Re: Fusion Surgery&Jan

[Guest guest]

Hi Jan,

I had the surgery and went back to work two months later. Which was a big

mistake? Another Dr said that the bus broke the screw. As he says there is a

different in driving the bus and car. This time after the surgery I was in

more pain than before. I told my hubby that if the screws brake again or

anything else goes wrong well, there will be no more surgery. I have had it.

As with my post to from Cali I did some house work over at my

grandmother and I was in pain so bad. Could hardly get up out of the chair

and had to take pain pills (my buddy's) and go to bed. I am feeling better

now but, I knew that I should have not done it. But, me and my hard head. My

hubby said that I should be called Bully instead of my cat. LOL

Well, will go now talk later.

Take care,

> Wow! How painful that must of been! How did you feel during the year? Did

> you recover enough to go back to work after the first surgery? Did the

> screws gradually break or did they break suddenly? Did the pain come back

> real strong or was it gradual? I guess going through the whole procedure

> once, you knew what to expect second time around and that definitly makes

> it a little easier!

> Take care.

> Jan

>

[Guest guest]

> I am feeling better now but, I knew that I should have not done it. <

After being so active for most our lives, it is difficult to remember and/or

accept new limitations. I have had...and continue to have... many days of " I

shouldn't have done that " in my fight against this disability I did not ask for.

And I do pay for it...in pain and one day when I over-did, I lost my workers

comp benefits. There was a PI video-taping me for WC, trying to " catch me "

faking my injury.

I still over-do it...but I am still emotionally fighting everything. I can't

stand this sedentary lifestyle.

So it is understandable that you have those moments.

ake care of yourself!

[Guest guest]

hi vicki I have reached the same point you have after two years of

this sedentary life. I am tired of it but still haven't done much.

Anything I have done is very carefully planned and executed to

minimize the pain (thats if I can) not an easy task always. I have

heard they try to catch you on tape if your a wc case...so I say

BRING IT ON!!!! I keep looking for the camera!!! I would love to

have the chance to speak my case if you know what I mean. I will

gladly take them on...they just don't understand I tell my friends

that whine about their lives and their job I would gladly take their

place to be working my 40 hr work week, and making my regular wages

which sure beat disibility. I need a newer car for my neck and I

can't even qualify, but if I was working I sure would. So I am

nearing my decision real soon...will be giving RTW a try part time or

maybe go for the gusto and work F/T so I can get get a better vehicle

and get back to some kind of life. Doctor seems to think I won't be

handle working. I wonder too since its a sit down desk job for the

most part. If I can sit here I think I can sit there too just don't

know my employer's attitude on all this?? Of course the Doctors make

the final decision too..not me. Maybe I will lose my job if I can't

cut the mustard??? I am in a Union so I don't think it would be that

easy for them to do this?? but don't really know having never been

through anything like this. Well, thanks for this group its helped

alot to have somewhere to go just to vent and find out about new

information on surgical options. Thanks!!!! in Cali.

>

> > I am feeling better now but, I knew that I should have not done

it. <

>

> After being so active for most our lives, it is difficult to

remember and/or accept new limitations. I have had...and continue to

have... many days of " I shouldn't have done that " in my fight against

this disability I did not ask for. And I do pay for it...in pain and

one day when I over-did, I lost my workers comp benefits. There was a

PI video-taping me for WC, trying to " catch me " faking my injury.

> I still over-do it...but I am still emotionally fighting

everything. I can't stand this sedentary lifestyle.

> So it is understandable that you have those moments.

> ake care of yourself!

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> I have heard they try to catch you on tape if your a wc case...so I say BRING

IT ON!!!! I keep looking for the camera!!! <

Hi from Calif... I always said that too...I ain't afraid of no camera. But

they did catch me on tape, after I doubled my meds for a day of moving, and then

again when I needed a full day of pain relief to do housework.

Based on that tape " look...she's doing fine, the faker " , I lost my wc benefits

($2,000 a month and medical care) and am now in a legal battle that could last

years. I never saw the camera and I am usually very much aware of my

surroundings.

[Guest guest]

HI GROUP. WELL, IN THAT CASE FOR ALL WE KNOW MAYBE THE ADJUSTORS ARE

IN HERE ALSO LURKING AND READING EVERYTHING WE WRITE!!! sorry to hear

that Vicky and I know it happens. I am sure if your doubling meds

your not aware of everything. I wish I could get 2000 a month for

disibility..wow. thats great. I would be living alot better quality

life than this one. no complaints though. I can't move any furniture

or anything heavy, and I wouldn't even try. When and If I move the

govt will move us or all my husband's buddies. NOT ME. Its not worth

the pain or agony physically. As far as looking like a

faker..nah.LOL...I still say bring it on..I will challengle them in

court. You can't even tell I have an injury on the outside all the

time except for walking slow and the neck stiffness. I have made some

progress walking too though. I do lose my balance at times which is

weird but that just tells me the tower is off (spine).

