My son knows this is a life long condition he has to take care of.

Best of luck to you,

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

May 18, 2007

Hi ,

I called Dr Balconys office for an appt and they said Dr Teleshi is the one who now does cholesteatoma and he is great. Do you know of him? For anyone elso out there looking in their area, Dr Lee in Mass recommended Dr Boyev in Tampa, Dr Li in Jupiter or anyone at U of M in Miami.

Re: Introduction

Hello,My son is now 25 and was 5 years old when his cholesteatoma was discovered. He had three surgeries in New York and 3 here with Dr. Balkany when he was 18 and 19 years old. Dr. Balkany performed a typanomastoidectomy on him plus a modified canal wall down procedure. He still has a hole in his ear drum and he can't get his ear wet. He has about an 80% hearing loss in that ear. Reconstruction of the ear to bring back some of his lost hearing was tried a few times but didn't work. Now we see Dr. Balkany every 3-6 months for an in office cleaning. Because he has a perforation in the drum, Dr. Balkany can see if there are any new pearls of cholesteatoma or granuloma tissue growing. He has removed those growths in the office through the perforation. My son gets draining and discharge from the ear whenever he gets a cold or bad allergies. We use drops to prevent it from turning into a nasty infection. Occasionally my son will get dizzy, light headed and off balance and we know his ear is to blame. I highly recommend Dr. Balkany. He is a very skilled surgeon and his after care is superb. My son knows this is a life long condition he has to take care of. Best of luck to you,**************************************See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

May 18, 2007

,

Is there an ear plug he can use. My son was on a swim team and I can not imagine him not swimming again.

Re: Introduction

Hello,My son is now 25 and was 5 years old when his cholesteatoma was discovered. He had three surgeries in New York and 3 here with Dr. Balkany when he was 18 and 19 years old. Dr. Balkany performed a typanomastoidectomy on him plus a modified canal wall down procedure. He still has a hole in his ear drum and he can't get his ear wet. He has about an 80% hearing loss in that ear. Reconstruction of the ear to bring back some of his lost hearing was tried a few times but didn't work. Now we see Dr. Balkany every 3-6 months for an in office cleaning. Because he has a perforation in the drum, Dr. Balkany can see if there are any new pearls of cholesteatoma or granuloma tissue growing. He has removed those growths in the office through the perforation. My son gets draining and discharge from the ear whenever he gets a cold or bad allergies. We use drops to prevent it from turning into a nasty infection. Occasionally my son will get dizzy, light headed and off balance and we know his ear is to blame. I highly recommend Dr. Balkany. He is a very skilled surgeon and his after care is superb. My son knows this is a life long condition he has to take care of. Best of luck to you,**************************************See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

May 19, 2007

Hi ,

I see that dr's name on the cards in the office but I have never met him. Maybe Dr. Balkany is not taking on any new patients as he is probably nearing retirement soon. I wouldn't hesitate to see him since he is in the same group and is probably very knowledgeable about the condition. I will have to switch to him also if Balkany should leave one day.

My son had many ear molds made for him so he can go into the shower and the pool. The problem is that he also had an enlargement made in his ear canal opening(meatioplasty) so the doctor can go in through there to do the cleanings and the ear plugs never give a good enough seal. He has been using the vaseline and cotton balls for the last 20 years. He uses Mack's pillow soft earplugs made of silicone putty if he goes into the pool but he doesn't go under the water at all. Dr. Balkany said the next step for my son would be to have a total obliteration of the ear and close the opening with fat from a site on his body. The problem with that is we wouldn't be able to see if there is anything growing behind the closure and he would need to have frequent ct scans.

We keep on chugging!!

See what's free at AOL.com.

May 21, 2007

You should be able to get a custom fitted ear plug for swimming. I

have had cholesteatoma for ears, but I was on the swim team growing

up. Any ENT doctor should be able to get you set up with a mold.

>

> ,

> Is there an ear plug he can use. My son was on a swim team and I

can not imagine him not swimming again.

