Re: To Fusion or not to Fusion

[Guest guest]

I agree 100% I had posterior and anterior fusion at L5 and S1 and I have never

been the same.It has been 17 months and you would think I am 100% well. Not

quite! Now L4   & L3 are ruptured. I don't care, I am NOT having anymore

surgery. I wish I had not had it done. I am on meds for depression too. This

is my life forever.

    JEFF!

________________________________

From: madison jones <meet_madison2007@...>

spinal problems

Sent: Sat, December 5, 2009 11:23:25 PM

Subject: To Fusion or not to Fusion

 

I will tell you do NOT fuse your back had L4 and L5 done still have ruptured s1

I got nothing out of it but less mobility and still hurt after cleaning house

extra not to mention had to start taking meds for depression. You can not change

ones your fused maybe u can do disc replacement. I hope you have a strong mind

because my was a ultimate nightmare! I would try nerve blks and pain pills!!!

[Guest guest]

I won't have surgery anymore either I assume crawl my s1 was already ruptured

but didn't start hurting till after surgery. I started having severe panick

attacks after surgery I couldn't believe I was doing so much better then turned

around and made it worse. They say you can get back in shape I used to go to gym

daily but if i try to get back on health kick I evently hurt and for every 5 lbs

i lose i gain 10 back. I can no longer dance,exercise or even shop at my

favorite store. I no longer fit in there jeans and my tight stomach now sags u

can not work lower muscles. I no longer resemble anything I once was, The

doctors tell you anything to get your insurance money after surgery you go to

the scrap heap! They no longer believe in giving you pain pills and act like

even though they have your MRI you now are just a junkie trying to get a fix!

[Guest guest]

I think there is good and bad in all surgeries . I had very good results with

cervical spine fusion, and would do it again in a minute .

As far as lumbar fusion, that did not go go well, I believe  that it was due to

the period that I had to wait,because of the insurance company dragged their

feet on approving procedures. Now ,thanks to them , I have permanent  nerve

damage. If I could have gotten the procedure done asap , I probably would be

much better off .

From: madison jones <meet_madison2007@...>

Subject: Re: To Fusion or not to Fusion

spinal problems

Date: Sunday, December 6, 2009, 4:21 PM

 

I won't have surgery anymore either I assume crawl my s1 was already

ruptured but didn't start hurting till after surgery. I started having severe

panick attacks after surgery I couldn't believe I was doing so much better then

turned around and made it worse. They say you can get back in shape I used to go

to gym daily but if i try to get back on health kick I evently hurt and for

every 5 lbs i lose i gain 10 back. I can no longer dance,exercise or even shop

at my favorite store. I no longer fit in there jeans and my tight stomach now

sags u can not work lower muscles. I no longer resemble anything I once was, The

doctors tell you anything to get your insurance money after surgery you go to

the scrap heap! They no longer believe in giving you pain pills and act like

even though they have your MRI you now are just a junkie trying to get a fix!

[Guest guest]

Ellen,

No one can make this decision for you because you must live with the result good

or bad, but I also had a good result, I had C4-7 fused about a year and a half

ago, and it relieved arm and shoulder weakness, tingling, and shooting pain

almost immediately. My surgeon's recommendation is if it effects your

FUNCTIONAL abilities it is time to consider surgery, he does not do surgery to

relieve pain or tingling, etc. So, if you are at a point where you are being

functionally affected and therapy and inflammation reduction (drug therapy) does

not relieve it, that is the point he recommends considering surgery. Obviously

there are good and bad outcomes and many here are looking for answers to ongoing

problems following surgery. All I can say is I had a great result to this

point. I am having my lumbar spine examined soon because of functional problems

with my right leg too, and I AM hoping and praying that does NOT lead to

surgery, in MY CASE I trust my

surgeon because of my result to this point!

Praying for pain free days for all the site!

mark

________________________________

From: hangingin4593 <no_reply >

spinal problems

Sent: Sat, December 5, 2009 11:36:50 PM

Subject: To Fusion or not to Fusion

That is the question.

I have three bulges in my neck--one is saddle shaped. I can live with the

tingling, because it's always been temporary. I do traction regularly.

However, today I unplugged my blowdryer of all things and it sent a shooting

pain down the middle of my back that has not let up all day.

My doctor has allowed me to try physical therapy--I have not worked since June.

He's been pushing for a fusion. I hurt and am now considering it.

I have declined a fusion on my lower back. I have 5 bulges from L5/S1 on up

with Degenerative Disc Disease. I feel like I've come a long way with that.

I'd appreciate opinions and experiences from anyone who has the neck fusion.

Regards,

Ellen

[Guest guest]

I would like to find out what my problem is. I have pain all the time in my

right leg.

I had a spinal tumor that was removed but it left me with a lot of lost

function.

This was before there were MRI's and it was not dx early.

Alda

________________________________

From: Mark R Hardin <gilachub@...>

spinal problems

Sent: Mon, December 7, 2009 11:23:46 AM

Subject: Re: To Fusion or not to Fusion

 

Ellen,

No one can make this decision for you because you must live with the result good

or bad, but I also had a good result, I had C4-7 fused about a year and a half

ago, and it relieved arm and shoulder weakness, tingling, and shooting pain

almost immediately. My surgeon's recommendation is if it effects your FUNCTIONAL

abilities it is time to consider surgery, he does not do surgery to relieve pain

or tingling, etc. So, if you are at a point where you are being functionally

affected and therapy and inflammation reduction (drug therapy) does not relieve

it, that is the point he recommends considering surgery. Obviously there are

good and bad outcomes and many here are looking for answers to ongoing problems

following surgery. All I can say is I had a great result to this point. I am

having my lumbar spine examined soon because of functional problems with my

right leg too, and I AM hoping and praying that does NOT lead to surgery, in MY

CASE I trust my

surgeon because of my result to this point!

Praying for pain free days for all the site!

mark

____________ _________ _________ __

From: hangingin4593 <no_reply@group s.com>

spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.com

Sent: Sat, December 5, 2009 11:36:50 PM

Subject: To Fusion or not to Fusion

That is the question.

I have three bulges in my neck--one is saddle shaped. I can live with the

tingling, because it's always been temporary. I do traction regularly.

However, today I unplugged my blowdryer of all things and it sent a shooting

pain down the middle of my back that has not let up all day.

My doctor has allowed me to try physical therapy--I have not worked since June.

He's been pushing for a fusion. I hurt and am now considering it.

I have declined a fusion on my lower back. I have 5 bulges from L5/S1 on up with

Degenerative Disc Disease. I feel like I've come a long way with that.

I'd appreciate opinions and experiences from anyone who has the neck fusion.

Regards,

Ellen

[Guest guest]

I've never heard one good think about a lumbar fusion. I'm with you guys on

that.

I've waited several days, drugged up and put the mattress heating pad on turbo,

got a massage and Finally feel a bit of relief in the neck.

I do one stupid thing though. I doubled my pain pills and was trippin' all

night. Weird dreams and tore up my stomach. But...the neck feels better.

There's a spa shop on the same block as my new house--I'll have to barter to get

regular massages, but that seems to work best.

I've spoken to a very close friend who had neck fusion and has mobility, but

still has pain. I have most mobility and a lot of pain that seems associated

with colder weather.

I emptied my 401k and paid cash for an old school house renovated into a

residence. It's tiny, but it means I don't have to work. I'm not looking for a

wood stove in case I can't get disability or enough money in to keep the

electricity on and pay insurance and car note. I'm seriously considering horse

and buggy. Don't laugh--horses cost over a thousand, but last twenty years.

Thanks for the input. Keep it coming.

Ellen