surgery

March 19, 2009

The great thing about Chinese herbs (and acupuncture) is that, if they are

administered properly there are no side effects, because the aim in using

them is to restore your body's natural equilibrium. Yan Hu Suo is a great

non addictive pain reliever. it is 48% as effective as opium, with no

addictive property.

As for the anxiety, I'm not sure what to recommend, because I would have to

look at your tongue, take your pulse and ask you a bunch of questions.

Valerian's generally pretty good.

Surgery

> > >

> > > I am 5 weeks out from having anterior cervical fusion surgery. I had c

> > > 6-7 fused and 6 years ago 4-5. This time I have been having real bad

> > > anxious feelings and hard time sleeping. I am trying not to take

> > > anymore pain meds but am just feeling real anxious. I go back to the

> > > surgeon March 30th for follow-up. I am able to work from home now.

> > > Just curious if anyone else have had these feelings.

> > >

> > > Thank you

> > >

> > > _________________________________________________________________

> > > Windows LiveT: Life without walls.

> > > http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_allup_1a_explore_032009

> > >

March 19, 2009

Could be a spleen qi deficiency. Try peppermint tea. And/or ginger.

Surgery

> > > >

> > > > I am 5 weeks out from having anterior cervical fusion surgery. I had

> > > > c 6-7 fused and 6 years ago 4-5. This time I have been having real

> > > > bad anxious feelings and hard time sleeping. I am trying not to take

> > > > anymore pain meds but am just feeling real anxious. I go back to the

> > > > surgeon March 30th for follow-up. I am able to work from home now.

> > > > Just curious if anyone else have had these feelings.

> > > >

> > > > Thank you

> > > >

> > > > _________________________________________________________________

> > > > Windows LiveT: Life without walls.

> > > > http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_allup_1a_explore_032009

> > > >

July 17, 2009

2 to 3 days before surgery.

=========

>

> I AM HAVING SURGERY 8-10-2009

> RECONSTRUCTION BREAST SURGEY.OW LONG BEFORE THAT DATE SHOULD I STOP LDN

........

>

> THEY ARE NOT PUTTING ME ASLEEP ( TOO MANY TIMES THIS YEAR)

> SO I AM GOING TO GET THE TWIGH-LIGHT.PLUS PAIN MEDS....AND i HAVE TO BE

CERTAIN THEY WORK LOLOLOL

>

> TANKS SO MUCH

> GRETCHEN

>

October 28, 2009

So..at lat, an on topic post! I'm so willing to listen to any and every

story that neither starts nor ends with " See your local quack! "

What is going on, and what is your history?

judith

In a message dated 10/28/2009 4:32:19 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

smokie1952@... writes:

I will be having my 4th back surgery on November 6th . supposed to be 2

days in the hospital .

October 28, 2009

In a message dated 10/28/2009 5:57:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

smokie1952@... writes:

I have had a discectomy,2 fusions and now a spinal cord stimulator implant

TWO fusions? Did ya ask the surgeon about just installing a zipper back

there?

I'm in stall mode myself, on hips, AND back. It's stable now, and I'm not

inclined to de-stabilize it if I can avoid it.

Best wishes for an easy surgery and a fast recovery..from what I've heard,

if you can deal with fusion recovery, most anything else is going to seem

pretty easy.

judith

October 28, 2009

Pete,

Consult your Chiropractic Physician to learn preoperative alternatives.

regards,

AQUADC, DABXN

From: Pete <smokie1952@...>

Subject: surgery

spinal problems

Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 3:20 PM

I will be having my 4th back surgery on November 6th .

supposed to be 2 days in the hospital .

October 28, 2009

Hi Pete,

What kind of surgery are you having? What were your other surgeries? I hope it

goes very well and you recover quickly!

Barb

>

> I will be having my 4th back surgery on November 6th . supposed to be 2 days

in the hospital .

>

October 28, 2009

I have had a discectomy,2 fusions and now a spinal cord stimulator implant

From: Barb <ellijaygal@...>

Subject: Re: surgery

spinal problems

Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 5:41 PM

Hi Pete,

What kind of surgery are you having? What were your other surgeries? I hope it

goes very well and you recover quickly!

Barb

>

> I will be having my 4th back surgery on November 6th . supposed to be 2 days

in the hospital .

