Herniated Disks!

[Guest guest]

I read something written on the Supertraining list tonight... Dr Siff, you

and some others seem to have a lot of information regarding herniated disks,

etc. My problem is the L4-5, L3-4, and the Lower L5-S1. I have had back

problems for probably a good 25 years now...and I guess it just finally

decided to give out! Six weeks ago I woke up to experience severe back

pain...no insurance...so, I waited 5 weeks before I finally went to a

specialist. They did an immediate MRI and found that the L4-5 was at a level

4 (severe) and the canal narrowing was at a 3...the L3-4 was at a level

2..with narrowing at a level 2..and the L-5-S-1 was at a 1..same as the

narrowing canal.

Anyway, we tried a week of cortisone to reduce inflammation, but no luck.

The pain is " out of control " ...I cannot do anything! I cannot lie, sit, and

in any position in any kind of comfort. I have esophagitus, so cannot take

most pain killers that would normally be subscribed for this type of severe

pain....I AM IN EXTREME DISCOMFORT!

[Cortisone generally makes very little long-term difference in such cases.

Inflammation of the esophagus is not affected by narcotic pain killers that

are often prescribed for high levels of chronic back pain - have your doctors

ever suggested that you use these powerful drugs during stages of extreme

pain? Mel Siff]

Today, I went to the head of the Physical Therapy Dept. at my Sports Club in

Irvine, CA. He looked at the MRI results, etc. He also agreed with the

Ortho Specialist that surgery needed to be done, especially asap on the L4-5.

The L3-4 would wait until later, and it was as slight possibility we could

do strength training to keep from having surgery on that disk. The bottom

disk is just beginning to show problems, so strength training should be no

problem with keeping that disk under control.

[What sort of surgery are they suggesting? Removal of the discs (dicectomy or

laminectomy)? Spinal fusion? A combination of both? Mel Siff]

I am scheduled to see a Neurosurgeon this week for a third opinion, and to

see if my " hazy " eyesight and somewhat numb side of the face/arms is part of

this same problem or not, etc. What I would like to hear from any of you

with any professional experience what you truly feel regarding the opinion of

the doctor, therapist, etc. and the recommendation for immediate surgery.

[it is always a good idea to seek several professional medical opinions,

especially those of a few neurosurgeons, who tend to have greater experience

regarding neural problems. Mel Siff]

I am a theatre performer (dancer/Tap)...and of course, this has hindered my

ability to do any shows. Dancing and theatre are my first loves, and I

certainly don't want to jeopardize my dancing by waiting " too long " and

having the canal narrow and then have immediate surgery and possible tragic

outcome....they have warned me of what can happen regarding loss of

control/urine, leg movements, and etc...and it is immediate (2 hours max) to

get to the hospital and get operated on.

This is scary stuff! I don't have insurance, and am currently trying to

" work a deal " and get accepted for a " hardship " case at the hospital, etc.

They have tentatively scheduled surgery for next Tuesday, the 11th. Tell me

of any other people you know of..cases .... whereby they had these same type

of injuries all at once..and what their decision and outcome was....I am

searching for " last minute " ideas, so I can come to the best decision

possible for me. Thanking you in advance for your knowledge......

[unfortunately, nobody can possibly offer any sort of even vaguely definitive

advice via the Internet (nor should they), especially in severe cases like this.

One has to

carefully study the case history, MRI's, CAT scans, neurological and

functional tests before daring to venture an opinion. You will have to seek

the opinion of several neurosurgeons and neurologists as well, then use that

information to come carefully to a decision. Mel Siff]

Dwyer

Newport Beach, CA. (USA)