Re: Artificial Disc--forgot a little detail

[Guest guest]

Yes I think so. I once had a Doctor try to tell me my problems were

from sleep apnea. I told him but Doc you don't think the tumor on my

pituitary secreting was the cause of the hormones being off? He said

that sleep apnea could have the same effect. He then said I want you

to goto Good Sam Hospital I am in charge of the program there,

screech hold it, saw his true colors. What a dick never saw him

again.

-Nick

> Hi guys:

> I did forgot to mention one little thing about my appt yesterday

that

> I didn't remember until very early this morning. I was so confused

> that the Neurosurgeon kept saying how both the (anterior) fusion

and

> the artificial disc had such high success rates, claiming that

fusions

> are much better now than they were even a few years ago. He,

himself,

> had fusion five years ago (of course with fabulous results) but

> admitted, when pressed, that if he had it done today, he'd go with

an

> artificial disc. Then I remembered one little detail. He told us

(my

> parents were with me) that the " new " cages (THAT HE INVENTED) were

> much better and no longer slipped. Hmmmmmm. Do you think that

might

> color his opinion?

>

> Am just wondering your op

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/21/02 12:11:38 PM, gainsavoir@... writes:

<< Why is it that woman have two cervical areas? So that when we say we had

a cervical fusion, we don't know if it was our neck or our uterus? >>

:

That's funny. Never thought of that. You're so right. The Neurosurgeon I met

with on Friday had a fusion four or five years ago and got up off the chair

to show me just how well (and not limited his range of motion was) he could

move (he bent down and side to side etc.) It's funny, both he and my ortho

(when asked about recovery) painted such rosy pictures. One told me of a

pilot who was back flying a plane a mere weeks after his fusion. The Neuro

told us of a patient who was back playing tennis weeks later. Of course when

I said, " that's not a typical case however is it? " they both answered no.

Will your range of motion in your neck ever loosen up?

Robin

[Guest guest]

Nick:

lol. Hmmmmm. Interesting. Very Interesting. In all fairness, however, he did

say that if it were him and he was having to have surgery today (and not five

years ago--like he did back then) he'd go for the artificial disc (not the

fusion, which uses his invention)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/22/02 10:48:03 AM, Ckelly@... writes:

<< Are you in tremendous pain......or are you able to withstand it for many

months to come? I sure wouldn't want to be in your shoes hun.......but

know that whatever decision you make, we will be right here for you, every

step of the way! " {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

>>

Chris:

Went misdiagnosed for 9 agonizing years. Live (and have done so now for many

years) with debhilitating, horrific, daily pain. Back burns.Cannot sit for

longer than a few minutes. Spend most of my time in bed. Pain meds don't do

much anymore. My disc (L4/L5) is virtually gone. By the time they accurately

diagnosed me my disc was virtually shredded. I want my life back. Cannot live

like this anymore. I do appreciate your kind words and your support means

more than you'll ever know.

While I'm terrified of having surgery, the time has come. I've always known

that spinal fusion (in my case anterior) was not right for me. Don't know why

just a gut feeling, and I could be wrong. When I heard about artificial disc

it just made sense. I just need to figure out which disc is better (Prodisc

or SP3 charite'). Additionally, I thought if I could speak to the Physical

Therapists (the only truly unbiased people) that each office uses

(orthopedist and neurosurgeon) and ask each who does better (anterior fusion

patients post op or artificial disc patients post op) I might get a more

honest answer. I don't have a clue as to how I might discern which disc is

better. I'll have to cross that bridge when I jump off of it lol.

Anywho...that's where I'm at.

xoxoxoxo

robin

[Guest guest]

>parents were with me) that the " new " cages (THAT HE INVENTED) were

>much better and no longer slipped. Hmmmmmm. Do you think that might

>color his opinion?>>

Great idea here.....might even help to bring a non family member. Heck, I

forget so much that is said that I think I may bring a tape recorder next

time. LOL Think the Doc will mind???