>

October 28, 2009

I have no personal experience with the spinal cord stimulator. I hope it works

great for you and please let me know how it goes. I have chronic pain from my

surgeries and have wondered if that or a pain pump would work for me rather than

having to take so much medication. What area was your discectomy and fusions?

>

> >

>

> > I will be having my 4th back surgery on November 6th . supposed to be 2 days

in the hospital .

>

> >

>

October 28, 2009

I know people with both, spinal cord stim, and pain pump. I do know that they

do a temporary implant of the spinal cord stim for about a week to see if it

works for you. If it does then surgery is scheduled for a permanent implant. I

do not recall if the pain pump is temporarily implanted first or not. I do know

that if they work they work very very well.

>

> I have no personal experience with the spinal cord stimulator. I hope it works

great for you and please let me know how it goes. I have chronic pain from my

surgeries and have wondered if that or a pain pump would work for me rather than

having to take so much medication. What area was your discectomy and fusions?

>

October 28, 2009

He told me he had a temporary one and it helped 75% of his pain. That would be

HEAVEN.

> >

> > I have no personal experience with the spinal cord stimulator. I hope it

works great for you and please let me know how it goes. I have chronic pain from

my surgeries and have wondered if that or a pain pump would work for me rather

than having to take so much medication. What area was your discectomy and

fusions?

> >

>

October 28, 2009

Hi Pete and welcome to the group! Would you tell us a little about yourself and

your spine problem? What kind of surgery are you having...I'm guessing a

fusion.--- Babbitt

________________________________

From: Pete <smokie1952@...>

spinal problems

Sent: Wed, October 28, 2009 4:20:14 PM

Subject: surgery

I will be having my 4th back surgery on November 6th . supposed to be 2 days in

the hospital .

February 18, 2010

Hi, I can't answer your question, the reason I am responding, is I too am having

surgery(dental) and have stopped the LDN 1 week before. I will be taking the

same drug Vicodan ES tylenol/7.5hydrocodone, my question to you is, did the

stopping the LDN enable the pain medicine to work okay, or do you think you

could have done without it. I will be following your posts to see if I learn

anything since you are ahead of me. What you wrote makes sense and I will

probably do the same, meaning restart the LDN when the pain/medication is gone.

>

> I had surgery on Tuesday and went off LDN a week before and was put on

Hydrocodone/APAP 7.5mg for pain. My question is do I stay off ldn till I'm done

with the drug? I have MS and so far no problems. Thanks. Just checking to make

sure I should probably wait till I'm done with the hydrocodone..?

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free.

> http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469229/direct/01/

>

May 24, 2010

So pleased about your progress, .........keep us posted......

BARB

Surgery

Well, I had my TKR on Tuesday May 18. I know I posted something about

being concerned about the spinal. I in all honesty don't even remember

when they gave it to me. The only evidence that I did have one is that I

have a sore spot on my back. LOL

I'm well on my way to recovery. My doctor uses a system that cleans the

blood coming from my drain then you get it back in a transfusion. I had 3

or 4 of those, but on the last day had to have a transfusion of donor

blood. I was a little hesitant at first just becuase it was someone's

blood I didn't know. I felt much better when it was all done. I got home

about 7:30 on Friday night.

I didn't get up to start PT until the Wednesday. I made great progress in

the hospital. I had 90 degree progression the morning after surgery.

When my doctor pushed it I had 100!!! My sister and neighbor are

handling my PT. I have thought I was going to die, but the I'm at 110

degrees today and have been up and down my side walk several times.

--

Too Darn Busy to Think Up A Better Siggy.

May 24, 2010

Congrats, .

Thank goodness that pain with the stretch only lasts during the stretch!

And it¹s good that there are usually pretty quick results, or how could we

do it.

Glad you¹ve got good support.

Keep up the good work!

Peace,

Jackie

--

Jackie on

Jackiett@...

R-TKR 3-19-09

L-TKR 9-1-09

Dr. Patch

On 5/23/10 8:56 PM, " " <momto1@...> wrote:

>

> Well, I had my TKR on Tuesday May 18. I know I posted something about

> being concerned about the spinal. I in all honesty don't even remember

> when they gave it to me. The only evidence that I did have one is that I

> have a sore spot on my back. LOL

>

> I'm well on my way to recovery. My doctor uses a system that cleans the

> blood coming from my drain then you get it back in a transfusion. I had 3

> or 4 of those, but on the last day had to have a transfusion of donor

> blood. I was a little hesitant at first just becuase it was someone's

> blood I didn't know. I felt much better when it was all done. I got home

> about 7:30 on Friday night.

