Back surgery

[Svedish_Chef]

Ok so whats the deal with it.. does it work, it it worth it?

I found out yesterday the last bit of disc at the bottom (Lumbar) region of my back is disappearing at a rapid rate so I'm going into a majorly intensive regime of chiro and other things to try and make sure it doesn't disappear completely and leave me with nothing.'

I mean I knew it was fucked but not that fucked I thought.. maybe a wheelchair before I'm 30?

The top of my necks fucked up too and I have some major scar tissue at about the spot between the top of my hips

My body's collapsing round me and there is fuck all I can do... please tell me if it comes to back surgery it works or if not tell me how you got rid of your back problem

 

[Thumper]

OUCH!

Sorry to hear that Chef...

Can't help ya there though, no experience.

Good luck!

 

[cymbidia]

I'm so sorry too, and i've got no idea about this.

Is it genetic? The result of an injury or injuries? Associated with a particular illness? Even to look stuff up for you, i'd have to know a little more.

 

[Svedish_Chef]

I'm so sorry too, and i've got no idea about this.

Is it genetic? The result of an injury or injuries? Associated with a particular illness? Even to look stuff up for you, i'd have to know a little more.

Various injuries, no illness um had a curved spine since birth and going by the x-rays I saw on friday it looks like a snake...

Basically I dont know and its pretty succesfully fucked.

If noone else can give answers I'm hoping chuckus can....

I'm going to spend 2.4k in the next 6 months trying to see whether it can regenerate or not... otherwise.... well who knows

 

[cymbidia]

Sounds like it hurts to even sit there at your 'puter.

 

[Svedish_Chef]

Sounds like it hurts to even sit there at your 'puter.

You tell me a time when it shouldn't hurt

The only time it doesn't hurt is a hot shower or bath... someone sleeping with me (That should hurt but something blocks that) and when I am having intense fun or on excessively large amounts of drugs (Which I refuse to do) or very drunk... also which I normally dont do.

Fuck it, it's life, we all get through it somehow.

 

[registered "^^"]

your best back Drs. are the ones that work on pro golfers. If you do not look for the best, it won't do much good. Mine looks like a corkscrew now, steroids have helped rebuild some of the disc material, and I ruptured the 4th vertabre, it will have to be glued to keep the bone chips from hitting the nerves. When that happens it is like a stroke, not fun. Get 2,3 or 4 opinons before you have any surgery. I know it costs to get all the opinions but make sure you get it done right.

 

[Guest]

Okay, I have had a spinal fusion done, removed 2 discs and inserted a plastic one.

Prior to surgery, I had done the chiropractor route for 7 months and while the pain dissipated at the moment, it always came back in a few hours, and gradually intensified.

Verdict? If I had gone the orthopaedic route at the outset, I would not have had to have the fusion done, the chiropractic visits made it worse. Now, I'm not saying they're all bad, but for backs....uh huh. Chiropractors are good for knees, elbows, joint injuries. They CANNOT fix ruptured or deteriorating discs.

When I went for the surgery, my whole left leg was numb and I couldn't walk. It was not a pleasant experience but now I CAN walk and have been at 90% for 10 years.

Of course, there are limitations...you just can't do certain things like moving furniture, etc., and you have to be aware of the way you move, turn, lift etc.

I can tell the weather by the ache in my lower back and yeah, there are days when it hurts like hell from either over exertion or just plain carelessness but.....I can walk.

A little pain is bearable compared to the amount of pain I suffered prior.

 

[April]

Cheffie, I'm sorry you're in so much pain. I wish there was something I could do.

 

[miles]

I feel your pain

I've had 3 major back ops, but fortunately hte technology has advanced so far from thr first to the third that the last wasn't that bad. The first was excruciating, and the recovery was worse than the symptoms. The last one two years ago was like pulling a bad tooth. The insicion was tiny and the recovery a piece of cake. The relief was almost immediate. Every case is different, but with all the pre-op tests (MRI) they can do some amazing things. I've never been to a chiro. Lots of people swear by them and I'm sure they do help some folks. A lot of back problems are self-limiting and go away by themselves, so I'm not so sure of the value of multiple visits.

