Re: 's SI joints

March 14, 2006

I probably should have said moving the knee TOWARD the outside.

> > > >

> > > > Even family tires of too much bitching. I don't want to be

> > people's

> > > > favorite reason to hit the delete key.

> > > >

> > > > My ortho only said he hasn't done an SI fusion for awhile.

> He made

> > > > no mention on whether he likes to do them or not. He did

> say that

> > > > they tend to fuse on their own. I don't know under what

> conditions

> > > > he's assuming.

> > > >

> > > > I'll be seeing him again on April 24.

> > > >

> > >

> > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

> > >

March 14, 2006

, I believe those were 's words. Dr. Rand has not told me that

this is the case. He never discussed SI joints with me, so I don't know his

attitude toward them, but I think I'll add it to my list of questions.

Sharon

[ ] Re: 's SI joints

>>

>> > Thanks for your note, Bonnie (and Sharon, and Ken, and others).

>> >

>> > If you've been around the various groups for awhile, you know I

> try

>> > to add a bit of humor to some (many?) of my messages. Every once

> in

>> > awhile I just don't feel like joking. My wife kind of kids me,

>> > saying that its about time for something else to need fixing (I'm

>> > kind of averaging a set of problems about every three or so

> years -

>> > can't quite set my calendar to it, but its more true than not).

>> >

>> > Words of wisdom: You know you've had a good physical when you

> leave

>> > without any specialist referrals :-)

>> >

>> > I think I deal well with problems when I know the cause; I should

>> > avoid action X because it causes pain. The thing I don't deal

> with

>> > well is stuff that hurts, well, just because. The SI joints seem

> to

>> > be " one of those " things. I stop doing stuff and it still aches.

>> > Last night was a great example. Add to it a family doc that

> really

>> > doesn't want to prescribe narcotics (even though Darvocet and

> Mobic

>> > and... don't work nearly as well) and an ortho that would rather

> not

>> > be prescribing them either, I get frustrated. I have no problem

>> > asking for a referral to a pain management doctor and will

> probably

>> > do so as soon as I give the current plan a chance to work (even

>> > though I don't really trust it).

>> >

>> > The ortho says that, in most cases, the SI joints fuse themselves

>> > (and that he hasn't done an SI fusion for 10 years). That's all

>> > well and good, but now what? How successful was my ortho when

>> > someone like Rand won't touch an SI fusion? What does it feel

> like

>> > when your SI joints are fused? What will my gait be like if they

> do

>> > choose to fuse? Will they hurt then? What will hurt after that?

>> > What happens if they don't fuse by themselves? Should I start

>> > planning for this stuff? How can I plan when I don't know what's

>> > going to happen? (I do like a well-ordered life, don't I?)

>> >

>> > I don't want another surgery. I don't want the recovery. I don't

>> > (based on how I reacted to the last two fusions) want the

>> > depression. I don't want yet another set of things I can't do. I

>> > don't want to give up more foods because an energetic turtle is

>> > getting more exercise (burning more calories) than I am.

>> >

>> > On the other hand, if I do have to have another procedure, I know

> I

>> > can get through it with the help of my family, both personal and

>> > extended (you guys).

>> >

>> > P.S. I don't like to complain in public. Hopefully this will be

> the

>> > last one in quite awhile.

>> >

>> >>

>> >> HI ,

>> >>

>> >> I have been dealing with the same SI Joint problem. Remember how

>> > they said that after revision to sacrum, the next " to go " would be

>> > the knees and hips? The " transfer " " of stress from the unfused

>> > spine. They forgot to tell us, or at least me, that in some

> cases,

>> > the first to go are the SI Joints. Then again, my revision

> surgery

>> > was over eight years ago and it could be that then they didn't

> know

>> > how much stress would transfer to the SI Joints. We are still

>> > guinea pigs. I'm not complaining: by the time I had my first

>> > surgery, my curves were 70/55 and still going. I had no choice

> but

>> > to act, and the docs have done the best they could for me. But my

>> > SI Joints are now a big issue. Very painful. Is interfering with

>> > my life. Tried one pain doc and it took me awhile to realize he

> was

>> > an idiot. I just started with a new pain doc. I can't take an

> anti-

>> > inflammatory due to stomach issues after being on anti-

>> > inflammatories for nine years. So the plan, agreed to by my local

>> > ortho, and Dr. Boachie (my revision surgeon) is for an SI Joint

> shot

>> > on the right side first. If that works, do one for the left side.

