Finally found what is wrong with my back!!!

[ImBroken]

Just out of curosity what is bad about having a fusion? They where actually talking about doing that? It would be nice to do what your sis in law did but I have to do what my auto insurance will cover. Right now I have about every bill collector calling wanting the money and I can't work right now very frustrating.

Fusion of the disks will basically render you perminantly handicapped. You will have limited movement in your spine. I have a friend that's in a similiar situation, and the doctors are telling him that after fusion, he will never be able to bend more than 60 degrees, & lift nothing over 25lbs. Really sad considering he's 26yrs old. Avoid it if you can. Dont be afraid to talk to these doctors that I mentioned, they may be able to work with your insurance. Good luck bro, & hope ya feel better soon..

 

[JESSE G]

Thanks man I will check into that, I only have one bad disk at least thats what they have found so far so the fusion of one shouldnt be to bad? I dont know never had to deal with anything like this. I know I dont want any more damn injections thats for sure!! I'm still feeling like hell I can barley walk right now it hurts so bad, all that for some "possibly" temporarily relief that could only last a week, dont make sence to me lol.

 

[JESSE G]

Fusion of the disks will basically render you perminantly handicapped. You will have limited movement in your spine. I have a friend that's in a similiar situation, and the doctors are telling him that after fusion, he will never be able to bend more than 60 degrees, & lift nothing over 25lbs. Really sad considering he's 26yrs old. Avoid it if you can. Dont be afraid to talk to these doctors that I mentioned, they may be able to work with your insurance. Good luck bro, & hope ya feel better soon..

Sounds like he is in the same boat as me Except I have 4 yrs up on him in age.

 

[JESSE G]

I didn't sleep for 2 days after the shots but I crashed hard after that. 1 shot every Thursday for 3 weeks, I was a mess. I had the headaches but I was taking Tylenol3 (Codeine) so I wasn't bothered with them.

I hope you feel better soon
:doc: . . . :sleeping:

Well I got a couple hrs sleep last night but basicaly I've been up for 2 days lol I think its from the steroid in the corisione shot, Still no relief though I'm starting to wish I hadnt got the damn thing, oh well they said it could take a week before it could work :hammer:

 

[stallsmithb]

The way it works is the corisione actually eats tissue which "reduces" inflammation, relieving pain. So this can take days.

 

[Revo Rancher]

If you think the epidural steriod injection hurts wait until they do the discogram pre-surgically! And if you are young, do not let them talk you into a fusion if the problem disc is in your low back. Ask for the most minimal alternatives, such as a laminectomy/foraminectomy. There are about 10 different procedures to alleviate back pain without going to the full fusion. Avoid it at all costs if you are young, or the disc is in your low back.

 

[JESSE G]

I'm 30 yrs old, and my bad disk is in my mid back, thoraci area. I'm going to try this theropy Its mostly weight lifting to help strenthen my muslces around the bad disk to add more support and hopefull take away some of the pain. I have had the normal theropy stretching and that type of stuff, helped a little but not reall effective hopefully this new theropy will help. I'm going to all I can do before I let them take a knife to me lol. Just wish all these hit and miss things where not so painfull, and I'm sure its only going to get worse.

 

[Revo Rancher]

Jesse, although I do not have any studies to quote in front of me, the success rate of fusions is about 50%, too low of a success rate for a young person. If the fusion fails, depending on the reason for the failure, they can attempt to repeat the surgery. If the fusion fails and another surgery is not possible, you will be left with what is called failed back syndrome.

Also, usually after a fusion, sometime later in life you may need another fusion at the level(s) above or below the original site as they will eventually give out as they "shock absorber", the cartiledge disc material between the spinal vertabrae, was removed during the fusion surgery, causing shocks to be transmitted to the other levels of your spine. Eventually another one at another level can't keep up with the extra stress and will blow.

Also, careful with those cortisone/steriod injections. They can cause aseptic necrosis in joints, and in the case of spinal injections the most likely place for the AN to occur is in the hip joint. This could lead to needing a hip replacement surgery early(ier) in life. The injections are usually done in one set of three, and I see you have had 14 injections!!!!!

