Guest guest Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 there is also a place in NYC that does this surgery ... Hospital for special surgery. www.hss.edu Carlene Farmer <birddog@...> wrote: i don't know yet; want to talk to more of their patients and then send them my MRIs. was hoping to find some place closer but they seem to be the innovators and experts. just go to their website and it gives contact info. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/home.aspx Carlene in MT Re: minimally invasive surgery are you going to go to fla. for surgery? how did you contact them to look at your mri's? i would love this information bec. i would like to do that too. marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 yes, that is one i have been looking at. thanks. Carlene in MT Re: minimally invasive surgery are you going to go to fla. for surgery? how did you contact them to look at your mri's? i would love this information bec. i would like to do that too. marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 Marsha, you are in NY; i have been wanting someone to check out this clinic: http://www.hss.edu/ i just sent them an email. check them out if you can. are they near you?? my diaganosis: osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, 14 bulging discs, stenosis, bone spurs, scar tissue from 10 year old laminectomy, and a cervical cyst. the surgeon who did the laminectomy was more aggressive than he needed to be, removed more bone than was necessary and that has resulted in my spine " slump " . i have constant daily pain in my low back and right leg except now it is ok because of the ablation i had a few weeks ago. however, i still have a stiff and sore neck, sometimes with finger numbness, and today thoracic pain. i use a TENS when it gets to be too much and take Tramadol daily but am getting by with a small dose now. here is a good site on rolfing: http://skepdic.com/rolfing.html but basically it is very, very deep massage. he works to loosen the connective tissues which become like concrete during stress and that in turn freezes our muscles, exacerbates the back pain. i had a session on thursday and he is mostly working on my feet and legs now to reground me and help me learn to walk right again after having both knees replaced last June. he has seen my MRI report, and the surgeon's report about wanting to fuse 3/4 of my spine. our hope is that over the next several months, with some careful, focused work, we can at least partially straighten my spine, make my legs work right again, loosen my pelvis--all to take strain off my back and neck. i am tired a LOT, even when not having too much pain because the things causing the pain are still there, still affecting my body even though i have numbed the pain. so, i rest as much as i can, but still walk with my dogs every day, ride a stationary bike, and do some weight lifting (not all on the same day!!). the walking seems to be the most important and i try to do that no matter what and even if i can only go a little ways rather than a mile or so. i am active 63 year old (used to be anyway) and an avid hunter. i also am a volunteer puppy raiser for Loving Paws Assistance Dogs so walking w/o pain is very important to me. i want some minimally invasive procedures to correct the bulging discs, stenosis, remove the cyst, and end my leg and back pain to the point that i can get by with Aleve if i need to. it is good to find other people with similar problems. i hope we can find great doctors to help us w/o putting in tons of metal cages, crews, and other hardware that will limit my mobility and result in a long recovery period with additional surgeries. Carlene in MT Re: minimally invasive surgery carlene, a couple of questions. wwhat is rolfing? exactly what is your diagnosis? how much pain are you in on a ddaily basis? i had the ablation also and it was amazing. but i have soreness and that god awful nerve pain that i get in the late afternoons. i have been taking nerve pills for the nerve pain. lyrica. not really doing the trick. once before i took neurontin for period of time almost two years ago and that worked and then i was okay for a period of time, nerve-pain wise. but then pain started in last fall and neuronin wasn't working this time. i have been told i need l3 l4 l5 sl fusions i have stenosis and spondylolethsis (grade 1 (out of 3 grades, 3 being really bad) at L3) with rods and cage. it sounds so barbaric and i am just not willing to do that.mostly because it is a huge thing to go thru without a 100% guarantee of pain free. i am just wondering how similar to mine your process is. it is good to talk to someone with same things. marsha in new york city Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 my brother-in-law had it done last fall but just to remove a small cyst from one lumbar area. he said it was so easy, did not take long, walked out with a bandage on his back. of course, that was a pretty small deal compared to what many of us are dealing with. Carlene in MT Re: minimally invasive surgery In a message dated 3/25/2006 11:11:16 AM Eastern Standard Time, birddog@... writes: there is also a place in NYC that does this surgery ... Hospital for special surgery. www.hss.edu does anyone know anything about this place, or anyone who has had minimally invasive spine surgery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 nope did not get it... Re: minimally invasive surgery carkene, i sent you an email with two other sites in nyc to look at. did you get this email? i was having trouble sending it. marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 in Tucson...with Dr. Chua: http://www.spineuniverse.com/mdpage.php?doctorID=915 Re: minimally invasive surgery carlene, where did you brother have the surgery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 i will be REALLY interested in what you find out.... good luck!! Re: minimally invasive surgery okay, these are two doctors in nyc that i am going to try to get appts with on monday. this is at beth israel hosp. i particularly want to see dr. kuflik the most. _Spine