Guest guest Posted August 26, 2010 Report Share Posted August 26, 2010 Here's a summary of my background: - 1992 - fusion w/rods for scoliosis - 1996 - injured back in dance class; sudden, severe pain that wouldn't go away - 1997 - partial removal of the rods - doctor thought they were causing the pain - didn't help - 1997 - pain determined to be caused by herniated disc; microdiskectomy performed; reduced pain for a while but worsened within a year - 1996-2000 - tried medications, TENS unit, physical therapy, and selective nerve root blocks, each with some success, but never enough - 2000 - gave up on my doctors, stopped all my meds, and stopped going to appointments; managed my pain myself for eight years just using traditional methods (ice, heat, rest, motrin, etc.) - 2008 - pain suddenly worsened; could barely walk around - 2009 - MRI showed two herniated discs, one torn, and other degeneration -- all in my lumbar spine - 2008 - tried various medications (tramadol, codeine, vicodin, neurontin, lyrica, topomax, baclofen, tizanidine), PT, aquatic therapy, TENS, selective nerve root blocks, piriformis (trigger point) injections - Now - pain has been worsening over the past few months The summary above leads me up to my appointment (with my pain management doctor) yesterday. He changed my meds a bit, but said that the worsening pain was concerning, and that my 2009 MRI already showed a lot of things going wrong in my lumbar spine. He is scheduling me for a new MRI and has referred me to a neurosurgeon. I am terrified of the idea of having surgery again. I'm 30 years old and this would be my fourth back surgery. But at this point, I'm not sure what else to do. I haven't made up my mind yet. I want to gather as much information as possible, so I can made an educated, rather than an emotional, decision regarding how to move forward. Have any of you dealt with herniated lumbar discs below an existing fusion? How have your physicians dealt with this problem (other than medications)? If you are in the Boston area or are familiar with the surgeons here, is there anyone you could recommend? I've been referred to a neurosurgeon at New England Baptist. But there are so many other hospitals here, that the possibilities are practically endless. I will meet with the surgeon to whom my pain management doctor referred me, but I will definitely be getting a second, and possibly even a third, opinion as well. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2010 Report Share Posted August 26, 2010 Hi , I have two herniated discs in my lumbar spine. The first one is L4-L5 and the second is L5-S1. My doctor recommends the microdiscectomy. After reading your story here online, I am still VERY leary about getting the Microdiscectomy done. I keep getting everyone telling me that I should get it done, but something is telling me not to. I know you had a bad experience, but what do you think? I never had surgery ever and I am terrified. Can you please help and give me some advice?  K. From: Curran <melissacurran530@...> Subject: Referred to a Surgeon spinal problems Date: Thursday, August 26, 2010, 2:24 PM  Here's a summary of my background: - 1992 - fusion w/rods for scoliosis - 1996 - injured back in dance class; sudden, severe pain that wouldn't go away - 1997 - partial removal of the rods - doctor thought they were causing the pain - didn't help - 1997 - pain determined to be caused by herniated disc; microdiskectomy performed; reduced pain for a while but worsened within a year - 1996-2000 - tried medications, TENS unit, physical therapy, and selective nerve root blocks, each with some success, but never enough - 2000 - gave up on my doctors, stopped all my meds, and stopped going to appointments; managed my pain myself for eight years just using traditional methods (ice, heat, rest, motrin, etc.) - 2008 - pain suddenly worsened; could barely walk around - 2009 - MRI showed two herniated discs, one torn, and other degeneration -- all in my lumbar spine - 2008 - tried various medications (tramadol, codeine, vicodin, neurontin, lyrica, topomax, baclofen, tizanidine), PT, aquatic therapy, TENS, selective nerve root blocks, piriformis (trigger point) injections - Now - pain has been worsening over the past few months The summary above leads me up to my appointment (with my pain management doctor) yesterday. He changed my meds a bit, but said that the worsening pain was concerning, and that my 2009 MRI already showed a lot of things going wrong in my lumbar spine. He is scheduling me for a new MRI and has referred me to a neurosurgeon. I am terrified of the idea of having surgery again. I'm 30 years old and this would be my fourth back surgery. But at this point, I'm not