Guest guest Posted March 21, 2002 Report Share Posted March 21, 2002 Hi Claudette, I haven't posted since joining this group, because I've been going through a lot. I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia for 14 years and the pain in your knee has nothing to do with the fibro. You proably already know that fibro does not cause joint deterioration. I was diagnosed with chrondromalacia in 9/00. I had my first arthroscopic surgery on 10/11/00 on my left knee. After 6 weeks went back to a very physical job, worked 6 weeks and my knee went out again. After a couple of injections in that knee, the ortho then told me that the lesions which I have are larger than a quarter.(He hadn't told me before anything about lesions) He then recommmend a new type of surgery, cartilage cell implant to try and grow cartilage in those places, otherwise there was nothing to be done, because at 39, I am too young for a knee replacement. I had the cartilage cell harvest in April and had the new cells implanted in May. Well, I am now 11 months post op and the pain and inflammation and instability is worse than ever. It never stopped. I have been on pain meds for almost 2 years. I finally went to see a new orthopaedic dr. to try and get some help with the pain and my worsen condition. I had an arthroscopic surgery on my right knee on 2/28/00 and it's been smooth sailing, just a minimum of pain and I was off the crutches in 7 days. I am having a knee replacement on the left knee in 3 weeks and even though I know it will be very painful, I look forward to getting on my feet and not being constantly in pain. I also understand your low threshold for pain, because I have Reflex Sympathic Dystropy. Before the surgery I have something to calm me down, 'cause otherwise I might jump off the table. I wish good luck to you all. Shelby claudettepace <no_reply > wrote: Last week I was scheduled to have an arthroscopy done on my left knee - the one that has been bothering me for approximately 15 years. My surgery was scheduled for 7:30am Tuesday morning; I had to show up at the hospital at 6:00am (which is not easy, when you have CFS - and have rotten nights to begin with!) I was so nervous about having this surgery, after reading so many items regarding that this kind of surgery may not help my CP, and that I may have to have another one in the future. You have to know me, I have a very low resistance of pain! There wouldn't be enough sedatives at the hospital, to calm my nerves those few days before and on the day of the surgery. So I ended up calling the hospital at 4am and then my OS' answering service to cancel the surgery. Later that day, I called up my insurance company to tell them I cancelled the appointent as well. I felt so relieved, I did the right thing. My knee still hurts a lot, the usual, when I sit,stand, or walk for a long time. But I've decided to look into other ways to solve this. I'm going to a Pain Clinic, I find near me and make an appointment to see someone. I will ask about PT (which I've done on and off for the last 15 years), and prolotherapy (which I've read so much about). This prolotherapy may also help my Fibromyalgia. My husband says maybe what I truly have is the Fibromyalgia and that it could be causing the pain in the knee. But which came first, the FM or the pain??? I was diagnosed with CP 15 years ago, and the OS put my left leg in a 5-lb. fiberglass cast for 1 month to " straighten " the knee out. In my documentation from him, he diagnosed me with CP. I was diagnosed by my Rheumo doctor with FM last year, but of course, FM may have existed longer. Who knows? But I want to thank you all out there, that have CP, that have had so much experience with OS, PT, surgery, etc. You all have helped me tremendously. Claudette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2002 Report Share Posted March 27, 2002 Hi Shelby, Good luck with your TKR. My Mom had that done last December. But she had no cartlidge left in her knee. I hope I don't get to that part. I've been in pain, but I still have to look into other treatments for it. I just cant' get myself at this moment to do it. Again, good luck, and keep me posted. Claudette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. It's so helpful to hear everyone's peronal experiences...good and bad! I'm sorry that you also have such troubles with your back. I believe that you have done the right things to avoid surgery. My younger brother had DDD and spondylosis but refuses surgery since he's watched my struggles. He has a hard time with his pain, especially getting sleep, but he's in better shape than me. Best part is that WHEN the new advances that they are working on come out...he will be eligible to get them because he hasn't been operated on. I would have at least gotten disc replacement at some point, but I'm not even a candidate for that with my fusions! It's a struggle. You're going to have pain wether or not you have surgery. That's what I want people to know who are desperate for relief and looking to surgery to fix it. You are going to have pain, if not right away, eventually. Surgery just complicates things and makes it worse. --- Babbitt From: hangingin4593 <no_reply > Subject: no surgery spinal problems Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 11:06 AM Â You are so right. Every female in my family has DDD. I have been able to work the longest--into my mid-forties. My neurosurgeon was ready to cut by the 2nd visit. I said 'no' cuz my sister has had 10 failed back surgeries. Every timr she felt numbness or tingling, she'd head straight to an O.R. My doc hadn't even suggested PT, aquatic therapy, a tens unit, ice, etc. I got those things but HAD to ASK. You Will feel weird sensations. I was advised by a nurse to get surgery if drop foot or loss of bladder or bowel control came upon me. I Switched to an orthopedic spine specialist who said I'm not even a candidate for surgery. I Finally was referred to pain management. I asked and got home PT during cold winter months. The worst drug is Soma; my doc said her pen will not write that Rx. Instead I take Flexerill. Soma is a dirty drug--highly addictive. Flexeril hardly makes me drowsy. I have good and bad days. My sister has bad days and worse days. I'm never pain free, but I payattention to my body, do my PT stretches. If I had the money, I'd invest in a Swim Spa. E > > > EVERYONE ELSE ON HERE....this is a prime example of what we have just been talking about. Surgery leads to more surgery which leads to more surgery. The more years you have left on your life, the more surgery you will have. It's in almost all cases an unstoppable cycle. You can only prevent it by not having surgery in the first place. I can personally and professionally vouch for this! The public needs to be educated about the dangers of spine surgery. There are consequences that we can never take it back. Once it's done, it's done. Then you are stuck trying to decide if you want to further handicap your spine by more surgery, because you are in indescribable pain, you don't know what else to do. There are no other viable options besides surgery or pain medication...which has it's own issues and can be near impossible to get. > > I am 33 years old and have had 6 surgeries over the past 17 years and I'm still in pain. I have had varying degrees of pain, and I'm in better shape now than I've been in a long time, but I battle my back every day. Just getting a good night's sleep evades me. Being able to do the things I love and maintain a job has been elusive. > > We need to stop this cycle! > > > > > --- Babbitt > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 My surgeon's answer was " Disk replacements haven't worked out as well as we had hoped " or something very close to that. In a message dated 1/19/2011 9:02:53 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, christina_bunny@... writes: agreed on the insurance companys. I originally wanted the disk replacement...but my surgeon who was the only one in MN that did them no longer even does them. He says insurance wont pay for them and that studies have not proven results. