Guest guest Posted September 28, 2001 Report Share Posted September 28, 2001 Hello Dale, Be sure to tell/ask your surgeon 2 weeks before the surgery what you are injesting. Vitamin E is out as it thins blood (and in surgery will promote bleeding) as is Gingko for same reason. St 's wort also out. No aspirin or ibuprofen as those are also blood thinners. It is dicey business as the facts are still out on many supplements. Perhaps best to build up beforehand, then drop most questionable supplements and herbs for two weeks before surgery, and resume after healing begins. The big trouble occurs because patients don't tell their health care practitioners/dr.s what they take, only to have it discovered on the table. best wishes and good luck for a successful surgery! MM _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 28, 2001 Report Share Posted September 28, 2001 Dear Dr. H. Dr. Mork is a world class orthopedic specialist in micro and laser surgery. He is on staff at the Bonati Institute in Florida. There is a web site at www.bonati.com or call 1.866.298-7513 sincerely Skip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 28, 2001 Report Share Posted September 28, 2001 MM, Thanks and I've already talked to him and your advice is sound. He didn't know much about hgh or T. I also concerned about the effects of the anesthesia and how to keep my brain (what little there is--according to my 14 year old daughter) left. Dale Mambo Mambo wrote: > Hello Dale, > Be sure to tell/ask your surgeon 2 weeks before the surgery what you are > injesting. Vitamin E is out as it thins blood (and in surgery will promote > bleeding) as is Gingko for same reason. St 's wort also out. No aspirin > or ibuprofen as those are also blood thinners. > It is dicey business as the facts are still out on many supplements. Perhaps > best to build up beforehand, then drop most questionable supplements and > herbs for two weeks before surgery, and resume after healing begins. The big > trouble occurs because patients don't tell their health care > practitioners/dr.s what they take, only to have it discovered on the table. > best wishes and good luck for a successful surgery! > MM > > _________________________________________________________________ > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2003 Report Share Posted January 19, 2003 hey.....I had a tube down my throat (intubated) while i was awake. it wasnt so bad! - " You think you know - but you have no idea " Visit my website: <A HREF= " www.jessicaonline.tk " >www.jessicaonline.tk</A> Don't forget to sign the guestbook!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2003 Report Share Posted January 20, 2003 The tube really shouldn't be that big of a deal. How are they planning to do her fusion? Posterior only, or both anterior and posterior. I think they are avoiding the anterior whenever possible now, because it's so invasive. Jordan (SMA type II, 13 yrs) had posterior only done almost 2 years ago now. Jay Back Surgery My almost ten year old daughter (SMA II) will be facing surgery for scoliosis in the near future. The conversation came up recently at a doctor's appointment, and she's been very anxious about it ever since. We are still unsure when she will be having the surgery, but we have an appointment with the orthopedic at the end of February. Her biggest fear now is having a tube down her throat. She just found out that that is one of things involved with the surgery. She would really like to talk to someone who has had the surgery. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their experience with us. She is very nervous and scared. Thanks for any help or comfort you can provide. Kathy (Mom to Jessie) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2003 Report Share Posted January 20, 2003 hello... my name is allie and i am 21... i have sma 2 and i had the surgery when i was 12... and it helped me a lot.. but let me remind ya of somethings.. i lost a lot of arm movement when it happened b/c i didnt stay active.. please do physical therapy on her right after the surgery... to make sure she doesnt loose the stregth she has now.. i can no longer lift my arms above my head or off my arm rests b.c i was " lazy " during recovery.... it might also helo for her to have a back brace the 1st couple months after surgery... i also sleot wrong when i was healing so my spine healed weird.. lol if that makes any since... a back brace an therapy is all i suggest... but DEFINETLY helped me as i grew up... i didnt have problems breathing any more... and still to this day dont *smiles* i just wish i would have done something to prevent the weakness afterward.... just work with her... and i was young when i had mine and don't remember any of the pain... they put the tube down ur throat when ur asleep... and they take it out b4 u wake fully up.. i never woke up with it in my mouth... if i did i was so out of it i dont remember.. but hunnie... there are no worries! so doing it young on her helps memory... lol... i wish you luck.. and her too... be a trooper... life is grand! > My almost ten year old daughter (SMA II) will be facing surgery for scoliosis > in the near future. The conversation came up recently at a doctor's > appointment, and she's been very anxious about it ever since. We are still > unsure when she will be having the surgery, but we have an appointment with > the orthopedic at the end of February. Her biggest fear now is having a tube > down her throat. She just found out that that is one of things involved with > the surgery. She would really like to talk to someone who has had the > surgery. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their > experience with us. She is very nervous and scared. Thanks for any help or > comfort you can provide. > Kathy (Mom to Jessie) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2003 Report Share Posted June 22, 2003 Hi, I am having back surgery June 30 because of a pinched nerve that has caused a lot of lelt leg pain and I was wondering if maybe I could get the spinal fluid tested for Lyme or some other things that I have seen listed here. Am I way off in thinking something like this, am sure the surgeon will only be interested in one thing.? Any Comments? H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2003 Report Share Posted August 8, 2003 Beck-- I had gall bladder surgery(probably due to the IV Rocephin). I really cannot say I had any particular problems due to lyme. The hospital even followed my IV abx protocol from my llmd! Good luck! Rhonna Beck Spelce wrote: > I have some back surgery that needs to be done, and now that I am doing > so much better am seeing surgeon. Has anyone had major surgery while > with Lyme? Any complications that you thought were peculiar to Lyme? > Thanks. > > Beck > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2003 Report Share Posted August 8, 2003 I had post surgical infection, and wounds would not heal for a long time. Last surgery, I was better because MD kept me on abx till completely healed all the way! Do you have an LLMD. I'd definitely consider his opinion on the subject though... everybody is different. My experience has been that after surgery I'm much more weak also. Best wishes with your surgery. Let us know how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2003 Report Share Posted August 9, 2003 In an attempt to give a better understanding of my feelings about it, I'm gonna share the personal facts about my surgical experiences. I hope this won't bore you too much!! LOL For my ankle in 1997, 1st surgery to connect torn ligament. Five wks later, right after stopping post-surgical abx, had post-surgical infection of unknown origin. Had to reopen surgery and clean out infection. I spent 11 wks. on IV abx (Vancomycin) and 10 mos. in a wheel chair. When they pulled my IV pick line, without putting me on orals. My whole head, from the neck up became infected and I spent another week in the hospital. My ear drums nearly burst, eyes infected,sinus cavities, severe pain over my entire body and the worst migraine I ever had!!! Continued another oral abx for 3 mos. PT afterward for 3 mos. Found out my skin is super-sensitive and was not healing due to the adhesive of tape. They wanted me back at work so they kept trying putting me in therapy and my pain would escalate and I'd be down for a week and have to start all over! It was an ugly 10 month ordeal! Hysterectomy Jan 2000, All my female organs were inflamed and swollen. The incision wouldn't heal afterward. I continued to bleed internally. I was cotterized internally for 9 wks straight to stop the bleeding. Developed incisional bulge and had to endue several ultra sounds that found the site was just inflamed badly. Because I told them about my poor healing and infection from the previous surgery I stayed on abx for about 6 mos. post surgical. It was about 4 mos. before the wound completely closed. I firmly believe that my slow healing incision would have infected if I'd have gone off the abx again. Thank goodness my MD kept me on them. They couldn't give me therapy until the wound closed due to fear of incisional rupture, so I got to rest up and recoup very slowly. Then I had to do fully body work hardening for about 12 wks. to get back on my feet. 9 mos. total recovery time. The joint on top of my foot swelled up last year. Dec. 2002 I had to have exploratory surgery. A grey mushroom glob of infection poured from my foot. The MD said he'd never seen anything like it in all his years of experience. Non-cancerous infection, again. Of course I suspect lyme. This MD put me on abx before surgery, and kept me on them for 3mos post surgical till my incision completely closed due to my history of slow healing and infection. Never got infected, and he honor my wishes to not push me. Didn't make me go to therapy or work in the normal 6 wk. period. Actually, he ordered me to go to sedentary movement only till the incision was completely healed. (3 mos.) He respected the fact that my skin is super sensitive and used paper tape only on IV's and dressings. When PT was ordered it was to be done at a very slow pace. They actually limited how much I could do and increased it. It made so much sense!!! He is a wonderful, attentive foot surgeon. The slow road worked beautifully. 