If the conditions you described came from a chiro, I'd get a second opinion from an MD. Then you can have an MRI and get a much clearer pic of your condition. There is no need for you to be having pain. The MD can prescribe anti-inflammatories, the chiro can't.

Good luck

 

[Svedish_Chef]

Re: I feel your pain

If the conditions you described came from a chiro, I'd get a second opinion from an MD. Then you can have an MRI and get a much clearer pic of your condition. There is no need for you to be having pain. The MD can prescribe anti-inflammatories, the chiro can't.

Good luck

THe doctors I go to cant tell me anything... I can feel what I can feel and know about my back... (Just cant really read the x-rays)

I always said I would be in a wheelchair before 40... just wasn't really expecting it to come so well.

 

[miles]

If they can't tell you anything find a doctor who can. Have they done an MRI?

 

[Svedish_Chef]

If they can't tell you anything find a doctor who can. Have they done an MRI?

Nope, not the doctors... I'm not sure what I can do... I cant remember the last day I didn't have a migraine... I just want to try everything I can...

What I was told about back surgery is they only do it when there is no other option... but I'd rather get it dne and still be able to walk when I'm 30

 

[miles]

Something is missing here..........have you been to a neurologist?

 

[Chuckus]

If noone else can give answers I'm hoping chuckus can....

I'm going to spend 2.4k in the next 6 months trying to see whether it can regenerate or not... otherwise.... well who knows

Ouch man just ouch. Well IMHO if the doctor does it right, it can work. Keep in mind, once you have surgery on your back it will never be normal or the way it was before. Are they going to remove and put plastic in? T-1? L-3? Where and what? Maybe I can help a bit, but each situation is different...........

 

[Svedish_Chef]

Something is missing here..........have you been to a neurologist?

Nope

Think my brain is missing? Probably...

I dont know whether I really want to find out

 

[Svedish_Chef]

Ouch man just ouch. Well IMHO if the doctor does it right, it can work. Keep in mind, once you have surgery on your back it will never be normal or the way it was before. Are they going to remove and put plastic in? T-1? L-3? Where and what? Maybe I can help a bit, but each situation is different...........

I'm trying to work out my options if this doesn't work out...

bottom disc is degenerating rapidly...

top 2 are just shithouse...

 

[Chuckus]

Hey Chef,

Have you found a good orthopedic specialst? How about a good orthopedic care unit? Rehab is key to surgery also, I avoid surgery at all costs UNLESS there is no other way..........and from the way it sounds ...........you need to get an MRI to find out what is going on inside your back, see what is actually taking place.

I can try and help a bit.........but I gotta know more about where your particular problem area is? (see you just posted it above, sorry)

Chuckus

 

[miles]

Cheffie

"I dont know whether I really want to find out"

Like it or not, you will find out eventually. I'd hate for the condition to become irrepairable down the road and have a doc tell you it could have been prevented. Wouldn't that suck?

Believe me - it's probably not nearly as bad as it sounds. Discs degenerate over time through normal wear and tear. Hearing the words nerve, back, surgery, and spine conjure up some real fears.
But most back problems can be helped without surgery. The worst thing you can do is ignore them.

There is some excellent info on the web...look into it.

 

[Svedish_Chef]

Re: Cheffie

"I dont know whether I really want to find out"

Like it or not, you will find out eventually. I'd hate for the condition to become irrepairable down the road and have a doc tell you it could have been prevented. Wouldn't that suck?

There is some excellent info on the web...look into it.

Id rather ask the experts who have been through it...

I'm trying to now... at 22 while I have some money to look at everything

 

[alexander tzara]

I don't know anything about back problems or surgery, Chef, but I really hope you get it sorted out ok. Maybe *Lazer* has some inside knowledge from the medical side of things.

