I don't get it!

[Hooch]

It's a bit tricky when there is no clear nerve impingement. You can get nerve symptoms from chemical irritation of the nerve root from leaking inflammatory contents of the disc. This bloke had it, Doug, www.chirogeek.com He's interesting as he elected for a microdiscectomy which shouldn't have been offered in his case, then never had fusion or disc replacement. After a few years the sciatica relieved, then the back pain relieved, but he has some significant functional limitations. But it's not a given symptoms will resolve.

The docs may not really know what's causing the leg pain, and offer fusion or disc replacement as the next and final step. The chances are pretty good for a reduction in leg pain post disc replacement\fusion.

Anyway you are actively chasing opinions which puts you ahead of the pack, it's going to be a rough year at least, but theres plenty of hope for improvement.

[Vanessa]

Well, I have my appointment today with my pain doctor. I have written down all my concerns and I'm sure we will spend a lot of time addressing each one of them. I had an eye opener yesterday when I was completing some of my disablility forms from social security. After looking at everything, I have cut out so many of the things I love to do, because of the pain. Seeing this, makes me want to scream. If this doctor simply wants to put me on meds to help "manage" the pain, I will take it for a while until I can get in to see another specialist. I just can't continue this way.

I will keep you all posted.

[Jack-of-all-trades]

Well, I have my appointment today with my pain doctor. I have written down all my concerns and I'm sure we will spend a lot of time addressing each one of them. I had an eye opener yesterday when I was completing some of my disablility forms from social security. After looking at everything, I have cut out so many of the things I love to do, because of the pain. Seeing this, makes me want to scream. If this doctor simply wants to put me on meds to help "manage" the pain, I will take it for a while until I can get in to see another specialist. I just can't continue this way.

I will keep you all posted.

I don't want to throw cold water on your parade but I wouldn't wait on Social Security to get your pain taken care of. A plumber friend of mine had a cardiac stent and applied for SS disability. He said it typically takes 15 months to 2 years to get it. He said everyone gets turned down the first time or two but you need to keep appealing. His said he finally got a lawyer to handle his case. The lawyer usually gets something like 20% of whatever back fees you get from the day you first apply. He felt like his lawyer didn't work on his case immediately but waited until he could get a decent percentage to make it worth his time. I doubt this but at any rate it takes a long time to get any benefits.

[KBear]

I second Jack. I applied, was denied, appealed, denied and so on. I went in front of a judge with my lawyer, basically it was in my favor, but my lawyer was supposed to get some of my medical paperwork that we had been unable to get (the judge even said he would suponea it if need be). My lawyer dropped the ball and never got it, thus I was denied. By that point, and after fighting SS disability for years, I was better, so didn't bother appealing again.

[Vanessa]

Believe me, I'm not disillusioned as to how Social Security pokes thier butts. They have told me it could take up to 18 months for me to see anything IF I get approved. I know that I'll get denied the first, second time, but I am going to keep fighting this as hard as I can. I want to work, I wish I could work. Given the nature of my situation, if I did even remotely think about going back to where I want, my profession...it's a given I will blow what is left of my remaining back. I'm treading along with this by myself, and I'll just keep going through the motions as long as I need to while waiting for all this paperwork to go through.

I also went to the doctor today for my pain. According to this doctor, I have a very large amount of scar tissue that has invaded nerve space and is "tethering" with the nerve in my leg. He said this can happen in people with "olive" complexion skin etc. I don't know about that, but the symptoms he is describing about tethering are right on. At this point, all he said he could do is help manage the pain until he becomes certified to do some sort of procedure to remove the scar tissue from my nerve. That should be about 3 months. So, he put me on Morphine long acting 2x daily, Vicodin 3x daily and 300mg Neurontin 3x daily. I am going to have a transforamanal injection on wednesday and he will repeat once a month for the next two months. After the 3 month mark, if he can do that procedure he will. If it is ineffective, we will look at stimulators and nerve ablation.

[Justin]

Believe me, I'm not disillusioned as to how Social Security pokes thier butts. They have told me it could take up to 18 months for me to see anything IF I get approved. I know that I'll get denied the first, second time, but I am going to keep fighting this as hard as I can. I want to work, I wish I could work. Given the nature of my situation, if I did even remotely think about going back to where I want, my profession...it's a given I will blow what is left of my remaining back. I'm treading along with this by myself, and I'll just keep going through the motions as long as I need to while waiting for all this paperwork to go through.

Vanessa, that's the key: keep fighting. As mentioned above, they usually deny everyone the first time around.

I also went to the doctor today for my pain. According to this doctor, I have a very large amount of scar tissue that has invaded nerve space and is "tethering" with the nerve in my leg. He said this can happen in people with "olive" complexion skin etc. I don't know about that, but the symptoms he is describing about tethering are right on. At this point, all he said he could do is help manage the pain until he becomes certified to do some sort of procedure to remove the scar tissue from my nerve. That should be about 3 months. So, he put me on Morphine long acting 2x daily, Vicodin 3x daily and 300mg Neurontin 3x daily. I am going to have a transforamanal injection on wednesday and he will repeat once a month for the next two months. After the 3 month mark, if he can do that procedure he will. If it is ineffective, we will look at stimulators and nerve ablation.

I'm glad that you are on something for the pain. I hope the lumbar transforaminal injections help. Just a heads up--sometimes the first injection does not work or actually increases one's pain. However, sometimes the first injection works wonders and the subsequent injections are then canceled.

I wish you the very best with everything.