New ADR Candidate

[tooyoungforthis]

Great overlook Billyboy! We are thinking along the same lines, and my recovery is going about the same. Thank you for sharing that in such a wonderful and concise way!

[billyboy710]

Steve,

Amapola has some great points. Don't rush into anything. Even though you are eligible for a trial and a decision must be made, do your due diligence. Do everything you can to determine your pain generator. I didn't have a discogram but I did two rounds of facet injections to make sure that that wasn't causing my pain. As I mentioned before, maybe a less invasive micro-discectomy would eliminate your pain. These are things to you need to be sure to ask your Doc. Good luck and keep us posted.

[jfg2009]

Thank you so much for your detailed response. I feel that we have a very similar situation. I have already asked about micro surgery and the disc is too degnerated for that. I will follow up about the discogram and other issues you mentioned. Your last comments about being 44, in chronic pain, and exhausted are probably the most persuasive reason why I am at the point that surgery is an option. I've waited 6 years because of my fear of surgery and I just can't take it anymore. My life revolves around my back and I really can't take it anymore. Your quick recovery gives me hope too.

[Cindee]

Welcome Steve!

I was in Rick Delamarter's clinical trial 5 years ago for 2 level (lumbar)Prodisc. I have had nothing but an amazing journey from pain, fear and confusion to a full relatively pain free life. I highly recommend him and his well educated team. Prior to my surgery I was looking into what my orthopedic surgeon called a 360 fusion. That means I would have had hardware installed through my abdomen attaching to the front of my spine, then through my back on the back of my spine. Lucky for me he was also my boss. I had worked for orthopedic surgeons for years, who directed me to the right people, getting me in line for ADR.

The day of my surgery, I awoke "knowing" it worked. My recovery was slower than I wanted it to be. But well worth the wait. At 8 weeks post op I was back to full time work, with a new orthopedic surgeon who interviewed me, hired me...then I came to work with my x rays. He was floored he did not notice anything about me that told him I had a severe back problem, not even a limp.

Today I work 2 jobs and just received my x ray license...live a happy active life. All I can say is "go for it"...ask all the questions you can. Rick Delamarter MD is a genius and I would put my daughters back in his hands God forbid she needed it.

If you do go to Delamarters...give a big high 5 to the x ray tech there, Darrin. He's a champion too.

Keep me posted!

[Slackwater]

Originally Posted by jfg2009

I appreciate the quick responses. I am seeing Dr. Bae tomorrow to discuss the ADR study. If you think there are any specific questions I MUST raise with him, please let me know. There is so much information on this site, that all of it seems important to me.

Thanks so much!

Steve

Late, but ... the ADR guidelines Harrison posted are generally good start for a check list with a surgeon.
May I please ask, what did you hear, learn, from Dr. Bae?

ref: OP-1 (bmp-7) Study

Originally Posted by jfg2009

I did have a discogram last year before I entered the OB-1 study

May I please ask who, where and what was the protocol: single injection, multiple injections over X months, ... ?

slackwater_sf

[jfg2009]

Originally Posted by Cindee

Welcome Steve!

I was in Rick Delamarter's clinical trial 5 years ago for 2 level (lumbar)Prodisc. I have had nothing but an amazing journey from pain, fear and confusion to a full relatively pain free life. I highly recommend him and his well educated team. Prior to my surgery I was looking into what my orthopedic surgeon called a 360 fusion. That means I would have had hardware installed through my abdomen attaching to the front of my spine, then through my back on the back of my spine. Lucky for me he was also my boss. I had worked for orthopedic surgeons for years, who directed me to the right people, getting me in line for ADR.

The day of my surgery, I awoke "knowing" it worked. My recovery was slower than I wanted it to be. But well worth the wait. At 8 weeks post op I was back to full time work, with a new orthopedic surgeon who interviewed me, hired me...then I came to work with my x rays. He was floored he did not notice anything about me that told him I had a severe back problem, not even a limp.

Today I work 2 jobs and just received my x ray license...live a happy active life. All I can say is "go for it"...ask all the questions you can. Rick Delamarter MD is a genius and I would put my daughters back in his hands God forbid she needed it.

If you do go to Delamarters...give a big high 5 to the x ray tech there, Darrin. He's a champion too.

Keep me posted!

Thank you soooooooooooooooo much for your input. Dr. Bae, who works with Dr. Delamarter, is the one who would do the surgery. I was referred by my neurologist, Sheldon Jordan, who is someone I completely trust. He told me he would choose them if he were to have surgery too! I'm most stressed out about the surgery itself and the recovery process. I am inspired by your positive experience and those of others who have had similar surgery and injuries. I am seeing Dr. Bae tomorrow to schedule the surgery and to ask questions. Any input is always appreciated.

[jfg2009]

Originally Posted by Slackwater

Late, but ... the ADR guidelines Harrison posted are generally good start for a check list with a surgeon.
May I please ask, what did you hear, learn, from Dr. Bae?

ref: OP-1 (bmp-7) Study


May I please ask who, where and what was the protocol: single injection, multiple injections over X months, ... ?

slackwater_sf

I was referred to Dr. Bae by my neurologist Sheldon Jordan in Santa Monica, CA. Dr. Rick Davis, his colleague, actually was in charge of the study. I had 1 injection. It was blind so that I did not know if I received the placebo or the actual treatment. It has been over one year and since my back has gotten worse and I have felt no relief, I believe that I probably received the placebo. I am now considered a candidate for the new Axiomed Clinical Study in which I will receive either the prodisc or new freedom disc. Fortunately, my choice does not include fusion, which would scare me even more.

My appt. with Dr. Bae was moved to tomorrow, so I will have more info after then. If you think I should ask anything else, please let me know.

Thanks!

[tapsee]

please be aware that revision surgery at L5-S1 is very, very dangerous. If I had researched all the risks prior to my surgery, I really might have opted for fusion instead. I am now possibly faced with revision which either entails that I fuse over the disc, in which micro movement is still possible and full pain relief is very unlikely.


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