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: tpowell1977@... Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 17:30:46 -0800 Subject: RE: no surgery Unfortunately the people who get LONG LASTING relief are few and far between. If you keep yourself in excellent physical condition, keep your weight down, be active and keep a strong core...you have the best shot. All the studies I've seen that study the efficacy of spine procedures do not study the patient long enough to get a good picture. On top of that, there are so many technicalities that make the results less than clear. We who have had surgery (most of us here) will tell you that the pain comes back. It may be different pain, but we all have pain. The insurance companies have nothing else to offer...AND let's not forget that the FDA controls everything...and they have pockets to line and get lined. --- Babbitt > > From: hangingin4593 <no_reply > > Subject: [spinal Disorders Support] no surgery > spinal problems > Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 11:06 AM > > > > > > You are so right. Every female in my family has DDD. I have > been able to work the longest--into my mid-forties. > > My neurosurgeon was ready to cut by the 2nd visit. I said > 'no' cuz my sister has had 10 failed back surgeries. Every > timr she felt numbness or tingling, she'd head straight to > an O.R. > > My doc hadn't even suggested PT, aquatic therapy, a tens > unit, ice, etc. I got those things but HAD to ASK. > > You Will feel weird sensations. I was advised by a nurse to > get surgery if drop foot or loss of bladder or bowel control > came upon me. > > I Switched to an orthopedic spine specialist who said I'm > not even a candidate for surgery. I Finally was referred to > pain management. I asked and got home PT during cold winter > months. > > The worst drug is Soma; my doc said her pen will not write > that Rx. Instead I take Flexerill. Soma is a dirty > drug--highly addictive. Flexeril hardly makes me drowsy. > > I have good and bad days. My sister has bad days and worse > days. I'm never pain free, but I payattention to my body, do > my PT stretches. If I had the money, I'd invest in a Swim > Spa. > > E > > > > > > > > > > > EVERYONE ELSE ON HERE....this is a prime example of > what we have just been talking about. Surgery leads to more > surgery which leads to more surgery. The more years you have > left on your life, the more surgery you will have. It's in > almost all cases an unstoppable cycle. You can only prevent > it by not having surgery in the first place. I can > personally and professionally vouch for this! The public > needs to be educated about the dangers of spine surgery. > There are consequences that we can never take it back. Once > it's done, it's done. Then you are stuck trying to decide if > you want to further handicap your spine by more surgery, > because you are in indescribable pain, you don't know what > else to do. There are no other viable options besides > surgery or pain medication...which has it's own issues and > can be near impossible to get. > > > > > > I am 33 years old and have had 6 surgeries over the > past 17 years and I'm still in pain. I have had varying > degrees of pain, and I'm in better shape now than I've been > in a long time, but I battle my back every day. Just getting > a good night's sleep evades me. Being able to do the things > I love and maintain a job has been elusive. > > > > > > We need to stop this cycle! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --- Babbitt > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 I went the surgery route when all else failed. I was finally in too much pain to do the PT. I know that the surgery was for the instability and disk pain. The disk I had was torn and bulging agains the spinal colum. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: no_reply Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:06:32 +0000 Subject: no surgery You are so right. Every female in my family has DDD. I have been able to work the longest--into my mid-forties. My neurosurgeon was ready to cut by the 2nd visit. I said 'no' cuz my sister has had 10 failed back surgeries. Every timr she felt numbness or tingling, she'd head straight to an O.R. My doc hadn't even suggested PT, aquatic therapy, a tens unit, ice, etc. I got those things but HAD to ASK. You Will feel weird sensations. I was advised by a nurse to get surgery if drop foot or loss of bladder or bowel control came upon me. I Switched to an orthopedic spine specialist who said I'm not even a candidate for surgery. I Finally was referred to pain management. I asked and got home PT during cold winter months. The worst drug is Soma; my doc said her pen will not write that Rx. Instead I take Flexerill. Soma is a dirty drug--highly addictive. Flexeril hardly makes me drowsy. I have good and bad days. My sister has bad days and worse days. I'm never pain free, but I payattention to my body, do my PT stretches. If I had the money, I'd invest in a Swim Spa. E > > > EVERYONE ELSE ON HERE....this is a prime example of what we have just been talking about. Surgery leads to more surgery which leads to more surgery. The more years you have left on your life, the more surgery you will have. It's in almost all cases an unstoppable cycle. You can only prevent it by not having surgery in the first place. I can personally and professionally vouch for this! The public needs to be educated about the dangers of spine surgery. There are consequences that we can never take it back. Once it's done, it's done. Then you are stuck trying to decide if you want to further handicap your spine by more surgery, because you are in indescribable pain, you don't know what else to do. There are no other viable options besides surgery or pain medication...which has it's own issues and can be near impossible to get. > > I am 33 years old and have had 6 surgeries over the past 17 years and I'm still in pain. I have had varying degrees of pain, and I'm in better shape now than I've been in a long time, but I battle my back every day. Just getting a good night's sleep evades me. Being able to do the things I love and maintain a job has been elusive. > > We need to stop this cycle! > > > > > --- Babbitt > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 " It's a struggle. You're going to have pain wether or not you have surgery. That's what I want people to know who are desperate for relief and looking to surgery to fix it. You are going to have pain, if not right away, eventually. Surgery just complicates things and makes it worse. " I really hope you are wrong about this one , because as someone 3 weeks post op I am really hoping this will bring me the relief I am looking for. I have to believe that if no one found relief from pain and everyone just got worse and needed more surgeries they would not be able to offer this surgery at all. Insurance company's wouldnt be willing to pay. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: tpowell1977@... Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:12:49 -0800 Subject: Re: no surgery Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. It's so helpful to hear everyone's peronal experiences...good and bad! I'm sorry that you also have such troubles with your back. I believe that you have done the right things to avoid surgery. My younger brother had DDD and spondylosis but refuses surgery since he's watched my struggles. He has a hard time with his pain, especially getting sleep, but he's in better shape than me. Best part is that WHEN the new advances that they are working on come out...he will be eligible to get them because he hasn't been operated on. I would have at least gotten disc replacement at some point, but I'm not even a candidate for that with my fusions! It's a struggle. You're going to have pain wether or not you have surgery. That's what I want people to know who are desperate for relief and looking to surgery to fix it. You are going to have pain, if not right away, eventually. Surgery just complicates things and makes it worse. --- Babbitt From: hangingin4593 <no_reply > Subject: no surgery spinal problems Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 11:06 AM You are so right. Every female in my family has DDD. I have been able to work the longest--into my mid-forties. My neurosurgeon was ready to cut by the 2nd visit. I said 'no' cuz my sister has had 10 failed back surgeries. Every timr she felt numbness or tingling, she'd head straight to an O.R. My doc hadn't even suggested PT, aquatic therapy, a tens unit, ice, etc. I got those things but HAD to ASK. You Will feel weird sensations. I was advised by a nurse to get surgery if drop foot or loss of bladder or bowel control came upon me. I Switched to an orthopedic spine specialist who said I'm not even a candidate for surgery. I Finally was referred to pain management. I asked and got home PT during cold winter months. The worst drug is Soma; my doc said her pen will not write that Rx. Instead I take Flexerill. Soma is a dirty drug--highly addictive. Flexeril hardly makes me drowsy. I have good and bad days. My sister has bad days and worse days. I'm never pain free, but I payattention to my body, do my PT stretches. If I had the money, I'd invest in a Swim Spa. E > > > EVERYONE ELSE ON HERE....this is a prime example of what we have just been talking about. Surgery leads to more surgery which leads to more surgery. The more years you have left on your life, the more surgery you will have. It's in almost all cases an unstoppable cycle. You can only prevent it by not having surgery in the first place. I can personally and professionally vouch for this! The public needs to be educated about the dangers of spine surgery. There are consequences that we can never take it back. Once it's done, it's done. Then you are stuck trying to decide if you want to further handicap your spine by more surgery, because you are in indescribable pain, you don't know what else to do. There are no other viable options besides surgery or pain medication...which has it's own issues and can be near impossible to get. > > I am 33 years old and have had 6 surgeries over the past 17 years and I'm still in pain. I have had varying degrees of pain, and I'm in better shape now than I've been in a long time, but I battle my back every day. Just getting a good night's sleep evades me. Being able to do the things I love and maintain a job has been elusive. > > We need to stop this cycle! > > > > > --- Babbitt > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 I must be the odd one out because and up to my third surgery I had no pain after surgery at all. I was in horriic pain until my doctor operated on me then after that there was no pain for up to 10 years wehn I would hurt my back again. Janice no surgery > spinal problems > Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 11:06 AM > > > > > > You are so right. Every female in my family has DDD. I have been able to > work the longest--into my mid-forties. > > My neurosurgeon was ready to cut by the 2nd visit. I said 'no' cuz my > sister has had 10 failed back surgeries. Every timr she felt numbness or > tingling, she'd head straight to an O.R. > > My doc hadn't even suggested PT, aquatic therapy, a tens unit, ice, etc. I > got those things but HAD to ASK. > > You Will feel weird sensations. I was advised by a nurse to get surgery if > drop foot or loss of bladder or bowel control came upon me. > > I Switched to an orthopedic spine specialist who said I'm not even a > candidate for surgery. I Finally was referred to pain management. I asked > and got home PT during cold winter months. > > The worst drug is Soma; my doc said her pen will not write that Rx. > Instead I take Flexerill. Soma is a dirty drug--highly addictive. Flexeril > hardly makes me drowsy. > > I have good and bad days. My sister has bad days and worse days. I'm never > pain free, but I payattention to my body, do my PT stretches. If I had the > money, I'd invest in a Swim Spa. > > E > > > >> > >> > >> EVERYONE ELSE ON HERE....this is a prime example of what we have just >> been talking about. Surgery leads to more surgery which leads to more >> surgery. The more years you have left on your life, the more surgery you >> will have. It's in almost all cases an unstoppable cycle. You can only >> prevent it by not having surgery in the first place. I can personally and >> professionally vouch for this! The public needs to be educated about the >> dangers of spine surgery. There are consequences that we can never take >> it back. Once it's done, it's done. Then you are stuck trying to decide >> if you want to further handicap your spine by more surgery, because you >> are in indescribable pain, you don't know what else to do. There are no >> other viable options besides surgery or pain medication...which has it's >> own issues and can be near impossible to get. > >> > >> I am 33 years old and have had 6 surgeries over the past 17 years and I'm >> still in pain. I have had varying degrees of pain, and I'm in better >> shape now than I've been in a long time, but I battle my back every day. >> Just getting a good night's sleep evades me. Being able to do the things >> I love and maintain a job has been elusive. > >> > >> We need to stop this cycle! > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> --- Babbitt > >> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 If I get ten or more years out of this I will consider it a success. I am hoping that rigerous PT will increase my sucess odds. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: faraway1@... Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 17:08:39 -0800 Subject: Re: no surgery I must be the odd one out because and up to my third surgery I had no pain after surgery at all. I was in horriic pain until my doctor operated on me then after that there was no pain for up to 10 years wehn I would hurt my back again. Janice no surgery > spinal problems > Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 11:06 AM > > > > > > You are so right. Every female in my family has DDD. I have been able to > work the longest--into my mid-forties. > > My neurosurgeon was ready to cut by the 2nd visit. I said 'no' cuz my > sister has had 10 failed back surgeries. Every timr she felt numbness or > tingling, she'd head straight to an O.R. > > My doc hadn't even suggested PT, aquatic therapy, a tens unit, ice, etc. I > got those things but HAD to ASK. > > You Will feel weird sensations. I was advised by a nurse to get surgery if > drop foot or loss of bladder or bowel control came upon me. > > I Switched to an orthopedic spine specialist who said I'm not even a > candidate for surgery. I Finally was referred to pain management. I asked > and got home PT during cold winter months. > > The worst drug is Soma; my doc said her pen will not write that Rx. > Instead I take Flexerill. Soma is a