6 mos. total recovery time. Now mind you, the top of the foot beats the heck out of abdominal or ankle surgery!! Much less pain initially. But still when I compare the treatment styles... the overall experiences... the SLOW ROAD is the way to go. I will never let anyone push me week after week of agony and ice packs again. I didn't know I had lyme and how it worked through all those surgeries. But now that I understand, only a MD with that mind set will work on me in the future! I want my knee replaced but LLMD says no way. NOT NOW!! I must get much better first. So, I'm looking into a brace. The bad news is every site I've ever had surgery on still hurts like the devil on a regular basis. All of the incisions still go through periods of swelling and become reddened and inflamed just out of the blue. A bump or twist of my foot the wrong way will swell it up for a week. Typing or trying to write too much swells up my right hand now. I believe it's the Lyme just playing games with my joints and giving me pain. I have lyme arthritis all over my body, as I've had lyme 29 years. In my understanding of it all, Lyme irritates your tissues. And it likes to pick on your weakest places. Recovery is VERY slow for lymies. Do not let them push you. You must be on good antibiotics and come back really slow. That's my advise. Best wishes with your surgery... Sorry to go on and on... hope that helped. Carol Kerr -- [ ] back surgery Carol, Thanks so much for your response to my query. I'm sure my neuro, who consults with Burrascano, will keep me on abx. One of the things I've been trying to get a handle on is a time frame. On your last surgey where you were on abx, how long did it take you to be able to exercise, walk for example? How are you doing now? Beck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2003 Report Share Posted August 9, 2003 May I ask who your neuro is???? I'm desperately seeking a GOOD lyme literate Neuro. I'm having all kinds of weird things happening to my head and I've got to get help. I got a name for one near by, but I haven't had a chance to check him out. But, since you mentioned one that consults with Dr. B. my ears PERKED right up!!! Will you e-mail it to me privately please? CarolKerr@... Thanks a bunch!! Carol Kerr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 18, 2003 Report Share Posted September 18, 2003 , I had back surgery May 2002. But lower back area. I had herniated disc and had a spinal fusion. Recovery went so well, both the doc and I were happy. And with no pain since, it it termed " perfect " . I go in for checks about every 4-5 months or so. A few words that I might offer that I do believe helped: 1) I had the best spine/orthopedic surgeon around (had 4 opinions before him) and we tried everything BUT surgery first. 2) Find out how much blood you'll need and donate to YOURSELF 3 - 4 weeks ahead. I did this in two trips to our blood bank. 3) If this IS a fusion , use your OWN bone. Find out where the bone graft will come from. In my case a graft was taken from my left hip. This is the gold standard for the kind of fusion I had. 4) To speed recovery, find out if you will have an implanted, electrical bone stimulator. (I had this - it was so small, and recovery with this AND PT enabled it to come out at 6 months of recovery). That was 3 month's earlier than 'normal'. (It was just right under the skin) 5) To avoid the chance of infection during surgery, check to see if you will be getting antibiotics. I had an IV drip of Vancomyocin started when I arrived at the ER. 6) My healing time was fantastic - I was expecting much more, instead at 3 months I was like new. At that time a CMT friend came to visit with her husband and we had a great celebration. 