I'm having back surgery next month

bigbadbill
bigbadbill Posts: 1,758
edited January 2010 in All Encompassing Trip
I have spondylolisthesis and I'm having lumbar fusion surgery next month between the L4 and L5. Anybody have this condition?
11/6/95, 11/18/97, 7/13/98, 7/14/98, 10/24/00, 10/25/00, 10/28/00, 6/2/03, 6/3/03, 6/5/03, 7/6/06, 7/7/06, 7/9/06, 7/10/06, 7/13/06, 7/15/06, 7/16/06, 7/18/06, 10/21/06, 4/10/08, 4/13/08, 9/30/09, 10/1/09, 10/6/09, 10/7/09, 10/9/09
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  • pumpkinhead
    pumpkinhead Posts: 570
    bigbadbill wrote:
    I have spondylolisthesis and I'm having lumbar fusion surgery next month between the L4 and L5. Anybody have this condition?
    I'm in the medical field but not a nurse or dr. Hopefully someone with more insight will contact you. I do know this procedure is done alot. But you have to have a GOOD surgeon. Have you checked your drs background. Success rate. Also back surgery is not always successful. Most come out with more pain than prior to the surgery. Have you explored ALL options??? Your so young to have this kind of problem. What happened. :?:
    2009 Philly Spectrum 10/28
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  • bigbadbill
    bigbadbill Posts: 1,758
    I was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis L4/L5 back in summer 2004, but I kept it under control until I was rear ended a year ago while stopped in traffic on the freeway. This past year I've been to physical therapy, seen a chiropractor, and have had several spinal injections to no avail. This last month the pain gas gotten worse (the worse it's been all year). I take vicodins every day.
    11/6/95, 11/18/97, 7/13/98, 7/14/98, 10/24/00, 10/25/00, 10/28/00, 6/2/03, 6/3/03, 6/5/03, 7/6/06, 7/7/06, 7/9/06, 7/10/06, 7/13/06, 7/15/06, 7/16/06, 7/18/06, 10/21/06, 4/10/08, 4/13/08, 9/30/09, 10/1/09, 10/6/09, 10/7/09, 10/9/09
  • pumpkinhead
    pumpkinhead Posts: 570
    bigbadbill wrote:
    I was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis L4/L5 back in summer 2004, but I kept it under control until I was rear ended a year ago while stopped in traffic on the freeway. This past year I've been to physical therapy, seen a chiropractor, and have had several spinal injections to no avail. This last month the pain gas gotten worse (the worse it's been all year). I take vicodins every day.
    I'm at work right now and I gotta go. Will chat with you latter. There is a brand new procedure out that drs are now using that doesn't require inplanting major hardware. I can't recall the name. Will Google it tomorrow night. The procedure in used by some drs in Jacksonville Fl. It uses lasers and several small incisions. Recovery is within days. Did your dr tell you about this procedure. Will talk tomorrow.
    2009 Philly Spectrum 10/28
    2010 Jazz Fest*Kansas City*St.Louis*Columbus*Noblesville*Bristow*
    Hartford*Newark*MSG1*MSG2*Dublin*Belfast*HydePark*Nijmegen*
    Berlin*WM3Little Rock*Bridge 1&2
    2011 Eddie Vedder*Chicago*St Louis*San Diego*Long Beach*Los Angles*Santa Barbara
    PJ20 1&2*Canada Tour*Montreal*Toronto 1&2*Ottawa*Hamilton*Winnipeg*
    Saskatoon*Calgary*Edmonton*Vancouver
  • bigbadbill
    bigbadbill Posts: 1,758
    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2 ... =845094463

    Here's a pic of my x-ray taken last year.
    11/6/95, 11/18/97, 7/13/98, 7/14/98, 10/24/00, 10/25/00, 10/28/00, 6/2/03, 6/3/03, 6/5/03, 7/6/06, 7/7/06, 7/9/06, 7/10/06, 7/13/06, 7/15/06, 7/16/06, 7/18/06, 10/21/06, 4/10/08, 4/13/08, 9/30/09, 10/1/09, 10/6/09, 10/7/09, 10/9/09
  • TravisTheSky
    TravisTheSky Posts: 615
    Ouch! That X-Ray shows the problem!

    Sorry, I don't know anything of modern spinal surgery. I have a hideous case of kyphoscoliosis. I had a now-obsolete "Harrington Rod" attached in '88. Luckily, I don't have daily pain. So far, my worst complaint is that I'm a good two inches shorter than I should be. Apparently the stainless steel implant constantly leaches nickel and mercury into my tissues......

