New and looking for info

[Guest guest]

Hi , Where is your father's spinal stenosis located and why are the doctors wanting to operate on your father? Usually the course of treatment runs like this. Start with non invasive treatments first, especially steroid injections to the spine to see if that relieves the pain, sometimes they add physical therapy to the picture as well. Of course this follows diagnostic testing using MRI imaging to confirm the diagnosis. I am a 55 year old woman and had surgery for spinal stenosis in MA. 6 months ago. I tried to spinal injections with no relief and opted for surgery soon after it was evident that they wouldn't help. I got at least 6 different opinions before the surgery and went back to the original doc I saw. I would strongly urge your father to get another opinion before opting for surgery and if at all possible, get that

opinion from a sports medicine orthopedic spine surgeon. They are the best to use for this, in my opinion, as they are the most up to date on new procedures and use minimal incisions in their surgery. Also stay away from a place in florida that advertises their special type of procedure. It's hard to help you with lots of info without knowing where and how extensive your fathers's stenosis is. Mine only involved the L4-L5 vertebrae and my doc used a procedure that he is teaching in New England now. He took part of one side of the vertebrae, used a 1 inch incision and one stitch to close it up. I went in to the hospital early in the morning in excrutiating pain and barely able to walk. Numb, tingling leg and was discharged about 6 pm that same evening. I walked out of the hospital with no pain, numbness and tingling in my right leg. I have

had no permenent nerve damage, even though it was thought that it might be. Once the nerves where released from compression, everything was fine. I would say I am 90% recovered from the surgery and the stenosis and functioning at about 90% of what I was before all this started. The doc says it takes about 12 months for full recovery after the surgery. From what I have been told, spinal fusion isn't usually done for stenosis unless there are a number of vertebrae involved or discs are a problem as well. For sure, get several more opinions before any decisions are made. When spinal surgery is at issue, you can never have too many opinions. E-mail me if you want to discuss further info on my surgery and let me know the severity of the stenosis, etc. Fran cricketsmom05

<g8r1972@...> wrote: Hi! My father (64 yrs old) is suffering from spinal stenois, and is looking to have surgery around the first of the year. I feel that surgery should be a last resort (I had spinal fusion years ago, so I don't want him to 'jump' into back surgery), but am trying to find information on treatment that is available, and doctors that are highly skilled in this. If treatment is really the way to go, then I want to know that, too. A little background: He has a slight limp because he

has nerve damage that the doctor here (in Florida) says is related to the stenosis. My father was very active before this. It has not been deblitating, but he is not as active as he would like to be as a result. He does have some back pain also. The doctors here are recommending surgery. Can some of you that have had the surgery let me know whether you would do it again, if you had to do it over again? I don't want him to get the surgery, and end up feeling worse than he does now (due to scar tissue or some other problem). If some of you opted not to have surgery, what treatment options did you find that worked? Are there specific doctors that are well known for treating stenosis? Thank you all in advance. __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I know the frustration ! I had the X Stop procedure in Oct this year. I am including an article that was in the Monday Sioux Falls, SD Argus newspaper about the procedure. http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006612180315I was gradually losing my quality of life, sitting more, in pain most of the time and reluctant to engage in many of the things that made life fun. After the procedure Oct. 12, I was pain free and able to walk out of the hospital. There was a two inch incision, and overnight in the hospital just to make sure I was ok. Much to my disappointment, the numbness in the left leg continued. My doctor. said "do physical therapy... be patient, the nerves can be the last to come back."I found a great massage therapist who is working with my physical therapist and slowly we are pinpointing the causes of the numbness. Water therapy has helped. While I hoped for a 100% miracle,

I am happy with the 70% improvement and the possibility of more as my gait is corrected and an "uptight" collection of muscles, tendons, nerves, slowly unwind after years of 'squishing.'Keep looking for answers. The technology is being improved all the time and there are solutions that will help. 60 is the new 40! Don't give up!Carolyn __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am also 64 and had SS diagnosed 2-1/2 years ago. I take Neurontin

and will switch to Lyrica, a new drug, which is seeming to have very

positive effects. I cannot have the steroid injections due to my

diabetes and cannot have general anesthesia due to congestive heart

failure.