sure what else to do. I haven't made up my mind yet. I want to gather as much information as possible, so I can made an educated, rather than an emotional, decision regarding how to move forward. Have any of you dealt with herniated lumbar discs below an existing fusion? How have your physicians dealt with this problem (other than medications)? If you are in the Boston area or are familiar with the surgeons here, is there anyone you could recommend? I've been referred to a neurosurgeon at New England Baptist. But there are so many other hospitals here, that the possibilities are practically endless. I will meet with the surgeon to whom my pain management doctor referred me, but I will definitely be getting a second, and possibly even a third, opinion as well. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2010 Report Share Posted August 27, 2010 Hi , I'm sorry you are having to go through so much. I am 45 and have dealt with back/neck/spinal cord issues my entire life. I know it is scary, frustrating and painful. Do you have a copy of your last MRI? What exactly did it say? I have had spinal cord surgery via a lumbar laminectomy and I have had herniated disk surgery in my neck. The disk below where it was fused is now herniated, but I am just dealing with it because, like you, I don't want another surgery. Of course the neck isn't as bad as the lumbar. Many people here have had a fusion or two in the lumbar area and I'm sure they will be glad to talk to you. Good luck to you and I hope you get some relief soon! Barb > > Here's a summary of my background: > > - 1992 - fusion w/rods for scoliosis > - 1996 - injured back in dance class; sudden, severe pain that wouldn't > go away > - 1997 - partial removal of the rods - doctor thought they were causing > the pain - didn't help > - 1997 - pain determined to be caused by herniated disc; microdiskectomy > performed; reduced pain for a while but worsened within a year > - 1996-2000 - tried medications, TENS unit, physical therapy, and > selective nerve root blocks, each with some success, but never enough > - 2000 - gave up on my doctors, stopped all my meds, and stopped going to > appointments; managed my pain myself for eight years just using traditional > methods (ice, heat, rest, motrin, etc.) > - 2008 - pain suddenly worsened; could barely walk around > - 2009 - MRI showed two herniated discs, one torn, and other degeneration > -- all in my lumbar spine > - 2008 - tried various medications (tramadol, codeine, vicodin, > neurontin, lyrica, topomax, baclofen, tizanidine), PT, aquatic therapy, > TENS, selective nerve root blocks, piriformis (trigger point) injections > - Now - pain has been worsening over the past few months > > The summary above leads me up to my appointment (with my pain management > doctor) yesterday. He changed my meds a bit, but said that the worsening > pain was concerning, and that my 2009 MRI already showed a lot of things > going wrong in my lumbar spine. He is scheduling me for a new MRI and has > referred me to a neurosurgeon. I am terrified of the idea of having surgery > again. I'm 30 years old and this would be my fourth back surgery. But at > this point, I'm not sure what else to do. I haven't made up my mind yet. I > want to gather as much information as possible, so I can made an educated, > rather than an emotional, decision regarding how to move forward. > > Have any of you dealt with herniated lumbar discs below an existing fusion? > How have your physicians dealt with this problem (other than medications)? > > If you are in the Boston area or are familiar with the surgeons here, is > there anyone you could recommend? I've been referred to a neurosurgeon at > New England Baptist. But there are so many other hospitals here, that the > possibilities are practically endless. I will meet with the surgeon to whom > my pain management doctor referred me, but I will definitely be getting a > second, and possibly even a third, opinion as well. > > Thanks, > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 28, 2010 Report Share Posted September 28, 2010 Kim I am going to butt in here. Take it from someone who has had 5 back surgeries. If it doesn't feel right don't do it. Make sure you feel confident in what your doctor is telling you and what your about to do. It's your body and you can't take some things back once it's done. Think this over research it throughly and get more opinions from other types of doctors like you might want to talk to a nuerologist. Get the MRI and take it with you every where you go. Janice Referred to a Surgeon spinal problems Date: Thursday, August 26, 2010, 2:24 PM Here's a summary of my background: - 1992 - fusion w/rods for scoliosis - 1996 - injured back in dance class; sudden, severe pain that wouldn't go away - 1997 - partial removal of the rods - doctor thought they were causing the pain - didn't help - 1997 - pain determined to be caused by herniated disc; microdiskectomy performed; reduced pain for a while but worsened within a year - 1996-2000 - tried medications, TENS unit, physical therapy, and selective nerve root blocks, each with some success, but never enough - 2000 - gave up on my doctors, stopped all my meds, and stopped going to appointments; managed my pain myself for eight years just using traditional methods (ice, heat, rest, motrin, etc.) - 2008 - pain suddenly worsened; could barely walk around - 2009 - MRI showed two herniated discs, one torn, and other degeneration -- all in my lumbar spine - 2008 - tried various medications (tramadol, codeine, vicodin, neurontin, lyrica, topomax, baclofen, tizanidine), PT, aquatic therapy, TENS, selective nerve root blocks, piriformis (trigger point) injections - Now - pain has been worsening over the past few months The summary above leads me up to my appointment (with my pain management doctor) yesterday. He changed my meds a bit, but said that the worsening pain was concerning, and that my 2009 MRI already showed a lot of things going wrong in my lumbar spine. He is scheduling me for a new MRI and has referred me to a neurosurgeon. I am terrified of the idea of having surgery again. I'm 30 years old and this would be my fourth back surgery. But at this point, I'm not sure what else to do. I haven't made up my mind yet. I want to gather as much information as possible, so I can made an educated, rather than an emotional, decision regarding how to move forward. Have any of you dealt with herniated lumbar discs below an existing fusion? How have your physicians dealt with this problem (other than medications)? If you are in the Boston area or are familiar with the surgeons here, is there anyone you could recommend? I've been referred to a neurosurgeon at New England Baptist. But there are so many other hospitals here, that the possibilities are practically endless. I will meet with the surgeon to whom my pain management doctor referred me, but I will definitely be getting a second, and possibly even a third, opinion as well. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 Hi Kim, I am with Janice on this one. Nobody but you can make that decision, and you can NOT take back a surgery but you can postpone it until you feel it is absolutely necessary. I don't know your circumstances as to what caused the herniation's, how long you have had them, what type of pain/discomfort you are having, and if there are any nerves being damaged, but I do know that some people have actually healed from herniation's on their own. I haven't ever been that lucky, but my mother's back actually fused two disks together naturally when she had a herniation. Some on here feel like the procedure that has been recommended to you is a waste of time and that eventually you would have to have a full fusion at some point after this procedure. Hopefully some others that have mentioned this before will give you their input from experience. Just make very sure you are ready for the surgery and you absolutely, positively HAVE to have the surgery to keep nerves from being damaged or if the pain is unbearable. I'm sure you have been through the whole physical therapy, aquatic therapy and all that stuff to build your core muscles up so that the disk can heal haven't you? I hope you feel better soon!! Barb > > From: Curran <melissacurran530@...> > Subject: Referred to a Surgeon > spinal problems > Date: Thursday, August 26, 2010, 2:24 PM > > > > Here's a summary of my background: > > - 1992 - fusion w/rods for scoliosis > - 1996 - injured back in dance class; sudden, severe pain that wouldn't > go away > - 1997 - partial removal of the rods - doctor thought they were causing > the pain - didn't help > - 1997 - pain determined to be caused by herniated disc; microdiskectomy > performed; reduced pain for a while but worsened within a year > - 1996-2000 - tried medications, TENS unit, physical therapy, and > selective nerve root blocks, each with some success, but never enough > - 2000 - gave up on my doctors, stopped all my meds, and stopped going to > appointments; managed my pain myself for eight years just using traditional > methods (ice, heat, rest, motrin, etc.) > - 2008 - pain suddenly worsened; could barely walk around > - 2009 - MRI showed two herniated discs, one torn, and other degeneration > -- all in my lumbar spine > - 2008 - tried various medications (tramadol, codeine, vicodin, > neurontin, lyrica, topomax, baclofen, tizanidine), PT, aquatic