>> > Assuming that works, do denervation. Medial Branch block is

>> > probably out for me because the fusion is in the way. My right

> side

>> > SI Joint shot is scheduled for Monday. I'll let you know what

>> > happens. That doc switched me from Paxil to Cymbalta two weeks

> ago

>> > After we know the effect of the SI Joint shot, he is going to

> switch

>> > me from Percoset to Oxycontin. (Percoset was due to other, idiot

>> > doc). I also take Ambien to sleep. I also take Neurontin and

>> > eventually we will determine if that's still working after 8 years

>> > and, if not, switch to something else. Sounds complicated, but

> it's

>> > not. Just trying the shots and changing to more appropriate

> drugs.

>> > It all takes time to get the whole thing done - can't change more

>> > than one thing at a time. If you do, you don't know what works

> and

>> > what doesn't.

>> >>

>> >> Don't let any of this scare any of you. Our futures are not

>> > guaranteed. I think we all know that. But the docs have done the

>> > best they can with the knowledge they have. I will never give up!

>> >>

>> >> My daughter is here visiting for the weekend so I'm going to be

>> > busy till after the injection Monday. She's annoyed with me for

>> > taking time away from her to write this email. She 37 years old.

>> > Grrrrr.

>> >>

>> >> I'll let you all know how I fare with the shot. If I have time,

>> > I'll check email before Monday afternoon, but I might not be able

> to.

>> >>

>> >> . Hang in. I really do hate to say this, but I'm glad I'm

>> > not alone. And I'm glad that your docs and mine are thinking to

> do

>> > the same things. That's comforting.

>> >

>> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>> >

March 14, 2006

The trick is getting enough whiskey to swim in.

[ ] Re: 's SI joints

>I just finished my two month stint. The PT did help, but not enough to

> make it all go away. On the other hand, about four shots of whisky did

> seem to make the pain go away. Hmmmm...

>

>>...

>> Are you doing any water

>> therapy?

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

March 14, 2006

So what you are essentially doing is rotating your leg outward, while

standing on it, just using your butt muscles, right?

That's what I thought from the start, so your expanation was clear to me.

It felt good when I did it, so I think I got it right.

S

[ ] Re: 's SI joints

>I probably should have said moving the knee TOWARD the outside.

>

>> > > >

>> > > > Even family tires of too much bitching. I don't want to be

>> > people's

>> > > > favorite reason to hit the delete key.

>> > > >

>> > > > My ortho only said he hasn't done an SI fusion for awhile.

>> He made

>> > > > no mention on whether he likes to do them or not. He did

>> say that

>> > > > they tend to fuse on their own. I don't know under what

>> conditions

>> > > > he's assuming.

>> > > >

>> > > > I'll be seeing him again on April 24.

>> > > >

>> > >

>> > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>> > >

March 14, 2006

Yes. The foot should stay in a fixed forward position.

--

> >> > > >

> >> > > > Even family tires of too much bitching. I don't want to be

> >> > people's

> >> > > > favorite reason to hit the delete key.

> >> > > >

> >> > > > My ortho only said he hasn't done an SI fusion for awhile.

> >> He made

> >> > > > no mention on whether he likes to do them or not. He did

> >> say that

> >> > > > they tend to fuse on their own. I don't know under what

> >> conditions

> >> > > > he's assuming.

> >> > > >

> >> > > > I'll be seeing him again on April 24.

> >> > > >

> >> > >

> >> > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

> >> > >

March 14, 2006

Right, and your torso turns while your foot remains in place. Right?

[ ] Re: 's SI joints

> Yes. The foot should stay in a fixed forward position.

>

> --

>

>> >> > > >

>> >> > > > Even family tires of too much bitching. I don't want to be

>> >> > people's

>> >> > > > favorite reason to hit the delete key.

>> >> > > >

>> >> > > > My ortho only said he hasn't done an SI fusion for awhile.

>> >> He made

>> >> > > > no mention on whether he likes to do them or not. He did

>> >> say that

>> >> > > > they tend to fuse on their own. I don't know under what

>> >> conditions

>> >> > > > he's assuming.

