Guest guest Posted February 1, 2002 Report Share Posted February 1, 2002 THANK YOU for giving us hope, I do hope your blood levels will continue to remain normal and you're on the road to recovery. Keep us posted please, like you, I remain in the sideline but I learn a lot from this board, thanks a lot for all the knwoledgeable contributions! ----- Marilyn --- Rikk Hansen <riversong@...> wrote: > I've been a member of this board since last fall but > have mostly sat > on the sidelines and listened since I've felt like > such a " newbie " . > > I share this success story with humility and > gratitude. I know that > what has worked for me so far might not at all be > the best approach > for someone else, and that many of you have symptoms > much worse than > my own and have struggled with this disease for far > longer. > > I was diagnosed with Graves Disease this past > September after > suddenly losing a lot of weight. My main symptoms > were the weight > loss and serious heart palpitations. The endo I saw > said my thyroid > levels were about three times normal and immediately > scheduled me for > radioactive Iodine treatment the following week. > > Luckily, I didn't follow that advice - thanks to all > the sharing of > knowledge, experience and support here online. I > canceled the RAI > appointment, began to use the key nutritional > supplements recommended > on ithryroid.com and contacted a holistic > practitioner in Texas that > I felt good about. I live in California but I had > read some of this > person's books over the years and felt good about > his approach. > > The doctor told me that he had successfully treated > Graves patients > in the past that recovered completely without the > RAI procedure. I > had one phone interview with this holistic doctor > after which he sent > me one homeopathic treatment and a regiment of > herbal formulas. (I > had used other products from this " Systemic > Formulas " line in the > past with positive results.) > > My endo had told me I was making a big mistake when > I told him I > wanted to postpone the RAI procedure but had agreed > to prescribe one > of the anti-thryoid medications. I decided to wait > on starting to > take these though in order to give the vitamins and > herbs a chance > first. > > After a couple months I wasn't seeing any dramatic > results. I had > begun to gain some weight but was still eating like > mad and had the > heart palpitations. Since I wasn't sure exactly how > the herbal > supplements were supposed to help I wasn't sure > whether to continue > or to try another approach. > > About this time I had a significant dream. The dream > was about having > my car fixed. In the dream the problem was caused by > getting some > wires crossed through my own fiddling around. A > master mechanic as > able to diagnose and successfully fix the problem > with just a few key > changes. On awaking I realized that the dream was > about my > hyperthyroid condition, some of the details in the > dream made it > clear that the holistic person I was working with > was the right > person and that his treatments were on track. So I > decided to > continue. > > Over the next month I continued to gain weight back. > I took a blood > test in preparation for a meeting with my endo that > had originally > been scheduled as a follow up to the RAI treatment. > By the time I had > that appointment in late December I was back up to a > health weight > and generally feeling good. The endo was surprised > to find that all > my thyroid levels were now normal and that my heart > rate and beat > were also back to normal. He said that in his years > of practice he'd > only once before seen someone with levels so high go > back to normal > without more radical treatment. > > It's been a month since this great news and I > continue to feel good - > though I'll be taking a blood test every three > months this year to > keep track of things. I thank you all for your > sharing of knowledge > and experience - it's been an invaluable lifeline > and resource. I > thank Spirit for the guidance and for the healing > its brought through > those healers that were right specifically for me. > > -- > ________________________________________ > > Rikk Hansen > 59772 Hillcrest Dr. N > North Fork, CA 93643 > > <http://www.RikkHansen.com> > > 1-877-821-8478 (24hr toll-free voicemail and fax > line) > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 1, 2002 Report Share Posted February 1, 2002 Wow! Rikk, Thanks for the sharing! And being a Jungian psychology person, I loved your dream! What I really liked hearing about is that you did this totally without "western" medication. Wish I had been brave enough to have tried this approach alone. I opted to use both alternative and western medicine together. (and it worked for me) Thanks alot, Arlene in Sebastopol (Sonoma County, CA) PS: Where is North Fork? Success Story I've been a member of this board since last fall but have mostly sat on the sidelines and listened since I've felt like such a "newbie".I share this success story with humility and gratitude. I know that what has worked for me so far might not at all be the best approach for someone else, and that many of you have symptoms much worse than my own and have struggled with this disease for far longer.I was diagnosed with Graves Disease this past September after suddenly losing a lot of weight. My main symptoms were the weight loss and serious heart palpitations. The endo I saw said my thyroid levels were about three times normal and immediately scheduled me for radioactive Iodine treatment the following week.Luckily, I didn't follow that advice - thanks to all the sharing of knowledge, experience and support here online. I canceled the RAI appointment, began to use the key nutritional supplements recommended on ithryroid.com and contacted a holistic practitioner in Texas that I felt good about. I live in California but I had read some of this person's books over the years and felt good about his approach.The doctor told me that he had successfully treated Graves patients in the past that recovered completely without the RAI procedure. I had one phone interview with this holistic doctor after which he sent me one homeopathic treatment and a regiment of herbal formulas. (I had used other products from this "Systemic Formulas" line in the past with positive results.)My endo had told me I was making a big mistake when I told him I wanted to postpone the RAI procedure but had agreed to prescribe one of the anti-thryoid medications. I decided to wait on starting to take these though in order to give the vitamins and herbs a chance first.After a couple months I wasn't seeing any dramatic results. I had begun to gain some weight but was still eating like mad and had the heart palpitations. Since I wasn't sure exactly how the herbal supplements were supposed to help I wasn't sure whether to continue or to try another approach.About this time I had a significant dream. The dream was about having my car fixed. In the dream the problem was caused by getting some wires crossed through my own fiddling around. A master mechanic as able to diagnose and successfully fix the problem with just a few key changes. On awaking I realized that the dream was about my hyperthyroid condition, some