>

> I didn't get up to start PT until the Wednesday. I made great progress in

> the hospital. I had 90 degree progression the morning after surgery.

> When my doctor pushed it I had 100!!! My sister and neighbor are

> handling my PT. I have thought I was going to die, but the I'm at 110

> degrees today and have been up and down my side walk several times.

May 24, 2010

Home from the hospital. A total elbow is no fun. Everyone take care of their

joints. And best of luck to all. Alida

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Re: Surgery

Congrats, .

Thank goodness that pain with the stretch only lasts during the stretch!

And it¹s good that there are usually pretty quick results, or how could we

do it.

Glad you¹ve got good support.

Keep up the good work!

Peace,

Jackie

--

Jackie on

Jackiett@...

R-TKR 3-19-09

L-TKR 9-1-09

Dr. Patch

On 5/23/10 8:56 PM, " " <momto1@...> wrote:

>

> Well, I had my TKR on Tuesday May 18. I know I posted something about

> being concerned about the spinal. I in all honesty don't even remember

> when they gave it to me. The only evidence that I did have one is that I

> have a sore spot on my back. LOL

>

> I'm well on my way to recovery. My doctor uses a system that cleans the

> blood coming from my drain then you get it back in a transfusion. I had 3

> or 4 of those, but on the last day had to have a transfusion of donor

> blood. I was a little hesitant at first just becuase it was someone's

> blood I didn't know. I felt much better when it was all done. I got home

> about 7:30 on Friday night.

>

> I didn't get up to start PT until the Wednesday. I made great progress in

> the hospital. I had 90 degree progression the morning after surgery.

> When my doctor pushed it I had 100!!! My sister and neighbor are

> handling my PT. I have thought I was going to die, but the I'm at 110

> degrees today and have been up and down my side walk several times.

May 24, 2010

Glad you're home, Alida. Ooooh, Elbow What do you do to rehab that???

Best wishes,

Jackie

On 5/24/10 10:52 AM, " akorns@... " <akorns@...> wrote:

> Home from the hospital. A total elbow is no fun. Everyone take care of their

> joints. And best of luck to all. Alida

>

> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

>

May 24, 2010

Don't know yet I will let you know.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Re: Surgery

Glad you're home, Alida. Ooooh, Elbow What do you do to rehab that???

Best wishes,

Jackie

On 5/24/10 10:52 AM, " akorns@... " <akorns@...> wrote:

> Home from the hospital. A total elbow is no fun. Everyone take care of their

> joints. And best of luck to all. Alida

>

> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

>

July 10, 2010

Ann--

(1) Of course you need to discuss this with the surgeons that you consult;

however it looked to me that at NEBH they were doing orthopedic surgery on

people over the age of 60 on a regular basis.

(2) With BCBS health insurance, it cost me about $5,000 out of pocket. However

my surgeon accepted my insurance so his fee was reduced because he was a

preferred provider, and most of the hospital charges were reduced because the

hospital is also a preferred provider. I'm guessing that you have

medicare/medicaid, so you may have a lot of things covered like the hospital

stay, physical therapy, and equipment. I'd recommend talking to the surgeon's

assistant about costs, not just his fee but also the fees of the other doctors

that would be involved.

If you need to go to rehab afterwards, then you need to find out if that's

covered. Rehab was NOT covered by my insurance, so that was an extra $5,000 out

of pocket. Actually it was $15,000 out of pocket initially because the facility

required 30 days payment in advance; it took them almost two months to refund

the difference. (We paid by credit card and got a check in the mail.)

(3) The surgery was not as traumatic as when we were teens. Pain management has

come a LONG way since then; instead of a shot in the leg ever four hours, there

are morphine pumps where the patient can control dosage, with safeguards to

prevent overdosing. Instead of casts, some surgeons use braces and some use

nothing at all. Instead of being bedridden for weeks or months, they usually

get you out of bed after just a few days. No more bedpans! By the time the

catheter comes out, you're able to use a commode or toilet.

