Ryan - Austin, TX - Herniated Disc L5-S1, No income, No insurance, hoping for surgery somehow.

[Uryaen]

Signature tells it all.

I'm hoping to find the right solution. After an injury years ago, I'm starting to decline by the month. I can't do anything any more. I lie around on a couch or a reclined chair all day. I can't work, I can't go anywhere.

I'm living with my girlfriend, who is extremely supportive of my condition, and does not make me do anything, but the damage is already done. I was doing alright for a while there but then I had to work with this 450lb person in a wheelchair, pushing her place to place every single day.

It's horrible. I have no income, and no insurance. I've found a place in Austin willing to see about financing my surgery. I did see Dr. Dryer about a year ago for the disc trial they were doing, but it turns out that the study could not include this lowest disc, so now I'm stuck with either getting fusion, which some say will be the end all be all restore I'm looking for, without any loss in mobility ( not that I have any right now ) or some kind of disc, and we know what a can of worms that is.

Ultimately it's going to depend on what I can get approved, but I've read a number of threads here, and before, I was going to see about waiting a few years until something more elegant came along, but with the idea of nerves not settling, I think I'd best take my chances now, while the taking is good. I don't THINK I'll have permanent nerve damage. If I rest for several days, and DO NOT do anything like . . . oh, stand up, I don't feel any pain WHILE I am lying down. So I think there's hope.

I've narrowed down the possible best match to an ALIF. The two specialists I've seen so far didn't offer details since we were talking about discs at the time, but that seems to be the common one.

If anyone in Austin has had a lower disc, preferably L5-S1 fused, throw me a message, and let's get together. I have some questions about the whole process, and especially recovery. I'm going to be on my own once I get home. She has to work and we have no family or friends available to help me.

I'm hoping that maybe there could be some recovery help included in this, but I don't know yet. I'm actually going to be scheduling my first appointment with the local clinic today, and they'll contact the specialist and we'll go from there. If there is home care available, that will make this whole thing easier.

If not, at least I have my laptop. Maybe I'll just set it up with the local pizza place for the guy to come on in every day and set a pizza near me. hehe.

Anyway, that's my story so far. Hopefully good news will come as I go along. If not, I don't know where to go from here, as I have no other avenue for paying for surgery.

Ryan

[KBear]

Ryan, So sorry you find yourself in the place of needing spine surgery. As far as fusion goes, it really gets a bad name and most of it isn't warranted. Fusion has long been the gold standard and there is a reason for that. Also, L5/S1 doesn't have a lot of movement to start with, so as far as having a fusion in the L spine, that's where I'd want it to be. As far as help after surgery, initially you will need constant help, but then it will be where you can do basic things (ie. make a sandwich, heat something in the microwave, etc.) You will not be doing any chores or help around the house for at least 6 weeks though. There is a great thread on here for post op tips and suggestions, I'd check it out.
Best of Luck,
Kathy

[Justin]

Hi Ryan,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

Kathy comments above are spot on. Did you schedule you appointment? Keep us posted on your progress.

[Uryaen]

Thank you both.

Yeah, I used to be on the "refuse to fuse" bandwagon, but recent research has given me a new perspective.

No, I didn't get an appointment yet. They told me it'd be another week. I'm all out of meds, and the muscle relaxer is the one I need the most. It's hard to sleep now. : (

[Hooch]

Gday mate,

Sounds like an abominable situation. I won't comment on the US health system, but I will say it's unfortunate you don't have an Australian citizenship. It could take a few years and battling and finding the right surgeon, especially if you're in a certain state which managed to go half broke after a 10 year mining boom, but you would have the option eventually. The cost would be minimal.

Not that it's a walk in the park or anything, but I agree there's nothing wrong with an ALIF over ADR.

Hope things turn for you.

[Cindylou]

Hi Ryan, I too am sorry for the lousy predicament you are finding yourself in. Having had both lumbar prodisc's installed in my lumbar, and a fusion at my L6-S1 (transitional vertebra), let me just say, I think my bigger "success," if you will, has been the fusion, purely from a pain management perspective. I am glad you found us. I hope we can be of some encouragement and support to you, as you wind your way toward a possible solution for your spine. At the very least, the folks on here "get" where you are coming from and what you are dealing with. Take advantage of the support system here, even if it is just to vent. We're all about venting, and listening. And hopefully, helping find solutions. Hang in there, Cindylou (Austin, Texas....great town, by the way....and my alma mater. )

[Uryaen]

What a great bunch.