of the details in the dream made it clear that the holistic person I was working with was the right person and that his treatments were on track. So I decided to continue.Over the next month I continued to gain weight back. I took a blood test in preparation for a meeting with my endo that had originally been scheduled as a follow up to the RAI treatment. By the time I had that appointment in late December I was back up to a health weight and generally feeling good. The endo was surprised to find that all my thyroid levels were now normal and that my heart rate and beat were also back to normal. He said that in his years of practice he'd only once before seen someone with levels so high go back to normal without more radical treatment.It's been a month since this great news and I continue to feel good - though I'll be taking a blood test every three months this year to keep track of things. I thank you all for your sharing of knowledge and experience - it's been an invaluable lifeline and resource. I thank Spirit for the guidance and for the healing its brought through those healers that were right specifically for me. -- ________________________________________Rikk Hansen59772 Hillcrest Dr. NNorth Fork, CA 93643<http://www.RikkHansen.com>1-877-821-8478 (24hr toll-free voicemail and fax line) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 1, 2002 Report Share Posted February 1, 2002 What a lovely story! Just have to toss mine in as well, since one may seem a fluke or miracle to new folks, two may seem like, well, hope. While hyper due to Graves, I discovered that I couldn't take antithyroid drugs as they harmed my liver. Faced with surgery or rai, I opted for a macrobiotic diet, homeopathy, supplements, and weaning a nursing baby (in the belief that my body could self-regulate). The second week into this, I had a horrible bout of heart palpitations. Not coincidentally, I experienced these while thinking of something in my past that I had never told my husband. It had never occurred to me that I was supposed to tell him because I thought that I had put this issue long behind me, but I was sooo struck by the fact that my palpitations began while thinking of him in connection with this issue. I put together the idea of the throat & thyroid (communication, voice, truth, speaking for one's self etc.) and my illness. That night, I told my husband what I hadn't told him before. As I spoke I could literally FEEL my body calming down and felt this tremendous weight off my chest, felt as if my clenched throat was lightening and opening. Yes, all went well with husband -- turns out what for me was traumatic to discuss was not traumatic for him to hear. Within a few weeks, I was in remission. Of course, I was eating macrobiotically, had weaned a baby and was doing many,many things for my thyroid. However, I feel that this bit of truthfulness was part of my recovery. It made me realize how intricately connected mind and body are. Success Story I've been a member of this board since last fall but have mostly sat on the sidelines and listened since I've felt like such a "newbie".I share this success story with humility and gratitude. I know that what has worked for me so far might not at all be the best approach for someone else, and that many of you have symptoms much worse than my own and have struggled with this disease for far longer.I was diagnosed with Graves Disease this past September after suddenly losing a lot of weight. My main symptoms were the weight loss and serious heart palpitations. The endo I saw said my thyroid levels were about three times normal and immediately scheduled me for radioactive Iodine treatment the following week.Luckily, I didn't follow that advice - thanks to all the sharing of knowledge, experience and support here online. I canceled the RAI appointment, began to use the key nutritional supplements recommended on ithryroid.com and contacted a holistic practitioner in Texas that I felt good about. I live in California but I had read some of this person's books over the years and felt good about his approach.The doctor told me that he had successfully treated Graves patients in the past that recovered completely without the RAI procedure. I had one phone interview with this holistic doctor after which he sent me one homeopathic treatment and a regiment of herbal formulas. (I had used other products from this "Systemic Formulas" line in the past with positive results.)My endo had told me I was making a big mistake when I told him I wanted to postpone the RAI procedure but had agreed to prescribe one of the anti-thryoid medications. I decided to wait on starting to take these though in order to give the vitamins and herbs a chance first.After a couple months I wasn't seeing any dramatic results. I had begun to gain some weight but was still eating like mad and had the heart palpitations. Since I wasn't sure exactly how the herbal supplements were supposed to help I wasn't sure whether to continue or to try another approach.About this time I had a significant dream. The dream was about having my car fixed. In the dream the problem was caused by getting some wires crossed through my own fiddling around. A master mechanic as able to diagnose and successfully fix the problem with just a few key changes. On awaking I realized that the dream was about my hyperthyroid condition, some of the details in the dream made it clear that the holistic person I was working with was the right person and that his treatments were on track. So I decided to continue.Over the next month I continued to gain weight back. I took a blood test in preparation for a meeting with my endo that had originally been scheduled as a follow up to the RAI treatment. By the time I had that appointment in late December I was back up to a health weight and generally feeling good. The endo was surprised to find that all my thyroid levels were now normal and that my heart rate and beat were also back to normal. He said that in his years of practice he'd only once before seen someone with levels so high go back to normal without more radical treatment.It's been a month since this great news and I continue to feel good - though I'll be taking a blood test every three months this year to keep track of things. I thank you all for your sharing of knowledge and experience - it's been an invaluable lifeline and resource. I thank Spirit for the guidance and for the healing its brought through those healers that were right specifically for me. -- ________________________________________Rikk Hansen59772 Hillcrest Dr. NNorth Fork, CA 93643<http://www.RikkHansen.com>1-877-821-8478 (24hr toll-free voicemail and fax line) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2002 Report Share Posted February 2, 2002 , thanks for sharing your story again. If you could post it on support path, I'd appreciate it. There is a person there named CEM who seems to think that without conventional treatment, one is doomed. she also was criticizing the ithyroid board after i recommended it. I'd like people to know how valuable that board is. http://www.supportpath.com/cgi/messageboards/graves_disease_mb.