>> >> > > >

>> >> > > > I'll be seeing him again on April 24.

>> >> > > >

>> >> > >

>> >> > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>> >> > >

March 14, 2006

No, your torso should not twist. Only your butt and thigh should move.

--

> >> >> > > >

> >> >> > > > Even family tires of too much bitching. I don't

want to be

> >> >> > people's

> >> >> > > > favorite reason to hit the delete key.

> >> >> > > >

> >> >> > > > My ortho only said he hasn't done an SI fusion for

awhile.

> >> >> He made

> >> >> > > > no mention on whether he likes to do them or not.

He did

> >> >> say that

> >> >> > > > they tend to fuse on their own. I don't know under what

> >> >> conditions

> >> >> > > > he's assuming.

> >> >> > > >

> >> >> > > > I'll be seeing him again on April 24.

> >> >> > > >

> >> >> > >

> >> >> > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision

candidates

> >> >> > >

March 14, 2006

Aha. That makes it a little harder. Almost isometric.

Hm. I just tried it again, and I sure felt it in the piriformis, but it

felt like it was about to spasm or something.

I'll proceed with caution on this one.

Sharon

[ ] Re: 's SI joints

> No, your torso should not twist. Only your butt and thigh should move.

>

> --

>

>> >> >> > > >

>> >> >> > > > Even family tires of too much bitching. I don't

> want to be

>> >> >> > people's

>> >> >> > > > favorite reason to hit the delete key.

>> >> >> > > >

>> >> >> > > > My ortho only said he hasn't done an SI fusion for

> awhile.

>> >> >> He made

>> >> >> > > > no mention on whether he likes to do them or not.

> He did

>> >> >> say that

>> >> >> > > > they tend to fuse on their own. I don't know under what

>> >> >> conditions

>> >> >> > > > he's assuming.

>> >> >> > > >

>> >> >> > > > I'll be seeing him again on April 24.

>> >> >> > > >

>> >> >> > >

>> >> >> > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision

> candidates

>> >> >> > >

March 15, 2006

Ah HA!! I think I got it now...just a slight pull...I had been

twisting and thinking to myself...this can't be good. Thanks !!

> > >> >> > > >

> > >> >> > > > Even family tires of too much bitching. I don't

> want to be

> > >> >> > people's

> > >> >> > > > favorite reason to hit the delete key.

> > >> >> > > >

> > >> >> > > > My ortho only said he hasn't done an SI fusion for

> awhile.

> > >> >> He made

> > >> >> > > > no mention on whether he likes to do them or not.

> He did

> > >> >> say that

> > >> >> > > > they tend to fuse on their own. I don't know

under what

> > >> >> conditions

> > >> >> > > > he's assuming.

> > >> >> > > >

> > >> >> > > > I'll be seeing him again on April 24.

> > >> >> > > >

> > >> >> > >

> > >> >> > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision

> candidates

> > >> >> > >

March 15, 2006

Thanks, .

Bonnie

[ ] Re: 's SI joints

You're moving the right leg, using the buttock to move the knee to theoutside. Sorry if that's still confusing. I've always founddescribing PT exercises to be very difficult.--L> > >> > > Even family tires of too much bitching. I don't want to be> people's > > > favorite reason to hit the delete key.> > > > > > My ortho only said he hasn't done an SI fusion for awhile. He made > > > no mention on whether he likes to do them or not. He didsay that > > > they tend to fuse on their own. I don't know under whatconditions > > > he's assuming.> > > > > > I'll be seeing him again on April 24.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates > > > > > > > >

March 15, 2006

,

Your post reminded me that I asked Dr. LaGrone about this when I went

to see him for a second opinion. I asked him how he could tell if the

pain I was having was coming from my SI joints or low back and how my

SI joints would fare after fusion. He said that he has only had to go

back in once and fuse SI joints (after fusion to the sacrum). Now

granted, I didn't ask him about arthritic SI joints, but he did say

that he had only fused them once. I know this doesn't help you any,

really, but it has given me a desire to look through the research. One

advantage of working at a research institution is that I have access

to thousands of journal articles online (and can search them). I will

certainly let you know if I find anything of interest.

Hope your humor rebounds quickly, but totally get why it might ebb and

flow.

kam

March 15, 2006

You guys are crackin me up! Myself, I'd opt for enough margarita to

swim in!

kam

>

> The trick is getting enough whiskey to swim in.