I would be extremely cautious about the medical community in FL. My

husband, who was a physician-not clinical, but research, had a

coronary bypass in FL and ended up dead. Florida is full of " quacks "

and physicians willing to do anything for the almighty buck!

I don't know what part of FL you're in, but...

in the South there's the University of Miami

in the North there's Mayo Clinic and University of FL in Gainesville

We were in Central Florida and went to both Mayo and FU. My husband

had collegues at Miami U., but it was too far for us to travel

because he was too ill.

I also got caught with a gynecologist in Gainesville, attached to the

university, holding a Ph.D. and MD, who did a D & C on me without ANY

benefit of anesthesia, either local or general!

Whatever you do, please be extra careful. Blessings to you and your

dad...

Hugs,

Pat

>

> Hi! My father (64 yrs old) is suffering from spinal stenois, and is

> looking to have surgery around the first of the year. I feel that

> surgery should be a last resort (I had spinal fusion years ago, so

I

> don't want him to 'jump' into back surgery), but am trying to find

> information on treatment that is available, and doctors that are

> highly skilled in this. If treatment is really the way to go, then

I

> want to know that, too. A little background: He has a slight limp

> because he has nerve damage that the doctor here (in Florida) says

> is related to the stenosis. My father was very active before this.

> It has not been deblitating, but he is not as active as he would

> like to be as a result. He does have some back pain also. The

> doctors here are recommending surgery. Can some of you that have

had

> the surgery let me know whether you would do it again, if you had

to

> do it over again? I don't want him to get the surgery, and end up

> feeling worse than he does now (due to scar tissue or some other

> problem). If some of you opted not to have surgery, what treatment

> options did you find that worked? Are there specific doctors that

> are well known for treating stenosis?

> Thank you all in advance.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I live in Fort Myers, FL and have had good physicians for the

most part. I cannot stand the doc my husband goes to

and he knows it. You may wish to know that one of the

side effects of Lyrica is foot and ankle swelling.

Vivian

Pat wrote:

>

> Hi ,

>

> I am also 64 and had SS diagnosed 2-1/2 years ago. I take Neurontin

> and will switch to Lyrica, a new drug, which is seeming to have very

> positive effects. I cannot have the steroid injections due to my

> diabetes and cannot have general anesthesia due to congestive heart

> failure.

>

> I would be extremely cautious about the medical community in FL. My

> husband, who was a physician-not clinical, but research, had a

> coronary bypass in FL and ended up dead. Florida is full of " quacks "

> and physicians willing to do anything for the almighty buck!

>

> I don't know what part of FL you're in, but...

>

> in the South there's the University of Miami

> in the North there's Mayo Clinic and University of FL in Gainesville

>

> We were in Central Florida and went to both Mayo and FU. My husband

> had collegues at Miami U., but it was too far for us to travel

> because he was too ill.

>

> I also got caught with a gynecologist in Gainesville, attached to the

> university, holding a Ph.D. and MD, who did a D & C on me without ANY

> benefit of anesthesia, either local or general!

>

> Whatever you do, please be extra careful. Blessings to you and your

> dad...

>

> Hugs,

> Pat

>

>

> >

> > Hi! My father (64 yrs old) is suffering from spinal stenois, and is

> > looking to have surgery around the first of the year. I feel that

> > surgery should be a last resort (I had spinal fusion years ago, so

> I

> > don't want him to 'jump' into back surgery), but am trying to find

> > information on treatment that is available, and doctors that are

> > highly skilled in this. If treatment is really the way to go, then

> I

> > want to know that, too. A little background: He has a slight limp

> > because he has nerve damage that the doctor here (in Florida) says

> > is related to the stenosis. My father was very active before this.

> > It has not been deblitating, but he is not as active as he would

> > like to be as a result. He does have some back pain also. The

> > doctors here are recommending surgery. Can some of you that have

> had

> > the surgery let me know whether you would do it again, if you had

> to

> > do it over again? I don't want him to get the surgery, and end up

> > feeling worse than he does now (due to scar tissue or some other

> > problem). If some of you opted not to have surgery, what treatment

> > options did you find that worked? Are there specific doctors that

> > are well known for treating stenosis?