 

[*Lazer*]

I am talking to him right now Alex.

 

[BlondGirl]

Okay--now you are in my field of speciality--i don't know everything, but I do know some things and will happily give my two cents--take them or leave them.

You finally stated your age. I do not know the cut off--but hospitals like the Shrine sponsored ones are the best at surgeries such as you described for people your age.
It sounds like you have a case of rotoscoliosis (curving and twisting of the vertebra--am I correct?).

Hospitals like Texas Childrens are wonderful also for such situations. I can't state anything about hospitals in other areas of the country--only am experienced with the ones here in Houston.

I did not read any description from you on exactly what type of surg they are considering. From what you have described, it sounds like they want to put in some Harrington rods. ("Harrington" has become the generic name for the long rods that are paired and hook into the spine to support the weight of your upper body and stabalize your spine to reduce nerve stress.)

If this is correct, go for it. Begin the process NOW!!! It won't happen tomorrow and you can always back out before the actual surg if you feel the need--but begin asap. The older you get, the less able your body will be to reach optimum healing.

The advice about searching on the internet? Bullshit. It can become a problem. If you want internet research, get someone else to look up stuff and then recommend the webpages. Reason: Too many loonies out there with their scare tactics have set up webpages and lengthy sets of links to scare everyone. The result is the same as when a woman is pregnant and people just HAVE to come and tell her how horrible things will be and that nothing will ever be the same and she will be scarred for life, etc etc etc--it will just give you more doubts and worries. Only look at things that have been screened for you by someone who has your interrests at heart.

At your age--this is an entirely different ballgame than it is for people who are bitching about slipped disks in their 40's and 50's (Did I ever tell y'all about "Fucker's Hip"? If you developed your back issues after a divorce and you are male--this applies to you. And your experience has nothing in common with Chef's.)
You are young and your back problems are not caused by your negligience--they are caused by some genetic thing that signaled your back to twist--Get it dealt with. If you have any specific questions, ask and I will see what answers I can give. I have tons of ortho books here (he he he--one of the things I like to collect--they are all in my office though).

When you are perparing for your surg (which sounds inevitable), let me know the date about 3 weeks ahead of time and I can make suggestions that will make it mucho easier on you--from decrease in pain sensitivity to mental comforts.

Good luck.

 

[Svedish_Chef]

You are young and your back problems are not caused by your negligience--they are caused by some genetic thing that signaled your back to twist--Get it dealt with. If you have any specific questions, ask and I will see what answers I can give. I have tons of ortho books here (he he he--one of the things I like to collect--they are all in my office though).

Just run with me here... in your opinion... would intense chiro really help my back and take away the need for surgery

its the c1 c2 t8 and the l(bottom) with severe scoliousis

 

[BlondGirl]

I would never ever under any circumstances deal with chiropractic care if I had scoliosis. chiro is for the NORMAL person. You do not have the normal spine and you need intervention.

Look at it like this. If you had been born with another genetic deformity--ie--spina bifida, fixing it surgically would have never ever been debated. It is simply a fact that this is the only option.
You fall into that category.

I am not quite clear on the location(s?) of your curvature--is it cervical AND lumbar? You have two separate sections?
Or is it simply cervical? Or are you, yourself unclear on this?

(Also, the suggestion about going to a neuro doc--Again, that is for the normal back--this is not an neuro issue--it is bony--if the bones are all fucked up, the nerves are going to be also. It is like saying--"I have a needle in my hand--instead of fixing the pain cause and removing the needle, I will just take some asprin and see if that helps." Then you wait and see that the needle is still there. There aren't many options in correcting that problem and there aren't many options in fixing scoliosis either. ESPECIALLY cervical scoli. BTW--Cervix means "neck" the cervical region of the spine is the neck and the cervical region of the uterus is the neck of that part too. Just FYI for those who are unfamiliar.)