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2002 Report Share Posted February 2, 2002 Thanks so much for sharing your account. I keep hearing more and more of these stories, and I meet so many people who have achieved remission by listening to on the ithyroid board. The effects of nutrients on the immune system and the need for total body balance can't be emphasized too much. thanks again, elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2002 Report Share Posted February 4, 2002 Rikk, Thanks so much for telling us all your story. It is just WONDERFUL to hear that this condition can be treated without drugs. I would have been very happy to follow the 'natural' course of treatment that you have, but was scared half to death by my GP (doctor) and so opted to take the drugs in conjunction with supplements and herbs. I would be very interested to know which herbs you took, what strength the herbs were and the daily dosage. I think there are a few of us in this group who take herbs as well, so they will probably be interested to hear what you took as well. Also, did you follow the supplement advice in ithyroid.com exactly, or did you adapt it to suit yourself? There seem to be far more women than men with Graves/hyperT. Do you have any idea what caused yours? I have found that including protein and a little fat with every meal helps keep my blood sugar levels more stable, and so in turn I feel better. Have you noticed this also? Looking forward to your reply. >From: Rikk Hansen <riversong@...> >Reply-hyperthyroidism >hyperthyroidism >Subject: Success Story >Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2002 15:25:16 -0800 > >I've been a member of this board since last fall but have mostly sat >on the sidelines and listened since I've felt like such a " newbie " . > >I share this success story with humility and gratitude. I know that >what has worked for me so far might not at all be the best approach >for someone else, and that many of you have symptoms much worse than >my own and have struggled with this disease for far longer. > >I was diagnosed with Graves Disease this past September after >suddenly losing a lot of weight. My main symptoms were the weight >loss and serious heart palpitations. The endo I saw said my thyroid >levels were about three times normal and immediately scheduled me for >radioactive Iodine treatment the following week. > >Luckily, I didn't follow that advice - thanks to all the sharing of >knowledge, experience and support here online. I canceled the RAI >appointment, began to use the key nutritional supplements recommended >on ithryroid.com and contacted a holistic practitioner in Texas that >I felt good about. I live in California but I had read some of this >person's books over the years and felt good about his approach. > >The doctor told me that he had successfully treated Graves patients >in the past that recovered completely without the RAI procedure. I >had one phone interview with this holistic doctor after which he sent >me one homeopathic treatment and a regiment of herbal formulas. (I >had used other products from this " Systemic Formulas " line in the >past with positive results.) > >My endo had told me I was making a big mistake when I told him I >wanted to postpone the RAI procedure but had agreed to prescribe one >of the anti-thryoid medications. I decided to wait on starting to >take these though in order to give the vitamins and herbs a chance >first. > >After a couple months I wasn't seeing any dramatic results. I had >begun to gain some weight but was still eating like mad and had the >heart palpitations. Since I wasn't sure exactly how the herbal >supplements were supposed to help I wasn't sure whether to continue >or to try another approach. > >About this time I had a significant dream. The dream was about having >my car fixed. In the dream the problem was caused by getting some >wires crossed through my own fiddling around. A master mechanic as >able to diagnose and successfully fix the problem with just a few key >changes. On awaking I realized that the dream was about my >hyperthyroid condition, some of the details in the dream made it >clear that the holistic person I was working with was the right >person and that his treatments were on track. So I decided to >continue. > >Over the next month I continued to gain weight back. I took a blood >test in preparation for a meeting with my endo that had originally >been scheduled as a follow up to the RAI treatment. By the time I had >that appointment in late December I was back up to a health weight >and generally feeling good. The endo was surprised to find that all >my thyroid levels were now normal and that my heart rate and beat >were also back to normal. He said that in his years of practice he'd >only once before seen someone with levels so high go back to normal >without more radical treatment. > >It's been a month since this great news and I continue to feel good - >though I'll be taking a blood test every three months this year to >keep track of things. I thank you all for your sharing of knowledge >and experience - it's been an invaluable lifeline and resource. I >thank Spirit for the guidance and for the healing its brought through >those healers that were right specifically for me. > >-- >________________________________________ > >Rikk Hansen >59772 Hillcrest Dr. N >North Fork, CA 93643 > ><http://www.RikkHansen.com> > >1-877-821-8478 (24hr toll-free voicemail and fax line) _________________________________________________________________ Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2002 Report Share Posted February 6, 2002 Hi Rikk, Happy to hear about your successful story. I also refused RAI treatment in 1996 and have been in remission and off meds for a year!! It's nice to hear that the thyroid bulletin boards are working and helping so many people! Take care of yourself, Mona Success Story I've been a member of this board since last fall but have mostly sat on the sidelines and listened since I've felt like such a "newbie".I share this success story with humility and gratitude. I know that what has worked for me so far might not at all be the best approach for someone else, and that many of you have symptoms much worse than my own and have struggled with this disease for far longer.I was diagnosed with Graves Disease this past September after suddenly losing a lot of weight. My main symptoms were the weight loss and serious heart palpitations. The endo I saw said my thyroid levels were about three times normal and immediately scheduled me for radioactive Iodine treatment the following week.Luckily, I didn't follow that advice - thanks to all the sharing of knowledge, experience and support here online. I canceled the RAI appointment, began to use the key nutritional supplements recommended on ithryroid.com and contacted a holistic practitioner in Texas that I felt good about. I live in California but I had read some of this person's books over the years and felt good about his approach.The doctor told me that he had successfully treated Graves patients in the past that recovered completely without the RAI procedure. I had one phone interview with this holistic doctor after which he sent me one homeopathic treatment and a regiment of herbal formulas. (I had used other products from this "Systemic Formulas" line in the past with positive results.)My endo had told me I was making a big