Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Hi , I am sorry to hear that the results of your MRI were not better. And I hope that they can fix the problem without surgery. Although when looking at the amount of pain I am still in and the complications that have happened it is hard to see my surgery as a success. But I think that it was. The placement of my disc is very good and my pain , in that area, has decreased. My Doc has told me that it can take up to a year for the pain to go away after the surgery. So I am hoping and expecting improvement. At that time my surgery was elective. And I didn't have the nerve problems that I have now. But the pain was slowly killing me. I look at how terrible things seem now and I THINK I can still say that if I had it to do over again that I would. I now that others have good results. My brother had his neck fused at the beginning of Feb. and so far things are looking to be so much better for him. And his neck was a mess. At the same time they did a disctectomy on a couple other levels and removed bone spurs, one of which was pushing into his spinal cord. Also my brother in law, whose is more recent, had a single level fusion in his lower back. Along with a piece of calsified (sp?) disc removed. And I am amazed at how much better he walks and moves. And he just keeps improving also. My surgery along with these others I mention are all in under a year. So I hope that you will get posts that will be with outcomes with a year or more out. Because that is when you know how well the outcome of the surgery is. At least that is what I understood. I hope this helps. I look forward to other responses. Please keep me posted. Take care, Katrina :-) > > Hi Folks, > > I had another MRI yesterday morning. My doctor called me this > afternoon with some information. Evidently there has been quite a bit > of change in the lower lumbar area and nerves are being affected. She > told me I need to see a neurosurgeon ASAP. She also said she had > contacted my attorneys to tell them to disregard the last form she had > filled out for my SSI hearing. She will fax them a new one. She told > me this new MRI would support my disability claim more strongly. So > I'm hanging in and waiting. I am not at all sure about having surgery > since I've heard so many bad things about the results. But the nerve > pain in my leg is getting to me so I guess I won't have much of a > choice. Anyone who can share surgery success stories, I would sure > like to hear them. > > Hugs and healing thoughts to all, > > in NC > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2006 Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 the same thing happened to me concerning MRI I had on in 2002 that showed nothing wrong with L4 or my stenosis. then the MRI in 2003 showed stenosis in two places and that L4 was herinated like L5. Goes to show you how fast things start to go downhill concerning the spine. Hugs and Prayers, Babs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 Hi what did the test say about nerve pain?? And what did she suggest you have done?? Have you had a CAT scan yet?? I am sure a neuro willl suggest you have one done as it shows nerves more clearly than an MRI. I had surgery for my leg once but it failed. I am currently waiting for the insurance co. to decide if I can have it done again by my old surgeon as he is not on my insurance anymore. If you can tell me what the test said I can help explain it to you. As I am sure it is similar to what I have. Lately I have been thinking that I'd like to Rippppppp that dang nerve out its been driving me so insane. Geez I hate that thing!!!!!!!! Hope you are feeling better. Best wishes Sharon Group Owner > > Hi Folks, > > I had another MRI yesterday morning. My doctor called me this > afternoon with some information. Evidently there has been quite a bit > of change in the lower lumbar area and nerves are being affected. She > told me I need to see a neurosurgeon ASAP. She also said she had > contacted my attorneys to tell them to disregard the last form she had > filled out for my SSI hearing. She will fax them a new one. She told > me this new MRI would support my disability claim more strongly. So > I'm hanging in and waiting. I am not at all sure about having surgery > since I've heard so many bad things about the results. But the nerve > pain in my leg is getting to me so I guess I won't have much of a > choice. Anyone who can share surgery success stories, I would sure > like to hear them. > > Hugs and healing thoughts to all, > > in NC > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 Hi Sharon, I'm not exactly sure what the new MRI showed since I don't have the results. My doctor simply called to say things were worse and I needed to see a neurosurgeon. The official diagnosis is Spinal Stenosis and DDD with osteoarthritis making everything worse. I have started taking my pain meds on a more regular schedule and not waiting until the pain gets so bad. That has seemed to help quite a bit. Thank goodness for nice long hot soaks in the bathtub. Muscle relaxers help too, if nothing else, they put me to sleep. I am really hoping my medicaid decision will be made