therapy, > TENS, selective nerve root blocks, piriformis (trigger point) injections > - Now - pain has been worsening over the past few months > > The summary above leads me up to my appointment (with my pain management > doctor) yesterday. He changed my meds a bit, but said that the worsening > pain was concerning, and that my 2009 MRI already showed a lot of things > going wrong in my lumbar spine. He is scheduling me for a new MRI and has > referred me to a neurosurgeon. I am terrified of the idea of having surgery > again. I'm 30 years old and this would be my fourth back surgery. But at > this point, I'm not sure what else to do. I haven't made up my mind yet. I > want to gather as much information as possible, so I can made an educated, > rather than an emotional, decision regarding how to move forward. > > Have any of you dealt with herniated lumbar discs below an existing fusion? > How have your physicians dealt with this problem (other than medications)? > > If you are in the Boston area or are familiar with the surgeons here, is > there anyone you could recommend? I've been referred to a neurosurgeon at > New England Baptist. But there are so many other hospitals here, that the > possibilities are practically endless. I will meet with the surgeon to whom > my pain management doctor referred me, but I will definitely be getting a > second, and possibly even a third, opinion as well. > > Thanks, > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2011 Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 Dr. Rand in Boston is supposed to be very good with bad scoli cases per most of the folks on the scoliosis revision group and the flatback revised group on . good luck, karen > > Here's a summary of my background: > > - 1992 - fusion w/rods for scoliosis > - 1996 - injured back in dance class; sudden, severe pain that wouldn't > go away > - 1997 - partial removal of the rods - doctor thought they were causing > the pain - didn't help > - 1997 - pain determined to be caused by herniated disc; microdiskectomy > performed; reduced pain for a while but worsened within a year > - 1996-2000 - tried medications, TENS unit, physical therapy, and > selective nerve root blocks, each with some success, but never enough > - 2000 - gave up on my doctors, stopped all my meds, and stopped going to > appointments; managed my pain myself for eight years just using traditional > methods (ice, heat, rest, motrin, etc.) > - 2008 - pain suddenly worsened; could barely walk around > - 2009 - MRI showed two herniated discs, one torn, and other degeneration > -- all in my lumbar spine > - 2008 - tried various medications (tramadol, codeine, vicodin, > neurontin, lyrica, topomax, baclofen, tizanidine), PT, aquatic therapy, > TENS, selective nerve root blocks, piriformis (trigger point) injections > - Now - pain has been worsening over the past few months > > The summary above leads me up to my appointment (with my pain management > doctor) yesterday. He changed my meds a bit, but said that the worsening > pain was concerning, and that my 2009 MRI already showed a lot of things > going wrong in my lumbar spine. He is scheduling me for a new MRI and has > referred me to a neurosurgeon. I am terrified of the idea of having surgery > again. I'm 30 years old and this would be my fourth back surgery. But at > this point, I'm not sure what else to do. I haven't made up my mind yet. I > want to gather as much information as possible, so I can made an educated, > rather than an emotional, decision regarding how to move forward. > > Have any of you dealt with herniated lumbar discs below an existing fusion? > How have your physicians dealt with this problem (other than medications)? > > If you are in the Boston area or are familiar with the surgeons here, is > there anyone you could recommend? I've been referred to a neurosurgeon at > New England Baptist. But there are so many other hospitals here, that the > possibilities are practically endless. I will meet with the surgeon to whom > my pain management doctor referred me, but I will definitely be getting a > second, and possibly even a third, opinion as well. > > Thanks, > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 , I am a spine surgical nurse who has also undergone six surgeries by the time I turned 30. I worked in Boston and was treated in Boston for many years and I know many of the docs there. First, New England Baptist is an amazing hospital and would have been my first choice had I not found my miracle man while working at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. I would caution you only to stay away from Dr. Woodard there who is spine neuro and at least WAS chief of that dept. I personally