Sh***y L4-5 Disc (DDD)

[Sir Henry]

Hoping that title isn't too aggressive.

Was officially diagnosed with l4-5 DDD in 2016, have run the gamut of conservative treatments. PT, pills, injections, heat, cold, Budhha, hot yoga. But no alleviation of pain. Being in Boston, I'm in the mecca medial science and advancement. Have seen multiple spine specialists, 1 said do nothing, others said you without question need a fusion.

There seems to be a stronger aversion to ADRs in the Boston spine community, but I figured it's worth me researching before I consider having my spine welded together.

I'm considering stem cell treatments, but that could be a hefty out of pocket cost. I've been browsing this site for about a day no downloading knowledge at an aggressive rate. Advance thank you to all who provide input.

[Blizzaga]

Hi Sir Henry,

I am looking at your signature and it seems that you have been in pain for quite a long time. I assume the pain is severe enough that it is significantly disabling your daily life? I also assume that you are not too old either, so that natural auto-fusion has not begun and that the primary cause of your pain can be assigned to the DDD. If these assumptions are right, then most likely surgery is your best chances at getting back to life. Of course, all options are a gamble, but you want to maximize your chances here.

The big question is, are you a candidate for ADR? You need to check your bone density, have at least two independent doctors analyze your MRI and otherwise check that you fulfil the criterion for ADR. If you have many MRIs from over the years, you may want to also compare them and look for differences, if any are present. If all factors say that ADR is ok, then you should go that route, as ADR has been proven many times to be statistically superior to fusion. The fact that you have only one disc to be fixed also means that your chances are very good for success!

[Harrison]

Henry, my Boston doctor performed my ADR in 2004. He started doing them in 2000:

http://bostonspinecaregroup.com/our-...t-j-banco-m-d/

You should get an appointment. I believe you will have a different experience than what you've experienced so far.

[Sir Henry]

Originally Posted by Blizzaga

Hi Sir Henry,

I am looking at your signature and it seems that you have been in pain for quite a long time. I assume the pain is severe enough that it is significantly disabling your daily life? I also assume that you are not too old either, so that natural auto-fusion has not begun and that the primary cause of your pain can be assigned to the DDD. If these assumptions are right, then most likely surgery is your best chances at getting back to life. Of course, all options are a gamble, but you want to maximize your chances here.

The big question is, are you a candidate for ADR? You need to check your bone density, have at least two independent doctors analyze your MRI and otherwise check that you fulfil the criterion for ADR. If you have many MRIs from over the years, you may want to also compare them and look for differences, if any are present. If all factors say that ADR is ok, then you should go that route, as ADR has been proven many times to be statistically superior to fusion. The fact that you have only one disc to be fixed also means that your chances are very good for success!

Is this the FF spell Bizzaga?

Some of what you've said is on the money. I'm going to see Jame Yue @ Yale in a few weeks for my first ADR specialist meeting. The first specialist who said do nothing surgical wise indicated that my spine would self fuse and my pain may go away. What he didn't say was how long. I was not satisfied with that answer.

[Sir Henry]

Originally Posted by Harrison

Henry, my Boston doctor performed my ADR in 2004. He started doing them in 2000:

http://bostonspinecaregroup.com/our-...t-j-banco-m-d/

You should get an appointment. I believe you will have a different experience than what you've experienced so far.

I will most certainly reach out! Thanks for the tip!

[Big_A_2246]

Sir Henry
I wish you the best of luck on your quest. I went through this for almost 3 years. I was told day one that I needed a fusion. The only thing I knew is no one would ever fuse my back, I would live with pain before that happened. I didn't find this website till about 6 months ago and didn't even know ADR existed. I just had it done almost 2 weeks ago and as of right now (things can always change) it was an awesome decision! It sounds like we have the same exact story.

Again, I hope everything turns out awesome!!

[Blizzaga]

Originally Posted by Sir Henry

Is this the FF spell Bizzaga?

Some of what you've said is on the money. I'm going to see Jame Yue @ Yale in a few weeks for my first ADR specialist meeting. The first specialist who said do nothing surgical wise indicated that my spine would self fuse and my pain may go away. What he didn't say was how long. I was not satisfied with that answer.

It sounds like you are doing the right thing! The problem with the self fuse is that there should be some indication that it is about to happen. Otherwise, you end up waiting for this for the rest of your life and yet it may not happen...

Indeed, it is the FF spell. Sometimes, in pain, I visualized the ice shattering animation annihilating the pain in the spine. At other times, I just wanted to dig out the spine and throw it in the garbage can. I am sure you understand

[Sir Henry]

Off topic, although it catches some flack, I liked FF8 alot.

Considering some clinical trials as well.

[Blizzaga]

Ahhh. FF8, such a beautiful story. The space part was so touching.

A bit offtopic, but now that I feel so much better, I must consider getting FF15. Just because I can.

[Sir Henry]

Originally Posted by Blizzaga

Ahhh. FF8, such a beautiful story. The space part was so touching.

A bit offtopic, but now that I feel so much better, I must consider getting FF15. Just because I can.

FF15 is somewhat of a turnoff....way too many sidequests....I'm talking way too many