>

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: " Blackledge " <scottb2@...>

> > On the other hand, about four shots of whisky did

> > seem to make the pain go away. Hmmmm...

May 21, 2007

Sharon,

It's time to break out the bitch-o-meter.

I was in tears yesterday (Ken, ie, and Rob, you didn't hear me

say that...) Church pews do *not* agree with me - so much for

keeping a stiff upper lip and all that. Not sure why I'm having

issues. Possibilities are:

1) I weeded dandelions for over a week...not too smart, maybe, but I

didn't think there'd be any long-term effects.

2)I just might be increasing my Vicodin dependency since I've been on

it for so long, but I'm still not taking it more than three times a

day (7.5/750 is the dosage - 5.0 never got the job done). I'm

needing an extra half a dose to allow sleep. Empirical evidence

suggests that Vicodin and 5 beers removes the pain but I really

shouldn't be running this test, ever, and I know it.

3) SI joints are just simply getting worse.

There may be other possibilities, but I'll see. I've set up an

appointment with Dr. Boachie for July 16. I'm 90 miles away so I

might as well see what he has to say about life, the universe, and

everything. He may just tell me to light a fire under my pain doc.

Interesting thing is that one set of cortisone injections worked but

another set didn't. They were done by two different pain docs

because of insurance reasons. Maybe I need to go back to the first

one regardless.

> >>

> >> , , ,

> >>

> >> You JUST got done calling us your extended family, and then you

> > said you

> >> didn't like to complain in public. Now which are we, family or

> > public?

> >>

> >> Complain all you want. No sense making the rest of us look like

> > whiners.

> >> ;^)

> >>

> >> I don't know about SI joints fusing. Unless I'm mistaken, for a

> > joint to

> >> fuse spontaneously you have to have bone against bone. I would

> > think it

> >> would be pretty painful getting there.

> >>

> >> Is your ortho the one who did your revision? Did he say he

> > doesn't like to

> >> fuse SI joints because they are hard to fuse? Or does he just

> > think it

> >> isn't worth the trouble because they will fuse eventually anyway?

> >>

> >> I think you need to ask him some more questions, though hopefully

> > someone

> >> here has experience with this stuff. I have experience with SI

> > pain, and

> >> it's a b****, but not with fusion.

May 21, 2007

,

It is so good to hear from you! You are quiet much more than you

should be! I was just wondering about your S I joints. I am glad you

have decided to go see Dr. Boachie. When you live that close to

a " master " why not consult him!

Beer and pain meds are not a good mix, but I suspect you already know

that. I am having to go three days without so my Ambien will start

working again. That means three days of little sleep and more pain.

Take care and post more often. You are missed.

Kathy

> > >>

> > >> , , ,

> > >>

> > >> You JUST got done calling us your extended family, and then you

> > > said you

> > >> didn't like to complain in public. Now which are we, family or

> > > public?

> > >>

> > >> Complain all you want. No sense making the rest of us look

like

> > > whiners.

> > >> ;^)

> > >>

> > >> I don't know about SI joints fusing. Unless I'm mistaken, for

a

> > > joint to

> > >> fuse spontaneously you have to have bone against bone. I would

> > > think it

> > >> would be pretty painful getting there.

> > >>

> > >> Is your ortho the one who did your revision? Did he say he

> > > doesn't like to

> > >> fuse SI joints because they are hard to fuse? Or does he just

> > > think it

> > >> isn't worth the trouble because they will fuse eventually

anyway?

> > >>

> > >> I think you need to ask him some more questions, though

hopefully

> > > someone

> > >> here has experience with this stuff. I have experience with SI

> > > pain, and

> > >> it's a b****, but not with fusion.

>

May 22, 2007

,

Where the heck have you been?!! I know you must have been in a great

deal of pain this past weekend....but if all has prompted you to get to

a top notch doc to see what actually is going on...I think that is a

positive.

I am sure it is hard to defer the lawm maintenance at this time of

year...but even my very able bodied husband had an " ouchy " back after

working all day mowing and mulching. Perhaps you can find a

neighborhood kid willing to work along side you doing the actual

bending/stooping part of dandelion catching next time they sprout?

