Two Level Fusion

[Cindylou]

Hey Gil,

We can't expect our spouses to understand what we are going through.....hell, we don't understand most of the time. Frankly, if you have been the main breadwinner in the past and cannot fulfill that right now, it is also a very vulnerable time for a spouse. They don't know what's next. Even if you have been half the breadwinner, and now that's on hold, scary times. For all. I don't have any advice Gil....it's such a hard thing dealing with a major pain issue for you and for your loved one. Very high stress. I just pray you both can find a measure of peace during this difficult time. If it doesn't kill ya, it will indeed make you stronger in the end! Hang in there my friend! I'm thinking boutcha! (just a thought, but would your wife ever be open to coming on our forums to give her some understanding of chronic pain issues, and that she is not alone either?)

[KBear]

Completely agree with CL. A lot of times I will get into such a pity party for myself, I forget how much my family has had to endure because of my spine (or I will remember that and it makes me more depressed). Even though we are the ones in the physical pain, they suffer too. The pain of not knowing how to help us, not being able to help us and the loss of dreams (no one dreams of spine problems.) I tend to get self righteous and be like you don't know what I go through..... but forget to think about what he goes through, how much he has sacrificed and how much he wants me better. And just like we get frustrated with ourselves, they get frustrated with us too sometimes. Like they said, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I know with all the negatives of my spine issues, I have also received a lot of positives too.

[Greg]

Completely agree with CL. A lot of times I will get into such a pity party for myself, I forget how much my family has had to endure because of my spine (or I will remember that and it makes me more depressed). Even though we are the ones in the physical pain, they suffer too. The pain of not knowing how to help us, not being able to help us and the loss of dreams (no one dreams of spine problems.) I tend to get self righteous and be like you don't know what I go through..... but forget to think about what he goes through, how much he has sacrificed and how much he wants me better. And just like we get frustrated with ourselves, they get frustrated with us too sometimes. Like they said, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I know with all the negatives of my spine issues, I have also received a lot of positives too.

You are so right about everything you said Katie!!! I th ank god every day that my fiatnce has hung in there and been understanding of my situation. I hope your family can do the same for you Gil. Joanna has had an ongoing pain issue with her foot (2 surgeries to date and no relief) so she understands how it can be and I think thats the biggest reason she has been understanding and not left me. We go through a lot but so does our loved ones and we need to remember that and act upon it to help them as we try to help ourselves.

[linda]

Dear Gil,
I am so sorry you are going through so much pain and struggling with everything else. This whole back surgery decision is so mind wracking and God forbid we make the wrong decision and end up worse. I wish you much luck with this and hope you pain has eased up a little from the other day. Hang in there Gil!
Linda

[Katie]

Gil, I'm so sorry; I thought I had replied to this thread I haven't spent much time on the computer, so please forgive me. I know what you are going through.

I hope you don't let that surgeon get you down too much. I remember coming home many times, either very angry or despondent, depending on what I had been told at an appointment. It was never good, nor what I wanted to hear.

My one suggestion would be to start sending your MRIs, CT scans, etc. out to as many surgeons as you can, and get their opinions. Odds are most of them won't agree on a treatment plan, but you usually get three out of five that will. At least that will give you a better idea of which way to go. I would try both around the US and out of country (yes, even Brazil ) Only one that I know of will charge for a consult, so you aren't out much money. If you are in the same position as I am, that is a big factor.

Even though most of the surgeons I consulted with recommended that I have at least four levels done, if not five, I ended up with only three with the doctor I chose. And it seems to be working. If I do eventually need another level done in my lumbar, I hope there will be a non-metal ADR available by then.

Hang in there. I don't know anyone who hasn't had rough times with their spouse when the stress of our conditions get the better of things.

[Gilbert P]

Hi All


As always you all Rock Thanks

I just returned from a nero in Lander Wyoming. He ruled out surgery, until I am crawling in major pain to have him due a fusion. My problem is four levels, fuse one and then the other and then the other, well you get the picture. I agree with him I do not want a four level fusion or a four level ADR. His comment is ADR are like model T`s they work but for how long, were not there yet, If I could hold out for better technology I could possibly do better.