mistake when I told him I wanted to postpone the RAI procedure but had agreed to prescribe one of the anti-thryoid medications. I decided to wait on starting to take these though in order to give the vitamins and herbs a chance first.After a couple months I wasn't seeing any dramatic results. I had begun to gain some weight but was still eating like mad and had the heart palpitations. Since I wasn't sure exactly how the herbal supplements were supposed to help I wasn't sure whether to continue or to try another approach.About this time I had a significant dream. The dream was about having my car fixed. In the dream the problem was caused by getting some wires crossed through my own fiddling around. A master mechanic as able to diagnose and successfully fix the problem with just a few key changes. On awaking I realized that the dream was about my hyperthyroid condition, some of the details in the dream made it clear that the holistic person I was working with was the right person and that his treatments were on track. So I decided to continue.Over the next month I continued to gain weight back. I took a blood test in preparation for a meeting with my endo that had originally been scheduled as a follow up to the RAI treatment. By the time I had that appointment in late December I was back up to a health weight and generally feeling good. The endo was surprised to find that all my thyroid levels were now normal and that my heart rate and beat were also back to normal. He said that in his years of practice he'd only once before seen someone with levels so high go back to normal without more radical treatment.It's been a month since this great news and I continue to feel good - though I'll be taking a blood test every three months this year to keep track of things. I thank you all for your sharing of knowledge and experience - it's been an invaluable lifeline and resource. I thank Spirit for the guidance and for the healing its brought through those healers that were right specifically for me. -- ________________________________________Rikk Hansen59772 Hillcrest Dr. NNorth Fork, CA 93643<http://www.RikkHansen.com>1-877-821-8478 (24hr toll-free voicemail and fax line) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2002 Report Share Posted February 7, 2002 Hi Rikk, Experimenting with kelp and alfalfa could have triggered your GD. One kelp tablet has 150 mcg of iodine and levels higher than 150 mcg can trigger GD. Alfalfa is associated with triggering autoimmune diseases, particularly lupus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2002 Report Share Posted February 7, 2002 , It's felt great to get such positive notes from everyone. I know what you mean about the scare. When I originally asked my endo about the possibility of remission he told me that untreated at my levels I would likely die from heart failure before I went into remission. I can't be very helpful about the herbal dosage since the formulas were prescribed to me had a real variety of ingredients (even a couple items that I thought might be counter-indicated). I was taking about 10-12 herbal capsules a day total, from 3 or 4 different formula produced by a specific manufacturer. I'd be happy to send you a name for these if you're interested. I bought a quantity of lemon balm and mugwort to make a tincture that I'd gotten from one of the Graves archives (http://bcn.net/~stoll/archives/graves/57444.html#57444) - but never used this as I was waiting to see if what I was taking would work. I did take some store bought mugwort tincture regularly to help with the heart palpitations. I did not follow the full nutritional routine suggested at ithyroid.com. I did follow the suggested dosages for copper, selenium, calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins. I'm still taking these at lower levels. I'm not sure what caused my Graves. At first I thought that maybe I had caused it by over supplementing with alfalfa and kelp over the preceding year, but have been told this is unlikely. I do know that I have some old fear and tension that I tend to experience in my throat area. From a mind/body perspective I'm sure this is connected. You're completely right about the protein and fats helping to stabilize blood sugar. Makes a big difference! Best, Rikk > >Date: Tue, 05 Feb 2002 00:49:29 +0000 >From: " van Wichen " <anna_vanw@...> >Subject: Re: Success Story > >Rikk, > >Thanks so much for telling us all your story. It is just WONDERFUL to hear >that this condition can be treated without drugs. I would have been very >happy to follow the 'natural' course of treatment that you have, but was >scared half to death by my GP (doctor) and so opted to take the drugs in >conjunction with supplements and herbs. > >I would be very interested to know which herbs you took, what strength the >herbs were and the daily dosage. I think there are a few of us in this >group who take herbs as well, so they will probably be interested to hear >what you took as well. Also, did you follow the supplement advice in >ithyroid.com exactly, or did you adapt it to suit yourself? > >There seem to be far more women than men with Graves/hyperT. Do you have >any idea what caused yours? I have found that including protein and a >little fat with every meal helps keep my blood sugar levels more stable, and >so in turn I feel better. Have you noticed this also? > >Looking forward to your reply. > > -- ________________________________________ Rikk Hansen 59772 Hillcrest Dr. N North Fork, CA 93643 <http://www.RikkHansen.com> 1-877-821-8478 (24hr toll-free voicemail and fax line) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 I would like to share a success story, I try not to make it long. I was suffering back pain because of a disc issue. I was getting epidural shots for it that was helping. I left on a 13 day vacation. when I returned I was having extremely bad back pain and asked my parents to come over and make my bed. I was resting couple of days and Sunday was all better, I even walked couple miles with my visiting grandparents. Then things turned for the worse the next day. I could not walk or sit because of bad leg and back pain. Tuesday came and I called an ambulance to take me to the hospital because I could not take myself. Tuesday night I was admitted and Thursday afternoon I had an microdisctemy. I swear to you right after the surgery I had no pain at all and was able to walk right away and till this day two weeks after I am pain free. I do have to note that 4 years ago I had to have a similar surgery witch gave me little post op pain in my back and leg. This time they wanted to do a fusion but they held off because of the leg pain. I am very happy that I did what I did. Lesson here to learn is do not wait for a long time if you have leg pain the longer you wait the longer the leg will have to heal after surgery. -- Roman Segal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 I am glad your surgery went well, but you can't really say that it was a complete success after two weeks time. From: Bugsy <bugsy1970@...