soon so I can go to a doctor here in town and not have to go out of town. That would cause all kinds of trouble since I'm the only driver in the house. With all of this undecided and the family upheaval this past week, my nerves are shot. Saturday, I turned 52 and spent the day in tears. Both of my children are in crisis and I feel so helpless to do anything to help either of them. It is just a really rough time and the health problems on top of the emotional turmoil is just about more than I can handle. Hugs to you and everyone....... hope you are all as painfree as possible. > > > > Hi Folks, > > > > I had another MRI yesterday morning. My doctor called me this > > afternoon with some information. Evidently there has been quite a > bit > > of change in the lower lumbar area and nerves are being affected. > She > > told me I need to see a neurosurgeon ASAP. She also said she had > > contacted my attorneys to tell them to disregard the last form she > had > > filled out for my SSI hearing. She will fax them a new one. She > told > > me this new MRI would support my disability claim more strongly. > So > > I'm hanging in and waiting. I am not at all sure about having > surgery > > since I've heard so many bad things about the results. But the > nerve > > pain in my leg is getting to me so I guess I won't have much of a > > choice. Anyone who can share surgery success stories, I would > sure > > like to hear them. > > > > Hugs and healing thoughts to all, > > > > in NC > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 Hi Sharon, I'm not exactly sure what the new MRI showed since I don't have the results. My doctor simply called to say things were worse and I needed to see a neurosurgeon. The official diagnosis is Spinal Stenosis and DDD with osteoarthritis making everything worse. I have started taking my pain meds on a more regular schedule and not waiting until the pain gets so bad. That has seemed to help quite a bit. Thank goodness for nice long hot soaks in the bathtub. Muscle relaxers help too, if nothing else, they put me to sleep. I am really hoping my medicaid decision will be made soon so I can go to a doctor here in town and not have to go out of town. That would cause all kinds of trouble since I'm the only driver in the house. With all of this undecided and the family upheaval this past week, my nerves are shot. Saturday, I turned 52 and spent the day in tears. Both of my children are in crisis and I feel so helpless to do anything to help either of them. It is just a really rough time and the health problems on top of the emotional turmoil is just about more than I can handle. Hugs to you and everyone....... hope you are all as painfree as possible. > > > > Hi Folks, > > > > I had another MRI yesterday morning. My doctor called me this > > afternoon with some information. Evidently there has been quite a > bit > > of change in the lower lumbar area and nerves are being affected. > She > > told me I need to see a neurosurgeon ASAP. She also said she had > > contacted my attorneys to tell them to disregard the last form she > had > > filled out for my SSI hearing. She will fax them a new one. She > told > > me this new MRI would support my disability claim more strongly. > So > > I'm hanging in and waiting. I am not at all sure about having > surgery > > since I've heard so many bad things about the results. But the > nerve > > pain in my leg is getting to me so I guess I won't have much of a > > choice. Anyone who can share surgery success stories, I would > sure > > like to hear them. > > > > Hugs and healing thoughts to all, > > > > in NC > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 Hi Sharon, I'm not exactly sure what the new MRI showed since I don't have the results. My doctor simply called to say things were worse and I needed to see a neurosurgeon. The official diagnosis is Spinal Stenosis and DDD with osteoarthritis making everything worse. I have started taking my pain meds on a more regular schedule and not waiting until the pain gets so bad. That has seemed to help quite a bit. Thank goodness for nice long hot soaks in the bathtub. Muscle relaxers help too, if nothing else, they put me to sleep. I am really hoping my medicaid decision will be made soon so I can go to a doctor here in town and not have to go out of town. That would cause all kinds of trouble since I'm the only driver in the house. With all of this undecided and the family upheaval this past week, my nerves are shot. Saturday, I turned 52 and spent the day in tears. Both of my children are in crisis and I feel so helpless to do anything to help either of them. It is just a really rough time and the health problems on top of the emotional turmoil is just about more than I can handle. Hugs to you and everyone....... hope you are all as painfree as possible. > > > > Hi Folks, > > > > I had another MRI yesterday morning. My doctor called me this > > afternoon with some information. Evidently there has been quite a > bit > > of change in the lower lumbar area and nerves are being affected. > She > > told me I need to see a neurosurgeon ASAP. She also said she had > > contacted my attorneys to tell them to disregard the last form