I usually stay out of online forums, even though I'm a 20 year vet of the internet. I just can't stand the whining and personal attacks that goes on.

Anyway, the biggest issue for me, isn't the pain. I'm used to that. I used to be a full contact kick boxer. I held all manner of records for speed, strength, flexibility, etc. You can imagine how frustrated I am now. Anyway, the pain is tolerable, even when it's not. What I hate is the rapidly declining loss of mobility. It's getting worse by the month, and I feel like if I don't do something sooner rather than later, it's just going to get worse. Problem is, if this avenue I'm looking into doesn't work out, I'm sunk.

You'd think there'd be more programs for getting necessary surgery for those who can't pay it.

[Cindylou]

Ryan, I think it's especially a "double whammy" for folks like yourself, and many others on here, including myself, who were typically very athletic folks. We never knew what the phrase "couch potato" meant, because we never sat around long enough to find out! We were too busy up and doing and living! I don't pretend to be in your league of professionalism physically, mind you, but I was a certified downhill ski instructor for years, played on 3 tennis leagues daily, and worked out every single day, without fail. It defined me. And not too shabby a schedule for an old broad. hehe.....I will definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I know this is not easy for you. Forgive me if you are having to repeat this again, but, are you trying to get into a trial? That may be your best bet. Is your appointment scheduled yet? What's the wait on that? Do you mind me asking your age? That figures into these suggestions as well. Sorry for all the questions. You sound like a great guy who needs a break. It will come. Hang in there, Cindylou

[Uryaen]

Ryan, I think it's especially a "double whammy" for folks like yourself, and many others on here, including myself, who were typically very athletic folks. We never knew what the phrase "couch potato" meant, because we never sat around long enough to find out! We were too busy up and doing and living! I don't pretend to be in your league of professionalism physically, mind you, but I was a certified downhill ski instructor for years, played on 3 tennis leagues daily, and worked out every single day, without fail. It defined me. And not too shabby a schedule for an old broad. hehe.....I will definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I know this is not easy for you. Forgive me if you are having to repeat this again, but, are you trying to get into a trial? That may be your best bet. Is your appointment scheduled yet? What's the wait on that? Do you mind me asking your age? That figures into these suggestions as well. Sorry for all the questions. You sound like a great guy who needs a break. It will come. Hang in there, Cindylou

Thanks,

Yeah, that's the biggest frustration. Right now I can't even make dinner without needing to rest the next day.

How are you able to move around and do stuff now? I'm not expecting to ever fight again, but I'd be thrilled if I could rike a bike, maybe play some tennis, stuff like that. Heck, I'd just be happy with NO MORE DAMAGE!

The appointment I'm waiting on is with Lonestar Circle of Care. They are a non profit, and I they supposedly can help me get my surgery. At least, I explained the whole situation to them, and they said they could contant a specialist, and go from there. They said I'd have to be an official patient of theirs first, and I'm waiting on the callback to do my first appointment. I don't expect anything to come of that except a visit to their in house pharmacy for some new, badly needed meds.

After that, I suppose they'll set me up to talk to a local specialist, who will look at my MRI, and most likely order a new one, and assuming that the funding is there . . . I guess we go forward? I'm not sure.

They should call me some time this week. The waiting is almost as painful as the pinching on that nerve root cluster.

*sigh*

I am now 33. Kind of that middle ground. Other than the injury itself, I am in top health. No diseases, I have never smoked nor drank a drop of alcohol in my life. I am about 50-60lbs overweight, but still under the BMI limits, but that's to be expected from lying around all day the last couple of years. I have a hyper metobolism so once I recover, and can move around again, the lbs will drop like scorching hot barbells.

Let me know if you need any other info. Am I allowed to post my MRI in a .jpg to get some opinions?

[Katie]

I'm doubling KBear's comments. I tried to stay away from fusion as well, but circumstances made me have two at the lowest levels, and I'm very happy so far. Not completely pain free, but I've got my life back again.

A number of us have posted our images here. We of course can not give medical advice, but maybe some feedback with help you. It does help to compare with others'.

Take care and keep the faith...miracles do happen ;-)