> Subject: Success Story spinal problems Date: Friday, October 23, 2009, 11:40 PM Â I would like to share a success story, I try not to make it long. I was suffering back pain because of a disc issue. I was getting epidural shots for it that was helping. I left on a 13 day vacation. when I returned I was having extremely bad back pain and asked my parents to come over and make my bed. I was resting couple of days and Sunday was all better, I even walked couple miles with my visiting grandparents. Then things turned for the worse the next day. I could not walk or sit because of bad leg and back pain. Tuesday came and I called an ambulance to take me to the hospital because I could not take myself. Tuesday night I was admitted and Thursday afternoon I had an microdisctemy. I swear to you right after the surgery I had no pain at all and was able to walk right away and till this day two weeks after I am pain free. I do have to note that 4 years ago I had to have a similar surgery witch gave me little post op pain in my back and leg. This time they wanted to do a fusion but they held off because of the leg pain. I am very happy that I did what I did. Lesson here to learn is do not wait for a long time if you have leg pain the longer you wait the longer the leg will have to heal after surgery. -- Roman Segal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 25, 2009 Report Share Posted October 25, 2009 Yes. although the first surgery was done with warnings. There wasn't a whole lot of choice though, I was pretty much at the point of being in severe-to-the-point-of-don't-mind-the-screams-pleasedisabling pain no matter what, and the MRIs showed one hell of a traffic jam, with literally no " space' left. So yep, had a few really wonderful months, I'd forgotten after years what it was like to be pretty much pain free, but now..it's coming back. Not remotely like it was before....yet. So I thought I'd go have a little chat with the doctor about what was going on, and options. But I'm here to tell you, while my doctor knows I prefer that he pulls no punches, that little chat about what all was involved in the next surgery has me thinking..not this side of a wheel chair, no thanks!. (I will say however, that is made the hip replacements that are also looming seem " not so bad after all. " ) So, any thoughts on pain management while I stall? I'm not overweight, so losig weight isn't on the table, and frankly, I've not seen a whole lot of recommendations beyond that, and was hoping to hear some here from my fellow procrastinators. One final note, my ortho surgeon does spines and only spines. judith judith In a message dated 10/25/2009 11:14:42 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, tpowell1977@... writes: Obviously Judith can attest to my previous post as being true. I just read your post, and though it's sad...I had to laugh. Discectomies need to be stopped. At least if they didnt operate for the disc bulge/herniation , the disc would still maintain it's moisture which gives it stability. When you lose moisture, you lose height and stability...fusion is the onlyfix. Then fusion often leads to more problems due to our bodies never being designed to operate that way. You pay a price for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 25, 2009 Report Share Posted October 25, 2009 What, that I was in incredible, excruciating, crippling pain no matter what..standing, sitting, trying to sleep, moving, staying still....and now I'm not? Medical welfare? Puhleeze...I think your interested would be better served on a list relating to politics, there are brazillions to choose from. judith In a message dated 10/26/2009 12:09:00 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, aquadc@... writes: I suggest that you deserve to tell the world what's happened to you in the hands of medical authorities. Everyone from those you meet in the grocery line to the medically paid off politicians. Especially the politicians, tell them that they are " On Notice " to stop medical welfare .And, before their next election, tell them and all you meet your story again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 Actually Tacy you raised some good points. This was my second surgery and both neuro and ortho agreed of fusion before the pain started to go down my right leg again as before 4 years ago. When neo and ortho do micro discetimys they do take out the bone witch is 4 mm around to get to the disc. out of all microdiscetemys the 5-10% few will have a re-occurance. The fact is both sugeons perform the same operations and get the ball rolling with microdiscetimies but the question still remains that who of the two are more affective in fusions and in spinal sclerosis surgery? From what I know and saw when the neuro does fusion the recovery rate and pain is less and faster The spine is a delicate place because you have so many nerve ending there more then bone thats why I choose neuro surgeons but I still wish that the medical industry would make it easier for us patients to make call easier by having only one industry perform spine surgery. Bugsy On Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 10:06 PM, Babbitt <tpowell1977@...>wrote: > > > Actually Bugsy...you are completely wrong in your assumption, but it's a > common thought. In reality, neuro surgeons are not as good of a choice as > ortho spine surgeons. Neurosurgeons are the experts for the brain and spinal > cord...and a perfect choice for when they need to be operated on. An ortho > spine surgeon is an expert on bone, cartilage and joints... like you said, > and spine surgeries are performed on those. The pathologies of the > spine will impinge on nerves at times, but you are not operating on nerves. > > This opinion comes from many years of performing spine surgeries alongside > BOTH neuro and ortho spine docs. Also, I have been operated on by both...I > thought like you many years ago, and I insisted in neuro, and they > didn't fix me, they made my worse by performing unhelpful surgeries and > procedures. The ortho spine surgeon who fixed me is the ONLY surgeon who > will ever touch my spine again. > > AND, while you are pain free NOW after your discectomy, that will NOT last. > What you probably don't know is that your surgeon had to create a hole in > your disc to remove the extruded disc material. The hole isn't closed, so > within a short time, more disc material will move through that surgical > opening and will cause the same symptoms...only worse because the disc > material will actually come in contact with your surrounding tissues...and > that is quite painful because the material is very caustic. The > cartilaginous casing of the disc protects you from this inflammatory > substance, but once an opening is made, your disc material will slide on > through and your disc annulus will begin to lose moisture which will lead to > degeneration. Within two years time you will likely need a fusion. Within a > few months to a year, your disc bulge symptoms will return with a vengence. > > THIS is the painful reality of discectomy, the reality that many of us on > here have lived through. The reality that started the ball rolling for the > six spine surgeries I have undergone over the last 16 years. > A very lucky few will never have back problems again. > > Good luck! > --- Babbitt > > ________________________________ > From: " jarcher107@... <jarcher107%40aol.com> " <jarcher107@...