she > had > > filled out for my SSI hearing. She will fax them a new one. She > told > > me this new MRI would support my disability claim more strongly. > So > > I'm hanging in and waiting. I am not at all sure about having > surgery > > since I've heard so many bad things about the results. But the > nerve > > pain in my leg is getting to me so I guess I won't have much of a > > choice. Anyone who can share surgery success stories, I would > sure > > like to hear them. > > > > Hugs and healing thoughts to all, > > > > in NC > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 , I have the DDD, spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis also. Not sure how much your doctor explained to you. But DDD continues to get worse as you age. I went to a top spinal Neurosurgeon And he flat said that I was not a candidate for the surgery. But then I have a history of failed fusions too along with the fact I am a smoker. Hugs and Prayers, Babs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 Hi Babs, Count me among the hold outs....... I am a smoker too and have been for years. While I might consider a temporary cessation, I don't foresee any long term committment to stopping. Sometimes I think the cigarettes keep me sane when all else fails. Also, being a Type 2 diabetic isn't going to help my case for surgical relief. My diabetes is pretty much under control and I haven't had any trouble so far with healing, but who knows what a surgeon might say about that. Right now, I'm doing one day at a time. Everyday seems to bring with it a new problem....... mostly from my grown children. My nerves are frazzled and my heart is heavy. I wish I could go out for a walk to get my mind off of their troubles, but walking is very painful. Hopefully, I will get good news from the Medicaid folks. That would be a big help and one less worry. Hope you are doing well and as pain free as possible..... > > , I have the DDD, spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis also. Not sure how much your doctor explained to you. But DDD continues to get worse as you age. I went to a top spinal Neurosurgeon And he flat said that I was not a candidate for the surgery. But then I have a history of failed fusions too along with the fact I am a smoker. > Hugs and Prayers, Babs > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2006 Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 HI sorry to hear about your family troubles stress can make pain so much worse. You can ask your dr to mail you a copy of the MRI results so you can look at them for yourself. Although alot of it is medical mumbo jumbo you should be able to figure alot of it out for yourself with help from Medline ( link in the links section) I know stenosis is no fun mine hurts like hades some days. Sometimes between that and my sciatic problems with my left leg I can barely walk. But if I were you I'd want to see the report for myself before you see a neurosurgeon so you can better understand what is wrong and what he can do to help you. Good luck I hope you find a good dr who can help relieve your pain. Still waiting on my insurance co. Right now I'd check in the hospital tomorrow just to get rid of some of this pain, I've had ENOUGH bad days to last a lifetime. My prayers are with you that things take a turn for the better soon. Sharon Group Owner > > Hi Sharon, > > I'm not exactly sure what the new MRI showed since I don't have the > results. My doctor simply called to say things were worse and I > needed to see a neurosurgeon. The official diagnosis is Spinal > Stenosis and DDD with osteoarthritis making everything worse. > > I have started taking my pain meds on a more regular schedule and not > waiting until the pain gets so bad. That has seemed to help quite a > bit. Thank goodness for nice long hot soaks in the bathtub. Muscle > relaxers help too, if nothing else, they put me to sleep. > > I am really hoping my medicaid decision will be made soon so I can go > to a doctor here in town and not have to go out of town. That would > cause all kinds of trouble since I'm the only driver in the house. > > With all of this undecided and the family upheaval this past week, my > nerves are shot. Saturday, I turned 52 and spent the day in tears. > Both of my children are in crisis and I feel so helpless to do > anything to help either of them. It is just a really rough time and > the health problems on top of the emotional turmoil is just about > more than I can handle. > > Hugs to you and everyone....... hope you are all as painfree as > possible. > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 3, 2006 Report Share Posted April 3, 2006 , sorry your children are keeping you stressed out. Hope things settle down where they are concerned. I learned the best way to deal with grown children is to let them live their live the way they see fit. Cause they are not going to listen anyway. And if they do they just push what is said aside. I have 4 grown children. My famous words to them is You choose what is best for you.. And leave it at that.. Hugs and Prayers, Babs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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