I'm new here - need 3 disc fusion - looking at options

[Lillyth]

Any news Grover?

[Grover771]

Originally Posted by Lillyth

Any news Grover?

I spoke to someone on another board that had a 3 level ADR at L3 thru L5, here in the states! He had it in 2009 from a Dr. In CT. He said he's doing great, and that, maybe because it was Workmans Comp, that the surgery was paid for entirely. I looked at the ProDisc website and found a trained Dr. here in Fl.
I looked at his vitae and it looks like he's familiar with the Dr. In CT and seems to promote his philosophy of "each patient is unique." I'm really excited to see him on Monday. I'd contacted an Orthopedic here in Tampa, (which is opinion#3) and sent them my MRI and Discogram reports. they called today to tell me that he looked at my reports and said I wasn't surgery material and to just have PT and pain management. Why does everyone want you to just get addicted to narcotics? I just don't understand. I've come to really believe that my pain is caused by the Grade 5 tears and that the fluid us leaking out excessively and agitating the nerves. It doesn't feel like bone pain. I'm hoping (and praying hard) that the doc on Monday will tell me I'm a candidate for ADR and be this over with.

Thanks Lillyth, for checking on me.

[Lillyth]

You are most welcome!

Worker's Comp pays for this stuff, but insurance won't.

I really hope this new doc can help you. A tear is not a pretty thing.

Keep us posted!

[TPatti]

Originally Posted by Grover771

I spoke to someone on another board that had a 3 level ADR at L3 thru L5, here in the states! He had it in 2009 from a Dr. In CT. He said he's doing great, and that, maybe because it was Workmans Comp, that the surgery was paid for entirely. I looked at the ProDisc website and found a trained Dr. here in Fl.
I looked at his vitae and it looks like he's familiar with the Dr. In CT and seems to promote his philosophy of "each patient is unique." I'm really excited to see him on Monday. I'd contacted an Orthopedic here in Tampa, (which is opinion#3) and sent them my MRI and Discogram reports. they called today to tell me that he looked at my reports and said I wasn't surgery material and to just have PT and pain management. Why does everyone want you to just get addicted to narcotics? I just don't understand. I've come to really believe that my pain is caused by the Grade 5 tears and that the fluid us leaking out excessively and agitating the nerves. It doesn't feel like bone pain. I'm hoping (and praying hard) that the doc on Monday will tell me I'm a candidate for ADR and be this over with.

Thanks Lillyth, for checking on me.

Sounds like that doc and one of the ones I saw should go to lunch together

[cfbugsbunny]

As far as pain management goes, for what its worth, in both of my last two spine surgeries i was on 4mg hydromorphone before i went overseas. I have also been on Avinza (time release morphine). There are definitely some strong pain meds that may help you. The tradeoff is as mentioned earlier... bowels tend to slow down and it would definitely impact your ability to work.

[Grover771]

Originally Posted by cfbugsbunny

As far as pain management goes, for what its worth, in both of my last two spine surgeries i was on 4mg hydromorphone before i went overseas. I have also been on Avinza (time release morphine). There are definitely some strong pain meds that may help you. The tradeoff is as mentioned earlier... bowels tend to slow down and it would definitely impact your ability to work.

The Vicodin certainly doesn't take the pain away, but at least lets me get some work done. Waiting for the Lyrica to start working. Heard it could be a few weeks.

[Lillyth]

Originally Posted by Grover771

The Vicodin certainly doesn't take the pain away, but at least lets me get some work done. Waiting for the Lyrica to start working. Heard it could be a few weeks.

Man, I'm really glad I didn't use Lyrica to come down off of Fentanyl then! I don't want to be on it that long even! (I know it *may* be longer, I just don't want it to be.)

I hope it starts working quickly though. You deserve some relief!

BTW, in case this helps your ability to go overseas, once you spend 10% of your income on medical expenses, everything else is tax deductible. My husband and I are taking a loan for a portion of the surgery, knowing full well it will be a lean year for us financially, but also knowing we will be able to pay off the loan with next years tax return.

Just wanted to mention that in case it was an option for you.

[Grover771]

Had my appt with the 3rd Doc (ortho) today. They seem to think my pain could be caused by the facet joints and corresponding nerves. Like Jeff mentioned early on, they are recommending Facet joint injections. I'll have the Left on Friday , the Right on the next Friday, and then a Lumbar ESI on the third Friday. We mentioned that we were told an ESI is only for leg pain..but they said not ALL cases..and that I could be that small percent.

So..at least I found someone who is willing to try something! Praying that it will work.

[Lillyth]

I hope so! What is an ESI?

I will be thinking about you for the next two Fridays!

[TPatti]

Guessing Epidural Steroid Injection