Re: THOUGHTS after Ken's Dr Appt.

[Guest guest]

Hi Ken,

Really, PT should not hurt. If it does, it's not being done right. You'll feel stretches, but you should not have pain from PT. The old "no pain, no gain" may apply to general fitness routines, but it does not apply to PT.

Just to add my two cents, if I were you, I, too, would get a second opinion. This is too big a deal to rely on one when even the very "biggest" of docs may not agree on what to do for a particular patient.

Bonnie

[ ] THOUGHTS after Ken's Dr Appt.

Hi Everyone - (thank's for the replies!!) I appreciate you!! On another note - I feel very overwhelmed!!! The thought of trying PT freaks me out!!! Although, I do plan to give it my best effort - I just fear the pain I expect to go through! Dr "A" seemed to be very qualified, but honestly - I did not get the impression that I was getting the same response that many of you have gotten from: Rand, Kumar, La Grone, Boachie.... It was the Best I have had thus far - and perhaps if I did not know any better, I would say I had found the Dr for me (not that he will not be...) does that make any sense? Also, My wife and I both wished we could (read their facial expressions & be a fly on the wall in the room they were meeting in to discuss my situation).. Please do not misunderstand, I think he is a great Dr and I am not saying I would not go to him... I guess your positive experiences have raised the bar - which is a good thing!Yes, I am taking Soma and Motrin (as needed) & it is helping!!I will get at least 2 other opinions!!Thanks All!! Ken.>> Ken,> > Well at least if you did not have a "light bulb" moment, perhaps you > felt you finally were speaking with someone that at least saw the > peculiarities of your specific situtation? It was nice for me to > feel I was talking to doctors that understood me. It sounds you are > being offered a nice conservative approach, and coupled with the > meds you are already using(?) they may be helpful.> > It seems reasonable to me that this doctor/surgeon would start out > advising that surgery was likely but not before they had explored > your abilites/body a bit more.> > No matter what you do, I can't believe you will pursue any course of > surgical action without a second opinion, at least I hope not. If > you are willing to follow this course of action, why not at least > try to get an appointment with whoever else you have in mind? It is > bound to be 2-3 months in advance, or specifically ask for that, and > see how you are feeling as that date gets nearer. It would be a > shame if you go 6 months, have no success (although hopefully you > do!), then decide you want to get a second opinion and then have to > wait another 3-4 months for an appointment.> > I realize that your insurance is still a factor...but perhaps you > can adjust your dates to meet your spring/summer changes in coveage?> > By the way...how has your med protocol worked for you?> > Enjoy the sun...Cam>

[Guest guest]

Ken,

Don't fear the pain!!! Make it your friend. Partly kidding here...but I

saw this on the NEBH site the other nite and who knows...maybe it

applies to folks like us....at least it might give you some comfort

with the idea that some people (normal run of the mill disc dilemmas)

can achieve good results with exercise...of course properly supervised.

Here is the link:

http://www.nebh.org/display.asp?leaf_id=11730

You will know when you have found the right match for you...but surely

you have not gotten bad advice and dont you think it is safe to proceed

with Dr A's plan?

Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi Ken...

I think you may find that you just need a little more experience in

seeing doctors. Most of the people on these forums have been to

revision specialists more than once, and sort of know how to

prioritize their complaints. Also, I honestly think you wouldn't want

a surgeon who would just rush you to surgery. You really should try

other things first. If/when you do have surgery, I think you'll be

relieved to know that you tried everything to avoid it.

Regards,

> >

> > Ken,

> >

> > Well at least if you did not have a " light bulb " moment, perhaps

> you

> > felt you finally were speaking with someone that at least saw the

> > peculiarities of your specific situtation? It was nice for me to

> > feel I was talking to doctors that understood me. It sounds you are

> > being offered a nice conservative approach, and coupled with the

> > meds you are already using(?) they may be helpful.

> >

> > It seems reasonable to me that this doctor/surgeon would start out

> > advising that surgery was likely but not before they had explored

> > your abilites/body a bit more.

> >

> > No matter what you do, I can't believe you will pursue any course

> of

> > surgical action without a second opinion, at least I hope not. If

> > you are willing to follow this course of action, why not at least

> > try to get an appointment with whoever else you have in mind? It is

> > bound to be 2-3 months in advance, or specifically ask for that,

> and

> > see how you are feeling as that date gets nearer. It would be a

> > shame if you go 6 months, have no success (although hopefully you

> > do!), then decide you want to get a second opinion and then have to

> > wait another 3-4 months for an appointment.

> >

> > I realize that your insurance is still a factor...but perhaps you

> > can adjust your dates to meet your spring/summer changes in coveage?

> >

> > By the way...how has your med protocol worked for you?

> >

> > Enjoy the sun...Cam

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I agree with Ken - actually, I would hope that you DIDN'T get

the response others have gotten from LaGrone, Boachie, et al. These

are surgeons whom we've seen after understanding that surgery is the

only option. Until you've been told that yes, you need revision

surgery, one would hope there's no need for you to travel to see

these specialists. The road to revision surgery is a long one, and

we've all traveled it beginning with physical therapy, medications,

epidural injections, and anything else that was recommended. You

may surprise yourself and find some relief!