dirty drug--highly addictive. Flexeril > hardly makes me drowsy. > > I have good and bad days. My sister has bad days and worse days. I'm never > pain free, but I payattention to my body, do my PT stretches. If I had the > money, I'd invest in a Swim Spa. > > E > > > >> > >> > >> EVERYONE ELSE ON HERE....this is a prime example of what we have just >> been talking about. Surgery leads to more surgery which leads to more >> surgery. The more years you have left on your life, the more surgery you >> will have. It's in almost all cases an unstoppable cycle. You can only >> prevent it by not having surgery in the first place. I can personally and >> professionally vouch for this! The public needs to be educated about the >> dangers of spine surgery. There are consequences that we can never take >> it back. Once it's done, it's done. Then you are stuck trying to decide >> if you want to further handicap your spine by more surgery, because you >> are in indescribable pain, you don't know what else to do. There are no >> other viable options besides surgery or pain medication...which has it's >> own issues and can be near impossible to get. > >> > >> I am 33 years old and have had 6 surgeries over the past 17 years and I'm >> still in pain. I have had varying degrees of pain, and I'm in better >> shape now than I've been in a long time, but I battle my back every day. >> Just getting a good night's sleep evades me. Being able to do the things >> I love and maintain a job has been elusive. > >> > >> We need to stop this cycle! > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> --- Babbitt > >> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 Unfortunately the people who get LONG LASTING relief are few and far between. If you keep yourself in excellent physical condition, keep your weight down, be active and keep a strong core...you have the best shot. All the studies I've seen that study the efficacy of spine procedures do not study the patient long enough to get a good picture. On top of that, there are so many technicalities that make the results less than clear. We who have had surgery (most of us here) will tell you that the pain comes back. It may be different pain, but we all have pain. The insurance companies have nothing else to offer...AND let's not forget that the FDA controls everything...and they have pockets to line and get lined. --- Babbitt > > From: hangingin4593 <no_reply > > Subject: no surgery > spinal problems > Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 11:06 AM > > > > > > You are so right. Every female in my family has DDD. I have > been able to work the longest--into my mid-forties. > > My neurosurgeon was ready to cut by the 2nd visit. I said > 'no' cuz my sister has had 10 failed back surgeries. Every > timr she felt numbness or tingling, she'd head straight to > an O.R. > > My doc hadn't even suggested PT, aquatic therapy, a tens > unit, ice, etc. I got those things but HAD to ASK. > > You Will feel weird sensations. I was advised by a nurse to > get surgery if drop foot or loss of bladder or bowel control > came upon me. > > I Switched to an orthopedic spine specialist who said I'm > not even a candidate for surgery. I Finally was referred to > pain management. I asked and got home PT during cold winter > months. > > The worst drug is Soma; my doc said her pen will not write > that Rx. Instead I take Flexerill. Soma is a dirty > drug--highly addictive. Flexeril hardly makes me drowsy. > > I have good and bad days. My sister has bad days and worse > days. I'm never pain free, but I payattention to my body, do > my PT stretches. If I had the money, I'd invest in a Swim > Spa. > > E > > > > > > > > > > > EVERYONE ELSE ON HERE....this is a prime example of > what we have just been talking about. Surgery leads to more > surgery which leads to more surgery. The more years you have > left on your life, the more surgery you will have. It's in > almost all cases an unstoppable cycle. You can only prevent > it by not having surgery in the first place. I can > personally and professionally vouch for this! The public > needs to be educated about the dangers of spine surgery. > There are consequences that we can never take it back. Once > it's done, it's done. Then you are stuck trying to decide if > you want to further handicap your spine by more surgery, > because you are in indescribable pain, you don't know what > else to do. There are no other viable options besides > surgery or pain medication...which has it's own issues and > can be near impossible to get. > > > > > > I am 33 years old and have had 6 surgeries over the > past 17 years and I'm still in pain. I have had varying > degrees of pain, and I'm in better shape now than I've been > in a long time, but I battle my back every day. Just getting > a good night's sleep evades me. Being able to do the things > I love and maintain a job has been elusive. > > > > > > We need to stop this cycle! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --- Babbitt > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 What then prompted the third surgery? Yes, you went a few good years as did I, but the truth is eventually the problems return. Often the next level up. Fusion changes our back in an unnatural way...there are concessions to having the fusion fix your immediate pain. You aren't the exception Janice, there are many like you. And there are many more who don't make it to the ten year mark. Even more who don't make it to two years. --- Babbitt > > From: hangingin4593 <no_reply > > Subject: no surgery > spinal problems > Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 11:06 AM > > > > > > You are so right. Every female in my family has DDD. I have been able to > work the longest--into my mid-forties. > > My neurosurgeon was ready to cut by the 2nd visit. I said 'no' cuz my > sister has had 10 failed back surgeries. Every timr she felt numbness or > tingling, she'd head straight to an O.R. > > My doc hadn't even suggested PT, aquatic therapy, a tens unit, ice, etc. I > got those things but HAD to ASK. > > You Will feel weird sensations. I was advised by a nurse to get surgery if > drop foot or loss of bladder or bowel control came upon me. > > I Switched to an orthopedic spine specialist who said I'm not even a > candidate for surgery. I Finally was referred to pain management. I asked > and got home PT during cold winter months. > > The worst drug is Soma; my doc said her pen will not write that Rx. > Instead I take Flexerill. Soma is a dirty drug--highly addictive. Flexeril > hardly makes me drowsy. > > I have good and bad days. My sister has bad days and worse days. I'm never > pain free, but I payattention to my body, do my PT stretches. If I had the > money, I'd invest in a Swim Spa. > > E > > > >> > >> > >> EVERYONE ELSE ON HERE....this is a prime example of what we have just >> been talking about. Surgery leads to more surgery which leads to more >> surgery. The more years you have left on your life, the more surgery you >> will have. It's in almost all cases an unstoppable cycle. You can only >> prevent it by not having surgery in the first place. I can personally and >> professionally vouch for this! The public needs to be educated about the >> dangers of spine surgery. There are consequences that we can never take >> it back. Once it's done, it's done. Then you are stuck trying to decide >> if you want to further handicap your spine by more surgery, because you >> are in indescribable pain, you don't know what else to do. There are no >> other viable options besides surgery or pain medication...which has it's >> own issues and can be near impossible to get. > >> > >> I am 33 years old and have had 6 surgeries over the past 17 years and I'm >> still in pain. I have had varying degrees of pain, and I'm in better >> shape now than I've been in a long time, but I battle my back every day. >> Just getting a good night's sleep evades me. Being able to do the things >> I love and maintain a job has been elusive. > >> > >> We need to stop this cycle! > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> --- Babbitt > >> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 agreed on the insurance companys. I originally wanted the disk replacement...but my surgeon who was the only one in MN that did them no longer even does them. He says insurance wont pay for them and that studies have not proven results. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: tpowell1977@... Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 17:30:46 -0800 Subject: RE: no surgery Unfortunately the people who get LONG LASTING relief are few and far between. If you keep yourself in excellent physical condition, keep your weight down, be active and keep a strong core...you have the best shot. All the studies I've seen that study the efficacy of spine procedures do not study the patient long enough to get a good picture. On top of that, there are so many technicalities that make the results less than clear. We who have had surgery (most of us here) will tell you that the pain comes back. It may be different pain, but we all have pain. The insurance companies have nothing else to offer...AND let's not forget that the FDA controls everything...and they have pockets to line and get lined. --- Babbitt > > From: hangingin4593 <no_reply > > Subject: no surgery > spinal problems > Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 11:06 AM > > > > > > You are so right. Every female in my family has DDD. I have > been able to work the longest--into my mid-forties. > > My neurosurgeon was ready to cut by the 2nd visit. I said > 'no' cuz my sister has had 10 failed back surgeries. Every > timr she felt numbness or tingling, she'd head straight to > an O.R. > > My doc hadn't even suggested PT, aquatic therapy, a tens > unit, ice, etc. I got those things but HAD to ASK. > > You Will feel weird sensations. I was advised by a nurse to > get surgery if drop foot or loss of bladder or bowel control > came upon me. > > I Switched to an orthopedic spine specialist who said I'm > not even a candidate for surgery. I Finally was referred to > pain management. I asked and got home PT during cold winter > months. > > The worst drug is Soma; my doc said her pen will not write > that Rx. Instead I take Flexerill. Soma is a dirty > drug--highly addictive. Flexeril hardly makes me drowsy. > > I have good and bad days. My sister has bad days and worse > days. I'm never pain free, but I payattention to my body, do > my PT stretches. If I had the money, I'd invest in a Swim > Spa. > > E > > > > > > > > > > > EVERYONE ELSE ON HERE....this is a prime example of > what we have just been talking about. Surgery leads to more > surgery which leads to more surgery. The more years you have > left on your life, the more surgery you will have. It's in > almost all cases an unstoppable cycle. You can only prevent > it by not having surgery in the first place. I can > personally and professionally vouch for this! The public > needs to be educated about the dangers of spine surgery. > There are consequences that we can never take it back. Once > it's done, it's done. Then you are stuck trying to decide if > you want to further handicap your spine by more surgery, > because you are in indescribable pain, you don't know what > else to do. There are no other viable options besides > surgery or pain medication...which has it's own issues and > can be near impossible to get. > > > > > > I am 33 years old and have had 6 surgeries over the > past 17 years and I'm still in pain. I have had varying > degrees of pain, and I'm in better shape now than I've been > in a long time, but I battle my back every day. Just getting > a good night's sleep evades me. Being able to do the things > I love and maintain a job has been elusive. > > > > > > We need to stop this cycle! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --- Babbitt > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 The first back surgery came from out of nowhere. I couldnt' tell you how I hurt it but after surgery the pain was all gone for 8 to 10 years the secong surgery came when I jumped off the back of a tailgate on our pickup truck. A bale of hay was about to fall on me so it was jump or get squashed. Once again surgery and I was 100% again for 8 years when I lifted a water though for my pregnant daughter so she didnt' have to do it. Once again surgery once again complete success. But over time I realized that it was not 100% liket he other two so I let the doctor do a fusion and it worked immediately I did wonderful. Then 6 years later I had the hardware removed as I lost 100 pounds and my back started bothering me again. I am now livign my life pain free most of the time. The only time I have pain now is if I do something that I shouldnt' do like lifting. Janice no surgery > spinal problems > Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 11:06 AM > > > > > > You are so right. Every female in my family has DDD. I have been able to > work the longest--into my mid-forties. > > My neurosurgeon was ready to cut by the 2nd visit. I said 'no' cuz my > sister has had 10 failed back surgeries. Every timr she felt numbness or > tingling, she'd head straight to an O.R. > > My doc hadn't even suggested PT, aquatic therapy, a tens unit, ice, etc. I > got those things but HAD to ASK. > > You Will feel weird sensations. I was advised by a nurse to get surgery if > drop foot or loss of bladder or bowel control came upon me. > > I Switched to an orthopedic spine specialist who said I'm not even a > candidate for surgery. I Finally was referred to pain management. I asked > and got home PT during cold winter months. > > The worst drug is Soma; my doc said her pen will not write that Rx. > Instead I take Flexerill. Soma is a dirty drug--highly addictive. Flexeril > hardly makes me drowsy. > > I have good and bad days. My sister has bad days and worse days. I'm never > pain free, but I payattention to my body, do my PT stretches. If I had the > money, I'd invest in a Swim Spa. > > E > > > >> > >> > >> EVERYONE ELSE ON HERE....this is a prime example of what we have just >> been talking about. Surgery leads to more surgery which leads to more >> surgery. The more years you have left on your life, the more surgery you >> will have. It's in almost all cases an unstoppable cycle. You can only >> prevent it by not having surgery in the first place. I can personally and >> professionally vouch for this! The public needs to be educated about the >> dangers of spine surgery. There are consequences that we can never take >> it back. Once it's done, it's done. Then you are stuck trying to decide >> if you want to further handicap your spine by more surgery, because you >> are in indescribable pain, you don't know what else to do. There are no >> other viable options besides surgery or pain medication...which has it's >> own issues and can be near impossible to get. > >> > >> I am 33 years old and have had 6 surgeries over the past 17 years and I'm >> still in pain. I have had varying degrees of pain, and I'm in better >> shape now than I've been in a long time, but I battle my back every day. >> Just getting a good night's sleep evades me. Being able to do the things >> I love and maintain a job has been elusive. > >> > >> We need to stop this cycle! > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> --- Babbitt > >> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 Studies HERE in the US have not proven results. In Germany that have amazing success and have been doing them for over 30 years. Personally I'd rather have THEM doing my disc replacement.... --- Babbitt > > > > From: hangingin4593 <no_reply > > > Subject: no surgery > > spinal problems > > Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 11:06 AM > > > > > > > > > > > > You are so right. Every female in my family has DDD. I > have > > been able to work the longest--into my mid-forties. > > > > My neurosurgeon was ready to cut by the 2nd visit. I > said > > 'no' cuz my sister has had 10 failed back surgeries. > Every > > timr she felt numbness or tingling, she'd head > straight to > > an O.R. > > > > My doc hadn't even suggested PT, aquatic therapy, a > tens > > unit, ice, etc. I got those things but HAD to ASK. > > > > You Will feel weird sensations. I was advised by a > nurse to > > get surgery if drop foot or loss of bladder or bowel > control > > came upon me. > > > > I Switched to an orthopedic spine specialist who said > I'm > > not even a candidate for surgery. I Finally was > referred to > > pain management. I asked and got home PT during cold > winter > > months. > > > > The worst drug is Soma; my doc said her pen will not > write > > that Rx. Instead I take Flexerill. Soma is a dirty > > drug--highly addictive. Flexeril hardly makes me > drowsy. > > > > I have good and bad days. My sister has bad days and > worse > > days. I'm never pain free, but I payattention to my > body, do > > my PT stretches. If I had the money, I'd invest in a > Swim > > Spa. > > > > E > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > EVERYONE ELSE ON HERE....this is a prime example > of > > what we have just been talking about. Surgery leads to > more > > surgery which leads to more surgery. The more years > you have > > left on your life, the more surgery you will have. > It's in > > almost all cases an unstoppable cycle. You can only > prevent > > it by not having surgery in the first place. I can > > personally and professionally vouch for this! The > public > > needs to be educated about the dangers of spine > surgery. > > There are consequences that we can never take it back. > Once > > it's done, it's done. Then you are stuck trying to > decide if > > you want to further handicap your spine by more > surgery, > > because you are in indescribable pain, you don't know > what > > else to do. There are no other viable options besides > > surgery or pain medication...which has it's own issues > and > > can be near impossible to get. > > > > > > > > > > I am 33 years old and have had 6 surgeries over > the > > past 17 years and I'm still in pain. I have had > varying > > degrees of pain, and I'm in better shape now than I've > been > > in a long time, but I battle my back every day. Just > getting > > a good night's sleep evades me. Being able to do the > things > > I love and maintain a job has been elusive. > > > > > > > > > > We need to stop this cycle! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --- Babbitt > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 Yes Janice...you kinda' are the exception...it sounds like your results are beyond good expectations! Though having so many surgeries is now causing problems, the good luck that you had is amazing! Having multiple surgeries sets the deck for osteoarthritis...not the old age kind that we all get, but a kind that happens after multiple surgeries. That alone can cause a lot of pain, then add on the side effects of having multiple fusions. I wish you luck with getting your pain to a much more acceptable level! With hard work and dedication, you can achieve that! --- Babbitt > > From: hangingin4593 <no_reply > > Subject: no surgery > spinal problems > Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 11:06 AM > > > > > > You are so right. Every female in my family has DDD. I have been able to > work the longest--into my mid-forties. > > My neurosurgeon was ready to cut by the 2nd visit. I said 'no' cuz my > sister has had 10 failed back surgeries. Every timr she felt numbness or > tingling, she'd head straight to an O.R. > > My doc hadn't even suggested PT, aquatic therapy, a tens unit, ice, etc. I > got those things but HAD to ASK. > > You Will feel weird sensations. I was advised by a nurse to get surgery if > drop foot or loss of bladder or bowel control came upon me. > > I Switched to an orthopedic spine specialist who said I'm not even a > candidate for surgery. I Finally was referred to pain management. I asked > and got home PT during cold winter months. > > The worst drug is Soma; my doc said her pen will not write that Rx. > Instead I take Flexerill. Soma is a dirty drug--highly addictive. Flexeril > hardly makes me drowsy. > > I have good and bad days. My sister has bad days and worse days. I'm never > pain free, but I payattention to my body, do my PT stretches. If I had the > money, I'd invest in a Swim Spa. > > E > > > >> > >> > >> EVERYONE ELSE ON HERE....this is a prime example of what we have just >> been talking about. Surgery leads to more surgery which leads to more >> surgery. The more years you have left on your life, the more surgery you >> will have. It's in almost all cases an unstoppable cycle. You can only >> prevent it by not having surgery in the first place. I can personally and >> professionally vouch for this! The public needs to be educated about the >> dangers of spine surgery. There are consequences that we can never take >> it back. Once it's done, it's done. Then you are stuck trying to decide >> if you want to further handicap your spine by more surgery, because you >> are in indescribable pain, you don't know what else to do. There are no >> other viable options besides surgery or pain medication...which has it's >> own issues and can be near impossible to get. > >> > >> I am 33 years old and have had 6 surgeries over the past 17 years and I'm >> still in pain. I have had varying degrees of pain, and I'm in better >> shape now than I've been in a long time, but I battle my back every day. >> Just getting a good night's sleep evades me. Being able to do the things >> I love and maintain a job has been elusive. > >> > >> We need to stop this cycle! > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> --- Babbitt > >> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 See, I don't necessarily believe Janice is the exception. When someone has a surgery and it is a success, typically they don't hang around on these pain support forums, or keep going back to the NS or OS, so all we see are those who don't have good results. Those who do are out doing their jobs, having fun, living their lives, etc. and the gang -- jacdobe@... Birds: Sadie (GW) Cookie (MMxBuffons) Nissa (LJ) Sylvie (RB2) ie (CAG) Cats: Sully(DSH) Shadow(DMH) Sanouk, Gabi, Cami & Hocus(Siamese) Dogs: Skye (Dobe/Husky) Reece (Dobe) Bridge kids: Jaderbug, Flirt, Tia, Munchkin, Jasmine, Chuckles, Angel, Indi, Kayla, Sabien and our heart, Bubba. Pics of the gang: http://community.webshots.com/user/jacdobe Allparrots: http://pets./group/allparrots The Coalition of PA Aviculturists: TCOPA On 1/20/2011 7:10 AM, Babbitt wrote: > Yes Janice...you kinda' are the exception...it sounds like your results are beyond good expectations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 My attitude was that any significant time pain free after surgery was a success. I had absolutely no quality of life before surgery and if after surgery I could get 2 or 3 or 5 years of quality life before I needed another surgery, then I was willing to do it. Who knows what