<jarcher107%40aol.com> > > > To: spinal problems <spinal problems%40gro\ ups.com> > Sent: Sat, October 24, 2009 10:07:47 AM > Subject: Re: Success Story > > > > Thanks, though in all fairness, the ortho isn't pushing surgery, but the > MRIs tell a painfully (literally and figuratively) clear story: there is > basically no disk left at L4-L5. > > In a message dated 10/24/2009 2:11:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > bugsy1970gmail (DOT) com writes: > > When it comes to the back and spine you almost never want to see an ortho > Dr > and they deal with bone but Neurosurgions are great for the back and are > authority when it comes to back. I would seek a second opinion from a good > local Neurosurgeon with your updated MRI in hand. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 " I still wish that the medical industry would make it easier for us patients to make call easier by having only one industry perform spine surgery. " That's really not possible. There are some of us that have problems beyond bone issues that must be treated by a neurosurgeon. In order to treat my problems my neuro has to know the job of ortho's to remove, replace, and fuse the areas in my back after the job of working on my spinal cord/nerves is finished. I surely would not want to take away the ability of a neuro to be able to do the job of an ortho because then instead of paying one doctor, people like me would have to have two. Ortho to create the opening for the Neuro to work on the spinal cord, and then the Ortho would have to close, fuse or whatever after the neuro was finished. Neuro's have to know something about the bones to be able to do their job. It's like Tracey said if you have no spinal cord/brain issues then the choice should probably be an ortho. > > Actually Tacy you raised some good points. This was my second surgery and > both neuro and ortho agreed of fusion before the pain started to go down my > right leg again as before 4 years ago. When neo and ortho do micro > discetimys they do take out the bone witch is 4 mm around to get to the > disc. out of all microdiscetemys the 5-10% few will have a re-occurance. > The fact is both sugeons perform the same operations and get the ball > rolling with microdiscetimies but the question still remains that who of the > two are more affective in fusions and in spinal sclerosis surgery? From what > I know and saw when the neuro does fusion the recovery rate and pain is less > and faster The spine is a delicate place because you have so many nerve > ending there more then bone thats why I choose neuro surgeons but I still > wish that the medical industry would make it easier for us patients to make > call easier by having only one industry perform spine surgery. > > Bugsy > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 Spinal Stenois is a spinal cord issue? On Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 9:02 AM, Barb <ellijaygal@...> wrote: > > > > " I still wish that the medical industry would make it easier for us > patients to make call easier by having only one industry perform spine > surgery. " > > That's really not possible. There are some of us that have problems beyond > bone issues that must be treated by a neurosurgeon. In order to treat my > problems my neuro has to know the job of ortho's to remove, replace, and > fuse the areas in my back after the job of working on my spinal cord/nerves > is finished. I surely would not want to take away the ability of a neuro to > be able to do the job of an ortho because then instead of paying one doctor, > people like me would have to have two. Ortho to create the opening for the > Neuro to work on the spinal cord, and then the Ortho would have to close, > fuse or whatever after the neuro was finished. Neuro's have to know > something about the bones to be able to do their job. > > It's like Tracey said if you have no spinal cord/brain issues then the > choice should probably be an ortho. > > > > > > > Actually Tacy you raised some good points. This was my second surgery and > > both neuro and ortho agreed of fusion before the pain started to go down > my > > right leg again as before 4 years ago. When neo and ortho do micro > > discetimys they do take out the bone witch is 4 mm around to get to the > > disc. out of all microdiscetemys the 5-10% few will have a re-occurance. > > The fact is both sugeons perform the same operations and get the ball > > rolling with microdiscetimies but the question still remains that who of > the > > two are more affective in fusions and in spinal sclerosis surgery? From > what > > I know and saw when the neuro does fusion the recovery rate and pain is > less > > and faster The spine is a delicate place because you have so many nerve > > ending there more then bone thats why I choose neuro surgeons but I still > > wish that the medical industry would make it easier for us patients to > make > > call easier by having only one industry perform spine surgery. > > > > Bugsy > > > > > -- Roman Segal Certified Integrity Investigator 847-414-0598 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 Spinal Stenosis (pathologic narrowing of the spinal canal) can cause; myelopathy (cord pathology), radiculopathy (nerve root patholofy) and or other neurologic problems. Chiropractic Physicians manage this and all other conditions best because, Chiropractic is all about helping the body body heal, naturally by modulating nerves that control all physiology. See your Chiropractic Physician first for all of your health care needs. Please, call your Fed Rep Demanding Chiropractic Inclusion in any health care reform and stop medical welfare ($1.5 Trillion per year Medicare Dope Act of 2002, muni bonds, etc, etc, etc). When medicine has no exclusive way to get at your tax money, although the evidence supporting Chiropractic efficacy as primary and neurologic specialists proving that medicine is 90% waste is well established, we'll get what works best! sincerely, AQUADC, DABCN > > > > " I still wish that the medical industry would make it easier for us > patients to make call easier by having only one industry perform spine > surgery. " > > That's really not possible. There are some of us that have problems beyond > bone issues that must be treated by a neurosurgeon. In order to treat my > problems my neuro has to know the job of ortho's to remove, replace, and > fuse the areas in my back after the job of working on my spinal cord/nerves > is finished. I surely would not want to take away the ability of a neuro to > be able to do the job of an ortho because then instead of paying one doctor, > people like me would have to have two. Ortho to create the opening for the > Neuro to work on the spinal cord, and then the Ortho would have to close, > fuse or whatever after the neuro was finished. Neuro's have to know > something about the bones to be able to do their job. > > It's like Tracey said if you have no spinal cord/brain issues then the > choice should probably be an ortho. > > > > > > > Actually Tacy you raised some good points. This was my second surgery and > > both neuro and ortho agreed of fusion before the pain started to go down > my > > right leg again as before 4 years ago. When neo and ortho do micro > > discetimys they do take out the bone witch is 4 mm around to get to the > > disc. out of all microdiscetemys the 