>

> Re: Introduction

>

> Hello,

> My son is now 25 and was 5 years old when his cholesteatoma was

discovered. He had three surgeries in New York and 3 here with Dr.

Balkany when he was 18 and 19 years old. Dr. Balkany performed a

typanomastoidectomy on him plus a modified canal wall down

procedure. He still has a hole in his ear drum and he can't get his

ear wet. He has about an 80% hearing loss in that ear.

Reconstruction of the ear to bring back some of his lost hearing was

tried a few times but didn't work. Now we see Dr. Balkany every 3-6

months for an in office cleaning. Because he has a perforation in

the drum, Dr. Balkany can see if there are any new pearls of

cholesteatoma or granuloma tissue growing. He has removed those

growths in the office through the perforation. My son gets draining

and discharge from the ear whenever he gets a cold or bad allergies.

We use drops to prevent it from turning into a nasty infection.

Occasionally my son will get dizzy, light headed and off balance

and we know his ear is to blame. I highly recommend Dr. Balkany. He

is a very skilled surgeon and his after care is superb. My son knows

this is a life long condition he has to take care of.

> Best of luck to you,

>

> **************************************

> See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

>

May 21, 2007

Hi ,

It's my son who has the ear problems with cholesteatoma. He doesn't get his ear wet since he had his surgery. We tried custom made plugs, over the counter plugs made of silicone putty and everything else in between. Water manages to get inside his ear which always sets the stage for an infection. Luckily a cottonball and vaseline does the trick in the shower and that has been his method for taking a shower for the last 20 years. He can go into the pool but he doesn't go under water. He has a bad problem with ear pressure so it is very uncomfortable for him.

Take Care,

See what's free at AOL.com.

May 21, 2007

,

You swam on a team after sx?

That would be great.

Re: Introduction> > > Hello,> My son is now 25 and was 5 years old when his cholesteatoma was discovered. He had three surgeries in New York and 3 here with Dr. Balkany when he was 18 and 19 years old. Dr. Balkany performed a typanomastoidectomy on him plus a modified canal wall down procedure. He still has a hole in his ear drum and he can't get his ear wet. He has about an 80% hearing loss in that ear. Reconstruction of the ear to bring back some of his lost hearing was tried a few times but didn't work. Now we see Dr. Balkany every 3-6 months for an in office cleaning. Because he has a perforation in the drum, Dr. Balkany can see if there are any new pearls of cholesteatoma or granuloma tissue growing. He has removed those growths in the office through the perforation. My son gets draining and discharge from the ear whenever he gets a cold or bad allergies. We use drops to prevent it from turning into a nasty infection. Occasionally my son will get dizzy, light headed and off balance and we know his ear is to blame. I highly recommend Dr. Balkany. He is a very skilled surgeon and his after care is superb. My son knows this is a life long condition he has to take care of. > Best of luck to you,> > > > **************************************> See what's free at http://www.aol.com.>

May 22, 2007

Thanks ,

I hope we can figure out a way for him to swim. One step at a time I guess.

Re: Re: Introduction

Hi ,

It's my son who has the ear problems with cholesteatoma. He doesn't get his ear wet since he had his surgery. We tried custom made plugs, over the counter plugs made of silicone putty and everything else in between. Water manages to get inside his ear which always sets the stage for an infection. Luckily a cottonball and vaseline does the trick in the shower and that has been his method for taking a shower for the last 20 years. He can go into the pool but he doesn't go under water. He has a bad problem with ear pressure so it is very uncomfortable for him.

Take Care,

See what's free at AOL.com.

May 22, 2007

Im sorry, I thought you said you swam!

