3 Level Disc Replacement in Germany and Still in Pain

[ans]

J: Are you on pain meds? I can't tolerate excruciating pain and stay remotely sane. I found that Avinza, one dose/24 hours has been a blessing for me. I hope that you get everything fixed right and maybe Dr. Regan might be they guy to see, but alas insurance and costs.

My best, Allan

[jamie5136]

Originally Posted by ans

J: Are you on pain meds? I can't tolerate excruciating pain and stay remotely sane. I found that Avinza, one dose/24 hours has been a blessing for me. I hope that you get everything fixed right and maybe Dr. Regan might be they guy to see, but alas insurance and costs.

My best, Allan

I take Tramadol every day, but just one and if I need to be in a good mood for a couple hours and semi-pain free, I take one hydrocodone.... And yes, my patient advocates (who found the problem) are going to put me in touch with Regan. I have insurance, but he is not on my plan, I am sure, so more out of pocket money. Sadly, this could have been avoided if they looked at my post op x-rays more carefully. This lower disc is completely subsided superiorly. This is obviously a part of the issue. Now a fusion is on the horizon. I know, more out of pocket money. I live almost walking distance from the Texas Back Institute, but I don't think they like dealing with revisions... many don't know how to take the ADR out. Seems fairly simple to me. I would rather stay here in Dallas than travel even more, but I want the best. I would hate to have to go back to Germany. I was there for one month. I think the thing that makes me so upset is that I did my homework for 2 years on this procedure and this doctor and now, in hind site, I should have just done the fusion. This ADR has destroyed my life. Tell me more about this medication. Is it additive? I work at a pharmacy and can find out however.

[Maria]

It's Morphine Sulfate extended dose. I prefer the term physiologically dependent.

Getting relief on one Tramadol is pretty good and perhaps you should try a medicine such as ans has mentioned. I suffered for YEARS until starting low dose Methadone which I'm sure you know what that is and yes one can become physiologically dependent on it and I have. I take 12mg/once daily and have been on the same dose for 8 years. My level of relief is good and I can function pretty well albeit as I've mentioned I'm not working.

I'm sorry to hear about the situation you're in and hope that it can be resolved in a manner that does allow for maximal function for you and less to no pain.

I know first hand the frustration of high expectations for a surgery and failure for whatever reason however I didn't pay for my surgery, WC did and yet I was just as angry and dejected and felt my life ruined as well.

One of the reasons I didn't want to do ADR here in the states was because no one was doing vertebroplasty (sp) with and I had osteopenia so I had wanted to wait and go abroad but in the time of waiting my pain levels got much better and then I thought "better the devil I know than the devil I don't" and after living thru such awful hell with that post 2nd surgery type of pain I chose PM for now and until my spine just craps the heck out totally I think. Oh yes, now I have osteoporosis in my lumbar spine and facets at L4 and L5S1 are degenerated probably too much for ADR (so I waited too long it looks like for that surgery thus making fusion which I originally did not want my only option now for more surgery).

Don't beat yourself up for your decision. You did your homework, you made your decision.

As to the surgeon I don't know what to say. My personal opinion is every surgeon has a reason why he or she does their procedure his or her way and maybe he didn't look at the films before hand tho our own bodies react in ways no one can predict when it comes to spine surgery.

Someone might be at the top of his or her game and I still think there's no quarantees with spine surgery. If there was I would have had a 3rd one by now.

[ans]

J: A doctor who had a one level ADR and who read a mere 5000 articles before his surgery turned me on to this pain management site. I really like it and hope you find it useful on perusing around:

Pain Medicine & Palliative Care: Pain Medicine

I am amazed that you can sleep with such few pain meds.

When I was prescribed extended release morphine sulphate, I freaked and said "Morphine!?". The PM said "what's your problem"? Then I educated myself and wish I saw a PM specialist and knew this stuff years ago. And I took a course on "Substance Abuse" for my degree and learned nothing of this.

My very best as you're in a rough bind. - ans

[Maria]

Good link. So I am thinking normally... hmmmm!

[Eddie G]

I have a note from my doctor that I bring with me to public events where I need to sit with my exercise ball. It's surprising how many event staff security guards who just dont get it. I walk in with a cane and a ball and they always seem to have to call a supervisor.

"Duhh ...dis is different...duhh...dis is not the same ding... duh...U have to sit in a chair like everyone else duhh...dis is not what Im used to duhh"

"But sir, I have had multiple spine surgeries. I cant sit in your uncomfortable plastic chairs. Here is a note from my doctor"

"Duhh, I gotta show dis note to my boss duhh...We dont see too many of u invalids. If U throw that ball we are gonna throw u outta here."

"Yeah sure, I went through all this trouble with a cane, a ball, a doctors note, and a wheelchair accessible seat, just so I can throw my $25 exercise ball away into the crowd and get kicked out."

Man I have even been to a broadway show where it took them 20 minutes to figure out that I actually bought a wheelchair seat for a reason. They were trying to squeeze me into the middle of a row and expected me to sit on a ball, on top of a chair! The wheelchair seat I bought was empty & available and they just couldnt understand that I wanted to sit where there was no seat to sit on. They finally got me to my seat but it was like pulling teeth. I had to tell my life story to each different usher.
I NEED A WHEELCHAIR SEAT BECAUSE I BRING MY OWN SITTING DEVICE!!! WHY IS THIS SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND? Gosh!

I think those massage chairs that you see at the mall where people kind of kneel, look real comfortable. I may get one. Until then, remember that diners have counters and alot of restaurants have bars. Just stand at the bar & eat dinner. I've been doing it for 6 years.

[mmglobal]

Hey Eddie... the visual of sitting atop a swiss ball atop a theater seat is pretty funny!

Here's to wishing us all a better 2010.

Mark

[jamie5136]

May I ask why you have sitting pain? I am always so fascinated how the low spine makes it so only a small percentage of people affected with spinal issues have this sitting pain. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Eddie G

I have a note from my doctor that I bring with me to public events where I need to sit with my exercise ball. It's surprising how many event staff security guards who just dont get it. I walk in with a cane and a ball and they always seem to have to call a supervisor.

"Duhh ...dis is different...duhh...dis is not the same ding... duh...U have to sit in a chair like everyone else duhh...dis is not what Im used to duhh"

"But sir, I have had multiple spine surgeries. I cant sit in your uncomfortable plastic chairs. Here is a note from my doctor"

"Duhh, I gotta show dis note to my boss duhh...We dont see too many of u invalids. If U throw that ball we are gonna throw u outta here."

"Yeah sure, I went through all this trouble with a cane, a ball, a doctors note, and a wheelchair accessible seat, just so I can throw my $25 exercise ball away into the crowd and get kicked out."

Man I have even been to a broadway show where it took them 20 minutes to figure out that I actually bought a wheelchair seat for a reason. They were trying to squeeze me into the middle of a row and expected me to sit on a ball, on top of a chair! The wheelchair seat I bought was empty & available and they just couldnt understand that I wanted to sit where there was no seat to sit on. They finally got me to my seat but it was like pulling teeth. I had to tell my life story to each different usher.
I NEED A WHEELCHAIR SEAT BECAUSE I BRING MY OWN SITTING DEVICE!!! WHY IS THIS SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND? Gosh!

I think those massage chairs that you see at the mall where people kind of kneel, look real comfortable. I may get one. Until then, remember that diners have counters and alot of restaurants have bars. Just stand at the bar & eat dinner. I've been doing it for 6 years.