Institute of New York_ (http://www.spineinstituteny.com/physicians/casden.html) 844-8674 _Dr. Kuflik's Complete CV_ (http://www.spineinstituteny.com/physicians/kuflikcv.html) (http://www.spineinstituteny.com/services/appt.html) Telephone: 212 844-8688 Office Mgr: 212 844-8689 Kuflik, MD Associate Director, Spine Institute Dr. Kuflik has extensive experience in all aspects of spine surgery, with special emphasis on spinal deformity, degenerative disorders of the spine and particularly minimally invasive spine surgery. Dr. Kuflik came to Beth Israel from the Hospital for Joint Diseases Orthopaedic Institute. Since 1987, he has served there as an assistant attending physician, and was named chief of the scoliosis service in 1991. Dr. Kuflik also was chief of spine services at Mount Sinai Medical Center as well as an attending physician in the department of orthopaedic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 yeah but i don't know that he does more complex cases...i am trying to find out. my nephew lives there so it would be familar territory compared to NEW YORK CITY!!!!! Re: minimally invasive surgery In a message dated 3/25/2006 2:14:12 PM Eastern Standard Time, birddog@... writes: http://www.spineuniverse.com/mdpage.php?doctorID=915 sounds good. we could all move to tucson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 In a message dated 3/25/2006 2:26:51 PM Eastern Standard Time, birddog@... writes: yeah but i don't know that he does more complex cases...i am trying to find out. my nephew lives there so it would be familar territory compared to NEW YORK CITY!!!!! new york is not so bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 well for a Montana country girl it sounds intimidating. even going to northern CA when it is time to turn in a pup i have raised for Loving Paws, we get culture shock. but, i like what i read about Dr. Kuflik so who knows, i may be going there yet!!! Carlene Re: minimally invasive surgery In a message dated 3/25/2006 2:26:51 PM Eastern Standard Time, birddog@... writes: yeah but i don't know that he does more complex cases...i am trying to find out. my nephew lives there so it would be familar territory compared to NEW YORK CITY!!!!! new york is not so bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 carlene, i woke up with this horrible thought. when i call tomorrow they might tell me " we are not accepting new patients " . yucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 i will let you know what happens in my (surgical) quest for an appointment marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 yes, that occurred to me too. XX crossed fingers. but remember, if he is not the right one, then we find someone else. i wrote Dr. Kuflik a letter telling him about my situation, asking if i could get an evaluation from him. i may be making a trip to NY. Carlene in MT Re: minimally invasive surgery carlene, i woke up with this horrible thought. when i call tomorrow they might tell me " we are not accepting new patients " . yucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 P.S. i am so tired today; only got about 4 hours of sleep last night because i had read all of the stuff on his website and was thinking about it.....need to go take a nap. Re: minimally invasive surgery carlene, i woke up with this horrible thought. when i call tomorrow they might tell me " we are not accepting new patients " . yucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Marsha, i don't think they will refuse you or they would say something about that on the website--i hope. still have my fingers crossed. Carlene in MT Re: minimally invasive surgery i will let you know what happens in my (surgical) quest for an appointment marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 alright Marsha! i certainly understand your doubts and fears. but again, i bet he will be able to help you. so glad you got an appt. can hardly wait to hear what you think of him, what he suggests for you. Carlene Re: minimally invasive surgery carlene...and everyone else. you are not going to believe this. but i have an appt with dr. kuflik at beth israel spine clinic. for a week from tomorrow at 8 a.m. so now i am thinking he is going to tell me he cannot do minimally invasive surgery on me. a little fear here. for anyone who is interested, he has a website. or rather the spine institute at beth israel hospital has a web site. i am so freaked over this. i am so hopeful. bec. i do not want to do 3 level fusion with cage and rods. no. not me. not there. not if i can do this. i talk like this now. but we will see. i might not be so arrogant later on. best to all and i will keep you all posted. marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 carlene, thanks for your support. i had a good day today. i think it is the combination of the neurontin with the lyrica. the nerve pain was much calmer today and i was able to concentrate at work and then walk home. this was good. marsha In a message dated 3/27/2006 1:10:39 PM Eastern Standard Time, birddog@... writes: alright Marsha! i certainly understand your doubts and fears. but again, i bet he will be able to help you. so glad you got an appt. can hardly wait to hear what you think of him, what he suggests for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 Marsha, glad you had a good day. mine was not so good, very exhausted. just about ready for bed. take care...i am sending angels Carlene in MT Re: minimally invasive surgery carlene, thanks for your support. i had a good day today. i think it is the combination of the neurontin with the lyrica. the nerve pain was much calmer today and i was able to concentrate at work and then walk home. this was good. marsha In a message dated 3/27/2006 1:10:39 PM Eastern Standard Time, birddog@... writes: alright Marsha! i certainly understand your doubts and fears. but again, i bet he will be able to help you. so glad you got an appt. can hardly wait to hear what you think of him, what he suggests for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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