Fibrin Sealant

[Sean]

Hello

I just had my second 4 level Fibrin Sealant last week. My first treatment was 4 level also in October of 2008. Before learning of the Fibrin Sealant I was told by every surgeon I saw in Honolulu I needed 3 level fusion. I looked into the ADR option , but was told since I would need 2 level high on the lumbar L2-3 L3-4 my chances would be poor at best. I then read Linda's post about her Fibrin Sealant she had in Tyler Texas. The idea of not having hardware in my spine and life without pain meds was worth a shot, no pun intended. I came to Texas with very bad leg pain before my first treatment and a constant stabbing pain on my left facet joint besides disc pain. I walked out of the first treatment without any leg pain period and most of the facet and disc pain was much better.

After 5 weeks I was completely pain free and off all pain meds. The relief lasted over 12 months but slowly crept back except the leg pain which has remained pain free. I decided to have a second treatment in Texas again, once again my disc pain and facet pain has disappeared. Anyone who wants a less invasive treatment should consider the Fibrin Sealant. It burns no bridges and might bring long lasting pain relief. Time and technology will always improve your chances for a better treatment.

Aloha Sean

[longroadahead]

Are you referring to the Biostat Disc Augmentation System? I don't think the Fibrin Injection is yet available without being in a study...?

[Harrison]

Sean, thanks for posting! Glad you continue to find relief! Long road, you may or may not have seen these related topics:

Spinal Disc Fibrin Injection -- Clinical Study (Harrison’s post)

Help! Need a revision - Scared & Very Depressed (Linda’s story and fibrin experience)

Spinal Restoration: FDA IDE Biostat® Disc Augmentation System 5/13/08 (Slack's post)

Hope this helps you and others.

NOTE: Please be careful to read the dates on both the posts and the studies!

[longroadahead]

I have seen those post. I called the Dr. Office in Tyler and the person I need to talk to will not be in the office next week.

Was just wondering though, if you have to be in the study to get the fibrin injection in Tyler. The two people I talked to at the Tyler office didn't know.

[Sean]

Yes it is Tyler Texas , they might be busy for a few weeks with FDA trials in Dallas. It is the Boistat Sealant. They are quite busy for the next few months with trails, but I am sure if you are patient you will be able to contact them and schedule a procedure. It has been 7 days since the procedure and I feel amazing considering how messed up my back was a few years ago. I totally expect to be off all the pain meds with in the month.

Aloha Sean

[Sean]

Hello Longroadahead

Yes the study is very limited and full at this point, but you might be able it receive fibrin sealant outside of the study. Remember I was turned down by all the ADR surgeons based on how many levels I needed and the levels on the lumbar spine. I went from daily goofballs Vicoden ES to no pain meds within 5 weeks of my first procedure and I had 4 levels done. So going from almost inoperable, besides fusion, to pain free and med free with in less then 6 weeks. Without this procedure I would have a 3 level fusion right now and even thou I needed a second treatment I am planning a surf trip to Sumatra Indonesia in April and enjoyed surfing in Hawaii all summer last year.

If I had to get topped off with additional injections for the rest of my life it would be well worth the quality of life it gave me back. With all the technology that will improve the current ADR think how much a few years time a fibrin injection could give you time to get a much better ADR down the road a few years and maybe you will be able to avoid the hardware completely.

Cheers Sean

[Jason B]

Sean,

Were you able to get the fibrin sealant in your DDD disks as well? The little research I've done on the topic seems to indicate that this is not specifically a treatment for DDD.

Thoughts?

[Sean]

Hi Jason

They injected my 2 bad discs and the discs above and below them. Yes they target the disc with DDD. http://www.spinalrestoration.com/products/biologx.html Take a look at this link. It will explain the process of the treatment.

Aloha Sean

[Harrison]

Sean,

Thx for posting the link, I almost forgot about it. I am intrigued with the language they use to describe one stage in the healing process:

"...In the inflammatory phase, bacteria and damaged tissue debris are removed. This process releases factors that attract cells involved in the proliferation phase..."

I’ve mentioned the aspect of DDD involving microbes many times, so it’s interesting that they called this out specifically. See my earlier post and abstracts therein.

[Linda]

FYI, I haven't posted in quite sometime but I wanted to make everyone aware of a National news program called "CBS Sunday Morning" with Charles Osgood. They followed Dr. Kevin Pauza for a week and will be discussing important good facts everyone should know about Pauza Disc Sealant and the problems with fusions. It will air Sunday morning, May 8th at 8:00am Central Standard Time. If you have any questions or want Dr. Pauza's phone number to speak to him please email me at l.roberts1(at)verizon.net and I will be happy to assist you. I have had the procedure done twice, so I know a little about it. I hope you can tune into the program and learn some things.

Best wishes,
Linda