7) The hardest part of the whole thing was having to kick the narcotics, but this doc knew my zero pain tolerance and kept me comfortable while in the hospital - then slowly, I was " ready " to let the meds go. I set a date/goal and had my Internist to help me. I don't know if this helps at all. I asked my doctor millions of questions, had him draw pictures, etc. To this day I respect, value and trust this man implicity with medical decisions concerning myself. He's a gem ~ Gretchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 18, 2003 Report Share Posted September 18, 2003 Hi Connie, Sounds like what you are describing is a cervical fusion (neck area) at the level of the 4th - 7th cervical vertebrae. Hopefully with the tests they will determine that it will not require that many levels. If you have not sought a second opinion, I encourage you to do so, my preference is a neurosurgeon when dealing with the neck. I don't want to discourage you, but I assure you that you will not be over this in 6 weeks, much less be back to work in a few days after surgery. That is way too ambitious. When someone has a fusion, they either are going to use a small piece of bone from your hip or what they call cadaver bone to pack into the spaces where the discs are removed. They also usually place a little titanium plate with screws to stabilize the area even more. If the bone is removed from your hip, you somtimes have more pain at the donor site than from where the surgery was done in your neck.. When you are wearing the Philadelphia Collar you cannot turn your head to drive and it is not safe to try to do so. If you do not have any risk factors, such as being a smoker, there should be no reason why the doctor cannot use cadaver bone to make your recovery time much more comfortable. Please understand, I speak from experience. My husband had a cervical fusion done at C5-6 due to a work injury. My husband was in excellent health, just slipped and fell in an elevator pit while he was working on the elevator and herniated the disc in his neck. His surgery occurred in Sept. of that year and he returned to work full duty the following January. I deal with patients all the time that undergo this type of procedure and I have not had one yet in my 20+ yrs of experience that return to work within a few days of having had the surgery. I wish you the very best! Blair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2004 Report Share Posted January 7, 2004 , I am 69 and have had 2 lumbar surgeries. The first one only was good for 6 months and I was in extreme pain and couldn't walk so another MRI was done and I had a lot of scar tissue that was pressing on the nerves-the Dr later said he should have done more extensive surgery. So the second time he did a lumbar fusion and I've done very well. Thought it was causing trouble again and the neuro said I needed more surgery but the surgeon said I had another problem and that is when I went to another neuro and was diagnosed with CMT. I wore a back brace for 3 months and was limited to lifting 10 lbs but now I can bend and the weight is limited to 20 lbs. I had tried chiropractors, massage and supplements and when I finally was in so much pain that I was put on a morphine pump I submitted to the 2nd surgery. Sure am glad I did. Hope this helps with your decision. Wishing you the best. Ruth PS I also am a diabetic and have osteoporosis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2007 Report Share Posted January 28, 2007 I can only tell you what MY experience has been D', so do keep in mind we are ALL different. What has been a problem for me, may not be the same for you. I have had seven spine surgeries so far. About three years after my first spine surgery, I began experiencing intense pain. It turned out severe adhesions, also known as scar tissue, had formed and were pressing in on the area of my lumbar vertebra where the surgery took place. My surgeons had to then go back in and remove all that. Ever since, I have been having to endure in addition to one spine surgery after another, these very painful surgeries to remove the adhesions too. My heart goes out to you, and I am wishing you the very best. Adelaide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2007 Report Share Posted June 20, 2007 Please encourage her to do everything she can to avoid back surgery. A friend of mine had back surgery and it has ruined the rest of her life and the doctors say there is nothing they can do about it now. She is in constant, horrible pain. Much worse than before the surgery. Oh, don't worry, Amber. That's one thing that we don't want or she doesn't want. I know people who haven't been helped from it at all. I sure hope this stuff works for her. She's in so much pain, but I think it would be worse having surgery and no telling what would happen. Susie ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2007 Report Share Posted June 20, 2007 You are so right. Would gentle massage help her at all? I would think so. I have told her to ask her doctors this too, there's some kind of traction that is supposed to be very helpful. I'll think about it a while, then maybe I can remember what it is. But she's not sure if it's in the town where she's at. I'll let you know if I think of it. I have a cousin in his late 60s that has it done. Susie ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2007 Report Share Posted June 20, 2007 Amber, I just thought of it. It's spinal decompression. It's supposed to be very helpful, but my daughter says that her insurance probably won't pay if