5-10% few will have a re-occurance. > > The fact is both sugeons perform the same operations and get the ball > > rolling with microdiscetimies but the question still remains that who of > the > > two are more affective in fusions and in spinal sclerosis surgery? From > what > > I know and saw when the neuro does fusion the recovery rate and pain is > less > > and faster The spine is a delicate place because you have so many nerve > > ending there more then bone thats why I choose neuro surgeons but I still > > wish that the medical industry would make it easier for us patients to > make > > call easier by having only one industry perform spine surgery. > > > > Bugsy > > > > > -- Roman Segal Certified Integrity Investigator 847-414-0598 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2009 Report Share Posted October 27, 2009 Spinal Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal where it compresses on nerves and sometimes the spinal cord isn't it? It can be corrected by decompression of the roots/cord by a laminectomy (bone surgery) is that correct?? When I said I have spinal cord issues I mean problems a bit more involved with the spinal cord itself. I truly don't understand the " Spinal Stenois is a spinal cord issue? " if you are being genuine in your question or being sarcastic. Every back injury has an effect on the spinal cord or the nerve roots or else it wouldn't hurt. What I am saying is that some issues are more complex and require more than bone manipulation, it requires actual spinal cord removal, disection, and repair. I would prefer a neuro for that and I would prefer they know how to repair the bone when finished. > > > > > > Actually Tacy you raised some good points. This was my second surgery and > > > both neuro and ortho agreed of fusion before the pain started to go down > > my > > > right leg again as before 4 years ago. When neo and ortho do micro > > > discetimys they do take out the bone witch is 4 mm around to get to the > > > disc. out of all microdiscetemys the 5-10% few will have a re-occurance. > > > The fact is both sugeons perform the same operations and get the ball > > > rolling with microdiscetimies but the question still remains that who of > > the > > > two are more affective in fusions and in spinal sclerosis surgery? From > > what > > > I know and saw when the neuro does fusion the recovery rate and pain is > > less > > > and faster The spine is a delicate place because you have so many nerve > > > ending there more then bone thats why I choose neuro surgeons but I still > > > wish that the medical industry would make it easier for us patients to > > make > > > call easier by having only one industry perform spine surgery. > > > > > > Bugsy > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > Roman Segal > Certified Integrity Investigator > 847-414-0598 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2009 Report Share Posted October 27, 2009 Eve then, if you have an anterior approach for fusion...you get two surgeons most of the time...One to open the abdomen and safely retract your aorta and femoral arteries...and then the spine doc. Of course there are still some spine docs who take a one day course to learn how to open a belly like that...but who would you rather have? When the aorta ges nicked.....  --- Babbitt ________________________________ From: Barb <ellijaygal@...> spinal problems Sent: Mon, October 26, 2009 10:02:36 AM Subject: Re: Success Story  " I still wish that the medical industry would make it easier for us patients to make call easier by having only one industry perform spine surgery. " That's really not possible. There are some of us that have problems beyond bone issues that must be treated by a neurosurgeon. In order to treat my problems my neuro has to know the job of ortho's to remove, replace, and fuse the areas in my back after the job of working on my spinal cord/nerves is finished. I surely would not want to take away the ability of a neuro to be able to do the job of an ortho because then instead of paying one doctor, people like me would have to have two. Ortho to create the opening for the Neuro to work on the spinal cord, and then the Ortho would have to close, fuse or whatever after the neuro was finished. Neuro's have to know something about the bones to be able to do their job. It's like Tracey said if you have no spinal cord/brain issues then the choice should probably be an ortho. > > Actually Tacy you raised some good points. This was my second surgery and > both neuro and ortho agreed of fusion before the pain started to go down my > right leg again as before 4 years ago. When neo and ortho do micro > discetimys they do take out the bone witch is 4 mm around to get to the > disc. out of all microdiscetemys the 5-10% few will have a re-occurance. > The fact is both sugeons perform the same operations and get the ball > rolling with microdiscetimies but the question still remains that who of the > two are more affective in fusions and in spinal sclerosis surgery? From what > I know and saw when the neuro does fusion the recovery rate and pain is less > and faster The spine is a delicate place because you have so many nerve > ending there more then bone thats why I choose neuro surgeons but I still > wish that the medical industry would make it easier for us patients to make > call easier by having only one industry perform spine surgery. > > Bugsy > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2009 Report Share Posted October 28, 2009 First off no one removes any spinal cords if they do you be paralyzed. Second spinal stanois is caused by bones hitting against spinal cord and thus cause narrowing. Roman On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 6:58 AM, Barb <ellijaygal@...> wrote: > > > Spinal Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal where it compresses on > nerves and sometimes the spinal cord isn't it? It can be corrected by > decompression of the roots/cord by a laminectomy (bone surgery) is that > correct?? > > When I said I have spinal cord issues I mean problems a bit more involved > with the spinal cord itself. > > I truly don't understand the " Spinal Stenois is a spinal cord issue? " if > you are being genuine in your question or being sarcastic. Every back injury > has an effect on the spinal cord or the nerve roots or else it wouldn't > hurt. What I am saying is that some issues are more complex and require more > than bone manipulation, it requires actual spinal cord removal, disection, > and repair. I would prefer a neuro for that and I would prefer they know how > to repair the bone when finished. > > > > > > > > > > Actually Tacy you raised some good points. This was my second surgery > and > > > > both neuro and ortho agreed of fusion before the pain started to go > down > > > my > > > > right leg again as before 4 years ago. When neo and ortho do micro > > > > discetimys they do take out the bone witch is 4 mm around to get to > the > > > > disc. out of all microdiscetemys the 5-10% few will have a > re-occurance. > > > > The fact is both sugeons perform the same operations and get the ball > > > > rolling with microdiscetimies but the question still remains that who > of > > > the > > > > two are more affective in fusions and in spinal sclerosis