Please be sure to tell us all about what goes on after your check up in

July. I am putting it on the calendar so we remember to check up on you.

Take Care, Cam

May 22, 2007

Dear ,

Out here in lovely Colorado I firmly believe our state flower should be the Dandelion instead of the Columbine, as they grow better than any other plant, and are the bain of my existance! We rent, and this place we are currently in was " The Rental Property on the Block" in every sence of the word. Once we watered our crunchy yellow lawn, up came about 4 million Dandelions. This is how I'm winning the battle, and saving my knees, since I can't bend over. I use a steak knife to cut the top off the offending weed, leaving a hole with the top of the tap root showing, and then I nuke it with Weed-B-Gone, in the little hole. Much more effective than nuking the entire plant, and you use less of the weed killer. Out here as the day heats up we usually have thunderstorms in the afternoon, and nuking the entire plant was for not, as the weed killer got washed off, so my root only plan has been much more sucessful. After three years of this method I have drastically reduced their numbers, and saved my knees in the process. I tend to be organic in my gardening methods, but with these bastards I go with a localized shot of weed killer than spreading something over the entire lawn that would get into the water system. Always know that if you get them in sidewalk cracks( or any weed for that matter), a kettle of boiling water will do the trick, and without poison. I love gardening, not the weeds or weeding, but that come with the territory, so be sure and do it safely and get the most bang for you buck, so you are winning the battle. Also a very dense lawn cut tall also helps in detering them.

Colorado Springs

[ ] Re: 's SI joints

Sharon,It's time to break out the bitch-o-meter.I was in tears yesterday (Ken, ie, and Rob, you didn't hear me say that...) Church pews do *not* agree with me - so much for keeping a stiff upper lip and all that. Not sure why I'm having issues. Possibilities are:1) I weeded dandelions for over a week...not too smart, maybe, but I didn't think there'd be any long-term effects.2)I just might be increasing my Vicodin dependency since I've been on it for so long, but I'm still not taking it more than three times a day (7.5/750 is the dosage - 5.0 never got the job done). I'm needing an extra half a dose to allow sleep. Empirical evidence suggests that Vicodin and 5 beers removes the pain but I really shouldn't be running this test, ever, and I know it.3) SI joints are just simply getting worse.There may be other possibilities, but I'll see. I've set up an appointment with Dr. Boachie for July 16. I'm 90 miles away so I might as well see what he has to say about life, the universe, and everything. He may just tell me to light a fire under my pain doc. Interesting thing is that one set of cortisone injections worked but another set didn't. They were done by two different pain docs because of insurance reasons. Maybe I need to go back to the first one regardless.> >>> >> , , ,> >>> >> You JUST got done calling us your extended family, and then you> > said you> >> didn't like to complain in public. Now which are we, family or> > public?> >>> >> Complain all you want. No sense making the rest of us look like> > whiners.> >> ;^)> >>> >> I don't know about SI joints fusing. Unless I'm mistaken, for a> > joint to> >> fuse spontaneously you have to have bone against bone. I would> > think it> >> would be pretty painful getting there.> >>> >> Is your ortho the one who did your revision? Did he say he> > doesn't like to> >> fuse SI joints because they are hard to fuse? Or does he just> > think it> >> isn't worth the trouble because they will fuse eventually anyway?> >>> >> I think you need to ask him some more questions, though hopefully> > someone> >> here has experience with this stuff. I have experience with SI> > pain, and> >> it's a b****, but not with fusion.

May 22, 2007

Hi ,

I like your method. I've been using that forked tool to get down

into the ground. I rarely snag the entire root, but I do get the

base of the plants so they haven't grown back *yet*.

I can't quite figure out why I enjoy weeding so much. Its such a

game. (I make my pass through the entire yard. The next morning, a

bunch of new weeds are all yelling " missed me! " , " missed me

too! " , " neener neener neeeeeeener " , " are you blind " , " my grandma

could weed better than you can " ,... well, you get the idea. You

don't want to hear what the bad part of the yard was saying.) I'm

not ready to put it in the " don't do " catagory, but maybe I need to

reconsider.