have found I prefer ortho spine surgeons to neuro spine surgeons, but as long as you find one who ONLY does spine, you are on the right track. That's one of the great things about NEBH, they all super-specialize. The one thing they do is all they do, every day. The surgeon I chose to fix the mess that had become my spine, was Dr. Glazer. I worked side by side with this man, as well as many other spine surgeons. I can personally vouch for the skill, ethics and honesty this man operates and cares for his patients with. While I have cringed while many Boston renowned spine guys have looked that the screw placement intra-op and said, " eh...good enough " because they wanted to go home or to a meeting or clinic, instead of taking the screws back out and doing it right...Dr. Glazer will stay all night if it takes to get it right...even though his wife is on the phone because he's missing tucking his kids in. He is the surgeon I trust to know when you NEED surgery and when you don't or it's not time. He has developed one of the fusion systems used by EBI and is involved in the high end of research for new techniques. I trusted this man with my life, and that is hard to do when you've already had a bunch of surgeries AND you work in the OR so you see all the potential disasters that could happen. As a person, he's humble and gentle. As a surgeon he's humble and gentle. He will NEVER raise his voice, use sarcasm or in any way denigrate a person. You can ask all the questions you want, and he will patiently listen and answer. His Physician Assistant is just as capable and qualified, so you don't have to worry that you might not be getting straight answers from a PA who doesn't know better. In short, I cannot personally vouch for the NEBH docs except Woodard...but I have had my hands inside the spines of hundreds of people like us...elbow to elbow with Dr. Glazer, and I've seen how different he is from the rest. I'd be happy to give you contact info, and please use my name if you call to make an appointment. You will likely have to wait to see him a few months, but he's worth it, and you've waited this long. He gave me my liffe back. It took a few years to get it all straight...but I am whole and active again. --- Babbitt From: kelizrm <kelizrm@...> Subject: Re: Referred to a Surgeon spinal problems Date: Friday, January 14, 2011, 2:08 AM Â Dr. Rand in Boston is supposed to be very good with bad scoli cases per most of the folks on the scoliosis revision group and the flatback revised group on . good luck, karen > > Here's a summary of my background: > > - 1992 - fusion w/rods for scoliosis > - 1996 - injured back in dance class; sudden, severe pain that wouldn't > go away > - 1997 - partial removal of the rods - doctor thought they were causing > the pain - didn't help > - 1997 - pain determined to be caused by herniated disc; microdiskectomy > performed; reduced pain for a while but worsened within a year > - 1996-2000 - tried medications, TENS unit, physical therapy, and > selective nerve root blocks, each with some success, but never enough > - 2000 - gave up on my doctors, stopped all my meds, and stopped going to > appointments; managed my pain myself for eight years just using traditional > methods (ice, heat, rest, motrin, etc.) > - 2008 - pain suddenly worsened; could barely walk around > - 2009 - MRI showed two herniated discs, one torn, and other degeneration > -- all in my lumbar spine > - 2008 - tried various medications (tramadol, codeine, vicodin, > neurontin, lyrica, topomax, baclofen, tizanidine), PT, aquatic therapy, > TENS, selective nerve root blocks, piriformis (trigger point) injections > - Now - pain has been worsening over the past few months > > The summary above leads me up to my appointment (with my pain management > doctor) yesterday. He changed my meds a bit, but said that the worsening > pain was concerning, and that my 2009 MRI already showed a lot of things > going wrong in my lumbar spine. He is scheduling me for a new MRI and has > referred me to a neurosurgeon. I am terrified of the idea of having surgery > again. I'm 30 years old and this would be my fourth back surgery. But at > this point, I'm not sure what else to do. I haven't made up my mind yet. I > want to gather as much information as possible, so I can made an educated, > rather than an emotional, decision regarding how to move forward. > > Have any of you dealt with herniated lumbar discs below an existing fusion? > How have your physicians dealt with this problem (other than medications)? > > If you are in the Boston area or are familiar with the surgeons here, is > there anyone you could recommend? I've been referred to a neurosurgeon at > New England Baptist. But