surgery? > From > > > what > > > > I know and saw when the neuro does fusion the recovery rate and pain > is > > > less > > > > and faster The spine is a delicate place because you have so many > nerve > > > > ending there more then bone thats why I choose neuro surgeons but I > still > > > > wish that the medical industry would make it easier for us patients > to > > > make > > > > call easier by having only one industry perform spine surgery. > > > > > > > > Bugsy > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Roman Segal > > Certified Integrity Investigator > > 847-414-0598 > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2009 Report Share Posted October 28, 2009 In a message dated 10/28/2009 6:28:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time, vikingbead@... writes: Yes, this is just what I had with my surgery two weeks ago. A Vasular Surgeon opened and closed the anterior incision, and my Spinal Surgeon did the fusion. The spinal surgeon also did the posterior laminectomy, etc, etc. I think I had more bone spurs than vertebrae, and my facet joints were either fused already or very close to fused. The facet joints (L3-4) are beginning to fuse. I have a long recovery ahead of me, not just due to the extensive surgery, but also due to Rhuematoid Artrithis. Ouch, . How are you feelig at this point? I'm hearing a lot of grim things about the recovery from this sort of surgery and here you are in the middle of it. Do you mind my asking..i figure it's all right here, and we won't tell anyone else......how old are you? I should point out that I had the fusion chat with my ortho surgeon recently, but about the time he said somethign along the lines of really, an anterior approach woudl be the closer way to get to the nut-and-bolt site, but since he'd be coming in from the back for the rest, it would all be done that way...about that point he looked at me and realized that while I did not literally have my fingers in my ears while whistling....that I was definitely turning him out! So..your report from the front lines of recovery would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2009 Report Share Posted October 28, 2009 In a message dated 10/28/2009 6:39:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time, tpowell1977@... writes: I have found that after someone has endured terrible sciatic pain due to stenosis, they are quite happy with the results frojust decompression Hey, I think I could have a root canal done without any pain control with a lot less pain than that caused by my smashed disk (there eas NO room left in the MRI, everything on one side was just squisjed together, not to get too technical about it.) THAt level of pain...I call it " twist up like a pretzel and scream " ....puts juditha lot of things into perspective. I'm hoping not to end up there again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2009 Report Share Posted October 28, 2009 Yes, this is just what I had with my surgery two weeks ago. A Vasular Surgeon opened and closed the anterior incision, and my Spinal Surgeon did the fusion. The spinal surgeon also did the posterior laminectomy, etc, etc. I think I had more bone spurs than vertebrae, and my facet joints were either fused already or very close to fused. The facet joints (L3-4) are beginning to fuse. I have a long recovery ahead of me, not just due to the extensive surgery, but also due to Rhuematoid Artrithis. > > > > Actually Tacy you raised some good points. This was my second surgery and > > both neuro and ortho agreed of fusion before the pain started to go down my > > right leg again as before 4 years ago. When neo and ortho do micro > > discetimys they do take out the bone witch is 4 mm around to get to the > > disc. out of all microdiscetemys the 5-10% few will have a re-occurance. > > The fact is both sugeons perform the same operations and get the ball > > rolling with microdiscetimies but the question still remains that who of the > > two are more affective in fusions and in spinal sclerosis surgery? From what > > I know and saw when the neuro does fusion the recovery rate and pain is less > > and faster The spine is a delicate place because you have so many nerve > > ending there more then bone thats why I choose neuro surgeons but I still > > wish that the medical industry would make it easier for us patients to make > > call easier by having only one industry perform spine surgery. > > > > Bugsy > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2009 Report Share Posted October 28, 2009 My mother in law is two weeks post-op from a laminectomy and decompression due to stenosis and LOTS of bone spurs. She also has a bulging disc or two, but the surgeon wisely chose to do only the decompression for the time as he knew that most if not all her pain (sciatic mostly) was due to the stenosis. She also has RA...and she is feeling fantastic! I don't remember all of your problems, but sometimes less is more. I have found that after someone has endured terrible sciatic pain due to stenosis, they are quite happy with the results frojust decompression. Any discomfort lt due to disc is usually minor in relation to the stenosis pain. Just because you see a disc on a scan es not an that's where the pais coming from.  --- Babbitt ________________________________ From: cynthiadew1 <vikingbead@...> spinal problems Sent: Wed, October 28, 2009 6:27:31 PM Subject: Re: Success Story  Yes, this is just what I had with my surgery two weeks ago. A Vasular Surgeon opened and closed the anterior incision, and my Spinal Surgeon did the fusion. The spinal surgeon also did the posterior laminectomy, etc, etc. I think I had more bone spurs than vertebrae, and my facet joints were either fused already or very close to fused. The facet joints (L3-4) are beginning to fuse. I have a long recovery ahead of me, not just due to the extensive surgery, but also due to Rhuematoid Artrithis. > > > > Actually Tacy you raised some good points. This was my second surgery and > > both neuro and ortho agreed of fusion before the pain started to go down my > > right leg again as before 4 years ago. When neo and ortho do micro > > discetimys they do take out the bone witch is 4 mm around to get to the > > disc. out of all microdiscetemys the 5-10% few will have a re-occurance. > > The fact is both sugeons perform the same operations and get the ball > > rolling with microdiscetimies but the question still remains that who of the > > two are more affective in fusions and in spinal sclerosis surgery? From what > > I know and saw when the neuro does fusion the recovery rate and pain is less > > and faster The spine is a delicate place because you have so many nerve > > ending there more then bone thats why I choose neuro surgeons but I still > > wish that the medical industry would make it easier for us patients to make > > call easier by having only one industry perform spine surgery. > > > > Bugsy > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 Thank you so much Angie! I don't remember people by their email address. Luv, Bee > > Hi Bee, this is Angie, after sending you my 1 yr anniversary message, you asked if you could share it and that's fine with me for you to print my success story. > Angie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.