they do have it there. She has the military insurance. Susie ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2007 Report Share Posted June 20, 2007 You are so right. Would gentle massage help her at all? Amber Oh, don't worry, Amber. That's one thing that we don't want or she doesn't want. I know people who haven't been helped from it at all. I sure hope this stuff works for her. She's in so much pain, but I think it would be worse having surgery and no telling what would happen. Susie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2007 Report Share Posted June 20, 2007 I have a traction device that fits over the top of an interior door frame. I hang a 5 pounds weight from it, use a neck harness and put very mild traction on my neck. My neck has been broken. It helps. Perhaps she can find someone to assist her in finding the proper type of traction for her. My advice came from two chiropractors who agreed! Amber I would think so. I have told her to ask her doctors this too, there's some kind of traction that is supposed to be very helpful. Susie . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2009 Report Share Posted April 20, 2009 Thanks Gretchen for the name of an orthopedic specialist. Santa Barbara is not that far from SD so maybe if I don't have luck here, I can drive up there. It's also an excuse to visit the wineries! How did your back surgery go in 2002? I hope it was successful! Karon Karon, In the first X rays I saw of my back prior to 2002's surgery, the doc pointed out to me that my right hip was slightly higher than the left. He said this was nothing to worry about and 5% of the general population has this. The more I thought about it I came to understand why my orthotics are so different for each foot. They have different support to equalize hip/leg ratio equality. As for footdrop, yes, persons with CMT can have footdrop in both feet. Sure hope you can find a good orthopedist for your back. That degenerative disk may have a solution. If you want the name of a stellar surgeon specializing in all disorders of the spine, I suggest Stuart Hutchinson of Santa Barbara. Definitely worth the drive or hour flight. Best, Gretchen =2 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2009 Report Share Posted April 20, 2009 Hi I have three herniated disks and going for laser surgery this Thursday. I am seeing a surgeon who is top in this field. I did research and had several opinions and they all have said this is the best available and it is almost non invasive surgery for herniated disks out there. It's new but has proven great results and has very little down time. I am just hoping for less pain. I will keep you all posted how it turns out. Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2009 Report Share Posted April 20, 2009 Hi again Karon, My back surgery in 2002 was 100% successfull. I had consults with a neurologist, a neurosurgeon and 2 orthos. The 2nd orthopedist was the REAL specialist and knew both orthopedics and neurology. Of course I asked tons of questions, and we tried everything before the surgery (like rest with ice, PT, epidural steroid injections, experimental diskcure at UCLA, etc. Nothing helped. I begged him to do surgery. The doc/surgeron said that I was well ahead of the 'norm' for recovery at 3 months, and at 6 mos, also way ahead of 'schedule', he took out the electrical bone stimulator. Dr. Huutchinson is a great surgeon, nice guy too. Let me know if you get up this way - we could do lunch somewhere:) I think there may be a post or two from me about the surgery in our Archives somewhere. Gretchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2009 Report Share Posted April 20, 2009 Thanks for all of the info, Gretchen! I really appreciate your help. I will stay in touch if I get up to Santa Barbara...you are lucky to live in such a beautiful area! Karon Hi again Karon, My back surgery in 2002 was 100% successfull. I had consults with a neurologist, a neurosurgeon and 2 orthos. The 2nd orthopedist was the REAL specialist and knew both orthopedics and neurology. Of course I asked tons of questions, and we tried everything before the surgery (like rest with ice, PT, epidural steroid injections, experimental diskcure at UCLA, etc. Nothing helped. I begged him to do surgery. The doc/surgeron said that I was well ahead of the 'norm' for recovery at 3 months, and at 6 mos, also way ahead of 'schedule', he took out the electrical bone stimulator. Dr. Huutchinson is a great surgeon, nice guy too. Let me know if you get up this way - we could do lunch somewhere:) I think there may be a post or two from me about the surgery in our Archives somewhere. Gretchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2009 Report Share Posted April 20, 2009 Please keep us posted and GOOD LUCK!!! Karon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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