Back Problem - What to do next?

Hi n8ster,

Thanks for your response. Judging by your answer, you're in the US? Unfortunately, here in the UK (as far as I'm aware) medical use of cannabis is not available and to buy on the street will get you arrested. It's a shame as I've heard much about its medicinal properties.

Hope your op works well for you and thanks again for replying.

All the best,

Overwatch 

Well the operation is over and I am back home . I have to admit that my back and feet feel very good . I didn't really know what to expect or if there would be an improvement In this day and age we have some very good surgeons . I am sleeping a lot but think that is my body repairing itself and healing of the wounds . Getting that pressure off the nerves and improving the oxygen to all seems to help as well . The way i understand your bowels and bladder will be affected if you don't act and get the repair . I mean you can ignore all the treatments but in the end your quality of life is going to suck if not already , eventually . The sooner it is addressed, the sooner you quit damaging your body . And the sooner you can start enjoying your life again . I feel very optimistic !

  If anyone has any questions about my experience please feel free to ask .I wish I had someone to chat with before the surgery , but in the end, it worked out great .And don't be afraid of surgeries, this isn't the 1800 's any more . You would be amazed what's out there and as far as pain, it can be managed quit easily too !

Good to see you had surgery and are recovering well. Had decompression and fusion of L4/L5 to S1. Had the bone graft, caging, rods & screws - took a little longer in theatre as the spinal cord was a little more compressed than anticipated however, almost 3 weeks on and I am pain free in my legs and hip, no sciatic symptoms, no more tight hamstrings and I can sleep on either side or my back. I do sleep with a cushion between my knees but that's a small price to pay. I have been on 60% rest to 40% activity for the first 3 weeks and will gradually increase this to build strength but, like you, I have no regrets about the surgery and will be forever grateful to modern science & technology which enable the surgeons to perform these procedures and give people back their quality of life. Good luck with your continuing recovery and remember to take things easy!😊

I appreciate your reply . A lot of people are afraid and their are so many people looking to prey on them with non science remedies . We are not in the dark ages anymore and a lot of problems can be fixed now . I can't believe  how well I am doing as far as how fast it is recovering .I am sleeping on my back now with out the pain I used to always have in my legs .

Not in dark ages, for sure, but there are still MANY failed back surgeries....and I hope you will be an exception.

A friend of a friend had a fusion surgery a couple months after I had hip replacement and less than a year she was doing another one...I've heard this many times....one woman reported somewhere and I forget where, she had 5 and she's done, she's had it....

I saw a surgeon who does the cage type work and that was a year or so after hip replacement and I just won't do it.  I sleep good, sleep on back, both sides but I do all alterantive work and exercises to keep managing.

I will forever say, be very afraid of back surgery.  Good wishes and hope you'll be great after off pain meds...   J

Hmmmm, I know just what you mean! 😈 I think you are US based whereas I'm in the UK. I am still stunned at the technological and surgical leaps forward just in the last 18 months! As for pain reduction, it's awesome. Down to 1xBaclofen, 1xTramquel modified release 50mg, 2xGabapentin 100mg and Paracetamol 3xdaily. Add to that a little treatment of the scar with a mix of Bio-Oil & home concocted essential oils and I can truthfully say I am stunned at the rate of progress - Op' date was 23 Oct. I hope you continue to make steady progress & wish you good luck for the future.

Hmmmm, I know just what you mean! 😈 I think you are US based whereas I'm in the UK. I am still stunned at the technological and surgical leaps forward just in the last 18 months! As for pain reduction, it's awesome. Down to 1xBaclofen, 1xTramquel modified release 50mg, 2xGabapentin 100mg and Paracetamol 3xdaily. Add to that a little treatment of the scar with a mix of Bio-Oil & home concocted essential oils and I can truthfully say I am stunned at the rate of progress - Op' date was 23 Oct. I hope you continue to make steady progress & wish you good luck for the future.

Hmmmm, I know just what you mean! > I think you are US based whereas I'm in the UK. I am still stunned at the technological and surgical leaps forward just in the last 18 months! As for pain reduction, it's awesome. Down to 1xBaclofen, 1xTramquel modified release 50mg, 2xGabapentin 100mg and Paracetamol 3xdaily. Add to that a little treatment of the scar with a mix of Bio-Oil & home concocted essential oils and I can truthfully say I am stunned at the rate of progress - Op' date was 23 Oct. I hope you continue to make steady progress & wish you good luck for the future.

I am feeing pretty good considering everything they did and knew threre would be a lot of pain , but the pain is really almost gone . It's been 8 days and I am really happy that I decided to go through with the operation . A lot of people are afraid to have surgery but I really withthin in the past 5 years with help with the internet all the surgeries are pretty up dated . And I knew that stenosis would only get worse . So instead of looking ahead at life as a crippled person I can see it as a normal person . I can only say that if someone has this , do the research to find a good surgon .Our generation has a lot more options than before .

Thanks for your response Kimb63. I'm in the UK and my GP did suspect Cauda Equina damage but I've since been referred to a consultant urologist and that has been discounted; it appears to be be some general neuropathic issue, apparently. I'm due to see him again in the very near future so we'll see what happens. Thanks for your sentiments, much appreciated.

Enough! Jolly doo's for you that you have managed to live your life without the need for surgical intervention and have an alternative routine that works for YOU!! But, that's just it, it works for YOU. That doesn't mean that it will work for everyone else or that you should persistantly post negative disparaging remarks about more modern techniques, including surgical procedures. You say you have been suffering since the age of 18 and you are not the only one as many people on these forums suffer with degenerative spinal conditions, including Spondylolisthesis. I have lived with a bad back since the age of 17 and managed it, like you with exercise and, during severe bouts of paralysing muscle spasms and sciatica, occasional narcotics.

However, things change and I have subsequently undergone a Micro-Disectomy for a severly prolapsed disc (L5/S1) which did not respond to any alternative therapies. This procedure came as a huge relief and gave me back my quality of life which, for some 9 months prior to surgery had been non-existant!

This procedure was done in December 2011 and until May of 2013 I experienced only one mild bout of sciatica. Regrettably, due to my previous misadventures which resulted in a hairline fracture to a vertabrae, I suffered Grade 3 Spondylolisthesis as well as prolapsed L4 and L5 onto S1. Fortunately, and with grateful thanks to a wonderful surgeon and modern techniques and technology, I have recently undergone a Decompression and Fusion procedure and it was the BEST decision for ME as, 3 weeks on, I am able to turnover in bed, lie on either my left or right side and even my back without the horrendous disabling pain.

So, while you continue to spout your personal fear of surgery and scare stories of a 'friend of a friend', the people who post to this forum, for in the most part the benefit of others, do so from PERSONAL experience! As YOU have NOT experienced spinal surgery, please confine your 76 years of experience to the FACTS associated with your particular condition and not your own personal diatribe. Thanks in anticipation of your non-response from this 51-year old supporter of science and medical innovation.