Date set for XLTDR in Augusta, GA

[Billy]

I got a call from the Dr's office last week telling me my surgery was set for Jan 27, 2012...I kept calling his office to learn more about the study and his office personnel signed me up and got me right on in.

I go in on the 18th for pre-op.

I have been suffering with this herniated disk for 4 years and feel like it has shaved 10 years off my life if not more.

I'm having burning all down the back of my thigh and buttock. It feels as if I have had a chemical spill on the skin and it's burning me. I have a range of other issues to but at this moment the burning is predominant.
Sure hope this artificial disk fixes all this.

[Justin]

Congratulations, Billy! Keep us posted on your progress--we will be following your post-op posts closely.

[Genn]

Hi Billy!

Congrats on getting your surgery date! And, in the trial!!

I'm set to go on the 17th and will be looking forward to your posts, as well!



-GG

[Billy]

Having a bad back is a lot like having a rock in your shoe. It's always there and symptoms range from annoyance to a wide range of issues.
But both will drive you insane.

[ouch2]

Congrats Billy! Are you having your disc replaced at the L4/L5 level that you prevously had a discectomy?

I am also having an ADR at the L5/S1 level a little over a week after you, on February 6th. It will be great to have a couple of us (Genn,You, and I) all fairly close in recovery, for support.

Most of my pain is in my buttocks, hip area, and I also have partial foot drop (can hardly move ankle, numb foot, can't raise toes) Sitting is the worst!

For the XLTDR do they go in from the side?

All the best to you Billy! Look forward to hearing more from you!

Karen

[Genn]

Having a bad back is a lot like having a rock in your shoe. It's always there and symptoms range from annoyance to a wide range of issues.
But both will drive you insane.

Billy!
Thanks for the giggle. I couldn't agree more. I'm surprised I wasn't committed a long time ago!! ...It drives me insane, too

Only 2 more days for your pre-op! Time will fly and the 27th will be here before you know it!

See you 'on the other side' soon!

[Billy]

Congrats Billy! Are you having your disc replaced at the L4/L5 level that you prevously had a discectomy?
For the XLTDR do they go in from the side?
Karen

Yes they are replacing L4 L5 from the disectomy back in 2007.
They go in through your side on the EXTDR proceedure.

I've been reading everything I come across on the XL TDR procedure and have pages full of concerns in my notebook.

I seen what looks like another study called the Freedom Disk. It looks like a better disk in ways like shock absorption and stability in that it seems to mimic the actual disk . The only concern on that disk would be the rubber failing from coming loose from the metal years down the road. I am scheduled to go in for my pre-op Wednesday then Surgery on Friday, the 27th.
I would hate to jeopardize this study I'm already scheduled for by making the Dr's think I'm having second thoughts. If I lost my space or was removed from the study and had to live with this condition years longer I think I would loose my mind. Even now after deciding to have it done I wish I could just go ahead and get it done and over with.

And yes I'd love to keep in touch while we recuperate. I'm PM you number.

Check out this YouTube link on the Freedom Disk here. AxioMed Freedom Disc - Randall F Dryer, MD - YouTube

[Billy]

Pre-Op was today. Had about 12 X-Rays done. Went over the XLTDR questionnaire with Carolina at Dr Volcan's office. She listened and answered each of my questions but most importantly listened to my concerns. After it's all over my nerves feel more at ease. I was able to see my MRI and it has definitely degenerated from the last one in 2009.
Seeing for myself how it’s changed makes me feel more like I’m doing the right thing.

[ouch2]

Glad to hear that your pre-op went well! Only 4 more days!!



Karen

[Billy]

I feel like I'm loosing my mind...

Friday is fast approaching and my anxiety is high. I've had very little pain in my lumbar since the Dr suggested TDR late last November.

After he told me I was a perfect canadate for TDR, I signed up at Golds Gym, did some light workouts, most cycleing, and chopped some bushes and little trees with a hatchet in the yard and was severe pain, more pain than I had been in the past. I could hardly walk and was ready to go ahead with the procedure. Called my Dr and said lets move forward. About a week later things had calmed back down . Since then I've had a day or two with grinding pain or sciatica but not to severe. I'm already leary about having surgery

Over the past 4 years I get these flair ups then go to my general practitioner Dr, never get anything but inflammatory meds or antidepressants, or Gabapentin, and the pain eases then flairs back up or just kinda calms down or remains moderate for a week or two, then I go back to the Dr complain of chronic pain same symptoms and the cycle repeats.

As long as I'm in pain I'm ready to have this procedure done but now I've finally got a alternative treatment to give me a permanent relief and I've felt better than I have in a long time.

I know this lull won't last, but I wish for my peace of mind I was in some kind of severe pain. I just hate to go into surgery feeling better.

Issues are if I put this off I can't afford to have this done without this study. I sure don't want a fusion which my insurance may or may not cover and if it did I would pay 20% ofter my deductible. My Dr has done told me that he would not do this if he didn't think it was necessary.

Being that I'm in a temporary better state, about to undergo the knife, I know I'm not going to wake up in this pain free state.

Attached are two of my newer MRI's and the one with the dates are from 2007 prior to the discectomy