medicine will hold in the next 2-5 years? Things are moving forward all the time. and the gang -- jacdobe@... Birds: Sadie (GW) Cookie (MMxBuffons) Nissa (LJ) Sylvie (RB2) ie (CAG) Cats: Sully(DSH) Shadow(DMH) Sanouk, Gabi, Cami & Hocus(Siamese) Dogs: Skye (Dobe/Husky) Reece (Dobe) Bridge kids: Jaderbug, Flirt, Tia, Munchkin, Jasmine, Chuckles, Angel, Indi, Kayla, Sabien and our heart, Bubba. Pics of the gang: http://community.webshots.com/user/jacdobe Allparrots: http://pets./group/allparrots The Coalition of PA Aviculturists: TCOPA On 1/19/2011 8:15 PM, Bunny wrote: > If I get ten or more years out of this I will consider it a success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 I would like to believe that I had good doctors who worked with my health in mind. The same doctor operated the first 3 times then a friend of his di the last 2 surgeries. Janice Re: no surgery See, I don't necessarily believe Janice is the exception. When someone has a surgery and it is a success, typically they don't hang around on these pain support forums, or keep going back to the NS or OS, so all we see are those who don't have good results. Those who do are out doing their jobs, having fun, living their lives, etc. and the gang -- jacdobe@... Birds: Sadie (GW) Cookie (MMxBuffons) Nissa (LJ) Sylvie (RB2) ie (CAG) Cats: Sully(DSH) Shadow(DMH) Sanouk, Gabi, Cami & Hocus(Siamese) Dogs: Skye (Dobe/Husky) Reece (Dobe) Bridge kids: Jaderbug, Flirt, Tia, Munchkin, Jasmine, Chuckles, Angel, Indi, Kayla, Sabien and our heart, Bubba. Pics of the gang: http://community.webshots.com/user/jacdobe Allparrots: http://pets./group/allparrots The Coalition of PA Aviculturists: TCOPA On 1/20/2011 7:10 AM, Babbitt wrote: > Yes Janice...you kinda' are the exception...it sounds like your results are beyond good expectations! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.872 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3392 - Release Date: 01/19/11 23:34:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 " HERE HERE TRACY!! " You have nailed it! Exercise, nutrition and all the rest you have mentioned are the only real effective ways to battle this crap. It takes all of us our own time to realize that, but at the end of the day it is us who are ultimately responsible for our well-being. Not a doc or some med or the other. They are only tools to help us. Thank you for your reality check. Best, Des > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > EVERYONE ELSE ON HERE....this is a prime example of > > what we have just been talking about. Surgery leads to more > > surgery which leads to more surgery. The more years you have > > left on your life, the more surgery you will have. It's in > > almost all cases an unstoppable cycle. You can only prevent > > it by not having surgery in the first place. I can > > personally and professionally vouch for this! The public > > needs to be educated about the dangers of spine surgery. > > There are consequences that we can never take it back. Once > > it's done, it's done. Then you are stuck trying to decide if > > you want to further handicap your spine by more surgery, > > because you are in indescribable pain, you don't know what > > else to do. There are no other viable options besides > > surgery or pain medication...which has it's own issues and > > can be near impossible to get. > > > > > > > > > > I am 33 years old and have had 6 surgeries over the > > past 17 years and I'm still in pain. I have had varying > > degrees of pain, and I'm in better shape now than I've been > > in a long time, but I battle my back every day. Just getting > > a good night's sleep evades me. Being able to do the things > > I love and maintain a job has been elusive. > > > > > > > > > > We need to stop this cycle! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --- Babbitt > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 You're right....and that's when what I do for a living and the conversations I've had with spine surgeons comes in. I do not come to that opinion solely from this support group. No way. I'm a spine surgical nurse and I've worked with some of the best and brightest...and believe me...they ALL know the truth behind spine surgery. They know. --- Babbitt > Yes Janice...you kinda' are the exception...it sounds like your results are beyond good expectations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 Sorry, but I don't buy into all the negativity. It surely doesn't help people who come on here looking for support when surgery is their only option to be told that it won't help them. and the gang -- jacdobe@... Birds: Sadie (GW) Cookie (MMxBuffons) Nissa (LJ) Sylvie (RB2) ie (CAG) Cats: Sully(DSH) Shadow(DMH) Sanouk, Gabi, Cami & Hocus(Siamese) Dogs: Skye (Dobe/Husky) Reece (Dobe) Bridge kids: Jaderbug, Flirt, Tia, Munchkin, Jasmine, Chuckles, Angel, Indi, Kayla, Sabien and our heart, Bubba. Pics of the gang: http://community.webshots.com/user/jacdobe Allparrots: http://pets./group/allparrots The Coalition of PA Aviculturists: TCOPA On 1/20/2011 8:43 PM, Babbitt wrote: > No way. I'm a spine surgical nurse and I've worked with some of the best and brightest...and believe me...they ALL know the truth behind spine surgery. They know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 Thank you Jean....I will admit I have been pretty down today and yesterday after all the talk of surgery almost never being a sucess. It took me 5 years to decide to have this surgery. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: jacdobe@... Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:32:43 -0500 Subject: Re: no surgery See, I don't necessarily believe Janice is the exception. When someone has a surgery and it is a success, typically they don't hang around on these pain support forums, or keep going back to the NS or OS, so all we see are those who don't have good results. Those who do are out doing their jobs, having fun, living their lives, etc. and the gang -- jacdobe@... Birds: Sadie (GW) Cookie (MMxBuffons) Nissa (LJ) Sylvie (RB2) ie (CAG) Cats: Sully(DSH) Shadow(DMH) Sanouk, Gabi, Cami & Hocus(Siamese) Dogs: Skye (Dobe/Husky) Reece (Dobe) Bridge kids: Jaderbug, Flirt, Tia, Munchkin, Jasmine, Chuckles, Angel, Indi, Kayla, Sabien and our heart, Bubba. Pics of the gang: http://community.webshots.com/user/jacdobe Allparrots: http://pets./group/allparrots The Coalition of PA Aviculturists: TCOPA On 1/20/2011 7:10 AM, Babbitt wrote: > Yes Janice...you kinda' are the exception...it sounds like your results are beyond good expectations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 from what I undersand with my own research and experience with sports injuries and the DDD the osteoarthritis just happens anyways because of the disease. I have osteo in my knee and shoulder where I have had breaks and ligament injuries as well as in the low back where the bad disk was...this was BEFORE surgery. I was told by more than one doctor that it was part of the disease process, and my sports medicine doctor told me that osteo can just happen with any injury to the bone. " Without rabbits a rabbits foot would be nothing but a disembodied hand full of unidentified toes. " -Pogo spinal problems From: tpowell1977@... Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2011 04:10:37 -0800 Subject: Re: no surgery Yes Janice...you kinda' are the exception...it sounds like your results are beyond good expectations! Though having so many surgeries is now causing problems, the good luck that you had is amazing! Having multiple surgeries sets the deck for osteoarthritis...not the old age kind that we all get, but a kind that happens after multiple surgeries. That alone can cause a lot of pain, then add on the side effects of having multiple fusions. I wish you luck with getting your pain to a much more acceptable level! With hard work and dedication, you can achieve that! --- Babbitt > > From: hangingin4593 <no_reply > > Subject: no surgery > spinal problems > Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 11:06 AM > > > > > > You are so right. Every female in my family has DDD. I have been able to > work the longest--into my mid-forties. > > My neurosurgeon was ready to cut by the 2nd visit. I said 'no' cuz my > sister has had 10 failed back surgeries. Every timr she felt numbness or > tingling, she'd head straight to an O.R. > > My doc hadn't even suggested PT, aquatic therapy, a tens unit, ice, etc. I > got those things but HAD to ASK. > > You Will feel weird sensations. I was advised by a nurse to get surgery if > drop foot or loss of bladder or bowel control came upon me. > > I Switched to an orthopedic spine specialist who said I'm not even a > candidate for surgery. I Finally was referred to pain management. I asked > and got home PT during cold winter months. > > The worst drug is Soma; my doc said her pen will not write that Rx. > Instead I take Flexerill. Soma is a dirty drug--highly addictive. Flexeril > hardly makes me drowsy. > > I have good and bad days. My sister has bad days and worse days. I'm never > pain free, but I payattention to my body, do my PT stretches. If I had the > money, I'd invest in a Swim Spa. > > E > > > >> > >> > >> EVERYONE ELSE ON HERE....this is a prime example of what we have just >> been talking about. Surgery leads to more surgery which leads to more >> surgery. The more years you have left on your life, the more surgery you >> will have. It's in almost all cases an unstoppable cycle. You can only >> prevent it by not having surgery in the first place. I can personally and >> professionally vouch for this! The public needs to be educated about the >> dangers of spine surgery. There are consequences that we can never take >> it back. Once it's done, it's done. Then you are stuck trying to decide >> if you want to further handicap your spine by more surgery, because you >> are in indescribable pain, you don't know what else to do. There are no >> other viable options besides surgery or pain medication...which has it's >> own issues and can be near impossible to get. > >> > >> I am 33 years old and have had 6 surgeries over the past 17 years and I'm >> still in pain. I have had varying degrees of pain, and I'm in better >> shape now than I've been in a long time, but I battle my back every day. >> Just getting a good night's sleep evades me. Being able to do the things >> I love and maintain a job has been elusive. > >> > >> We need to stop this cycle! > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> --- Babbitt > >> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 , You are correct, but surgery enhances that even further. Arthritis is often caused by severe inflammation . The type of osteoarthritis caused by injury and surgery are like this. Surgery is the ultimate injury and the arthritis it can cause is significant. --- Babbitt > > > > > > From: hangingin4593 <no_reply > > > > Subject: no surgery > > > spinal problems > > > Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 11:06 AM > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You are so right. Every female in my family has DDD. I > have been able to > > > work the longest--into my mid-forties. > > > > > > My neurosurgeon was ready to cut by the 2nd visit. I > said 'no' cuz my > > > sister has had 10 failed back surgeries. Every timr > she felt numbness or > > > tingling, she'd head straight to an O.R. > > > > > > My doc hadn't even suggested PT, aquatic therapy, a > tens unit, ice, etc. I > > > got those things but HAD to ASK. > > > > > > You Will feel weird sensations. I was advised by a > nurse to get surgery if > > > drop foot or loss of bladder or bowel control came > upon me. > > > > > > I Switched to an orthopedic spine specialist who said > I'm not even a > > > candidate for surgery. I Finally was referred to pain > management. I asked > > > and got home PT during cold winter months. > > > > > > The worst drug is Soma; my doc said her pen will not > write that Rx. > > > Instead I take Flexerill. Soma is a dirty drug--highly > addictive. Flexeril > > > hardly makes me drowsy. > > > > > > I have good and bad days. My sister has bad days and > worse days. I'm never > > > pain free, but I payattention to my body, do my PT > stretches. If I had the > > > money, I'd invest in a Swim Spa. > > > > > > E > > > > > > > > > > > >> > > > > > >> > > > > > >> EVERYONE ELSE ON HERE....this is a prime example > of what we have just > > >> been talking about. Surgery leads to more surgery > which leads to more > > >> surgery. The more years you have left on your > life, the more surgery you > > >> will have. It's in almost all cases an unstoppable > cycle. You can only > > >> prevent it by not having surgery in the first > place. I can personally and > > >> professionally vouch for this! The public needs to > be educated about the > > >> dangers of spine surgery. There are consequences > that we can never take > > >> it back. Once it's done, it's done. Then you are > stuck trying to decide > > >> if you want to further handicap your spine by more > surgery, because you > > >> are in indescribable pain, you don't know what > else to do. There are no > > >> other viable options besides surgery or pain > medication...which has it's > > >> own issues and can be near impossible to get. > > > > > >> > > > > > >> I am 33 years old and have had 6 surgeries over > the past 17 years and I'm > > >> still in pain. I have had varying degrees of pain, > and I'm in better > > >> shape now than I've been in a long time, but I > battle my back every day. > > >> Just getting a good night's sleep evades me. Being > able to do the things > > >> I love and maintain a job has been elusive. > > > > > >> > > > > > >> We need to stop this cycle! > > > > > >> > > > > > >> > > > > > >> > > > > > >> > > > > > >> --- Babbitt > > > > > >> > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 , You do what you need to do for YOU. YOU have to live in your body, nobody else does.That being said, NO ONE should go into these kind of life altering decisions unarmed with as much information as they can get. My last fusion was absolutely necessary as my previous one never took and I was a mess in there. The surgery and the following hardware removal surgery DID bring some relief, but even with the relief I am still in pain, enough to need pain meds for the rest of my life, enough to not be able to sleep... I hope you have wonderful results and if you take good care of yourself you have a good expectation for that. --- Babbitt > > Yes Janice...you kinda' are the exception...it sounds > like your results are beyond good expectations! > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 First,I'm saying that it is not the miracle cure that the docs lead many to believe it is. I didn't say it wouldn't help her. Second...I wish to GOD someone had told me the real risks before my first fusion and before it was too late to go back. Third, being a support is making sure that people are properly informed and can make an INFORMED DECISION. There are a lot of people on here who never had that, myself included. That is the greatest gift, the armor of knowledge. --- Babbitt > No way. I'm a spine surgical nurse and I've worked with some of the best and brightest...and believe me...they ALL know the truth behind spine surgery. They know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.