DESPERATE FOR INFO AND SUPPORT ON FUSIONS

I AM LOOKING FOR SUPPORT AND IFO FROM ANY ONE WHO SUFFERS OR HAS SUUFERED WITH CHRONIC BACK PROBLEMS I HAD 2 LAMENECTOMIES AT L4,L5 I AM 31 HAD MY FIRST SURGERY AT 25. I HAD A RECENT SURGERY ON 10/05 THE SURGEON FOUND PIECES OF DISC THAT THE PREVIOUS SURGEON MISSED I HAVE SCAR TISSUE THAT GOES IN TO MY S1 CANAL I HAVE SIATICA.THE LEG FOOT AND HIP PAIN ARE UNBARABLE. I HAD A GREAT CARRER I AM NOW DISABLED BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW FROM DAY TO DAY IF IM GOING TO GET OUT OF BED. I HAD A RECENT MRI POST SURGERY AND THE SURGEON WAS TAKEN BACK AND SAID THERE IS SO MUCH DAMAGE AND SCAR TISSUE THAT I NEED A FUSION I HAVE THREE KIDS AND A HUSBAND IT IS NOT FAIR TO THEM THAT THEY HAVE TO SUFFER BECAUSE OF ME. I WANT MY LIFE BACK. MY KIDS ARE 14,11 AND 2 MY HUSBAND WORKS SO MUCH THAT I FEEL GUILTY IF I ASK HIM FOR HELP I CANT TAKE THIS ANY MORE THE PAIN IS UNBARABLE ANY SUGGESTIONS? PLEASE IF YOU HAVE HAD A FUSION PLEASE RESPOND AND LET ME KNOW THE OUT COME I WOULD MUCH APPRECIATE IT. I AM A YOUTH GROUP LEADER AND A GIRLSCOUT LEADER AT TIMES I CANT DO THAT AND THOSE ARE MY PASSIONS I CANT HAVE THOSE TAKEN AWAY TO I NEED YOUR COMMENTS AND PRAYERS THANK YOU

[hucky]

Hi Tina,

you've come to the right place for advise. I'm sure you'll have some replies soon. Have you thought about Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) vs Fusion?

If you look in the search facility up the top right hand side of this page and enter "fusion" or "ADR" or any other key word, you should come up with a multitude of info.

Failing that, someone will be able to point you in the right direction.

I'm sorry I can't help, my problems are in the neck and I'm looking at ADR - but I understand your frustration and pain.

Take care

Hucky

Tina,

maybe some people have privately emailed you but if not, I would suggest reading some of the posts of those recovering from ADR surgery. Read there signatures...and contact them directly. I believe there are probably several individuals who have had prior failed procedures and may be able to discuss whether they had similar scar tissue issues and whether that is a contraindication for ADR or not.

[Mariaa]

Tina,
I've had a history of failed surgery (2 discectomies tho 2nd one super failed) and have scar tissue on rt.S1 nerve root noted since early '90s. The type of pain I had for 5 years after the 2nd discectomy was blamed on the scar tissue and for this type of pain I take Neurontin 1800mg/day, as well as Methadone for chronic low back pain.

I've also been disabled from working since 2000 and was in a great deal of daily pain even when working the last 4 years or so..

Multilevel fusion was recommended for me back in 1998, a 3 level global fusion. I didn't feel good about this surgery as I'd had two girlfriends that had it and really got much worse afterwards. In my OSS's office I always met people returning for more fusion surgery, and was warned off it by nurses working in Ortho hospitals and various units (worked as RN,NP for 25 plus years).

This is not to say there are cases of excellent fusion recoveries because there are. We have some posters here who've either had combination fusion/ADR or just fusion and have recovered very well. Perhaps a few will respond here as successful fusion is something to boast about as well success with ADR or any spine surgery IMHO..

In my own case, I have seen 2 ADR surgeons in CA since 2003 and been deemed a candidate for 2 level ADR plus gotten opinions from Dr.Regan and Dr.Bertagnoli by mail.. also confirming candidate for likely 2 level ADR altho needing another discogram to r/o L3 probs too as have annular tear there.

I guess what I'm trying to say is it's worth getting opinions and finding out whether you are a candidate or not for ADR surgery vs. fusion. For myself, I'm much more afraid of the potential for more scarring with fusion surgery than ADR altho probably it can occur with both, and of that I have a healthy fearful respect ~

Scar tissue formation depends on what happens during whatever spinal surgery,surgical technique and individual own patient's bodily response to procedure done.. so it's not like it's a done deal that it will or won't occur... we never know ~ just have to take our chances with this one..

Get another opinion or two if you're able (you should at least be entitled to a 2nd opinion) and see someone that does ADR as well as fusion, and if you have a Pain Management doctor~ I'm wondering what he or she says with regard to more surgery of any type? Several have advised me not to have more surgery of any type unless it was to implant the Morphine pump tho my current PM thinks the ADR surgery may be Ok..he's a bit younger and works with both fusion and ADR surgeons..

[Poncho]

Dear Tina,

You have come to a great place for support and guidance. I would second what Maria has said regarding multiple opinions. Absolutely!!! I know that you said you had 2 discectomies at L4-5. I don't know if you have other medical issues (I know that you are dealing with enough) - but definitely look into artificial disc replacement since it looks like - atleast on the surface that your pain is from a degenerated disc. It would also be a good idea to get in with a pain management physician to help diagnose where the pain is coming from - scar tissue vs degenerated disc vs both or other.

Unfortunately, this horrible problem hits many of us in the prime of our lives. I can definitely relate. Age 30 with first discectomy, age 32 for second discectomy and 34 with a 2 level ADR.....

[annapurna]

Tina,
Before you make such a big decision about your spine, have you pursued aggressive pain management? It may not be the way to go long-term, but it could allow you to live your life more normally and create a space for you to think more rationally about your long-term prospects. I know that it's difficult to make good decisions when you're in pain and afraid - at least for me, anyway. Have you tried epidural, selective nerve root, or caudal-type injections? Please keep us posted on your progress and decisions.

Best,
Laura