Myth Buster

[JeffreyD]

More like an axe to grind than beneficial dialogue.
-Jeff

[Job13]

RIP Freedom of Speech

[Job13]

RIP Freedom of Speech

[Maria]

I think any surgery of this magnitude can be potentially life threatening. Depends on the patient and the surgeon.

I do not take spine surgery lightly after my failed percutaneous discectomy on L4. I took that far too lightly. Big mistake. By the time I was eligble for a 2 level ADR I was too scared to go thru w/it.

I don't know what a vein barrier is so cannot answer that question tho could google it and probably find out tho would rather you define it since you asked the question.

[Crystal33]

Unfortunately I don't think any spine surgery is certain of being done safely. And the more significant the procedure the less safe it becomes. There are probably 101 risks that must be successfully managed in ADR surgery to prevent bad patient outcome. Being 100% safe = avoiding hospital.

Even minor spine surgery sometimes has bad outcomes I recently discovered. There was recent discussion about percutaneous disectomy being less invasive, more safe, etc... I later read some bad patient experiences on doctor ratings website. Feel sorry for the people.

If you cannot avoid surgery all that can be done is try to get best doctor and best facilities to be as safe as you can. I think you made a good choice in Dr Reagan. I read he uses a separate vascular surgeon. I think having a patient advocate, including in O.R., would be an additional plus imo.

[dshobbies]

I just wrote a long reply -twice, only to have it disappear -twice.

The jist of my long-windedness was - when faced with disabling pain - when faced with 2 previous failed disco/lamis - when faced with no life - what are we supposed to do?

The options are - less proven remedies, more disco/lamis leading to further DDD, fusions, which curtail mobility, perhaps drastically and lead to further DDD, or ADRs, which preserve mobility, can also lead to further DDD albeit at a slower pace but is also the new kid on the block with little history to back various claims.

I laid around all day, everyday, going out only for physical therapy and doctors appointments. I had 4 bad levels, 3 of which were pain generators. I no longer even had dinner with my family and could barely stand long enough for a shower.

You're proof that education and research don't always work - but what are our other choices???????? I believe that is the question.

I should also add that no surgery should be taken lightly. Hospitals can be dangerous places. 'Things' can go wrong. But again, weighing your options and deciding on the best course for ourselves, is all we have.

I have complete sympathy for everything you've gone through and understand your anger and frustration. I wish you all the best. And even knowing what I know now, knowing the kind of life I had and the kind I have now, realizing that the daily pain I live with might have been avoidable, and then again, maybe not, I would do the same thing again. You would not.

My best to you Anastasia, Dale

[Job13]

RIP Freedom of Speech