> > Thank you all in advance.

> >

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Vivian,

My daughter, who is a pharmacy tech, has been telling me about all the

positive remarks coming in about Lyrica. There have also been

positives for the drug here within this group.

This is the first I've heard about the side effects of foot and ankle

swelling. I wonder why? I'll have to look for the package insert

online to see what it says.

There's always something with these new drugs, isn't there? I remember

when I first took Vioxx for my arm that was so painful I was unable to

use it. After nerve conduction studies it was found I had some damage

to my neck (too much computer time) and the Vioxx was a miracle drug

for me; my arm went back to normal. 14 months later I had two heart

attacks! That's why I now wait to try new drugs; not willing to be a

guina pig anymore!

Hugs,

Pat

>

> I live in Fort Myers, FL and have had good physicians for the

> most part. I cannot stand the doc my husband goes to

> and he knows it. You may wish to know that one of the

> side effects of Lyrica is foot and ankle swelling.

> Vivian

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, again, Vivian,

Below is what Drugs.com has to say about Lyrica. I'll have to talk

to my doctor because I do take Avandia for the diabetes. I surely

don't want weight gain or swelling. Thanks for letting me know about

this side effect.

Hugs,

Pat

" Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including

prescription or non- prescription medicines, vitamins or herbal

supplements.

Lyrica and other medicines may affect each other. Especially tell

your doctor if you take:

· rosiglitazone (Avandia) or pioglitazone (Actos) for diabetes. You

may have a higher chance of weight gain or swelling if these

medicines are taken with Lyrica.

· any narcotic pain medicine (such as oxycodone), tranquilizers or

medicines for anxiety (such as lorazepam). You may have a higher

chance for dizziness and sleepiness if these medicines are taken with

Lyrica.

· any medicines that make you sleepy. "

> Hi Vivian,

>

> My daughter, who is a pharmacy tech, has been telling me about all

the

> positive remarks coming in about Lyrica. There have also been

> positives for the drug here within this group.

>

> This is the first I've heard about the side effects of foot and

ankle

> swelling. I wonder why? I'll have to look for the package insert

> online to see what it says.

>

> There's always something with these new drugs, isn't there? I

remember

> when I first took Vioxx for my arm that was so painful I was unable

to

> use it. After nerve conduction studies it was found I had some

damage

> to my neck (too much computer time) and the Vioxx was a miracle

drug

> for me; my arm went back to normal. 14 months later I had two

heart

> attacks! That's why I now wait to try new drugs; not willing to be

a

> guina pig anymore!

>

> Hugs,

> Pat

> >

> > I live in Fort Myers, FL and have had good physicians for the

> > most part. I cannot stand the doc my husband goes to

> > and he knows it. You may wish to know that one of the

> > side effects of Lyrica is foot and ankle swelling.

> > Vivian

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone I'm a newbie here. My 9 yr old son has been suddenly

having lots of problems with his ear. As a baby he had MANY

infections and evenutally had ear tubes placed and tonsills and

adenoids removed.

A few years later the tubes came out and one of his ear drums never

did heal completely closed. We were told it might need to be patched

up at some point.

Well about a month ago our son's eardrum ruptured. He had no pain,

it was very sudden. He could not hear out of the ear and it drained

profusevly (sp?)He's been extremely dizzy, high fevers and vomiting

as well. 2 weeks later it burst again, the symptoms are worse. He's

missed 2 weeks of school now.

Anyway, the Pediatrician thinks he has a Cholesteatoma. We see an

ENT on Monday.

A few questions...

How does the Doctor tell if you have an aquired Ctoma or a Congenital

one?

What can we expect at the ENT? Will he know just by looking in my

sons ear if he has this?

Can a Cholesteatoma be seen on MRI scans? I ask because my son has

another condition (Chiari Malformation) that requires MRI scans and

no one has ever mentioned anything about a Cholestatoma before.

If this is a Ctoma what can I expect??

Anyone in Oklahoma, are there doctors that we should avoid or those

that are recomended?

Thanks for any imput you can provide me!!

Thanks,

, mom to