>

> Dear ,

>

> Out here in lovely Colorado I firmly believe our state flower

should be the Dandelion instead of the Columbine, as they grow better

than any other plant, and are the bain of my existance! We rent, and

this place we are currently in was " The Rental Property on the

Block " in every sence of the word. Once we watered our crunchy yellow

lawn, up came about 4 million Dandelions. This is how I'm winning the

battle, and saving my knees, since I can't bend over. I use a steak

knife to cut the top off the offending weed, leaving a hole with the

top of the tap root showing, and then I nuke it with Weed-B-Gone, in

the little hole. Much more effective than nuking the entire plant,

and you use less of the weed killer. Out here as the day heats up we

usually have thunderstorms in the afternoon, and nuking the entire

plant was for not, as the weed killer got washed off, so my root only

plan has been much more sucessful. After three years of this method I

have drastically reduced their numbers, and saved my knees in the

process. I tend to be organic in my gardening methods, but with these

bastards I go with a localized shot of weed killer than spreading

something over the entire lawn that would get into the water system.

Always know that if you get them in sidewalk cracks( or any weed for

that matter), a kettle of boiling water will do the trick, and

without poison. I love gardening, not the weeds or weeding, but that

come with the territory, so be sure and do it safely and get the most

bang for you buck, so you are winning the battle. Also a very dense

lawn cut tall also helps in detering them.

>

> Colorado Springs

May 22, 2007

Hi Cam,

I've never left. I lurk, therefore I am?

Yeah, it wasn't fun. Got the meds in me and it got better. I used

to be able to be up and about for four hours or so before needing

anything. Its been steadily dropping. I now need help when I get

up. Its really discouraging.

Even if I see Dr. Boachie, I'm sort of worried that he's going to say

there's nothing that can be done. Don't we have a member that's had

her SI joints fused? If anyone has experience there, please let me

know.

As for where I've been, you and the other moderators have been doing

such a great job, I haven't had anything to do on the site. (I found

messages from Cheryl the other day and pounced on them. I was

surprised that someone else from Dutchess county is now on the

list.) Its really rare when I beat others to the button.

The site members have been doing such a great job supporting each

other that I felt I had nothing to add that wasn't already said.

I've never been one to post " me too " messages.

I really wanted to come to the retreat and deeply regret missing it.

I'm going to see about going to one of them some day. (I'll have to

work the " wife " angle also... " Honey, I'd like to spend a week being

the only male with a dozen beautiful but spine-challenged women.

What do you think? " ) The pictures were great. I couldn't do some of

those " Kam stretches " even before surgery :-)

I got an " A " in my music theory class. I'll have to see about taking

a composition class now. I also want to take a few programming

classes. I've been programming " close to the metal " for so long,

using Java or VB will be refreshing.

>

> ,

>

> Where the heck have you been?!! I know you must have been in a

great

> deal of pain this past weekend....but if all has prompted you to

get to

> a top notch doc to see what actually is going on...I think that is

a

> positive.

>

> I am sure it is hard to defer the lawm maintenance at this time of

> year...but even my very able bodied husband had an " ouchy " back

after

> working all day mowing and mulching. Perhaps you can find a

> neighborhood kid willing to work along side you doing the actual

> bending/stooping part of dandelion catching next time they sprout?

>

> Please be sure to tell us all about what goes on after your check

up in

> July. I am putting it on the calendar so we remember to check up on

you.

>

> Take Care, Cam

>

May 22, 2007

Oh, , I can just picture you out there shooting your dandelions with poison! LOL Thanks for the laugh for the day. I needed something to pick me up!