there are so many other hospitals here, that the > possibilities are practically endless. I will meet with the surgeon to whom > my pain management doctor referred me, but I will definitely be getting a > second, and possibly even a third, opinion as well. > > Thanks, > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 , I'm not sure if I mentioned the name Dr. Rand originally, or if you are just mentioning his name because you already knew about him, but that is the surgeon I was referred to. I had my initial appointment with him approximately six weeks ago. He is recommending surgery -- removing the three lumbar discs below my scoliosis fusion, and extending the fusion to the sacrum. I haven't made a decision yet, and I have an appointment with another surgeon for a second opinion scheduled for the first week in February. Could you please send me the full names or links to those other Groups? Thanks much, On Fri, Jan 14, 2011 at 2:08 AM, kelizrm <kelizrm@...> wrote: > > > > Dr. Rand in Boston is supposed to be very good with bad scoli cases per > most of the folks on the scoliosis revision group and the flatback revised > group on . > good luck, > karen > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 , I am incredibly grateful that you and resurrected this thread today. This is perfect timing. Dr. Rand at New England Baptist is the surgeon I was originally referred to. (See my post of only a few minutes ago to .) I am a former patient of Dr. Woodard. He did my third surgery in the late 1990s. I left his care rather abruptly while I was in college because I didn't agree with the way he was treating me as a patient. I felt like he wasn't taking any of my concerns seriously. All he did was give me medication, which helped with the pain, but made it impossible for me to be productive. My parents showed up to pick me up for a holiday break from college to find out I had fired my doctor, that we needed to stop by and get my medical records, and that I had an appointment with a new doctor that afternoon. I don't know if they were more pissed that I did this without consulting them first, or more impressed that I took charge, asserted myself, and handled this myself. But back to today. I haven't made a decision on the surgery, which would be my fourth, yet. I told my pain management doctor that I'd like to do more reading on the subject, and would like to get a second opinion, before making a decision. I'll give you one guess who he referred me to. And yes, you're guessing right. I have an appointment with him on February 3rd. At this point I've pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I will need to have surgery, so the decisions now are when and with which surgeon. I don't necessarily need to do it immediately, but I am in a lot of pain, which is severely affecting my life. The condition of those discs has been progressively getting worse over the past couple of years, so none of my doctors are holding out hope that the herniations will begin to heal on their own. I'm terrified at the prospect of having such a major operation, but also terrified at the prospect of having to live feeling like I do now -- or even worse -- for the rest of my life. If any of you in this group have had surgery with Dr. Rand or Dr. Glazer, I would love to get a chance to chat with you, either through this Group, or through private email. Thanks much, <melissacurran530@...> On Fri, Jan 14, 2011 at 11:25 AM, Babbitt <tpowell1977@...>wrote: > > > , > > I am a spine surgical nurse who has also undergone six surgeries by the > time I turned 30. > I worked in Boston and was treated in Boston for many years and I know many > of the docs there. First, New England Baptist is an amazing hospital and > would have been my first choice had I not found my miracle man while working > at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. I would caution you only to stay > away from Dr. Woodard there who is spine neuro and at least WAS chief > of that dept. I personally have found I prefer ortho spine surgeons to neuro > spine surgeons, but as long as you find one who ONLY does spine, you are on > the right track. That's one of the great things about NEBH, they all > super-specialize. The one thing they do is all they do, every day. > > The surgeon I chose to fix the mess that had become my spine, was Dr. > Glazer. I worked side by side with this man, as well as many other spine > surgeons. I can personally vouch for the skill, ethics and honesty this man > operates and cares for his patients with. > While I have cringed while many Boston renowned spine guys have looked that > the screw placement intra-op and said, " eh...good enough " because they > wanted to go home