"Dave Bugg" > writes:

> Nunya Bidnits wrote:
>
> > I had traction but not the injections. I got onto the moist heat
> > thing when I realized how much the hot pack treatments helped during
> > PT. You can't beat those hot wet sandbags they use for deep heat
> > therapy.
> > The best muscle relaxant IMO, if your doc will fork it over, is
> > valium, just for long enough to get things settled down, i.e., 3-6
> > weeks. Fortunately I haven't had a bout that severe in ten years. Now
> > if it starts to flare, a couple days of cyclobenzaprine and some hot
> > wet towels will do the trick.
> > I was told by the first neuro I saw that the body will heal itself in
> > many cases if you can tolerate and manage the pain while it happens,
> > and that many of the surgeries are done to relieve pain more than to
> > prevent serious damage. Quote "I'd like to stay out of your neck." It's
> > hard to accept when you're dealing with raw nerve pain shooting
> > through your shoulder and down through your arm and elbow, but in
> > hindsight it was the wisest thing anyone told me in nearly 20 years
> > of dealing with it.
> > I can't say it's completely healed but it's certainly not anywhere
> > near the problem it used to be. It was so bad I couldn't even ride in
> > a car without cringing in pain every time it hit a small bump.
> >
> > I figure it will probably go bad again sooner or later, but I'm
> > betting on a less medieval surgical option being available by that
> > time. They have a less invasive laproscopic procedure with much less
> > chance of post surgical complications, but they wouldn't consider
> > using it in the C vertebrae because of the close proximity to the
> > spinal cord. Hopefully if I have to get cut someday, they will have
> > refined this procedure. I know they already have an artificial
> > material to replace the cadaver bone insertion but I don't know much
> > more about it than that.
>
> I had no idea that I have so much company with back issues. My first back
> surgery last June corrected impingement of nerves in the lumbar region which
> were so severe that I was periodically losing muscle control in my legs...
> and the pain was becoming unbearable. The surgery did the job for the muscle
> control issues. But despite several round with injections, lots of physical
> therapy, and oral meds the pain is still hanging on and has been getting
> worse.
>
> A brand new MRI ( the second since the surgery) now reveals another disc
> herniation in the lower lumbar that is impinging on the nerves, along with
> two areas of severe narrowing at two places in the canal. Since I am
> beginning to have new symptoms in my legs, along with the severe flashes of
> lightening bolt pain and the constant, high-level pain, there was no doubt
> that another surgery was needed. And this was from an orthopedic surgeon
> who, until he saw the MRI, really didn't believe that surgery was a good
> option.
>
> So, I am scheduled for surgery on May 11. This will be more extensive than
> the first, covering three different areas in the lumbar area. The disc will
> be removed and the two vertebrae affected will be fused. The two areas that
> are narrowed will be 'reamed' to enlarge the canal in order to relieve the
> compression on the nerves. In order to accomplish the surgery, the back
> muscles will be extensively moved around. I'm really glad I'll be
> anesthe-oblivious.
>
> Physical therapy, to regain fitness in the back muscles, will take a bit
> longer than before. I am prepared to take that challenge on, especially if
> the current pain is mostly eliminated. I really need to get back to work and
> to be able to get things done around the house that have been neglected for
> so long.


Best of luck with the surgery.

And stick to your PT resolution. I lost most of the 08/09 ski season
to back pain, and finally had an MRI last summer. Severe hernia between
L5 and S1.

PT has held it fully in check. I have been at full activity for 9 months,
and no pain. I do the PT work 5-6 times a week. My core is now really
strong. I have even taken up running again, and getting better times than
I have in years.

PT Rules!

Good luck,


--
Andrew Hall
(Now reading Usenet in alt.food.barbecue...)