New Memeber
 

Hi I am Pete,
here is very short version of my story. This is truly great comunity!

I am 34 year old male, with very athletic background. I swam competitively for 20+years.

· 04/14/08: I injured my back 2.5 years ago
o Continued to run for about 4 weeks.
· MRI - 05/14/08: MRI L4-L5 Herniated and some L5-S1 (Photo: 1-Initial Injury)
· 05/30/08: 3+ Month of PT with no real improvement.
· 09/14/08: Discectomy on L4-L5 no structures outside of nucleus were touched.
· 09/14/08 – 12/14/09 3 month PT – no improvement, but no pain medication.
· Careful workout cardio warning belt
· MRI - 02/14/2009 - MRI limited changes and some new herniation on L5-S1 (5 - Month After injury)
· 03/01/2009 - 1 set epidurals central L4/L5 (limited effect)
· 04/14/2009- 1 set of bilateral L4/L5
· Better, I was never fine but 90% pain free most 2009 summer, I would not be very active as I would hurt the area easily.
· 09/1/2009 – 12/1/2009 – pain returns over time, different more in my feet.
· 12/1/2009 – Epidural bi lateral L4-L5 (some improvement)
· 02/02/2009 – 04/02/2010 – Pain continues to increase, no medication but I had to get another epidural.
· MRI - 04/02/2010 – Epidural L4-L5 central
· 04/14/2010 – 5/30/2010: Traction on DXR 9000 30+days – definitely made if significantly worse.
· 5/14/2010 - Medication initiated, Laryca, Tramadol, Celebrex.
· Continued pain
· 6/30/2010: North American Spine (http://northamericanspine.com/), report attached.
· Great improvement for 5 days.
· Then pain returns back in - Continued Medication.
· 08/30/2010 – moved to Chicago.
· MRI - 11/15/2010 – MRI report photos attached.
· 11/22/2010 – Epidural, Some help with back pain, limited help with burning and numbness in feet/legs
· 11/25/2010 – Discontinued Tramadol do to side effects, Lyrica to be discontinued soon, Celebrex still on.

My symptoms have changed over the years. I started with a pain to the right side form L4-L5 and I believe some of that was somewhat resolved in the discectomy. I believe I have more problems from L5-S1, and burning/cold feet feeling. The problem is more on the left side now. I have not really been able to become really active in the 2.5 years with the exception of summer 2009.

I had to stop medication as I believe it was making me addicted and some of the symptoms where in fact probably worse. It is hard for me to function without medication but I do manage a full time job and full time school. I am doing my MBA at Northwestern University.

I am not sure I have too many options, I am more less told by Physiatrists (back specialists) to a) either take it b) take medication, c) learn pain management. I am not really told that fusion or anything like that is an option. Perhaps the back does not look as bad as my symptoms are.

Thank you!

ADR in Chicago? Specialists?
 

Hi I am looking for a comprehensive spine care which will evaluate options help me execute treatment and move me up the chain of aggressiveness.

I assume there is really nothing like that, so a great doctor who has done many ADR's would be great.

Any patient outcomes in Chicago?


Thank you Thank you Thank you

I don't personally know of ADR surgeons in the Chicago area, but here is an article about the top 50 Spine Specialists in the U.S. (Several in Chicago or Illinois area).
Maybe you could meet with one to discuss your back issues to see if ADR is right for you, and if so, who they would recommend. Good recommends good.
Link: 50 of the Best Spine Specialists in America

Ken

Hi Pete, you are among friends here! Sorry to be late to the party.

It must be hard being at school while trying to ignore the lumbar problem -- so much sitting and all. BTW, we've talked quite a bit about swimming over the past six years in this community -- it seems to be a double-edged sword. That said, if the strokes are symmetrical (unlike the crawl), it seems to help most people.

Any way, where are you in terms of pain management? Doctors? Approaching a solution? How is your diet?!

PS: I merged this topic with your other introduction topic. Hope that's OK.

Hi Pete,

I contacted the manufacturer of the disc I was interested in (Prodisc, Synthes). They had a hotline I called and the lady I spoke with e-mailed me a list of the surgeons doing surgery with this disc in Illinois. So, maybe you can pursue the same tactic.

Long story, but all the surgeons I contacted in the Chicago area that reviewed my MRI said I was not a good candidate since I had virtually no disc space left. So, I had my ADR done in Germany.

Feel free to contact me if you want more details.

Good luck!

Matt