Peggy

[ ] Re: 's SI joints

Sharon,It's time to break out the bitch-o-meter.I was in tears yesterday (Ken, ie, and Rob, you didn't hear me say that...) Church pews do *not* agree with me - so much for keeping a stiff upper lip and all that. Not sure why I'm having issues. Possibilities are:1) I weeded dandelions for over a week...not too smart, maybe, but I didn't think there'd be any long-term effects.2)I just might be increasing my Vicodin dependency since I've been on it for so long, but I'm still not taking it more than three times a day (7.5/750 is the dosage - 5.0 never got the job done). I'm needing an extra half a dose to allow sleep. Empirical evidence suggests that Vicodin and 5 beers removes the pain but I really shouldn't be running this test, ever, and I know it.3) SI joints are just simply getting worse.There may be other possibilities, but I'll see. I've set up an appointment with Dr. Boachie for July 16. I'm 90 miles away so I might as well see what he has to say about life, the universe, and everything. He may just tell me to light a fire under my pain doc. Interesting thing is that one set of cortisone injections worked but another set didn't. They were done by two different pain docs because of insurance reasons. Maybe I need to go back to the first one regardless.> >>> >> , , ,> >>> >> You JUST got done calling us your extended family, and then you> > said you> >> didn't like to complain in public. Now which are we, family or> > public?> >>> >> Complain all you want. No sense making the rest of us look like> > whiners.> >> ;^)> >>> >> I don't know about SI joints fusing. Unless I'm mistaken, for a> > joint to> >> fuse spontaneously you have to have bone against bone. I would> > think it> >> would be pretty painful getting there.> >>> >> Is your ortho the one who did your revision? Did he say he> > doesn't like to> >> fuse SI joints because they are hard to fuse? Or does he just> > think it> >> isn't worth the trouble because they will fuse eventually anyway?> >>> >> I think you need to ask him some more questions, though hopefully> > someone> >> here has experience with this stuff. I have experience with SI> > pain, and> >> it's a b****, but not with fusion.

June 5, 2007

I just made an appointment for Dr. Bendo (in-plan and Edie likes him!)

for June 13. I'm keeping the Boachie appointment but may cancel it

later.

June 5, 2007

This sounds like a good idea ! Let us know how it goes....

Kathy

>

> I just made an appointment for Dr. Bendo (in-plan and Edie likes

him!)

> for June 13. I'm keeping the Boachie appointment but may cancel it

> later.

>

June 5, 2007

Hi ,

Dr. Boachie did my revision surgery almost 10 years ago. I think he is an incredibly good surgeon and a very kind and caring person. I'm glad he did my surgery and if my son ever needs this surgery (he is 26 years post Harrington Rod surgery), I would highly recommend Dr. Boachie.

That being said, I must also say that Dr. Boachie didn't do very much to help me with the post op pain I've had over the years. I saw Dr. Boachie every year for the first 5 years and then one more time at the 7 year mark. At the beginning, I had mostly recovery pain, but then, about post op year 5-7, I began a downhill slide, pain wise. I complained to Dr. Boachie more than once. His only response was that the x-rays showed all was perfectly fine and he suggested pain management.

I finally decided to see a local doc who immediately suspected SI Joint involvement and sent me for a CT scan, which proved him right. I also went to one, then another and then a third pain management doc who finally figured out what to do for me. The second pain management doc decided that it was the piriformis and SI Joints that were giving me trouble. The piriformis injections helped for a while and then didn't. The third pain management doc said I had so many reasons to be in pain that I should be treated as a whole person, not an SI Joint patient or a piriformis patient, etc. He put me on Methadone and sent me for myofacial release physical therapy and cranio-sacral physical therapy. It all started to help, but before I resigned myself to a lifetime on Methadone, I needed to know for sure that there was no surgical cure.

Since Dr. Boachie hadn't found anything wrong and didn't go further than the usual x-rays,, I decided to go to another surgeon. I saw Dr. Bridwell, in St Louis, last September. He took the usual x-rays, plus a Ferguson x-ray (from below, which I had never heard of before), reviewed my SI Joint CT Scan and ordered a bone scan. After all the results were in, his report stated that my fusion looked very, very solid, the SI Joint problems were evident, the bone scan was negative, I probably have had arachnoiditis all along, have some nerve damage and scar tissue. Nothing to be done surgically. Dr. Bridwell opined that "no one would recommend fusing the SI Joints."

I am doing quite well on the Methadone, I exercise, (mostly stretches, including Cam's hip flexor stretches) walk, and ride my recumbent bike. It was a great relief to have Dr. Bridwell confirm that surgery was not in order!

So, while I think it would be worthwhile for you to see Dr. Boachie, I think it's a good thing that you decided to see someone else as well.

Please let us know the results of your visit with Dr. Bendo.

I hope this long post is helpful to you.

Bonnie

[ ] Re: 's SI joints

I just made an appointment for Dr. Bendo (in-plan and Edie likes him!) for June 13. I'm keeping the Boachie appointment but may cancel it later.

June 5, 2007

,

Okay...you are on the calendar...and hopefully you will get to meet J-

Lo too, what more could you want!!

Be sure to let us know how it all goes.

Take Care, Cam

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Re: 's SI joints

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