Re: Introduction> > > Hello,> My son is now 25 and was 5 years old when his cholesteatoma was discovered. He had three surgeries in New York and 3 here with Dr. Balkany when he was 18 and 19 years old. Dr. Balkany performed a typanomastoidectomy on him plus a modified canal wall down procedure. He still has a hole in his ear drum and he can't get his ear wet. He has about an 80% hearing loss in that ear. Reconstruction of the ear to bring back some of his lost hearing was tried a few times but didn't work. Now we see Dr. Balkany every 3-6 months for an in office cleaning. Because he has a perforation in the drum, Dr. Balkany can see if there are any new pearls of cholesteatoma or granuloma tissue growing. He has removed those growths in the office through the perforation. My son gets draining and discharge from the ear whenever he gets a cold or bad allergies. We use drops to prevent it from turning into a nasty infection. Occasionally my son will get dizzy, light headed and off balance and we know his ear is to blame. I highly recommend Dr. Balkany. He is a very skilled surgeon and his after care is superb. My son knows this is a life long condition he has to take care of. > Best of luck to you,> > > > **************************************> See what's free at http://www.aol.com.>

May 22, 2007

Two years ago I had surgery to remove C-Toma from my left ear. Within the fist two years after surgery, everything was perfect. Recently (past 8 months) my ear has been draining what my ENT specialist refers to "Junk". I have had to go in for cleaning about once a month. I know that another surgery is probably needed. I read a post in this cholesteatoma group, that an Otologist would be the most qualified person that could help me. I live in South Texas and would like for someone to offer information about a qualified and experienced Otologist, who practices anywhere in the state of Texas. Information about a surgeon who has performed the most C-Toma surgeries with success,

would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Introduction> > > Hello,> My son is now 25 and was 5 years old when his cholesteatoma was discovered. He had three surgeries in New York and 3 here with Dr. Balkany

when he was 18 and 19 years old. Dr. Balkany performed a typanomastoidectomy on him plus a modified canal wall down procedure. He still has a hole in his ear drum and he can't get his ear wet. He has about an 80% hearing loss in that ear. Reconstruction of the ear to bring back some of his lost hearing was tried a few times but didn't work. Now we see Dr. Balkany every 3-6 months for an in office cleaning. Because he has a perforation in the drum, Dr. Balkany can see if there are any new pearls of cholesteatoma or granuloma tissue growing. He has removed those growths in the office through the perforation. My son gets draining and discharge from the ear whenever he gets a cold or bad allergies. We use drops to prevent it from turning into a nasty infection. Occasionally my son will get dizzy, light headed and off balance and we know his ear is to blame. I highly recommend Dr. Balkany. He is a very skilled surgeon and

his after care is superb. My son knows this is a life long condition he has to take care of. > Best of luck to you,> > > > ************ ********* ********* ********> See what's free at http://www.aol. com.>

Need Mail bonding?Go to the Q&A for great tips from Answers users.

June 5, 2007

, what technique are you considering? THR or a

hybrid approach or even resurfacing? At your age--you

have options to consider! Deborah

--- sneagle2 <bosoxfan1@...> wrote:

> Hi:

> My name is . I am 43 years old and need a hip

> replacement. I

> have had degenerative joint disease for about 4

> years that has been

> progressive. I had to give up basketball, which I

> loved, and now have

> pain all the time. I just had another MRI and my

> surgeon has gone from

> saying I am too young to have a replacement to

> telling me to pick the

> date.

> I was sort of excited to have it done and not have

> pain and been able

> to be more active again, but now that it is an

> option, I am anxious

> about the recovery period. I'm not too worried

> about the surgery

> itself, I know I can handle that, but I am a single

> mother to a toddler

> and am wondering how soon I will be able to care for

> him post

> operatively and how soon I will be able to go back

> to work.

> I should add that I am a doctor (a pediatrician) so

> the medical part

> does not scare me.

>

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June 6, 2007

, if you are an MD you know enough to do some simple research.

Head over to ActiveJoints.com and compare surgery techniques and the

implants available to you. At your age a Birmingham or Conserve Plus

resurfacing should be your first choice if you are a candidate.

Conserving good bone for possible later revisions should make

perfect sense to you and any surgeon who would not give you that

option is doing you a great diservice.

Deb

>

> Hi:

> My name is . I am 43 years old and need a hip replacement.

