Help! Need a revision - Scared & Very Depressed

[Jim88]

Originally Posted by Sean

Hi Linda
I read your post yesterday, I googled Dr Pauza and called him today I only was able to talk to one of his assistance about the Fibrin procedure. He explained that disc should only have lost 1/3 of it's original height for the treatment to work. So if you can catch DDD early into it's disc damage, it sounds like a great option. Unfortately my L2-3 L3-4 disc are at about 1/3 of there original height. This treatment might be great for early intervention of DDD.

Good Luck with the Fibrin injections, keep us posted on your progress.

Aloha Sean

Hello everyone I am new to the board and was very excited when I read the entire thread about Sean and Linda's experiences with the fibrin treatment. I am grateful for the experiences that Linda, Sean and everyone have posted...it is a wonderful board and I am glad to have found it.

I am 41 years old and had an accident early this year. An MRI with contrast shows I have a S1/L5 annular tear. I have back pain and tingling in my feet; from what I read, I think the fibrin procedure may work for me.

I would appreciate if Sean would let me know how he is doing now, as it has been a year since he had the fibrin procedure; it would seem that the treatment was more successful for Sean since he seems to have stopped posting...I wish I could talk with him.

I would also like to talk to anyone who has had success with the Fibrin treatment.

[Harrison]

Jim, if you don't hear anything from Linda, Sean or others, let me know and I'll see if I can send them a smoke signal!
When you post again, if you will, please start a new topic..unless of course Sean or Linda post about more about their outcomes. I do have other comments and questions for you, but will hold them for then...

[kimmers]

Jim88,

I have been here a while on this forum but lately have been busy and not able to come on as often.
I too have L5/S1 problem. Unfortunately, my disc is beyond Fibrin and it wants an ADR.
But wanted to welcome you on here.
I read your post and thought, hmmm, I have that tingling in my legs right now. Actually, i feel like I am battling sucky sciatica that is very persistent the past few days.
You know what, if you are a candidate for the fibrin procedure, I say go for it. Anything (well, almost anything) you can do short of major surgery is a good idea. (But, there are some treatments that have kind of been put out to pasture).
Like I said, no extra Fibrin, in my bod, but I have had epidurals and facet blocks a few times. And others on here, have too, so feel free to pick our brains.
And welcome.

Kimmers

[Linda]

Hi Jim,
I had my 2nd and hopefully last Fibrin injection the first part of February of this year. I worked part time all summer at a hospital and have been working full time since the 2nd of September for (oddly enough) SpineTeamTexas ASC (Ambulatory Surgery Center). I am doing well. The Fibrin seems to have held this second time. I never thought I would get out of bed again and it seems like a miracle to be working. I work for a bunch of great Spine Doctors. I would certainly try the Fibrin. You don't burn any bridges with it and I do know of people that have gotten relief from it even when their discs were less than 1/3. Some bone on bone almost. The docs I work for know Dr. Pauza and have talked to me a lot about it. I have shown some of them my films and they were amazed I am walking much less working full time. I don't get on here too much anymore because I work a lot but if I can answer any questions I would be more than happy too. I will try to set this up so I get notified if anyone writes. Best wishes and God bless.
Linda

[Linda]

Jim,
My email is l.roberts1@verizon.net It sure sounds like you would be a great candidate for Fibrin. The last time I talked to Sean on Facebook he was doing good.
Best to you,
Linda

[berry]

WOW Linda

Reading your post has given me a real lift, I am delighted you are doing so well after the Fibrin injections. Its just wonderful, well done.

Lynda

[Jim88]

Linda,

It's awesome that you are getting relief from your second fibrin treatment Thanks for your email...I will email you some questions about the treatment and see if you can put me in touch with Sean on Facebook, as I am interested to see how he is doing now and if he is still pain-free. I live in Florida and the treatment is only done in Texas; since Sean lives in Hawaii, I want to know how he managed to get the treatment.

You know, I don't understand why so few people are aware of this promising treatment. When I asked my orthopedic and pain management doctors what they thought of fibrin, they both dismissed it, saying it was unproven and just a coagulant; I don't think they were aware of the fibrin study that was just completed and that there are success stories out there. From what I have read so far, beyond Fibrin and IDET, there's nothing else out there that is minimally invasive for disc tears, so why wouldn't they embrace fibrin?

Questions for anyone who had the fibrin sealant treatment…

• I haven't improved, but even if I feel less pain months from now, I'm easily subject to a relapse as disc tears never heal completely; so doesn't it make sense to seal the tear with a fibrin treatment in any event, so the chances of re-injury are reduced?

• What kind of discogram do I need to determine if the fibrin treatment is right for me?

• Is Dr. Pauza’s treatment the same human fibrinogen/thrombin materials and delivery method as the Biostat Treatment from the pilot study i read?

• Would Dr. Pauza still go ahead with a fibrin treatment if pain is mainly from my S1/L5 disc tear even if my L4/L5 contained disc showed pain from a discogram? Would he also treat L4/L5 to decrease disc pressure or would I need a percutaneous microdisectomy for my L4/L5?

• How long are you told to wait after the fibrin post-procedure 6 week brace period before I can do things like lift weights in the gym, run or dance?

• Why does my own doctor dismiss the fibrin procedure? How do you get your local doctor to work with you post-procedure on something they don’t believe in?

• Dr. Pauza did fibrin injections in conjunction with IDET in the past; I understand that IDET is more successful in young patients with good disc height and problems at only 1 or 2 disc levels. Dr. Pauza seems to be doing more fibrin instead of IDET; Are the reductions in pain the same? Would it help to have both IDET and fibrin?

• Isn’t IDET and Biacuplasty just nerve ablation and won’t the nerves grow back with a 50% chance for the pain to return?

• If the pain is still there 2 months after fibrin treatment, would Dr. Pauza recommend a second fibrin treatment or something else?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks for any help you can give...

[Dingie]

Hi,

I just joined this site and have not yet had the adr. I have as i am sure everyone on this site has dealt with and continue to have chronic pain. The only thing I am sure of is that life is worth living...we just need to find our own way to make it worthwhile..it sounds like the silver lining if there is one is that there is something tangible to do to repair a recognizable problem. Still sucks beyond belief but I beleive without doubt the world is better while you are in it. Hang tough!

[Spine Journey]

Linda, I am so sorry to hear about your pains. I have had a cervical procedure by Dr. Peloza that has left me very sad. I'm happy to talk off-line.

Send me a PM.

Keeping you in my thoughts!
Spine Journey