>Am just wondering your op>>

OK...just remember you asked I had been going to PT for a very long

while before mine even thought of recommending someone, based on their

experiences, with the Docs patients of course, (after surgery) I think

that you will indeed get contacts that have had the best experience. I

doubt that they would give you a name of say, someone like me! LOL This is

a very tough decision....because from what little I've read, if you get a

fusion, you are not a candidate for ADR....ever. But.....the procedure is

VERY new still, and would be *kinda cool* to be involved in cutting edge

technology......but may not be fun to be a statistic. I DO agree with you

on the Dr's invention. I would sure investigate this. I hope that you can

get a honest opinion from the PT.....that will be a tough one as well. I

wish there were a way for patients to check out a Dr like this.....but

unless your case makes it to court, I doubt that any paper trails

exist. I've already done this on my OS....only found some real estate

court documents.

Are you in tremendous pain......or are you able to withstand it for many

months to come? I sure wouldn't want to be in your shoes hun.......but

know that whatever decision you make, we will be right here for you, every

step of the way! " {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Ask me about my new MSM lotion for aches/pains!

http://www.scentsappeal.net

[Guest guest]

>Why is it that woman have two cervical areas? So that when we say we had

>a cervical fusion, we don't know if it was our neck or our

>uterus? LOL. Just wondering. >>

ROFL GOod question! We just get to have ALL of the fun, don't we? <G>

Ask me about my new MSM lotion for aches/pains!

http://www.scentsappeal.net

[Guest guest]

>. I want my life back. >>

Boy do I know what you mean! I think all of us feel this way. But....we

also have to realize that we will probably never be perfect again...but we

can sure as hell try to get as close to it as we can!

>nnot live

>like this anymore. I do appreciate your kind words and your support means

>more than you'll ever know.>>

Oh yes dear, I do know...cuz I feel the same way about all of you guys!

This is sounding like a Budweiser commercial... " I love you man! " LOLOL

>While I'm terrified of having surgery, the time has come. I've always known

>that spinal fusion (in my case anterior) was not right for me. Don't know why

>just a gut feeling, and I could be wrong. >>

NoNoNoNoNoNo!!! Hun...if you've gotten a *gut* feeling, GO FOR IT! I keep

telling my hubby that I am sorry...for lots of things. Him having to go

thru all of this right beside me, not listening to HIS gut on this surgery

etc. We have that gut instinct for a reason. Just do as much research as

you can.....that is about the best that you can do. It the time comes and

you still aren't quite sure about having it done....tell the Dr to postpone

it. You ARE the boss here That is one of the hardest things for me to

remember!

>en I heard about artificial disc

>it just made sense. I just need to figure out which disc is better (Prodisc

>or SP3 charite'). Additionally, I thought if I could speak to the Physical

>Therapists (the only truly unbiased people) that each office uses

>(orthopedist and neurosurgeon) and ask each who does better (anterior fusion

>patients post op or artificial disc patients post op) I might get a more

>honest answer. I don't have a clue as to how I might discern which disc is

>better. I'll have to cross that bridge when I jump off of it lol.>>

ROFL And we will throw you a line! Please do check with the

therapist....maybe they can enlighten you! You don't know till you

try...and I think your going about this whole thing perfectly!

>Anywho...that's where I'm at. >>

Well, I gotta get my fat butt out of this chair & make several batches of

pumpkin bread...to go with the pumpkin butter I canned last

weekend. Crap! I still havef a couple of lap quilts to get

finished!!! STRESS is coming to get me!!!!!!!! LOL

Hope you all have a pain free Sunday afternoon!

>xoxoxoxo

>robin

>

>

[Guest guest]

> Today I told him that we have to try <

Well, Janice...how was it? Crossing fingers it was good for you both!

Seems like sex is a taboo word sometimes. But I have to admit to being curious

what others do to lessen the pain in order for sex to happen.

[Guest guest]

I ran out of gingko biloba, sorry, hehe.

-Nick

> Nick:

> lol. Hmmmmm. Interesting. Very Interesting. In all fairness,

however, he did

> say that if it were him and he was having to have surgery today

(and not five

> years ago--like he did back then) he'd go for the artificial disc

(not the

> fusion, which uses his invention)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/22/02 12:58:16 PM, Ckelly@... writes:

<< Boy do I know what you mean! I think all of us feel this way. But....we

also have to realize that we will probably never be perfect again...but we

can sure as hell try to get as close to it as we can! >>

Amen.