I

> have had degenerative joint disease for about 4 years that has

been

> progressive. I had to give up basketball, which I loved, and now

have

> pain all the time. I just had another MRI and my surgeon has gone

from

> saying I am too young to have a replacement to telling me to pick

the

> date.

> I was sort of excited to have it done and not have pain and been

able

> to be more active again, but now that it is an option, I am

anxious

> about the recovery period. I'm not too worried about the surgery

> itself, I know I can handle that, but I am a single mother to a

toddler

> and am wondering how soon I will be able to care for him post

> operatively and how soon I will be able to go back to work.

> I should add that I am a doctor (a pediatrician) so the medical

part

> does not scare me.

>

June 6, 2007

It is so good to have you on the list .

Sometimes you will probably laugh at some of the things we say, but I hope

you will find the group of benefit to you.

Your knowledge will be both a blessing and a curse. I guess it is the same

with most things.

I'm about to become a grannie in a couple of weeks and the difference with

the youngies and their knowledge and the knowledge that I had are so far

apart. But I am not sure it is any easier for them. I have learnt so much

with this pregnancy! *smile*

Enjoy the group.

Aussie Margaret

RTHR 1990 revised 2004

introduction

| Hi:

| My name is . I am 43 years old and need a hip replacement. I

| have had degenerative joint disease for about 4 years that has been

| progressive. I had to give up basketball, which I loved, and now have

| pain all the time. I just had another MRI and my surgeon has gone from

| saying I am too young to have a replacement to telling me to pick the

| date.

| I was sort of excited to have it done and not have pain and been able

| to be more active again, but now that it is an option, I am anxious

| about the recovery period. I'm not too worried about the surgery

| itself, I know I can handle that, but I am a single mother to a toddler

| and am wondering how soon I will be able to care for him post

| operatively and how soon I will be able to go back to work.

| I should add that I am a doctor (a pediatrician) so the medical part

| does not scare me.

|

June 6, 2007

Opps, I forgot to answer your question.

You know there are a lot of variables.

The main thing is the approach the surgeon makes.

Both times I have had a posterior approach. To be quite honest I would have

really struggled for the first 3 weeks to a month with a toddler. It's the

bending, the restrictions, the exhaustion, the head space etc.

With my primary hip I was amazed how good I was and was back into action by

9 weeks (I was non weightbearing for 6 weeks). I even went bushwalking at 9

weeks.

You need to get your surgeon to be quite honest about how long they think.

And it would be wise to listen. My surgeon said I would be off work 6

months for the revision. I thought 3 months, judging from my primary, and

ended up going back at 4.5 months because I was pressuring so much. Looking

back I should have taken 6 months for my revision.

Hope this helps

Aussie Margaret

RTHR 1990 revised 2004

introduction

| Hi:

| My name is . I am 43 years old and need a hip replacement. I

| have had degenerative joint disease for about 4 years that has been

| progressive. I had to give up basketball, which I loved, and now have

| pain all the time. I just had another MRI and my surgeon has gone from

| saying I am too young to have a replacement to telling me to pick the

| date.

| I was sort of excited to have it done and not have pain and been able

| to be more active again, but now that it is an option, I am anxious

| about the recovery period. I'm not too worried about the surgery

| itself, I know I can handle that, but I am a single mother to a toddler

| and am wondering how soon I will be able to care for him post

| operatively and how soon I will be able to go back to work.

| I should add that I am a doctor (a pediatrician) so the medical part

| does not scare me.

|

June 6, 2007

,

I don’t any experience with toddlers but I know

enough to tell you that it may be a month before you can do ALMOST everything

for the two of you. Everyone heals at a different pace so it could be two weeks

or it could be as long as six weeks +. Picking things up from his level is

going to be a challenge so stock up on the reach extenders (grabby things). One

thing I have as a concern is you bending over to pick up the child to change

them. You REALLY need to talk to you Dr. about this. The bending plus the added

weight of the child and the twisting to put them up on a table are three motions

that will have restrictions after surgery.

