Another Newbe!

phylly · #1 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 05:14 AM

Hello,
My name is Phylly and I am also from the "other " site. I had prodisc surgery a little over a year ago L4-S1. I did fairly well in my recovery except for my sciatica which never improved. i always felt that I had a back problem and another problem jointly so when my back improved the sciatica and leg pain did not.

My surgeon, Dr. Delamarter, did a foraminotomy 6 months later to try to decompress the nerve in my leg. Although the sciatic problem is a little better the back pain came back like a vengeance. My challenge now is to find out what to do next.

I saw Dr. Patrick Johnson at Cedars recently. He felt that I had a mechanical problem and would need to fuse the discs. He asked for a myelogram to look over area where I have so much pain from the surgery. I just received the report and it looks like I have numerous bilateral nerve root sleeve cysts at levels all along the lumbar spine.

I was most concerned about my sacral spine since so much pain is in that area but the report does not go below S1. I hope that the films show that area. I have another appointment with Dr. Johnson in two weeks to ask many questions before having this fusion (or not). I am also meeting with Dr. John Regan, Dr. Delamarter, and a local Dr. to discuss all my options.

Any input on what to ask would be helpful. Would anyone know why I would have a mechanical problem? Bending over repeatedly ( daily activities) brings on extreme pain. Could the cysts be compressing the nerves instead of the discs causing problems? Would I need a fusion if the cysts were removed? Could there also be cysts in the sacrum causing the mild cauda eqina symptoms I have? I have never heard of root sleeve cysts and it seems I have a lot. Could they have come from the other surgeries? They did not show on the last CT Myelogram that I had last April. Anyway, I do not know if cysts are something that most people have and ignore and just write in reports as filler. I was pretty surprised to see so many. Does anyone know about cysts???

I had a complete spine myelogram due the problems in my neck (prior fusion), and my thoracic spine. I guess it will be interesting to get many second opinions.

Anyway, this is my story. I am happy to hear so many familiar voices. I feel very lucky to have this site as a support and resource. Thank you all so much.
Phylly

Softball.Princess · #2 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 05:21 AM

Hi there,

welcome to the site. I am pretty new here as well and unfortunately have absolutely NO CLUE about any of this stuff other than I am suffering myself with pain/numbess etc.

I did notice in your history that you fell on ice. I did that myself a month ago and have been having some symptoms that I can't seem to get my dr to look into.

Anyways, I just wanted to welcome you to the site and to let you know there are some AWESOME people here who will be able to help you with the questions that you have.

Take Care,
Softball.Princess aka Raneah

phylly · #3 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 05:31 AM

Raneah,
Thank you for the welcome. When I fell I broke my coccyx but did not know that then. it shows now on my films. Little did I know that it was the beginning of the end and I still wonder if my tailbone moves too much sometimes when I sit.
Can you get an xray of your tailbone to check it out? I am not sure there is much to do with tailbones but it might be good info to know if it's broken.
Phylly

Gil Denis · #4 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 02:31 PM

Hi Phylly

Welcome to the cool site.
I also cracked my coccyx when i was climbing off a roof and the ladder kicked out.
Landed on top of the ladder right on my

Xrays and rest seems to be fine.

Gil aka Mango

Terry Allen Blackburn · #5 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 10:19 PM

Hi Phylly:

Is anyone left over on the other site?

I am sorry you are still struggling some. On the other hand, I also hear some improvement from previous postings as well. It sounds like you are not entirely pain free but, better than previously.

I am hopeful that we can have a nice supportive place to hang out and care about each other in the process of discovering ourselves and what will make us better.

Hang in there Phylly.

Terry Newton

mmglobal · #6 (**permalink**) 01-21-2009, 10:32 PM

Why do you suspect cysts?

I've had several clients with them and have spoken to many top surgeons at length about them... getting VERY different impressions.

If you are in So. Cal... why don't you meet me tonight at the seminar in Manhattan Beach? I'm the tall guy who's wincing because my upper back and neck freaking hurt! (OK, that will be about 1/2 of us there, except for the tall part.)

Seminar Wednesday 1/21/09 Manhattan Beach, CA