 

[JESSE G]

Thanks for the info Revo, I had no idea would other problems a fusion could cause. After reading the effects of the injection, I'm a little worried, My left hip hurts all the time and I actually limp when I walk. Jeeze what a mess lol. I will defiently do all I can to stay away from the fusion for sure!! I also think I'm done with letting these doctors sticking me with needles. All it has done for me this time is hurt more. Thanks again for the usefull info from all of you guys I appreciate it

 

[JESSE G]

Hey guys well yesterday I had a Discogram done that is where the inject some sort of dye in your disk that causes pain they do this so they can determine exactly what disk is damaged so they can repair it with surgery. They did 6 0f my disks!!!! It hurt more than anything I've ever went through, the injections I had before where nothing compared to this!!! I have been up all night in pain What a pain in the ass lol. Just sitting here typing this In feeling light headed uggg I think I'm going to go lay down.

 

[JESSE G]

Ok this sucks I just got sick all over the damn place I think I need to go see the doc

 

[retarded pilot]

did they at least find what disk so they can help you?

 

[Candyman]

Discogram?

 

[JESSE G]

did they at least find what disk so they can help you?

I think so there where two that caused a lot of pain, I'm going to go see him tomorrow for and update I just can't wait untill this is all over with

 

[olds97_lss]

For an update? So, they put you in extreme pain and send you home... sounds like my wife with her migraines. "Here, take these pills, the side effects are so bad that you'll forget about your head"... bastards.

Hope you get it figured out and fixed. We're in the midst of a new season. It's hard to have fun when your doubled over in pain.

Good luck!

 

[Revo Rancher]

Don't say I did not warn you about those discograms.

Let me know what they tell you about the results and the recommended course of treatment or surgery options. I'll explain later. We'll put this on a PM if I have anything further to say about the surgery options. Let's just say I litigate these types of injuries every day.

 

[JESSE G]

Yes you did warn me Revo and omg that sucked so bad I though I was going to freaking die the injections I had before where misquito bites compared to that! My wife was in the room and it bothered her a great deal seeing me in that much pain, I felt bad for her. I went back today and he said I have one ripped disk and another damaged on and they where on my lower back and not in the thorasic area where they had thought the problem was. He wants me to have an Mri of that area before we go any further. I'm glad he is checking everything over so closely.

 

[Revo Rancher]

Based upon what you have been telling us, I thought that they might be in the LS Spine, but now we know. Thoracic bulges have very unusual symptoms and characteristics.

The MRI should be the definitive objective test needed to confirm that this is an LS Spine problem, although they normally do not use the discogram to establish disc problem areas before they have some sort of radiographic film (MRI) studies to rule out the problem areas.

Anyhow, hope the MRI gives the MD a bit of insight as to what surgery he suggests. Remember, all surgery on the back is optional at this stage (You are still walking!).

 

[olds97_lss]

Remember, all surgery on the back is optional at this stage (You are still walking!).

You know, it's freaky, but true... Although, walking/sitting/laying in pain for how long is really considered walking/sitting/laying. At some point, not being in pain without the ability to walk or being in pain while walking might be your options. I pray that it doesn't come to that.

Good luck.

 

[JESSE G]

Well I got the Mri and they found a very bad disk in my lower back and one below it that is a little damaged also but not bad, they are going to try to see of they can do a disk replacment, but since I have one that is questionable below it they might deny it, and they only allow one disk to be replaced at a time. They just recently started to do this in the US, but have been very successfull with it Europe for over 20 yrs. So I just have to wait and see. IF they deny it my other option is to have both fused they are both down near my tail bone. I dont know if I want to go with that Idea because of the info I have gotten hear and from other people about it destroying the disks above and below the ones that are bad. You are right Revo I am walking but not very often I spend some days all day in bed because of the pain it causes me, I try to ingnore it and live my life as normal as possible. I havent worked since the accident 2 yrs ago. It hard to find work here as it is, but I can't lift much more than my T-Maxx lol and can't sit or stand for any long periods of time. That is the only reason I have been lettting these A hole docs torture me I just want to get better, go back to work and be able to go and play with my kids like I used to. We used to go ride our 20 inch Bmx bikes at the local track, I would be luck to ride a bike down the street at this time. Anyway any suggestions or imput would be nice You guys are awesome and have helped me a lot dealing with all of this B.S its nice to be able to come and vent hear. Thanks!!!!!