L5-S1 ADR Revision...subsidence; Germany

[james]

I was diagnosed with annular disk tear and DDD at L4/L5 in 2006. I had mild back pain and buttock pain at that time, when sitting.

Doctor referred me to physical therapist and the bPT managed to destroy my back. After therapy, I was in bed for the next 6 months, because of pain. I did not have insurance and was not able to afford doctors at that time (thanks to the US medical system).

After recovery I was not able to sit even a minute. When I sit I have burning and tingling on the back side of my both legs, from my back to my knees. I gave up sitting and tried to do my daily work standing or laying down on my stomach (this was a bad decision).

Right now I have mild back pain and extreme burning sensation on my feet sole when standing or walking. I take medication, but they don't help other than making me sleepy.

I have seen many doctors. They say they don't see the symptoms on the MRI. I am having another MRI soon.

Dr. Howard Tung in San Diego, wanted to fuse my disc, which I refused. Because the disc is degenerated, my options are ADR or fusion, but I try to avoid it as much a I can. Honestly, I don't have much faith on doctors. They do what is good for them, rather than what is good for the patient.


I do back exercise to strengthen my back muscles, including Plank, Cat-Camel and Medex machine. They don't alleviate the pain, but I am hoping exercise prevents herniation of other discs and preventing the L4/L5 to become worse.


I have cut lots of details, because I am not in mood now.

[Maria]

James,
So you've not had any surgery to date? That much sounds good to me if it's virgin territory no matter what's going on there. That's just my own opinion after 2 discectomies and then being worse off not better (rebulging, scar tissue, setting spine up for further surgery).

Whether I would have been better or not w/more surgery as was proposed I don't really know and I decided to go with not more surgery but only because I was feeling better than when I was seeking more surgery.

Like you I wasn't too trusting of surgery or in my case more surgery since what I had done seemed to have backfired (felt like backfire too) overall.

Then again I do read about many persons who in the pursuit of a better spine surgically after failed surgeries and/or continued problems actually get that so it seems to me that there are successes and there are failures. Hopefully if you were going for a surgical option your case would yield success.

I had horrific burning pain bilaterally in buttocks and down both legs into feet after my 2nd discectomy for 5 years which really scared me with regard to recurrence and/or recovering from either ADR or fusion and/or both (hybrid).

Oddly enough.. that pain now 19 years post my 2nd surgery is gone. I no longer take medication for that type of pain (still take low dose pain med 1x/day). I don't know if it's because L5S1 finally after many years (like 30 post original injury) autofused with complete dessication of that disc.

All I know is I'm so grateful to be where I'm at currently pain wise vs. where I have been. And I sit quite a bit more than I used to which is still not to say alot or like a normal person who has no limitations on sitting. Just enough to be able to feel like a halfway normal person most of the time before I remember that sitting bothers me or can kind of lay me out if I don't get up and move around. Not the terrible pain that used to just drag me to the depths of despair or was down and out impossible...

Have you talked to Mark here? Perhaps he could be of help to you at least just to talk to...

[dshobbies]

James,

As for having surgery, only you can decide if and when. There's no going back and your spine will be forever altered no matter which procedure you decide on.

Having said that, I feel living your life in pain is a waste. You can't sit which means you can't do so many things that might be important in your life. I assume you are not living a decent life. But, perhaps that's good enough for you. We alll have different priorities in life.

Your pain is coming from nerve compression, probably your disc material pressing on your spine. Neurontin or Lyrica can help with that pain and though they play tricks with your brain, neither make you sleepy.

We're here to help, whether you decide on surgery or not. But reading between the lines - you're not in a mood for details - possibly tells of your discontent. There is help if you want it but it does come with risks.

Dale

[james]

Thank you for your replies.

I am 47, computer programmer. My bad back is because of sitting long hours behind computer. I have lost lots of job opportunities as well as my wife because of back pain, in the past years.

In my current job, I have some freedom. I can lay down in my office, behind close door, or sometimes work from home, while I am in bed. My employer does not know much about this. I pretend I am okay.

I am very limited and haven't been further than 5 miles vicinity of my home for the past few years. I drive short distances to work/grocery. It is very painful, but I have no other choice. If I need to see a doctor, I hire someone to drive me.

I have difficult sleeping at night, because all sleeping positions are painful. I put pillows around myself and sleep in 45 degree position; between sleeping on my side and sleeping on my back.

Sleeping and sitting problems aside, my biggest problem is burning sensation in the bottom of my feet.

[Maria]

James,
Yeah I would probably seek further consults at this time because of not just how limited you are by your spine - back pain but also the burning pain (annular tear related?).. but mostly because the rest of your body is going to "heck" in a handbasket while not physically active.

There are other diagnostic tests to have if one was pursuing the potential pain generator(s) creating whatever is going on.

Then again meds might help you enough to the point you'd tolerate being more functional.

I didn't go far from my home either when in worst pain chronically and when I did my husband had to "cart" me around in the back seat of his SUV while I would lie down. Things got better for me in 2001 after getting ESIs (epidural steroid injections) and starting pain meds.

My last job I was able to work somewhat as you are .. tho even that became too much.

Even if you get more opinions/diagnostics if surgery is proposed you aren't obligated to go thru with it tho there may be something out there that could help you. Have you seen a Pain Management doctor?

BTW I don't want anyone to get the impression that I am trying to steer anyone away from surgery only sharing what has been my own personal situation and worked for me (to date). ****** Also very sorry to have hijacked this thread.. this reply should be under your new thread James. My apologies to Jamie!