In other News my Ortho doc told me to quit doing research and that

there is no options for me besides FUSION. I am so VERY disappointed

and he almost seemed ANGRY like how dare me do research and think

there is other options for my neck. I still don't want Fusion but

feel like he is backing me into a corner on this one...he doesn't

want to hear anything I have to say. I still haven't seen my latest

MRI. But some good news is the nurse is going to connect me with

some Fusion Patients so I can talk to them. I would like to see them

in person and ask them questions. I NEED A SECOND AND THIRD OPINION

NOW.

I have a question for anyone who has had accupuncture....my neighbor

said the reason why it made me nauseous is because all the toxins

were being released from my body which made me feel sick, and had I

kept going the nauseous feeling would eventually go away. DUH, but no

one told me this so I didn't like it and didn't continue. Now I

wonder if it would help more than I thought??? ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS

ANYONE???

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/9/02 4:27:25 PM, jekteachme@... writes:

<< Some doctors need to get off their throne! It is SO important that we are

as informed as possible. I feel it is our responsiblity to find out exactly

our options and understand them to the best of our ability. It annoys me so

much when doctors treat us this way.

I feel compeletly frustrated about the possiblity that I need to have a

fusion also! I know that the artificial disc is definitly the way to go.

Before artificial knees and hips, they used to fuse these joints.It seems

rediculous and archaic that these joints were one timed fused. I feel that

spinal fusions are also archaic. Especially since we all know that it puts

stress on the adjacents discs! The FDA is VERY SLOW in approving them!

But...there is nothing us little peons can do. Unless we want to wait around

for the next few years in total pain. >>

Right on Jan! You are so right about all of this. We must educate ourselves.

I went misdiagosed for nearly 10 years. If I had stopped searching for

answers....I can't even imagine how insane I'd feel right now If I hadn't

been correctly diagnosed. One begins to think they're going insane (let alone

finding out there is a solution available). Maybe the answer to reform (and

to quicker FDA approval) is for us to somehow pool the research data (not

that I have a clue as to how to do that) and demand speedier action from FDA?

It will be interesting to hear how the doctors propose I pay for the

artificial discs surgery, since I know my insurance isn't going to pay for

anything not FDA approved. I'm just trying not to think about that right now.

I'll fall off that bridge when I come to it. All I know is that together, in

this support group, I believe we're unstoppable. Am I alone here?

Robin

[Guest guest]

Sweet Army Mom...

I hardly ever double my meds, in fact, usually I cut my dose in half! Takes the

edge off without me feeling loopy. But the few times I did double them...there

the cameras were. I was getting almost $2000 a month for workers comp benefits.

It is based on your average pay for the past year, and luckily I had gotten a

lot of overtime in that period. Of course, maybe some of that extra work helped

to degenerate my back?

Like you, the next time we move...the military (Navy) will move us. No way could

I go thru that again. and since hubby will be retiring in a few years, we will

be going home!!

Also like you, it is not readily apparent that I am injured, unless you know me.

I no longer walk with a bounce in my step. People used to complain and tell me

to slow down (I have long legs), and now I am doing the complaining for them to

slow down. I move a little stiffer than normal, and have a limp on bad days. I

also do a lot of gritting my teeth...no wanting to be singled out as

" different " . I have always done for myself...and it kills me to ask for help

doing things I used to do so easily.

****** Vicki Harkness ******

Paramedic...20 year career lost

[Guest guest]

HI KHRIS THANKS FOR REPLYING. MAYBE I WILL TRY THE ACUPUNCTURE AGAIN

THEN. I AM SO EXHAUSTED FROM TWO YEARS OF DOCTOR,THERAPY,SURGERY,

GUESS I AM GETTING SPINY BURNOUT!!!! LOL..HAHAHA. I HOPE THINGS GET

BETTER AND SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE HERE SOON??? IT TOOK ALOT FOR ME TO

SIT HERE AND DO THAT RESEARCH ON WWW.ESPINEINSTITUTE THE OTHER NIGHT,

AND IT DID ME NO GOOD WHEN I FIND I HAVE A PCP AND ORTHO DOCTOR WHO

DOESN'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT ME. NOT SURE HOW TO APPROACH HIM YET AND

GET HIM TO LISTEN TO WHAT I AM SAYING. I NEED TO OUTRIGHT SAY NO

FUSION AGAIN. I DID THIS BEFORE MY LASER TOO...LAST JULY 2001. THIS

IS MY THIRD ORTHO DOC NOW.