    I wish computers and digital photography were around back then: I'd LOVE to have an X-ray on hand. My deformity is hidden inside, it would be cool to be able to show people. Even I would shrink back in horror every time I saw an X-ray of myself. Damn, it really looks like something out of a freakshow medical textbook.
    I think you mentioned in other threads that you're a bit on the heavy side? So was I, until I "went organic." Now I eat whatever the hell I want, but I weigh as little as I did when I was 18! Perhaps something as simple as having less weight on your spine would help the pain. I started to get fat again in early '08, but discovered that a new food allergy was bloating me with fluid. As soon as I stopped eating soy, I shrunk. So eating organic AND trying exclusion diets for food allergies are two cures for fat!

    Love,

    Brynne
    "May you live in interesting times."
  • iluvcats
    iluvcats Posts: 5,153
    I have a bad back and neck disease, so I feel for you. I'm very sorry you are going through this. Have you had multiple opinions?

    A few years ago, a knife happy neurosurgeon was ready to operate immediately on my bad neck. Although I suffered for 10 yrs, I wanted more opinions. I took all my films and I went to a neurologist and he said no, don't do it. I went to a university and the expert said I needed MORE surgery than Dr. Knife Happy recommended. But he explained my odds of recovery which were low, considering I had 3 levels of problems. There was a 30 percent chance one problem might be better. Nearly in tears, I said, "what would you do?" He advised me to hold off. I've been to three chirorpractors and they said don't do it...but I just read my reports on my back and I don't have what you have. Have you tried acupuncture? I used to go and was able to sleep for once in my life :) It's wierd though, my reports don't show that I have what you have, yet I have many of the same symptoms. Sometimes after driving, I have difficulty standing up straight to walk into work, for example.

    I think this might be the procedure that the other person was talking about:
    http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayart ... e2520.html

    have you tried eating natural food or taking Omega 3? I wish I could swallow an O3 pill.

    good luck.
    9/98, 9/00 - DC, 4/03 - Pitt., 7/03 - Bristow, 10/04 - Reading, 10/05 - Philly, 5/06 - DC, 6/06 - Pitt., 6/08 - Va Beach, 6/08 - DC, 5/10 - Bristow, 10/13 B'more
    8/08 - Ed solo in DC, 6/09 Ed in B'more,
    10/10 - Brad in B'more
  • Black Diamond
    Black Diamond Posts: 25,109
    I had a fusion of L5/S1 when I was 20 and I still can't do things and have issues with numbness in my left foot. I have gone back for multiple shots to stop the pain and other procedures. I think the surgery at the end of the day was probably not necessary but they told me it was an emergency.

    As Iluvcats said, go for second or third or 4th opinions... Also I would recommend going to a younger doctor. The older dr's may have "experience" but might not be up on the latest procedures...
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  • dcfaithful
    dcfaithful Posts: 13,076
    This seems far beyond my knowledge. However, I wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery!

    I'll be keeping you in my thoughts. :)
    7/2/06 - Denver, CO
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    9/28/09 - Salt Lake City, UT (11 years too long!!!)
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  • iluvcats
    iluvcats Posts: 5,153
    How are you? Are you still on schedule for the fusion or did you get another opinion?
    9/98, 9/00 - DC, 4/03 - Pitt., 7/03 - Bristow, 10/04 - Reading, 10/05 - Philly, 5/06 - DC, 6/06 - Pitt., 6/08 - Va Beach, 6/08 - DC, 5/10 - Bristow, 10/13 B'more
    8/08 - Ed solo in DC, 6/09 Ed in B'more,
    10/10 - Brad in B'more
  • bigbadbill
    bigbadbill Posts: 1,758
    I've been told by more than two doctors that fusion surgery is the option to go with. My spinal surgeon will be doing an anterior (retroperitoneal) mini-open inter-vertebral fusion on the L4-5. From what I understand, there'll be no pedicle screws and rods, but rather a clamp device that'll be placed on my vertibrae. I think he'll also take a piece of bone and place it in between the L4 and L5.
    11/6/95, 11/18/97, 7/13/98, 7/14/98, 10/24/00, 10/25/00, 10/28/00, 6/2/03, 6/3/03, 6/5/03, 7/6/06, 7/7/06, 7/9/06, 7/10/06, 7/13/06, 7/15/06, 7/16/06, 7/18/06, 10/21/06, 4/10/08, 4/13/08, 9/30/09, 10/1/09, 10/6/09, 10/7/09, 10/9/09
  • bigbadbill
    bigbadbill Posts: 1,758
    Well, in about 9 1/2 hours from now it'll be lights out for me on the operating table. No food after midnight. :evil: :o
    11/6/95, 11/18/97, 7/13/98, 7/14/98, 10/24/00, 10/25/00, 10/28/00, 6/2/03, 6/3/03, 6/5/03, 7/6/06, 7/7/06, 7/9/06, 7/10/06, 7/13/06, 7/15/06, 7/16/06, 7/18/06, 10/21/06, 4/10/08, 4/13/08, 9/30/09, 10/1/09, 10/6/09, 10/7/09, 10/9/09
  • Fifthelement
    Fifthelement Lotusland Posts: 6,965
    bigbadbill wrote:
    Well, in about 9 1/2 hours from now it'll be lights out for me on the operating table. No food after midnight. :evil: :o

