Re: Back problems

[Guest guest]

Hi, Sue M here, I had cartlage problems and ended up having spinal surgery in

the early 1980's. Of course that was before I was officially diagnosed. An

orthopedic sugeon and a nerology surgeon did it. I was something like 34

years old and they said they couldn't believe the amount of damage. They did

a fusion, bone from my right hip, in a small cast over my waist for six

weeks. It makes me wonder just how long I've had this disease. After all it

does take time for cartlage to disintigrate. I'm very happy I had it done

because the back does feel better. :Love, Sue M

[Guest guest]

--- grandm4@... wrote:

> Hi, Sue M here, I had cartlage problems and ended up

> having spinal surgery in

> the early 1980's. Of course that was before I was

> officially diagnosed. An

> orthopedic sugeon and a nerology surgeon did it. I

> was something like 34

> years old and they said they couldn't believe the

> amount of damage. They did

> a fusion, bone from my right hip, in a small cast

> over my waist for six

> weeks. It makes me wonder just how long I've had

> this disease. After all it

> does take time for cartlage to disintigrate. I'm

> very happy I had it done

> because the back does feel better. :Love, Sue M

>

Sue, I too had considerable back problems which

started in my late thirties. I eventually had back

surgery, although I didn't have a fusion - the

orthopaedic surgeon (Canadian, really nice guy) said

fusion wasn't always necessary, so to wait and see, it

could always be done later; fortunately I have not had

to have it done. They did CT scans with contrast (pre

MRI days) and he remarked on the amount of bulging and

herniated discs, including thoracic discs which

isapparently rare. In a more recent exam nearly all

my discs seem to be affected!!!! However as long as I

keep my weight down (ahem!) and do my pelvic tilts and

crunches, and obviously take my meds, I do not have

too much trouble. The surgery did clear up the

horrendous sciatica I was having in both legs, so I

was v. happy with the results. Again this was in

1984, way before I had a dx of rp, it does make you

wonder!! Keep moving gently everyone, love Liz

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Lizz, forgot about the sciatica...I used to pound on my legs to get

feeling or get rid of the pain. Kinda funny, once I was vacumming the carpets

and got stuck in that position, another time getting out of the car.

I'm very happy I had it done, even in insurance company only paid for half of

it. Another long story.

Does make a person wonder how long it takes for the cartlage to be destroyed

with no other symptoms.

Oh well, water under the bridge....Take Care....Sue M