VICKY I TOO USED TO WALK FAST AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD TO SLOW DOWN BUT

NOT ANYMORE.I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ACTIVE. I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD FROM MY

FRIEND PAM HER HUSBAND IS SUPPOSED TO CALL AND GIVE HER FRIENDS AND

FAMILY AN UPDATE ON HOW SHES DOING. SHE HAD THE SURGERY MONDAY WITH

THE BONE MORPHING PROTEIN.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND MY ORTHO DOC TELLING ME THERE IS NO OTHER OPTIONS

FOR ME. NOW I HAVE TO REGROUP AND COME UP WITH A PLAN...GUESS IT

BEGINS WITH THE LAWYER? I SET UP MY APPT TODAY FOR MY SECOND SET OF

EPIDURALS. NOW I HAVE TO FIND SOMEONE TO DRIVE ME TO AND FROM. JAN,

ROBIN, KHRIS,

VICKY I AGREE WITH ALL OF YOU SO WHAT DO WE DO?

ROBIN ARE YOU HAVING YOUR SURGERY DONE BY DR. DELAMARTER @ UCLA SPINE

CENTER?? I HAVE A NEW SCRIPT FOR PT...POOL THERAPY, SOFT TISSUE

MODALITIES, INSTRUCTION HOME EXERCISE, EXERCISE PROGRAM AND PT.

DURING THIS SIX WEEK WINDOW TILL NEXT ORTHO DOC VISIT. I AM ALSO

TRYING TO GET A SAUNDERS FLOOR HOME TRACTION UNIT. WELL I NEED TO GO

REST AND MAYBE TAKE A NAP TOO. TAKE CARE ALL. OH I ALMOST FORGOT TO

ASK...HAS ANYONE USED KINOSETIC TAPE IT LOOKS LIKE AN ACE

BANDAGE..AND ITS GETS WARM?? I THINK I SPELLED IT RIGHT???

SINCERELY MARY

]

[Guest guest]

Hi :

I don't have a surgery date yet. I'm going back in December to begin process.

My doctor is partner to doctor you mentioned in your last email, but I'm told

that he doesn't do the surgery his partner (the one you mentioned does). I'm

also seeing the neuro in town who's also doing the artificial disc surgery.

xoxoxooxoxoxox

Robin

[Guest guest]

Jan:

When I was finally correctly diagnosed (after 9 years and a gazillion tests

and therapies....but that's another story LOL), by a brilliant orthopedist

(who I only got into see through my ankle ortho), he first told me that to

avoid a spinal fusion he recommended I try IDET. He referred me to a doctor

in Northern California (I live in So. California) who invented the procedure.

I had the IDET in August of 2001.

Unfortunately, a year later we learned it hadn't worked (bummer). At that

time, the brilliant orthopedist said, " if you lose the weight you've gained

(being sedentary for 5+ years and becoming far too friendly with Sara Lee and

the Stouffer family), you'd make a great candidate for the artificial disc

surgery which my partner is doing. Come back in early December, and we'll

begin the process. " Since mid July, I've lost about half. But by early

December I will probably be 10 - 15 lbs overweight (and I assume I'll still

have a couple of months until surgery). There's also a well respected

neurosurgeon in town who is also doing this surgery (and most of the people

in this support group who've had surgery have strongly recommended that when

I have surgery that I go with a neuro). I'm assuming (and was told by a

former pain mgmt. doctor) that these docs. are part of the clinical trials).

It was very hard to get into see the neurosurgeon (won't bore you with the

details). But another doctor in his office has recommended me to him as a

good candidate for the surgery. I am not even going to broach the subject

with my insurance until after both of the appointments. As I previously said,

not going to jump off that bridge till I come to it. (Getting them to pay for

the IDET was a nightmare. I won, but it was a nightmare). I just can't freak

out about it until I have the facts (I mean I can but I just don't have the

strength or the desire).

This nightmare, for me, began in late 1991 after an ankle injury. The night

after I came out of my cast, I developed Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, which

no one knew much about. Thankfully, my ankle ortho (brilliant) did. I had a

series of sympathetic nerve blocks (which were successful). Unfortunately,

the doctor who did them, didn't sedate me during the first one (VERY

PAINFUL). Short story long, he injured my back during the first block. I

could never prove it, but I had never had a back problem and immediately

following, I was in agony. You do the math. Since that time, I've injured my

ankle (and had a couple of surguries), but with the help of PT, and Nuerontin

(Gabapentin) while in the cast, the RSD has been in remission.

If anyone is trying to get into to see one of these hot shot doctors in their

areas (docs doing clinical trials) and find it hard to get in, ask your other

docs. My ankle ortho actually insisted on my seeing the back ortho who

correctly diagnosed me after 9 years. I'd given up and would have never

gotten in on my own (or it would have taken a really long time). You might

try and network within your existing circle. Does that make sense? Ok, enough

with my novel. Take good care.

Robin