IS LONG TERM NERVE DAMAGE POSSIBLE

[MORPHINE MAN]

I'm currently awaiting ADR surgery at L5/S1. Insurance has already approved the coverage 100% with "NO Out Of Pocket" My question is this, My L5 disc is completely gone, bone on bone. It has been this way for at least since May 2004 when I had my last MRI. I've heard that there is a real possibility for long term nerve damage the longer this type sittuation is allowed to continue. I've noticed in the past six months that the pain is becomming more persistant along the back side of both legs, especially if standing for more than a few minutes. I'm hoping that the ADR will take care of everything & I'll be back playing golf again. Just thought I'd see if anyone had any input regarding the nerve damage.Thanks again!!!

[Alastair]

Hi Harleys Dad,
there are risks with every surgery which takes place, and yes there is always a risk of nerve damage. Having so said of course it only occurs in a minority of cases.

I was in exactly the same position as you with the disc totally gone at L5/S1 rubbing bone on bone and I can sympathise because it was amazingly painful. I hope things work out for you. Read my story may be?
best,
Alastair

[ans]

Do they do enplate CT scans to ascertain the damage, and if so, are there procedures e.g. shaving to make them conform?

Thanks, Allan

[luvmysibe]

Prior to my ADR surgery I experienced severe daily radiculitis and nerve compression. Within two minutes of waking following my surgery, the leg pain that had plagued me was completely gone. Just 6 weeks post-op I am already swimming and riding my spin bike. I am doing these activites cautiously and under my surgeon's and therapist's direction. Based on my experience once the pressure on the nerve is relieved the leg pain will diminish. I hope to be able to hit the links this spring. FORE...

[Alastair]

Hi ANS,
I didn`t have endplate CT scans at all. I think you're getting into a bit of higher technology here -- -- -- when really what we are doing is fairly basic.

When the distraction has been performed the surfaces of the vertebrae are cleaned, should there be any subsidence with the bone and the need cement, then that's the point it should be done.


If you feel that you've got a problem with your bones then to have a bone density test
best,
Alastair

[MORPHINE MAN]

luvmysibe
That sounds so promissing, I can hardly wait. All I need is someone to manage my pain post opp & I could have my surgery within 48 hours. The only pain Managment dr with Hospital privledges at the Hospital where the surgery is taking place is in Iraq in the National Guard Reservs & supposed to return in November. I've been waiting for almost two years so I guess another month or so will have to do. I'm just so ready to get it done. I can only hope & pray I have the great results as you & Alastair & some others on here.Does anyone know if the surgery could be done with someone otherthan a pain managment specialist doing my post surgery pain magenment. My PM dr has a partner that I see for re-fills but, he no longer does hospital consults. He suggest that he give instructions to the anesthesiologist as to what medications he give me with a pain pump & have the nurse monitor that, he said if that didn't work he could make other suggestions for the nurse to try. Does this sound like sound advise or should I wait untill I can have a PM Dr to follow me through the hospital. Thanks!!!

[luvmysibe]

Following my surgery I no longer required the services of a pain management specialist. I used the PCS pump for 2 days and then switched to oral pain relievers. When I left the hospital I was only taking Neurontin, Ultracet, and Skelaxin 3 times/day. After 3 weeks I was off all of them completely. Some of this depends on your pain threshold, intensity and duration of pain, and your comfort level. You want to be certain you aren't in extreme pain because that will interfere with your recovery.

While you are awaiting your surgery, prepare your body and your mind as much as possible. I continued with massage therapy and water therapy. This helped with my muscle tone, spasms, and overall mood. Best wishes for a positive surgical experience!

[MORPHINE MAN]

luvmysibe, Thank you for your wonderfull uplifting story. It always makes me feel so happy when I hear stories like yours. If you don't mind me asking, were you on a lot of pain meds prior to going into surgery? From what they tell me I'm on an extreemly high dosae of Morphine & that is what worries me. My pain Managment specialist says I'm on what he would consider a normal doseage of Morphine & will have no problem with post opp pain recovery. I take one "AVINZA" 120 MG PER DAY (morphine) & FOUR TO FIVE MSIR 15 MG (morphine instant release) per day. That's a total of about 190MG of MORPHINE DAILY. I don't know if this is unusually high or about normal. If anyone has a clue I'd love to hear your story. I'm so happy you are doing so well. God Bless & enjoy your recovery!

[luvmysibe]

Harley's Dad,

Immediately after my injury I was taking moderate doses of codeine and Soma. The problem was that I became a complete zombie and couldn't even lift my head from my pillow. Finally, my medications were changed and I became more mobile. I have allergies to several narcotics so my doctors need to be careful with my prescriptions. Most of the time I spent waiting for my surgery I was taking skelaxin, neurontin, ultracet, and/or soma. My doses ranged from minimal to the maximum allowed per day depending on my pain levels. Your amount of medication sounds very high to me, but each person's body is unique. I am highly sensitive and rather petite. You may have built up even more tolerance so it may be good to try and wean your self a bit. You definitely don't want to be in a tremendous amount of pain, but you need to be coherent for your recovery. Are there any non pharmacuetical techniques or therapies that help relieve the pain? Massages, water, stretching, yoga, meditation, chiropractic, topical ointments, ice, herbs or teas...Many of these eased my pain and increased my flexibility while I waited for my ADR.

Hope this helps!

[Judy]

Prior to my surgery I was on 30mg of avinza daily, 1200mg neurontin daily. My doctor was very adament about me being off the avinza prior to surgery. That was September 1st and I stopped taking it the very next day and started back on the perocets every four hours. It was very hard to go without thee avinza and it took my body about one week to feel better but it was well worth it.
After surgery I only had two days of pain medications and the only think I currently have is nerve pain left which 1800mg of neurontin has taken it all away and I am currently pain free. I have not needed narcotics at all since two days after surgery. He claimed that if you are on a high dose of morphine prior to surgery it would take time to get your body used of not having it and you would not know what effects the surgery had and also you might feel too good and start to do things after surgery you should not. As Alstair always says, slow slow and slower.

Judy