    Best of luck on a successful operation and a speedy recovery. Sending good vibes your way :D:D:D
    "What the CANUCK happened?!? - Esquimalt Barber Shop
  • bigbadbill
    bigbadbill Posts: 1,758
    Well, the surgery was successful. I am experiencing surgical pain. The surgeon cut me in the front (anterior) and from the back (posterior). I can't eat or drink
    anything until tomorrow, because from going in through the front, a vascular surgeon had to move a bunch of organs and two major arteries to the side. My stomach and digestive system is literally asleep right now. I'll be here until Sunday.
    11/6/95, 11/18/97, 7/13/98, 7/14/98, 10/24/00, 10/25/00, 10/28/00, 6/2/03, 6/3/03, 6/5/03, 7/6/06, 7/7/06, 7/9/06, 7/10/06, 7/13/06, 7/15/06, 7/16/06, 7/18/06, 10/21/06, 4/10/08, 4/13/08, 9/30/09, 10/1/09, 10/6/09, 10/7/09, 10/9/09
  • redmosquito10
    redmosquito10 Posts: 568
    good luck on the recovery! Ive never had an overnight stay in a hospital, i imagine it would be kind of boring. at least the pits here for some form of entertainment, i would recommend the pearl jam with cats thread over on the porch for some quality entertainment, but not if youre not supposed to laugh. get well soon!
    "Ah, life is a gate, a way, a path to Paradise anyway, why not live for fun and joy and love or some sort of girl by a fireside, why not go to your desire and LAUGH..."
  • mfc2006
    mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,491
    hope the surgery is a success & that you have a speedy recovery!!
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  • PatrickBateman
    PatrickBateman Posts: 2,243
    Glad to hear you made it through...and hope for a speedy and lifelong recovery!

    I, too have a vertebrae that is slipping out of place (it is detached and "floating"). one surgeon I see wants to put me on the rotisserie for fusion asap and 2 other second opinions say to wait and see. I can lift 250 lbs if I do it right, but opening a window the wrong way will put me in tears and curled up on the floor for an hour. Pain shooting down my leg and unable to breathe sometimes. It is amazing how much you use your back when you are unable to.

    How long before you are up and running?....They tell me at least 6 weeks before I can return to work
    If a man speaks in a forest and there is no woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?
  • iluvcats
    iluvcats Posts: 5,153
    PatrickBateman wrote:
    Glad to hear you made it through...and hope for a speedy and lifelong recovery!

    I, too have a vertebrae that is slipping out of place (it is detached and "floating"). one surgeon I see wants to put me on the rotisserie for fusion asap and 2 other second opinions say to wait and see. I can lift 250 lbs if I do it right, but opening a window the wrong way will put me in tears and curled up on the floor for an hour. Pain shooting down my leg and unable to breathe sometimes. It is amazing how much you use your back when you are unable to.

    How long before you are up and running?....They tell me at least 6 weeks before I can return to work

    oh my gosh. I hope you both get well soon.
    9/98, 9/00 - DC, 4/03 - Pitt., 7/03 - Bristow, 10/04 - Reading, 10/05 - Philly, 5/06 - DC, 6/06 - Pitt., 6/08 - Va Beach, 6/08 - DC, 5/10 - Bristow, 10/13 B'more
    8/08 - Ed solo in DC, 6/09 Ed in B'more,
    10/10 - Brad in B'more
  • PatrickBateman
    PatrickBateman Posts: 2,243
    If I can find my MRI cd, ill post pics :)
    If a man speaks in a forest and there is no woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?

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