Back Pain and Chronic Pain Message Boards : Blogs : Latest

3rd time not the charm in Welcome to My World :

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:37:40 -0500

Thought I would update everyone just had my 3rd L-5 S-1 Laminectomy/radiculapathy. And worse pain ever.. I am 3 weeks post op and my surgeon doesn't know what to do he feels really bad considering i am 38 and live on pain pills to do normal things like walk and go to the store spend time with my kids... I go back in 6 weeks for anothe MRI I told my doctor no more surgeries I just can't now I have permanate nerve damage in my left leg from my knee to the tip of my toes can't more my ankle or toes, it seems like after every surgery it just gets worse and I can't do this anymore I am just going to pray that the pain gets better soon. I know there are alot of people living with the same pain as I am and I thank each and everyone of you for all the support and sharing information without you in would of been really difficult to get through May God bless all of you

Please help...Question about multiple microdiscectomies in Coping with Pain :

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:33:10 -0500

I am a week and a half post op from my first microdiscectomy. I am able to get in and out of bed easier but I am never with out pain. Three days ago my leg pain came back and feel like it is a set back. The numbness is constant in my right leg and foot. I am using a cain for support and balance. My doctor gave me no stretches or excerises to do just instructions to walk. I just read a blog about someone on here that has had multiple micros because the same disk kept herniating and it's the same place as my micro...L5S1. Does anyone know anything about disks reherniating after surgery or about the recovery time for microdiscectomies? Yesturday was my first day in a car and out of the house because I was the only one permitted to pick up my pain script from my NS. I was in such pain from all the moving around although I was careful.

I'm a newbie!! in Coping with Pain :

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:47:45 -0500

Gosh, reading everyones blogs on here makes me feel like I don't even compare to what any of you guys are!!
I've been dealing with sciatica since November last year. I'm 27 years old with 3 children.And I feel like my life has come to a halt. Dealing with back pain,has been a pain in the ass..literally!!!lol
I have been to my doctor and he couldn't seem to do much for me,he sent me to physio but that didn't do anything at all!! I ended up starting to see a chiro, they are really great there but I'm getting soo impatient!! I'm getting sick of having to put my life on hold because of this. I can't take my children to the park,because I can't even walk for that long!! doing the household shopping and housework is a killer!!
I am usually a sporty type of person,but I can't even do that!! My weight has gone up soo high,and all this is slowly bringing me down!! :(
does anyone have any tips or anything that could possibly help me get on the road to recovery?
I am usually not someone that would use a site like this,but my hopes are sinking!!!
HELP!!

Anyone who had microdiscetomy?? in Coping with Pain :

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:07:26 -0500

My doctor is recommending a microdiscetomy, I need to know how the procedure works, how long it takes and how long the healing process is and last but not least...if it's painful??? Does it work or a waste of my time???

upper spine in Coping with Pain :

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:51:54 -0500

dealing with abnormal mri, showing space lesions at t5, t10 and trouble at t4. possible hemangioma with soft protrusion at t5 involving the pedicle and the cortex is dehiscent. any body know what this means. seeing a specialist next week. would like to hear from t7hemangioma, think we might have a similar problem. The person that read my mri report think this is maybe hemangiomas, need advice

end of a long road, and beginning of another in Coping with Pain :

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:09:32 -0500

This is my first message on a "board" like this. I'm 31 and have had some form of back pain for the past 10 years. I have had 4 episodes of acute pain, where no matter how much I argued for an MRI, I always got the "take these pain meds, take these muscle relaxers, do some P.T, do some bed rest" lines from I don't know how many doctors. "You're to young to have back problems" I even got from one doctor. Well, 3 months ago, I had another "episode" I now have demanded the MRI and now after seeing 5 doctors, after being referred I don't know how many times, done an cortisone nerve block, I am looking at surgery options. I have a herniated L4-L5 disc and ripped L5-S1, the L4-5 disc is the one pressing right up on the nerve cord and on my sciatica now as well. I'm looking at doing a microdiscectomy by my OS, that would include needing to drill in a portion of the laminas on both sides to aid in getting to the herniated portion of the disc to remove it. MY BIG QUESTION IS.....Do I go see a Neurosurgeon now to have them do the surgery or do I have my OS do it? Any input that anyone would have would maybe help in my anxiousness with this decision.

Getting ready for round two after 26 years! in Welcome to My World :

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:15:34 -0500

Back in 1982, I had a double lamenectomy at L45 and L5S1. Success was limited, but "I held up" for 24 years. In 3 weeks, I'm having a "cadavar bone spinal fusion" of L34, L45 and L5S1.

Recovery the first time was a gruesome 2 years. Not sure I ever really recovered. has anyone out there had this second procedure done? what am I "looking at?"

lumbar PLIF spinal fusion in Coping with Pain :

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 12:41:27 -0500

I have had a microdiscectomy in april 2006 L-56 S-1 which I have permanent damage to my right side with some reflex lost and recently in april 2008 I had a cervical fusion of c-45 and c-56 with metal. I had a discogram done of my lumbar, found a large tear at L-45 and my L-5 S-1 is seriously degenerated with several tears in it and I am now going to have a 2 level PLIF with cage done from L-4 thru S-1. I was wondering how anyone else turned out from this procedure. Please respond

New member, scoliosis surgery in Coping with Pain :

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:27:47 -0500

I am 49 year old female who had surgery on 9 May of this year to correct progressive adult-onset scoliosis. I had two curves, thoracic measuring > 51 and lumbar 47 degree. My fusion is from T-4 to S-1, rods the entire length. Due to a Pars defect, my fusion was extended to S-1, further than originally expected. I had a significant graft taken from the back of my pelvis which is still exceedingly painful. Despite the unreal pain associated with such a major procedure, I have gained 1.5" in height, a nice bonus. I was in the hospital 8 days, rehab physical hospital another week, where I underwent 3 hrs daily pt/ot-HORRIBLY PAINFUL. I also bled excessively during surgery, which is not uncommon, had to be transfused multiple units during and after surgery. This brought on chest pain and shortness of breath, very frightening, the first night post-op. I am still going to PT 3 x weekly, faithfully doing the exercises on my off days. I am interested in others who have undergone this extensive of a fusion & rod placement; although it has been almost 5 weeks, I am still in quite a bit of pain, still needing narcotic pain meds-how long may I expect to feel so terrible?? I am naturally concerned about taking this type of RX for so long. I cannot use NSAIDS for a year, due to the fact that it can interfere with the fusion-I practically lived on Ibuprofen! However, I have tried extra-strength Acetaminophen but it just doesn't cut it. I would appreciate any insight from a seasoned large fusion/rod patient who might offer some words of hope and help! I might also add that I am a very small person, albeit now 5' 2", but am thin, too thin now, having lost a lot of weight-I add this to the picture, knowing that excess weight generally causes problems, makes healing times, feeling better less quick. Extra pounds do not figure in this situation; I guess I'd hoped I'd feel better sooner, but feel like it's taking forever.Thanks for any help! EB

this is a test in Coping with Pain :

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:35:40 -0500

test blog 1