Peace -

~CA ~

> > >

> > > Ken,

> > >

> > > Well at least if you did not have a " light bulb " moment,

perhaps

> > you

> > > felt you finally were speaking with someone that at least saw

the

> > > peculiarities of your specific situtation? It was nice for me

to

> > > feel I was talking to doctors that understood me. It sounds

you are

> > > being offered a nice conservative approach, and coupled with

the

> > > meds you are already using(?) they may be helpful.

> > >

> > > It seems reasonable to me that this doctor/surgeon would start

out

> > > advising that surgery was likely but not before they had

explored

> > > your abilites/body a bit more.

> > >

> > > No matter what you do, I can't believe you will pursue any

course

> > of

> > > surgical action without a second opinion, at least I hope not.

If

> > > you are willing to follow this course of action, why not at

least

> > > try to get an appointment with whoever else you have in mind?

It is

> > > bound to be 2-3 months in advance, or specifically ask for

that,

> > and

> > > see how you are feeling as that date gets nearer. It would be

a

> > > shame if you go 6 months, have no success (although hopefully

you

> > > do!), then decide you want to get a second opinion and then

have to

> > > wait another 3-4 months for an appointment.

> > >

> > > I realize that your insurance is still a factor...but perhaps

you

> > > can adjust your dates to meet your spring/summer changes in

coveage?

> > >

> > > By the way...how has your med protocol worked for you?

> > >

> > > Enjoy the sun...Cam

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Ken,

Your comment that you wished you and your wife could have been a fly on the wall of the room where the doctors discussed your situation left me with a question. Do you think they said things in private they didn't want you to hear? I felt like everything that was discussed about my situation was in my presence. I don't think my doctor had time to talk about me twice. You really do need those two other opinions.

Joyce E

[ ] THOUGHTS after Ken's Dr Appt.

Hi Everyone - (thank's for the replies!!) I appreciate you!! On another note - I feel very overwhelmed!!! The thought of trying PT freaks me out!!! Although, I do plan to give it my best effort - I just fear the pain I expect to go through! Dr "A" seemed to be very qualified, but honestly - I did not get the impression that I was getting the same response that many of you have gotten from: Rand, Kumar, La Grone, Boachie.... It was the Best I have had thus far - and perhaps if I did not know any better, I would say I had found the Dr for me (not that he will not be...) does that make any sense? Also, My wife and I both wished we could (read their facial expressions & be a fly on the wall in the room they were meeting in to discuss my situation).. Please do not misunderstand, I think he is a great Dr and I am not saying I would not go to him... I guess your positive experiences have raised the bar - which is a good thing!Yes, I am taking Soma and Motrin (as needed) & it is helping!!I will get at least 2 other opinions!!Thanks All!! Ken.>> Ken,> > Well at least if you did not have a "light bulb" moment, perhaps you > felt you finally were speaking with someone that at least saw the > peculiarities of your specific situtation? It was nice for me to > feel I was talking to doctors that understood me. It sounds you are > being offered a nice conservative approach, and coupled with the > meds you are already using(?) they may be helpful.> > It seems reasonable to me that this doctor/surgeon would start out > advising that surgery was likely but not before they had explored > your abilites/body a bit more.> > No matter what you do, I can't believe you will pursue any course of > surgical action without a second opinion, at least I hope not. If > you are willing to follow this course of action, why not at least > try to get an appointment with whoever else you have in mind? It is > bound to be 2-3 months in advance, or specifically ask for that, and > see how you are feeling as that date gets nearer. It would be a > shame if you go 6 months, have no success (although hopefully you > do!), then decide you want to get a second opinion and then have to > wait another 3-4 months for an appointment.> > I realize that your insurance is still a factor...but perhaps you > can adjust your dates to meet your spring/summer changes in coveage?> > By the way...how has your med protocol worked for you?> > Enjoy the sun...Cam>

[Guest guest]

Cam (and ken),

BRILLIANT article. thank you for sharing it. over the past three

years, i got really good at " working through " the pain. Often my

back would feel the best about 2 miles into a fast walk. i swear it

was the oxygenation process. physiologically speaking, blood carries

oxygen throughout our body and also helps filter toxins, which can

make our muscles very sore. so, exercise truly can promote healing

(as well as reduce pain and inflammation).

i am so glad i got over my heap of excuses and jumped in the water.

while i am excited to resume land exercise, water fitness will be a

paermanent addition to my life. exercise is SO VERY IMPORTANT. of

course, so are proper nutrition and good sleeping habits - hard to

achieve in today's fast-paced world, but well worth the effort.

kam

>

> Ken,

>

> Don't fear the pain!!! Make it your friend. Partly kidding

here...but I

> saw this on the NEBH site the other nite and who knows...maybe it

> applies to folks like us....at least it might give you some

comfort

> with the idea that some people (normal run of the mill disc

dilemmas)

> can achieve good results with exercise...of course properly

supervised.