(4) If your local physician does an x-ray, then make sure they do a full length

spinal x-ray because that's what the surgeons are working with nowadays. Some

surgeons also want an MRI, and all of them want a CT scan.

--Beth (Long Island)

>

> I have read all the comments from my last post and I am so grateful for

everyone sharing their experiences. I am thinking about the idea of having

surgery at age 60. Do I want to go through this major surgery at this age? Will

it really make a difference? Will my hump be flattened like my other side.

There is no 100 percent guarantee that I would have a normal back with two sides

of my back even. Can I live with the protruding hump on my left side and the

nodule in the end of my back? These thoughts have been going through my mind

since I started this. The hump has bothered me for such a long time and wearing

clothes to cover up this disfigurement is a drag but it is not life threatening.

Also I want to mention that I do not have health insurance and I am sure having

major surgery would cost an enormous amount of money which would come out of my

pocket. So I am interested in other's responses to my thoughts. Having my first

surgery at age 16 was tramatic enough. I wore a cast for six months from my neck

to my hips. When I took the cast off, my back was still not right and as years

passed the hump has gotten larger.

>

> I don't know what to do but I am going to have an x-ray from my local

physician.

>

> Thanks for reading.

> Ann Siwek

>

July 11, 2010

Hello to all of you,

All your posts are so helpful. I'm very grateful for this site. I was wondering

if anyone knows if we qualify for medicare? I had Medicaid for about 6 months

but then it got cut, I was supposed to have revision surgery but I can't pay for

it out of pocket. I can't work because I have trouble walking, standing,

sitting, and any movement is painful. I have 2 Harrington Rods on both sides of

my spine. I had 38 and 60 degree curves at 14 years old. I am now mid thirties

and the Orthopedic Surgeon tells me I have a 45 degree curve again and that the

rods need to be removed and it will eliminate 50% of the pain I experience with

the slightest movement. Its like I'm being stabbed in my shoulders and hips. But

the appointments are so far apart that now I have no insurance. I know Medicare

is permanent, and I have to get this resolved. My right shoulder is so much

lower than my left again! And I'm getting short of breath easily, again. Plus

the pain. My children and husband are just terrified for me. I had a good 18

years of a normal life. I have always relied pretty heavily on ibuprofen. But

now I have been taking more narcotic pain relievers, muscle relaxers, and

anti-inflamitories. And I can't get anyone on the phone at D.C.F. to find out

why the medicaid was canceled. So I believe I should apply for Medicare and

maybe I can get the surgery, and get back to work. Any advice is welcomed and

everyone take care, and God Bless you all.

Thank you,

Sent from my iPhone

July 11, 2010

Hi :

There are only two ways to qualify for medicare. 1) You must be of regular retirement age. 2) You must be receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). If you are receiving SSDI there is a 24 month waiting period before you qualify for medicare. The process for applying for SSDI begins by submitting the online application via the Social Security web site: www.ssa.gov. Social security's definition of "disability" is very strict. Refer the their "Blue Book" of Disabilities on their web site for additional information.

Hope this helps!!

S.

[ ] Re: surgery

Hello to all of you,

All your posts are so helpful. I'm very grateful for this site. I was wondering if anyone knows if we qualify for medicare? I had Medicaid for about 6 months but then it got cut, I was supposed to have revision surgery but I can't pay for it out of pocket. I can't work because I have trouble walking, standing, sitting, and any movement is painful. I have 2 Harrington Rods on both sides of my spine. I had 38 and 60 degree curves at 14 years old. I am now mid thirties and the Orthopedic Surgeon tells me I have a 45 degree curve again and that the rods need to be removed and it will eliminate 50% of the pain I experience with the slightest movement. Its like I'm being stabbed in my shoulders and hips. But the appointments are so far apart that now I have no insurance. I know Medicare is permanent, and I have to get this resolved. My right shoulder is so much lower than my left again! And I'm getting short of breath easily, again. Plus the pain. My children and husband are just t

errified for me. I had a good 18 years of a normal life. I have always relied pretty heavily on ibuprofen. But now I have been taking more narcotic pain relievers, muscle relaxers, and anti-inflamitories. And I can't get anyone on the phone at D.C.F. to find out why the medicaid was canceled. So I believe I should apply for Medicare and maybe I can get the surgery, and get back to work. Any advice is welcomed and everyone take care, and God Bless you all.