I respect this guy he did his intern in Germany with one of their best (forgot his name) And a surgeon in Barzil Dr Pimenta. who is a great person and surgeon.

He was honest and not tied to do surgery for profit. Paid by the Hospitial Salary!
I was put on Naproxen 500 mg twice a day and P.T.

I have been lazy and bummed out, Its time to get off myand try to loose 25 LBS

I will keep you all posted

Gil

[Carmen]

Hi Gil,
I just read your thread. What do you think about what he said? It seems he was taught by the best. Can you do everything that you want to do? If so maybe that is alright with you. I would like to see you go to a teaching hospital for their opinion. How many opinions have you received thus far? If you are able to work and do all that you want maybe you could afford to wait. I could not. Greg could not. I would like to hear what the others have said on here.
Let me know and I will wait for other replies. Carmen

[Katie]

Gil, do you mean that this neuro interned with Dr. Pimenta? And still thinks that ADRs are in their infancy? That doesn't sound like the Dr Pimenta that I met. He did say that ADRs are not meant for all levels, that too many people are pushing for them when they are not warrented, but he put one in my neck and would have put another in my L4/5 instead of fusing it with the L5/S1 if there had been an appropriate artificial lumbar disc out there for me (I needed one with no metal...there aren't any out there yet).

Maybe send your images out to Dr. P for his opinion, and see how it compares to his intern's thoughts?

I know you are reaching the end of your rope. I've been there so often, but it seems like someone always tied a knot in it for me so I could hold on longer . Send me a PM if you want to chat more.

[KBear]

Gil,
I know you had sent your stuff to Germany or were about to.... Have you heard anything back? While I agree on not just jumping into surgery, it sounds like you are there. Did this doctor even mention doing a hybrid? Also, my uncle has his entire lumbar spine fused, is in his 60's and can bend over and touch his toes! He still has quite a range of motion (I can't even touch my toes and I have 0 fusions- LOL). Same thing with his neck, he has several levels fused and can still move his head just fine. While he has had to go in more than once and has seen progressive degeneration, he has gotten 100% relief from the fusions. I also wouldn't let that scare me away from a fusion, because I have heard people with ADR's have progressive degeneration of levels as well. It's a double edged sword and you have to figure out what is best for you, easy enough, right? I know it was hard for me to accept the idea of surgery, because for 3 years I had doctors tell me to never, ever let anyone operate on me (even early on when it was a new injury). My step mom, who is a family nurse practitioner had advised against, telling of people she knew from her practice, who were now severely disabled after surgery. Needless to say, I was scared to death of making the wrong decision. On the flip side, I knew that I couldn't go on like that. I had tried every therapy known to man, every natural remedy, some of the things I tried on more than one occasion, thinking maybe it would be the 2nd or 3rd time that was the charm. So, I knew I wasn't going to just get better and I couldn't live like that any longer. I figure, even if I get only 5 or 10 years of relief and then need another surgery, that is better than no relief.

[Gilbert P]

Hey All

Carmen: I have seen nine different surgeons and said, fuse one level, Fuse two levels and then fuse the next when it gets bad .two surgeons wait till you cant move and are in horrible pain do the MISS first.The others could not help, Dr B in Germany still waiting , And the teaching Hospitial in Utah install a spine cord stimulator

Katie: With four bad levels I would not be a candidate for ADR due to Two previous surgeries. I would like to send my information to Dr Pimenta. Would he review and give me options on surgery? He said with the FDA a hybird with four levels is not possible.

KB: I am still waiting for Germany. But I cant afford to pay out of pocket, WC is paying so far and if I go out of country I have no insurance, Maybe? Also going out of country if things go bad when I get back who do I seek for help

Thanks all I am still seeking the right option, Still not on pain meds and still not working I do have employees that are working and I can over see the projects, I can walk, drive, do laundry. cook, clean, take care of my 10 year old son, and starting to hike up hill and ride the chair lift down.Also mow the lawn and do some yard work. So yes I have a horrible spine but I can manage for now.

Thanks You All

Gil