June 6, 2007

Thanks for everyone's thoughts. I am very worried about this now. I

wish I could have had it done before my son, now it is so much more

complicated. I am making an appointment to talk to my orthopedist, I

don't know what method he is going to recommend, etc. I just spoke

to him yesterday briefly. I'm sure it will be worth it to get rid of

the pain, but it is not an easy journey.

>

> ,

>

> I don't any experience with toddlers but I know enough to tell you

that it

> may be a month before you can do ALMOST everything for the two of

you.

> Everyone heals at a different pace so it could be two weeks or it

could be

> as long as six weeks +. Picking things up from his level is going

to be a

> challenge so stock up on the reach extenders (grabby things). One

thing I

> have as a concern is you bending over to pick up the child to

change them.

> You REALLY need to talk to you Dr. about this. The bending plus the

added

> weight of the child and the twisting to put them up on a table are

three

> motions that will have restrictions after surgery.

>

June 7, 2007

If you can afford it consider hiring a nanny or even better a family

member to stay with you for while. You will not be able to care for

your child for at least 2 weeks, maybe longer.

my best regards

tammy

> >

> > ,

> >

> > I don't any experience with toddlers but I know enough to tell

you

> that it

> > may be a month before you can do ALMOST everything for the two

of

> you.

> > Everyone heals at a different pace so it could be two weeks or

it

> could be

> > as long as six weeks +. Picking things up from his level is

going

> to be a

> > challenge so stock up on the reach extenders (grabby things).

One

> thing I

> > have as a concern is you bending over to pick up the child to

> change them.

> > You REALLY need to talk to you Dr. about this. The bending plus

the

> added

> > weight of the child and the twisting to put them up on a table

are

> three

> > motions that will have restrictions after surgery.

> >

>

July 10, 2007

Hi, Daphne,

Welcome to the group! Thanks for all the info sites! Thanks for the site

antennasearch.com, in particular! Wow, I was so surprised to see how many

towers and antenna are around and how they are arranged! I react to cell and

microwave towers, so I knew there were alot, but it was interesting to note how

they located them (mainly near 2 major highways, tho they are in rural areas

along rural roads). This site is helpful because I can actually plot routes to

places I go regularly which bypass the worst areas now. I tried to do that in

my head in the past, but sometimes I forgot a particularly bad section of road

and couldn't think of a way around it once there.

I was also curious how my area compares to others on the ES forum who tried

out the site? Anyone care to share? Within 8 mi of my home there are 45 tower

structures, 1 new tower application, and 299 antenna. I am in a bend of a river

valley, so do not react in my home, but react almost everywhere I go in my car.

Some areas I cannot drive myself because I become so incapacitated--confusion

and inability to breathe, mostly. Interestingly, the one area that I cannot

drive has over 50 towers, just in that one town (not within 8 miles of me, tho).

Thanks again, Daphne,

Diane

Daphne Harrington <daphneharrington@...> wrote:

Hello everyone,

I'm from Austin TX and have become highly sensitive

over the the last 18 months. I have done a ton of

research in the area of shielding and have been

fortunate to come across Jim Beal from EMF Interface

who happens to be an expert on the subject.

My condition has become so severe I have even decided

to become a bio biologist consultant to help others in

this same area. I hope to begin my classes soon.

As for some of the posts I have read thus far

www.HearbalHealer.com offers an entire regime of

supplements and a detox program specifically for

radiation. They offer hair analysis as one of their

services. Using a sauna and taking salt baths also

helps detox the body.

In my situation I have discovered the a lot of the

pollution in my home to be caused by electrical wiring

errors in addition to all the electronics we have in

our home. Unfortunately a XO Communications is right

across the highway and lucky me I'm in a flight zone.

If my house wasn't right in the middle of being

remodeled it would be on the market.

Go to www.antennasearch.com and you can find exactly

how many towers/antennas are in an 8 mile radius of

your house. I was amazed at what I saw.

A couple things that I have found helpful if you use

the computer a lot:

Get rid of your wireless mouse and keyboard

If your CPU is under your desk close to your leg move

it to the outside and as far away from your legs as

possible.