>

> Here is the link:

> http://www.nebh.org/display.asp?leaf_id=11730

>

> You will know when you have found the right match for you...but

surely

> you have not gotten bad advice and dont you think it is safe to

proceed

> with Dr A's plan?

>

> Cam

>

[Guest guest]

Well said, . I concur.

kam

>

> Hi Ken...

>

> I think you may find that you just need a little more experience in

> seeing doctors. Most of the people on these forums have been to

> revision specialists more than once, and sort of know how to

> prioritize their complaints. Also, I honestly think you wouldn't

want

> a surgeon who would just rush you to surgery. You really should

try

> other things first. If/when you do have surgery, I think you'll be

> relieved to know that you tried everything to avoid it.

>

> Regards,

>

[Guest guest]

I firmly believe that the fact I took up weight training is the only reason I wasn't completely disabled much earlier. I started going when the back pain first started to bite - it's funny now, but I remember doing all these exercises targetted to get me to stand up straight, thinking that it was because I'd let myself go that I couldn't - little did I know at the time.

The thing with any exercise and pain is that there is the right pain and the wrong pain. You have to take it gently and work out the difference between them - as you do that, you'll become more confident in how you're doing things, what you're doing and how much of it. It most likely won't prevent a need for surgery in the future, but if you can approach that with better core strength and fitness then it will be so much the better.

When I started out with the weight training, I could barely do 1 round of 5 reps with no added weight on most of the machines. Going slow and steady, I worked my way up to doing 3 rounds of 20 reps with 40kg (about 88lbs) on most of them within a year. As it is, at a party last weekend where there were several of us who'd all got fusions, mine being joint longest, several of us tried doing sit ups (we also played twister - 5 fused chicks and a guy with cerebral palsy, right giggle!), and I can do more and better than people 10 years or more younger and a lot slimmer. Again, I'm positive this comes from the strength training I've done. Sit ups on a decline bench are a great option for anyone fused ) If you have any interest in joining a gym though, I'd be wary of what I think of as " fluffy " gyms - the pretty ones with bright lights and big smiles and nothing but LifeFitness equipment. My experience has been very much that you're better off at a body builders gym - the instructors tend to understand limitations far better, and they usually have a much wider range of equipment, which can be essential - there are things I just cannot do in one machine, but manage perfectly with alternative machines. Having said that, and with body builders gyms not being to everyone's tastes, I would also say you can't go too far wrong joining a gym with Nautilus equipment. As far as I am aware, the machines were designed by the same man who designed the MedX Torso Rotation device that has in at least one study shown good potential for reducing curvature.

titch-- Something unknown is doing we don't know what

[Guest guest]

Titch, I appreciate what you said about a body builder's gym. I am extremely fortunate to have a friend who used to be a competative body builder. She's also my massage therapist, and a licensed personal trainer, and has a very respectable gym in the basement of her home, which she lets me use whenever I want. She really understands limitations, and being my age (47), she also has considerable first-hand and second-hand knowledge of injuries and self-care. She's been a wonderful help and encouragement.

Sharon

Re: [ ] THOUGHTS after Ken's Dr Appt.

I firmly believe that the fact I took up weight training is the only reason I wasn't completely disabled much earlier. I started going when the back pain first started to bite - it's funny now, but I remember doing all these exercises targetted to get me to stand up straight, thinking that it was because I'd let myself go that I couldn't - little did I know at the time.

The thing with any exercise and pain is that there is the right pain and the wrong pain. You have to take it gently and work out the difference between them - as you do that, you'll become more confident in how you're doing things, what you're doing and how much of it. It most likely won't prevent a need for surgery in the future, but if you can approach that with better core strength and fitness then it will be so much the better.

When I started out with the weight training, I could barely do 1 round of 5 reps with no added weight on most of the machines. Going slow and steady, I worked my way up to doing 3 rounds of 20 reps with 40kg (about 88lbs) on most of them within a year. As it is, at a party last weekend where there were several of us who'd all got fusions, mine being joint longest, several of us tried doing sit ups (we also played twister - 5 fused chicks and a guy with cerebral palsy, right giggle!), and I can do more and better than people 10 years or more younger and a lot slimmer. Again, I'm positive this comes from the strength training I've done. Sit ups on a decline bench are a great option for anyone fused ) If you have any interest in joining a gym though, I'd be wary of what I think of as "fluffy" gyms - the pretty ones with bright lights and big smiles and nothing but LifeFitness equipment. My experience has been very much that you're better off at a body builders gym - the instructors tend to understand limitations far better, and they usually have a much wider range of equipment, which can be essential - there are things I just cannot do in one machine, but manage perfectly with alternative machines. Having said that, and with body builders gyms not being to everyone's tastes, I would also say you can't go too far wrong joining a gym with Nautilus equipment. As far as I am aware, the machines were designed by the same man who designed the MedX Torso Rotation device that has in at least one study shown good potential for reducing curvature.

titch-- Something unknown is doing we don't know what