8 yrs Post-Op in May - Prodisc L4-5 L5-S1

[Poncho]

It has been awhile since posting last. This May will mark 8 years that helped turn this spiney around - but still keeping fingers crossed.

I has also been about 10 years that I began to work with Mark on researching artificial discs and other spinal options. There wasn't much out there then. We have definitely come a long ways.

Anyways, I hope all is doing better than the last time we spoke or wrote. Sending pain free vibes out to everyone.

Sincerely,
Poncho

[jsewell]

Good to hear of someone who is doing well after surgery. congrats and thanks for the pain free vibes. always appreciated.
judy

[Maria]

Hello Poncho! Good to hear from you! 8 years .. wow! Well 8 years that you probably have been doing well and continuing to work so congrats on the continued wellness re your surgery!

The only thing I can really say for myself is that L5S1 autofused which reduced my pain tremendously. I have left L4 alone (no surgeries) and am still taking 10mg Methadone/day for pain tho nothing else (stopped taking 1800mg of Neurontin one or two years ago).

Still have an occasional flare up tho nothing like in the past. Actually I've had more foot problems in the last 3 years than back probs so having to deal with the repercussions of that. Probably looking at an upcoming rt. foot surgery sometime in the near future.

Nice of you to pop in and update us and I hope your prodiscs continue to do well thru out the years! take good care~ Maria

[Poncho]

Thanks Maria and Jsewell,

I am glad to hear Maria that the spinal issue are getting better on their own. Unfortuneately, it takes time. 10mg methadone I think is doing pretty good.

Judy - I don't know if you are a c-spine patient or lumbar patient. I just hope that you get as many opinions as possible before making any decisions.

You have a lot of experienced people on this forum that can help you find the answers. Mark has been key in helping me discover answers to figure out the best way of dealing with these problems.

Perhaps - someday when Mark has a get together again I can meet all of you.


Take care and sending pain free vibes again

Poncho

[Maria]

Poncho,
I seem to recall (and perhaps mistakenly) that you were once taking Methadone for pain and after your surgery weaned off of it? If this is true I'm wondering how long it took you or how you went about your withdrawl process.

I have been on 10mg/day basically since it was prescribed tho there was a time when I needed Neurontin for neuropathies (no longer have burning pains tho occasional odd feeling like bug on my leg or water running down leg which I can stand) or ESIs or anything else for pain except an occasional injection of Toradol 60mg IM for acute spasms (cervical or lumbar).

thanks and stay well! Maria

[jsewell]

Poncho it would certainly be fun to all meet up. Maria and I have been trying to do that for awhile.
I am a C,T, and Lumbar patient. I am fused from C-4 thru L-4. I was never a candidate for artificial disc replacement as my bone density is pretty low. I was injured by Regan in 2009. All of my other spine surgeries have been done by my spine surgeon in Pasadena Ca. He is the best and has helped me very much.

Hope to meet some day
judy

[mmglobal]

Sue.... thanks for the update. Great news!!! Diane also continues to do very well with her lumbar ProDiscs (also by Bertagnoli). She has returned to nursing full time with no meds, although she would not feel comfortable returning to hospital nursing. She's a paramed in a large medical office.

It's been too long since we have spoken. Let's catch up soon!

Love,

Mark