Same goes for any surge protectors or ups backups.

If anyone is interested I can send the group more

information on shielding tips for your home or visit

www.emfinterface.com or www.createhealthyhomes.com

My thoughts are with you all. Have a Happy 4th of

July.

Sincerely,

Daphne Harrington

" Never doubt that a group of thoughtful committed

citizens can change the world; indeed they are the

only thing that has "

-Margaret Mead

__________________________________________________________

Shape in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today!

http://surveylink./gmrs/_panel_invite.asp?a=7

---------------------------------

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Answers - Check it out.

July 12, 2007

Hi Evie,

I too was surprised to what exactly was in my " air

space " so to speak. As I begin my training, I will be

able to bring the groupm ore information on how to use

the results. In the meantime you can go to

http://www.buildingbiology.net/findexpert.html

to find a building biologist in your arean.

I personally have 134 towers and 902 antennas in a 5

mile radius.

Best regards,

Daphne

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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that gives answers, not web links.

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August 15, 2007

why are the courses you took unacceptable? were the

grades too low? i can see taking MORE classes to get

the pre-reqs for pharmacy but not re-taking the same

ones! As for being a tech first that will only HELP

you being accepted into pharmacy school.

--- rahimab_98 <rahimab_98@...> wrote:

Hello All,

My name is Rene and I am pleased to have joined your

group.

I am currently retaking all science and math courses

i took in my first undergrad degree ( started as

prepharmacy but ended with marketing degree)

I am retaking these courses with the hopes of

applying and being accepted in Pharmacy school.

I really would like to work in the meantime as a

Pharmacy Tech. Please

> tell me what steps to take and any.... advice.

>

> Greatly appreciated,

>

> Rene

>

" If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be. "

- Yogi Berra

ONLY AFTER YOU'VE LOST EVERYTHING ARE YOU FREE TO DO ANYTHING

if you have the time to click on an e-mail link like this one:

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August 16, 2007

Hey Rene,

Exactly which undergrad math & science classes do you plan to spend

your time, effort, classroom space, etc. to 're-take'?

It would be quite an 'academic experience' for us to know what types

of math & science classes that you have taken and then how you have

decided to approach these 'same' classes now.

I HONESTLY hope that you 'do well' and if you ever need 'help'

with 'hard' classes then have Jeanetta direct you to me.

Respectfully From Tropical Storm Central,

Christian B. Oliver

>

> Hello All,

>

> My name is Rene and I am pleased to have joined your group.

>

> I am currently retaking all science and math courses i took in my

> first undergrad degree ( started as prepharmacy but ended with

> marketing degree)

>

> I am retaking these courses with the hopes of applying and being

> accepted in Pharmacy school.

>

> I really would like to work in the meantime as a Pharmacy Tech.

Please

> tell me what steps to take and any.... advice.

>

> Greatly appreciated,

>

> Rene

>

August 16, 2007

Hello and thanks,

I actually contacted a few prospective schools and inquired about which prereq

were required.

I was told that any of the classess that I had already taken -- if were older

than 5 for some schools and 10 years for others--- needed to be retaken.

EX--- Biology I and II with labs, Gen CHem and Org with labs...etc

I just completed BIO I this summer. I made a B ( i was disappointed

" Christian B. Oliver " <christianboliver@...> wrote:

Hey Rene,

Exactly which undergrad math & science classes do you plan to spend

your time, effort, classroom space, etc. to 're-take'?

It would be quite an 'academic experience' for us to know what types

of math & science classes that you have taken and then how you have

decided to approach these 'same' classes now.

I HONESTLY hope that you 'do well' and if you ever need 'help'

with 'hard' classes then have Jeanetta direct you to me.

Respectfully From Tropical Storm Central,

Christian B. Oliver

>

> Hello All,

>

> My name is Rene and I am pleased to have joined your group.