Thank you,

Sent from my iPhone

July 11, 2010

ann,

I dont know that there is any particular age cut off for this surgery. Certainly

I know of members older than you having surgery and having outcomes comparable

to others. The surgery is very hard on you mentally and physically, and I dont

think you will find a highly qualified surgeon wishing to proceed with surgery

if your primary concerns are cosmetic. I am not minimizing how the twist/hump is

affecting you, I am just saying that if you put the question to a surgeon the

way you put it to us, they will probably say that you are not a candidate.

Generally, when you get to the point where surgery and the accompanying pain and

lengthy recovery seem worth it, you will find that it is very clear that you

should go ahead. Until then, all kinds of " what if's " will crop up. I dont know

why.....but that is just how it seems to go.

My thoughts are that you should realize that no one can make you have surgery,

and it will always completely be your choice about proceeding to each successive

level toward surgery. Please just give yourself " permission " to take the early

exploratory steps of locating several doctors that seem like a good fit for you,

and then have consults with at least two, and see what that reveals to you.

We are all so different that what goes for one doesnt necessarily mean the same

is true for the next person....so your own unique health and spine will play a

role in how your options look going forward. Believe me, if you plan to consult

one of the top names it will take you awhile to get an appointment and you will

probably require additional testing beyond a first appointment. Alls to say that

even if you started on this road tomorrow....it is somewhat unlikely that any

surgery would take place soon....and you are not getting younger. So, keep all

your options open by taking the baby steps necessary to get yourself to a place

where you can make an informed decision about what is possible and necessary for

you.

Take Care, Cam

July 12, 2010

At UCSF, the ortho spine surgeons routinely do big surgeries (both primary and

revision) on patients in their 80's. I secretly hold my breath every time one

of these patients is due for their first postop appointment, but I have to say

that I've yet to see a bad outcome in this group of patients. I'm sure that

complications are more routine in this population, but so far, since I've been

there, there hasn't been anything bigger than infections.

--

>

> ann,

>

> I dont know that there is any particular age cut off for this surgery.

Certainly I know of members older than you having surgery and having outcomes

comparable to others. The surgery is very hard on you mentally and physically,

and I dont think you will find a highly qualified surgeon wishing to proceed

with surgery if your primary concerns are cosmetic. I am not minimizing how the

twist/hump is affecting you, I am just saying that if you put the question to a

surgeon the way you put it to us, they will probably say that you are not a

candidate.

>

> Generally, when you get to the point where surgery and the accompanying pain

and lengthy recovery seem worth it, you will find that it is very clear that you

should go ahead. Until then, all kinds of " what if's " will crop up. I dont know

why.....but that is just how it seems to go.

>

> My thoughts are that you should realize that no one can make you have surgery,

and it will always completely be your choice about proceeding to each successive

level toward surgery. Please just give yourself " permission " to take the early

exploratory steps of locating several doctors that seem like a good fit for you,

and then have consults with at least two, and see what that reveals to you.

>

> We are all so different that what goes for one doesnt necessarily mean the

same is true for the next person....so your own unique health and spine will

play a role in how your options look going forward. Believe me, if you plan to

consult one of the top names it will take you awhile to get an appointment and

you will probably require additional testing beyond a first appointment. Alls to

say that even if you started on this road tomorrow....it is somewhat unlikely

that any surgery would take place soon....and you are not getting younger. So,

keep all your options open by taking the baby steps necessary to get yourself to

a place where you can make an informed decision about what is possible and

necessary for you.

>

> Take Care, Cam

>

July 16, 2010

Hi,

I know how you feel. Although I am younger 35 it plays on my mind alot. I had a

fusion 15 years ago but still have a large 60 degree curve like u my back still

did not look right.I dont have a rib hump as I had a castoplasty ( something u

might consider to remove the rib hump if the doc says your spine is not moving

as this surgery is not life threathening and I think they may even be able to do

key hole version of it these days) but I do worry bout the spine moving and then

having to make the decision you need to make.The surgery as I have been told

would be difficult with lots of risks and I guess u have to balance this against

how u feel right now. Its not something I look forward to but I know if my curve

did start to progress again I would get it done as u can never tell how fast or

slow the movement would be and I would not like to be 70-80 with a 80 degree

curve and all the problems that would bring. Good luck with your consultation

and please let us all know how it goes.