Artificial Disc with titanium brackets and screws

[garyc5]

Hello all. My name is Gary from Florida. L4-5 herniation with pain and numbness down left buttox, leg and foot. After six years of pain, injections, meds, and 7 surgeries on the L4-5 area, I can honestly tell everyone that nothing worked for me. I wasn't looking for 100% pain free results, but I was hoping for at least 75% relief. I do noy have the original report from 2005 handy but I would like to share my nightmare with everyone. Back in April 2005 I went to my primary with lower back pain that had been nagging me for months, then a chiropractor, then to an ortho surgeon. Now I must tell you that in 1996 I had a MVA (not at fault) that caused a herniation at C4-5 level. After all the normal treatments and no results. I chose, after 6 opinions and two years, to have surgery using a piece of my own hip bone as a disc replacement. After recovery, (by the way the hip hurt worse than the neck after surgery). The surgery was a complete success and I went on to recovery fully and lead a halk way normal life, playing with the kids, golfing, fishing, pretty much all I wanted to do within reason. Now fast forward to 2005. I went back to Dr. Jeffery Fernyhough, the same surgeon that did my 1998 C4-5 surgery. Who better than the guy that I had so much success with in the past, right? It starts with an "IDET" procedure, then a "Discetomy", then three different sessions of "Epidurals". No success. Next he uses an artificial disc, titanium brackets/cage and screws. After one year, I am in more pain than I was to begin with. The MRI showed that the "cage" was rubbing on nerves causing the pain and numbness down the left leg to increase as I tried to walk or even sit. Almost exactly one year to the day, the Doc. goes in and removes the screws and brackets, (which I had them save for me as a souvenior) to get the pressure off the nerves. Still in pain, It is recommended that I see a pain managment Doctor. Three years pass of 15 -20 different types of drugs, and sleep aids, depression meds the whole thing that I'm hope no one else has gone through, but I'm sure they have or might be now. Next I have a catheder in the spine with two electrodes sticking out of my back,and try and external stimulator for 10 days to see if that would help. (no good). Next in line is a test injection of concentrated morphine direct into the spine at that L4-5 area. "I FELT GREAT". Wow that was the best day I have had in years. I was walking around the hospital, sitting up, standing for more than 5 minutes at a time. So I decide to have the Medtronic titanium pump installed in my belly on my left side about the belt line. It has a catheder that runs from it, to the affected spinal area at L4-5. It is full of concentrated morphine and to date, pumps 8 mg per day at a slow drip. Each visit to the doctor is about six weeks depending on the the dosage which they adjust each time I go in. It started at 2mg and is now at 8 mg as I said earlier. Now the bad news. I am not getting the same relief I did when they did the test about a year ago. Some but not the 75% relief I had with the test. I am told the dosage might not be right yet. My wife came with me to my last visit as she is as frustrated as me with the results. So after she drills the doc with multiple questions and answers. He decides the best thing is for me to have another test (tomorrow) using dye to see if the catheder is in the right place. Keep your fingers crossed, because I hoping it's not. So they can go in and fix it. Thats my story an i'm stickin to it. I'm sure there will be alot of questions, so fire away. Anyone going through anything similiar please let me know. I have learned many things over the years and might be able to help. Even if you just want to talk. I'll keep everyone abreast of the findings. Thanks for reading.

[KBear]

Wow Gary, what a spine history. So sorry you have been through so much. I'll be praying that they find out why you are not receiving adequate relief and that they are able to fix it.
Kathy

[garyc5]

Thanks for the kind thoughts. I'll keep you up on the latest. Gary

Wow Gary, what a spine history. So sorry you have been through so much. I'll be praying that they find out why you are not receiving adequate relief and that they are able to fix it.
Kathy

[Hooch]

Gday Gary, hell of a journey you're on.

Just trying to piece it together, you're left with permanent nerve damage after having screws removed from a lumbar fusion?

I hope you can get a bit more out of that morphine pump.

Chris.

[garyc5]

Yes the nerves are apparently permanently damaged. But not due to the surgery the surgeon said. I am going in tomorrow for the dye test to see if the cathedar is in position. If it is ,the only hope is that increasing the daily dosage will give me more relief. I'll keep you posted. Christine it seems as though you have gone through a bit of trouble as well but all is well now? Good luck with the new addition and it sounds like you did everything right. Take care everyone.

[jss]

Gary,

I've been through my own challenges, but nothing as horrific as that. Here's to hoping that they find the catheter has moved.

Good luck, Jeff

[Justin]

Hi Gary,

You have quite the spinal history. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I have a question for you: you mention an artificial disc, but it sounds like you had a spinal fusion--what type of artificial disc replacement device did you have implanted?

I hope the catheter's placement is OK. Keep us posted.

[Cindylou]

Hey Gary, what did you find out from the appointment about the catheter placement? I am eager to hear. Any news? Sorry for all you have been through. Please keep us posted. We care. Cindylou

[garyc5]

Thank you for the concern and kind thoughts.
Good news/bad news. The catheter is in the correct placement. After drawing
out 3 mg of spinal fluid he then injected the dye through the line to verify
there were not any holes or tears in the line. So all is well, but the bad
news is "the catheter is in place". Still in the same pain, no change. He
also bumped the dosage from 8 mg per day to 12 mg per day. Very little help.
Very, very, little help. I feel the difference as to the way it makes me
feel all over. But pain is still between an 8 and a 9 on the scale.

Thank again,

Gary

[Cindylou]

Thank you for the concern and kind thoughts.
Good news/bad news. The catheter is in the correct placement. After drawing
out 3 mg of spinal fluid he then injected the dye through the line to verify
there were not any holes or tears in the line. So all is well, but the bad
news is "the catheter is in place". Still in the same pain, no change. He
also bumped the dosage from 8 mg per day to 12 mg per day. Very little help.
Very, very, little help. I feel the difference as to the way it makes me
feel all over. But pain is still between an 8 and a 9 on the scale.

Thank again,

Gary

That's not good Gary....an 8 or 9 on the pain scale. I am so sorry to hear this discouraging news for you. So what is your next plan of action to get your pain better managed? Does your doctor have any other recommendations or suggestions to try? Again, I am so sorry. Chronic pain just bites the big one. Hang in there. Cindylou