or to a meeting or clinic, instead of taking the screws > back out and doing it right...Dr. Glazer will stay all night if it takes to > get it right...even though his wife is on the phone because he's missing > tucking his kids in. He is the surgeon I trust to know when you NEED surgery > and when you don't or it's not time. He has developed one of the fusion > systems used by EBI and is involved in the high end of research for new > techniques. I trusted this man with my life, and that is hard to do when > you've already had a bunch of surgeries AND you work in the OR so you see > all the potential disasters that could happen. > As a person, he's humble and gentle. As a surgeon he's humble and gentle. > He will NEVER raise his voice, use sarcasm or in any way denigrate a person. > You can ask all the questions you want, and he will patiently listen and > answer. His Physician Assistant is just as capable and qualified, so you > don't have to worry that you might not be getting straight answers from a PA > who doesn't know better. > > In short, I cannot personally vouch for the NEBH docs except Woodard...but > I have had my hands inside the spines of hundreds of people like us...elbow > to elbow with Dr. Glazer, and I've seen how different he is from the rest. > > I'd be happy to give you contact info, and please use my name if you call > to make an appointment. You will likely have to wait to see him a few > months, but he's worth it, and you've waited this long. He gave me my liffe > back. It took a few years to get it all straight...but I am whole and active > again. > > --- Babbitt > > > > From: kelizrm <kelizrm@... <kelizrm%40>> > Subject: Re: Referred to a Surgeon > To: spinal problems <spinal problems%40gro\ ups.com> > Date: Friday, January 14, 2011, 2:08 AM > > > > > Dr. Rand in Boston is supposed to be very good with bad scoli cases per > most of the folks on the scoliosis revision group and the flatback revised > group on . > > good luck, > > karen > > > > > > > > Here's a summary of my background: > > > > > > - 1992 - fusion w/rods for scoliosis > > > - 1996 - injured back in dance class; sudden, severe pain that wouldn't > > > go away > > > - 1997 - partial removal of the rods - doctor thought they were causing > > > the pain - didn't help > > > - 1997 - pain determined to be caused by herniated disc; microdiskectomy > > > performed; reduced pain for a while but worsened within a year > > > - 1996-2000 - tried medications, TENS unit, physical therapy, and > > > selective nerve root blocks, each with some success, but never enough > > > - 2000 - gave up on my doctors, stopped all my meds, and stopped going to > > > appointments; managed my pain myself for eight years just using > traditional > > > methods (ice, heat, rest, motrin, etc.) > > > - 2008 - pain suddenly worsened; could barely walk around > > > - 2009 - MRI showed two herniated discs, one torn, and other degeneration > > > -- all in my lumbar spine > > > - 2008 - tried various medications (tramadol, codeine, vicodin, > > > neurontin, lyrica, topomax, baclofen, tizanidine), PT, aquatic therapy, > > > TENS, selective nerve root blocks, piriformis (trigger point) injections > > > - Now - pain has been worsening over the past few months > > > > > > The summary above leads me up to my appointment (with my pain management > > > doctor) yesterday. He changed my meds a bit, but said that the worsening > > > pain was concerning, and that my 2009 MRI already showed a lot of things > > > going wrong in my lumbar spine. He is scheduling me for a new MRI and has > > > referred me to a neurosurgeon. I am terrified of the idea of having > surgery > > > again. I'm 30 years old and this would be my fourth back surgery. But at > > > this point, I'm not sure what else to do. I haven't made up my mind yet. > I > > > want to gather as much information as possible, so I can made an > educated, > > > rather than an emotional, decision regarding how to move forward. > > > > > > Have any of you dealt with herniated lumbar discs below an existing > fusion? > > > How have your physicians dealt with this problem (other than > medications)? > > > > > > If you are in the Boston area or are familiar with the surgeons here, is > > > there anyone you could recommend? I've been referred to a neurosurgeon at > > > New England Baptist. But there are so many other hospitals here, that the > > > possibilities are practically endless. I will meet with the surgeon to > whom > > > my pain management doctor referred me, but I will definitely be getting a > > > second, and possibly even a third, opinion as well. > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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