>

> I am currently retaking all science and math courses i took in my

> first undergrad degree ( started as prepharmacy but ended with

> marketing degree)

>

> I am retaking these courses with the hopes of applying and being

> accepted in Pharmacy school.

>

> I really would like to work in the meantime as a Pharmacy Tech.

Please

> tell me what steps to take and any.... advice.

>

> Greatly appreciated,

>

> Rene

>

January 15, 2008

Hi Deb,Are you from Minnesota? What area? I live in North Dakota. Welcome to the board. Ask all the questions you can think of and we will all answer as much as we can. Best of luck with your surgery, it will be here in no time!! Cyrena DOB: 1/19/07240/143/150Start/now/goalwww.cyrenaweeks.blogspot.com

May 21, 2008

Hi ,

Welcome to the group! I'm sorry you are dealing with chronic pain; I

know all too well how miserable it is! I too have had many, many

injections with no relief.After 2 years of failed injections, failed

surgery and other failed pain management procedures, my pain dr. has

come to the conclusion that all of my back, leg and neck pain is due

to fibromyalgia, which I do have, but I know there are a lot of disc

issues in my back & neck too. Have you had SI Joint injections to see

if they are the cause of your pain? That one might be worth finding

out. Espcially if the Dr recommends a lumbar fusion; a fusion will

make the SI Joints a lot more painful and is not recommened for

people that have SI Joint Dysfunction ( I have that also). Good luck

with the discogram! Glad I haven't had to do that, yet! Take care and

keep us posted!

HUgs,

>

> Hello

> I am a new member-44 year old woman.

> I have been looking for a support group as a way to help with what

has become daily chronic pain.

> I have been dealing with low back/ radiculopathy since a severe

back spasm summer 2003.

>

> So far no surgery, but that is only due to conservative therapists,

physical medicine doctors, a conservative Osteopath and

Neurosurgeon. Let me also say that I have had Physical Therapy for

about 2 years.

>

> However this past year I have had 4 epidurals in L5 and the last

one last week- no help. The sciatic type pain is pretty much every

day, worse in the am and difficult to cope with. Now the Physical

Medicine Doctors want me to have a discogram to confirm if it is

indeed a disc causing all the pain.

>

> Unfortunatley there has always been some discrepancy of which is

causing the pain- SI joint, or L5.

>

> So now Im facing the Discogram- yet another painful procedure to

which end Im just not sure where it will lead.

>

> They Physical Medicine Doctor wants to try Prolotherapy in the

Discs, but that still leaves me with daily nerve pain.

>

> It is just kind of a long drawn out, round and round scenario.....

what to try next. I have been curious about the radiofrequency

treatments. But who knows- I guess depending on the outcome of the

discogram they may want to do surgery.

> I welcome any feedback. thanks.

>

> ---

> --- wendy.tom@...

> --- EarthLink: The #1 provider of the Real Internet.

>

May 22, 2008

Hi

I actually had the SI joint injection done last summer and it was excrutiating

and no pain relief.

My new PT thinks that its actually the muscles contracting and guarding around

the bad disc which is creating a pulling on the sacrum which causes it to seem

like its rotating.

To me that does make sense. (I have had about 5 Physical Therapists, everyone

has their opininion.)

In April I let the Physical Medicine Docs do the Prolotherapy on my Sacrum as

they said it was weak and that was why it was rotating.

Well it only has made it worse, and made the nerve pain worse...

So thats why they want to do the Discogram now.

I will look in the the Lyrica- I have been wanting to avoid meds (other than

pain meds) because from my experience it seems that once you get on something

its really hard to come off. For instance they put me on Cymbalta in the fall

of 07 - they said it would help the nerve pain. Well it turned me into a

zombie- very numb affect- so yes it sort of helped but it also caused me to gain

weight, created sexual dysfunction, dries you out and causes occasionaly bad

headaches.

It took me about 2 months to get off of that.

One Doctor suggested Neurontin- but I read online that alot of people were not

happy with the side effects.

So I guess its trial and error.

Thank you for your suggestions and feedback.

Re: introduction