New kid on the block

[TiredofPain]

Maria,
Thank you for the response and recommendations. I certainly understand and do not expect the same outcome or recovery as my friend. It is just a positive re-inforcement for me as to my decision to move forward in a more aggressive manner. And a close personal friend of 10+ years sharing the experience of the process is comforting. Also, the unfortunate reality is that there are no gaurantee's as to what the outcome will be for myself.

You are 100% correct about getting 2nd and 3rd opinions. I have looked up some other spine specialists in the area and will be calling them tomorrow. I just wonder how willing they will be to see me if I tell them up-front that it's for the purpose of a 2nd opinion. I have the CD's with the results of my recent MRI and the CT-scan after the discogram. I would like to think that they would willingly review the material and give me their professional opinion. Thank you very much for bringing that to my attention, as I had tunnel vision of the light at the end of the road.

Sorry to hear that you had 2 surgery failures and continue to have flare ups that put you down. Hopefully, they are few and far between.

Thanks again.
J

[jsewell]

Hi,
well my last 2 surgeries were pretty much no brainers, they had to happen. The last one in Jan (i am still in a neck and back brace) my head had actually fallen off the train .
In dec i could barely lift my head off my chest, my spine had taken a 90 degree turn and it was painful to try to lift it. I have to say that was a way risky procedure, the surgeon told me the OR staff told him they never want to participate in that type of surgery again. The surgery was totally successful in getting my head up (not to normal abililties but almost) and my pain down.

I have had 6 spine surgeries and 1 major complication of nerve damage . That is the nerve that controls respiration (no where near your lumbar spine) So i was left with only 45% lung capacity. I am going to see the one specialist i could find in the country who has done lots of research on this nerve on wed.
i have spent countless time in physical therapy so my therapist has asked me where i want to sit at his children's weddings (they are 2 and 7)!!!
Mostly helps after surgery, never did keep me away from it.
But i do say go for it. Keep us posted here to let us know your thoughts and how you do next month.
judy

[Maria]

Generally it's standard practice re surgical recommendations to get a 2nd and whatever opinion. In fact when covered by insurance it's called "2nd surgical opinion" and most insurances do cover it but won't tell you that as they'd probably be happy if you didn't get it (use the coverage).

Most of my opinions knew they were 2nd surgical opinions (have had 2 spine surgeries). You can be up front or not. If you're using your insurance go ahead and inquire about 2nd surgical opinion and in network coverage or out of network coverage as if there is not an in network provider that can give a second surgical opinion it's usually covered to go out of network although if you're concerned about coverage/payment and/or the office is you'd want to make sure about that.

Good luck! You sound like you're ready to move forward. BTW actually my first surgery didn't fail just it left the discs above it in a weakened position (putting load on adjacent discs) and guess at least one (L4) probably had something going on and just was in a weaker position to carry the load. L3 had an anular tear that I have no idea what's going on w/it now as I've done much better with no surgical intervention since '92. Much better than where I was after the 2nd surgery failed that is and hence my decision re no more surgery yet. My flare ups are nothing like they used to be (thankfully!)!!! I'll "reevaluate" when my functioning is severely limited or I have neurodeficits or strong reason for surgery as perhaps you have now.

[TiredofPain]

Hi All,

I had a 2nd opinion done on Wed. I arrived early to make sure paperwork was done, I had the results of my MRI and CT-Scan with me. Great office staff, then it was into the exam room. Put on the paper shorts that are provided and waited for the Dr. He came and and was very quick to get it done. He was not aware at that point that the purpose was for a 2nd opinion to surgery. He is also a Specialist in Neck/Back/Spine. He did the normal exam, touched here and there, the bend forward/back/side-to-side, reflects and the needle test to check for feeling. He then told me that he had reviewed my MRI and CT-Scan. Showed me the spine model and explained my situation. He said without the results of the Disco-gram he could not make a 100% recommendation, but his 35 years of experience would indicate that I needed a 2 Level Fusion at L4/5 - L5/S1. I was going to mention to him that those were the discs that were positive during the disco-gram. He stated: "You have nothing to say about the disco-gram, you were there but you were too heavily sedated to understand what was going on, so you have nothing to say". He said this while waving his index finger in a NO-NO fashion. He then said "You have obviously seen a specialst or these tests would have never been completed, why haven't they done anything?" I explained that there are alot of treatment options and that I was evaluating them before making a decision, a 2nd opinion. He said "You have mine, call me if you need me." and proceded to walk out. Well, I considered that a little rude, but it was ok. He had confirmed the problems that are present, and mentioned doing the same thing that I have scheduled. I had an appt with a phsyciatrist this morning. TBI requires all paitents to be interviewed prior to surgery because of the potential outcome and discuss fears and such. The jury is still out on that requirement, but I'm more inclined to think that it's a good idea, because of the potential emotional side effects during recovery, and the fact that it may not work. Additionally, because of the opiate based drugs that are used for many people during the recovery phase that may take months. Just my 2 cents about that. At any rate, I have one more appt scheduled for Tuesday. I consider myself VERY FORTUNATE to live in an area that has a large pool of specialists that I can go to. After Tuesdays appt, I will solidify my decision, which is leaning more towards having the L4/5, L5/S1 Fusion completed on 26 April. Then it will be on to questions about prepping for the surgery and recovery. Oh, by the way I'm also a smoker and will begin Chantix in order to listen to this Doctor was very convincing that it's in my best interest. Thanks again for all the info provided up to this point. It's appreciated.

[jsewell]

Glad you had another opinion that confirmed what you are planning to do. Too bad this guy was so rude and did not value your input. I would definately not pick him for the surgery.
That is interesting that TBI has you see a psychiatrist.
Good luck and let us know about the last opinion.
judy

[Maria]

I had 3 and while sedated to a degree I knew which discs were super painful for sure! Some surgeons don't sedate at all to get a "true" response I suppose but for me I'd be so anxious I'd scream just at the thought of the needle going anywhere and probably have jumped off the table the way my L5S1 area felt upon a "sedated" discogram (I pretty much near screamed Stopppppp!!!!!). I was supposed to be able to respond during each one so I definately wasn't that heavily sedated!

Sedation is what I get when I have my ESIs and I don't know what's going on and it's over before I do!

Oh well he sounds like my first OSS who said the same thing to me when I asked him the results directly after the discogram or rather he actually said "you wouldn't remember what I'm telling you because you were too heavily sedated" and what I actually felt wasn't I wasn't sedated enough and I'm not sure L3 wasn't a "false" response from me just as it was the first disc tested and I reacted because I was so anxious! Plus my doc likes to make that kind of exit as well.. (I've had the same OSS the last 14 years or so and not had any surgery done w/him!)!

Glad you're exercising your 2nd and ? more surgical opinion options. For my last surgery recommended everyone agreed on the same thing (tho I didn't have the surgery). Excellent decision re quitting smoking and wishing you the best w/that. Sounds like you'll be ready for surgery end of April mentally and physically!

[Aaron]

About the discogram I specifically remember them hitting the pain gen. in my discogram and I came off table cause my chest locked up and I could not get any words out to scream. Now I dont often remember any part of my ESI injections, but I definitly remember part of my discogram.