Re: back surgery

[Guest guest]

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

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

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!!

[Guest guest]

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)

[Guest guest]

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)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

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.

[Guest guest]

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

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

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.

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

,

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

, 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.

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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.

[Guest guest]

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.

[Guest guest]

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.

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

.

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

Please keep us posted and GOOD LUCK!!!

Karon