L4-L5 spinal operation

Hey John

Firstly I am sorry to hear about both of your conditions.

You say you are due to have a l4/l5 operation soon, what is the operation for, are you having a discectomy or fusion??.

This sounds like a very tough decision and something you need to think about very carefully, prehaps you need to discuss it with your surgeon ASAP. Where are you from, different location = different treatment and wait times.

I damaged l4/l5 and s1 back in 2010, I have multiple surgery over the years since along with all the pain injections that never seemed to help but was told I had to try them all a number of times to get further treatment. ( I live in UK so NHS is good but slow process). I had 3 discectomy between 2011-2014 and each time about 4-6 weeks after the discs prolapsed again, September 2014 I had a spinal fusion of l4/5 and s1, the pain stopped fairly soon after surgery, I was home in a few days and the first 8 weeks was amazing, sadly for me this went down hill from here, my fusion failed to develop and ended up failing, all my pain rtn from my back pain, buttock, leg and feet pain, my surgeon did a further MRI and it showed that I had L4 and L5 both discs have again prolapsed and is causing nerve damage, I also have a mass of scar tissue which causes severe pain. My surgeon and I sought a second opinion by a top surgeon in London both confirmed the fusion failed but have also refused to operate on the discs or to remove the fusion. I have now been put forward for a spinal cord stimulator, but the waiting list on the NHS is crazy and the process is lengthy In that I am having to wait until March 2017 to have it fitted unless they have a spot cancelled.

The decision is yours and only you can decide the pain your in, and if you think surgery will assist in helping that. Most of the people on here will all understand the pain your have and what you have had to deal with over the last few years. Let me know what the op is for and your location.

All the best

George ( uk)

John, I think the very least you should do is talk to to your surgeon or his secretary today, if necessary seeing your GP for his/her advice and perhaps the Dr can make the necessary contact with the surgeon.  I would have thought that if you have been on the waiting list for this operation for as long as 3 years, they would have at least wanted an up-to-date x-Ray before surgery.  I was given an urgent MRI to investigate the latest state of my spine prior to proposed surgery a few years ago, with the consultant saying that the operating surgeon would need the MRI result for guidance during surgery.  In the event, the consultant decided that from the MRI result there was something more sinister causing my intense pain at that time rendering me bedridden and in a wheelchair rather than being due to my long term history with a slippage of my spine (spondylolisthesis), and it turned out he was right.

I saw many orthopeadic consultants over a long period of time years ago after being diagnosed with the spinal slippage, with many recommending spinal fusion.  The final consultant advised me to forget about spinal fusion at L4-5 plus disc removal as it was major.  Instead he referred me to a recommend physiotherapist for exercises to strengthen my stomach muscles to support the spine and he arranged for me to be fitted with a surgical corset which I wore at the times of the worst pain.  He also told me to get in the swimming pool and swim but only on my back.  Can't swim but did join an aquarobics class where I was able to lie on my back and float around with the help of a what we called a woggle - a long flexible rubber tube.

Nw years later, as long as I sit on supportive chairs and sleep on a supportive mattress, I am largely fine.  I have had a few bouts of long-term sciatica over the years causing pain down one leg and into the foot, but donning a support girdle for a few days usually helps (the surgical corset no longer fits!!)  I have recently heard that Bowen therapy works wonders for sciatica so will try that if needed in the future.  A daily walk is also essential - sitting around is not good.

You should ask yourself the question as to what has resulted in such an improvement in your spine in the last 4 months.  This happy news does seem to coincide with you no longer being able to drive and having to walk everywhere for the last 6 months.  Walking is one of the very best exercises - it doesn't have to be far......just 20 minutes twice a day will work.

So get an appointment with your GP today and ask for help and advice, and good luck.

Thanks for reply you have been through it.Thats partly what i am worried about as well.That surgery causes other complications and i need more surgery.

Its a disection where by surgeon removes a small piece of slipped disc that is touching nerve.

The medication for pain is marol 100,take 1 in morning and 1 at night

Always have little tightness in lower back,very careful when picking things up as i have feeling i only have to for get once and i will be back to square one pain wise...

Just been to shop,even managed a small run of about 10 meters,with my back rigid felt good.lol.

Change my mind every couple hours,some times have a bad day and know operation is the only way,then have a good day and think i dont need operation and complications that may come with it.

Oh,from NW of united kingdom.

Thanks for your reply.

 .

 

Hi John:

Double ouch!  Man, you really seem to be have all these problems at the same time.  To put a finger on any one of them is hard as each one has to be considered in a different manner.  Just a slipped disk cause undue pain whereby the only comfortable position for you is being on the floor on your stomach.  Is the operation for the slipped disk?  Now you say that you are feeling better and pain is better.  You waited for a very long time for this surgery.  Over that long period of time and you feeling better, maybe you should reconsider this surgery.  I wouldn't want a doctor messing with my spine or disks if it is getting better.  Yes, absolutely get another up to date MRI and you and your doctor should review it together.  I know over time, having several MRI's I was able to find what my disks and spine looked like and compared it to many information with photos to determine how bad the damage could be.  I am not doing my own diagnosis and neither should you.  But at least you have the necessary questions to present to your doctor and you would be up than many patients who don't know.  Doctors also intend to give you more respect and can talk on a level of understanding.  Have them draw it out if need be.  There are means of dealing with the medical profession.  

The brain condition, omg.  I am very sorry that you have this.  Is there any way this can be dealt with?  Losing your license in itself is very discouraging but yes any State would do this because of the risks.  It's all not an end to what you are going through.  The most important thing is to evaluate, keep meticulous records from any doctor you go to and have to tools to evaluate your condition.  You can't realize how important that is not only for yourself but the medical profession as well.  You being 55 years old, is young and you still have a life ahead of you.  This can only be solved by you and you have to keep a positive feeling about yourself even if it is hard.  I have been told this many times.  I also want you to know that I am here not only for my conditions but many others such as yourself.  I don't blame  you for being concerned as I would be too.  We just have to take care of ourselves.  I found that self hypnosis works tor relax  you and fall asleep the natural way.  Warm water pool is good for your back and massage as well.  When I had massage, it felt good although it hurt when the knots in my back was very tight.  It hurt so good so to speak. Just joking.  We still have to smile even when we have to force it on ourselves.  What I would like you to do for me is to keep me posted on what you decide about the surgery, and what you are doing to ease the burdon of narclepsy.  OK?  I can't answer all posts with everyone but the one's that I feel I can help in some way.  Please keep me posted and feel better.

My best to you,

mel

Hi John, again:

I just want to add that each and every condition is catorigized here in another section.  Narclepsy is different in itslelf and you can go to the forum which discusses this.  You would be surprised what help and resources you can get there.  I have several conditions but it so many that I couldn't possibly count on all of them  being presented.  i am very active here and became my o wn advocate.  That in itself tells me it is worthwhile.  I am also a member of another forum but I can't mention it here beccause any referrals can be flagged.  Remeber there is private messaging here as well where you can discuss other things.  Just wanted to let you know.  Take care my friend and by the way I am 77 years old.  Not too far upward of your age. 

mel