Jobob, I'm glad the muscle problem is not related to the surgery.
When you speak about the thoracic area, I have a small amount of stenosis there too. I had my first muscle attack in the thoracic region when I was 27 years of age....carrying huge baskets filled with laundry up to the 3rd floor of my house. That one put me in the hospital until doctors were convinced that it wasn't related to my heart. From what I recall, they said the spasm was so strong that it actually had an effect on an EKG.

Some people are born to have spine problems and sooner or later it will be the cervical, the thoracic or the lumber regions will get ya.

Keep on a trucking getting better.
DMarieB

I saw my surgeon last Thursday and we discussed in detail everything from the surgery to recovery. I questioned the third disc that appears on film bad but tested negative during the discogram and was told a two level fusion puts alot of pressure on other disc not to mention the overall success of the procedure. Including the third is way too much and he felt confident in the outcome although it clearly stated no guarantees. In addition there is no way I can continue with the type of work I did which I wasn't crazy about anyway.

Since then I have reflected on the past 16,17 weeks and have no regrets. Yeah, it has been painful in many ways and trying but had I not looked elsewhere, asked, researched and explored every option I may very well always wondered if I made the right decision.

I learned this afternoon my surgery is scheduled for next Monday the 10th and look forward to it kinda.

I appreciate the kind words, thoughts and prayers. You all are in my prayers and we must maintain a positive attitude.

Take care, Donald

Hi Joebob, I've been reading and rereading posts from the Old Forum. The subject was Spondy.
On the Bonati and LSI websites, they say their surgical treatment for Spondy was laminotomy and foraminotomy.
If I understood you correctly, you had disc work and the laminotomy and foraminotomy on your L5or6 /S1 Level.
Was that treatment for Spondy? Were you possibly told you had Spondy?

And if you did not have Spondy, was it ever said to you or even hinted at that because of the surgery on the disc and the L5/6 Level, the future of a Spondy problem could occur for you.
I hope these questions are making sense to you.

Poor Joebob, there have been so many questions asked of you about your surgery, you might as well put out your shingle and practice.
DMB

I really have to praise all the people who have carried the basic topics on this Forum from the old forum. When you were all together you left a trail of information that has allowed others to read, study and look at their spine problems from multiple prospectives. I congratulate you.

Carol, in one of your posts you were speaking to "Vic". The subject was Spondy.

You stated "I forgot to mention that I too heard that the spine institutes generally don't touch cases of spondy...so I did ask LSI representative, his response was that the doctors @ LSI and the MRI results both did not indicate spondy and if my neurosurgical consult and second opinions did, it was probably to as a cautionary/scare disclaimer to cover bases and confirm their reason for their recommendation of fusion."

Did none of your surgical consults not take and X-Ray to confirm your spondy?

I did not have spondy according to my MRI. It was not until 7 months later after Pain Management injections and my first surgical consult that I learned of having spondy. The orthopedic surgeon took an X-Ray for confirmation. That is what he showed to me.
Later, talking to my PM, I was told an MRI evaluates soft tissues and not bone tissue. Only X-Ray determines the state of the vertebrae. His opinion was that it (the spondy)was not severe enough to cause pain, but he did refer me to another surgeon.

From your post, I am assuming when you sent "stuff" to the Spine Institutes in Florida, no X-Ray or written report on that X-Ray was sent to them.

Is my understanding of your experience correct?

I know when I was told that I had spondy, I was ticked, expecially when the MRI specifically stated, "No spondy seen."

I think what holds us backfrom spinal surgery might not just be $$$$ but our concern about spondy. What does it hold for us now and in the future; that is the big question.
DMB

Hello Fran,

Here is one GREAT BIG BEAR HUG!!!! Dr. W said that in his opinion I don't need surgery - until I can't walik across a room. I hope that is a long way into the future.

Thanks SOOooo very much, and please tell your spine surgeon I greatly appreciate his reference of Dr. W.

Take care.

RichT

Hello Carrianne,

I hope things are getting slowly better for you. Do know we are thinking and praying for your successful recovery.

I'm glad your leg pain is better.

RichT

Hello Marie B,

I had an epidural the end of April, and it definitely helped me. Okay, I still can't still in one spot or sit in a hard chair, HOWEVER, I can function reasonably well.

My current spine surgeon recommends I have surgery within 6 months. Thanks to Fran, I saw Dr. W through her surgeon's recommondation. Dr. W. said no surgery needed at this time.

Marie, I do not take any medications for pain, however I do take Voltarin for arthritis. It works great.

I'm going to speak with my PM doc in a few weeks and get his thoughts. At this time I'm going to push the knife away as long as I can.

In my opinion stay with the recommendations of your PM doc. They REALLY can make a difference. The epidural injections with cortisone really do reduce the inflamation. For me the cortisone reduced the inflamation to the point where I have no leg pain or any tingling in my lower leg.

I hope this gives you some encouragement.

RichT

Hello Everyone,

I'm at the library on a computer with the time clock running. It is SOOOooo GREAT to see this thread on a ROLL and the support you are giving to each other. BRAVO!!!!

On Friday evening I will hopefully be over at my son's home and use one of his computers to try and catch up.

RichT

Hello to you all. Let me introduce myself to you all. I'm Carrianne's mom, Kathy. First of all thank you all for your prayers and support. Please keep praying for Carrianne. She is in good hands at Bonati. Everyone there is so wonderful and laser surgery is virtually amazing! Carrianne asked me to write to you all to let you know what is going on because she cannot sit at a computer at this time. Her faith and spirits are high. She's quite a trooper. She had a 3rd blood patch yesterday and is on 2 - 3 days complete bedrest. Reason for a 3rd blood patch is because she hasn't been able to shake a bad headache but an MRI taken yesterday due to the headache showed that there is a leak in the dura. The 2nd blood patch came undone due to nausia and it's actions, too So the doctor felt it necessary to do a 3rd blood patch and put her on complete bedrest. Her headache stopped last night and so far, so good today. We'll know more come tomorrow 9/6 when the nurse makes a visit to where we're staying. As for her leg pains, they're gone pretty much since her 2 surgeries.
Joebob, Roz, MJ, it was great meeting you all at Bonati Institute. When people go through what you all have gone through it's so nice to know others can relate to you. Thank you once more for your prayers and support. We will keep you all in our prayers as well.

Hi Everyone,
I have begun a Pain Diary. This Diary is for me alone.

My PM believes I can do this with meds. I am going to give it all I've got because, I don't want surgery.

Yes, Rich T. The goal is to push the knife away. I'm very hopeful because since starting on Celebrex 400mg per day 2 days ago, today I have had my first day of free pain and I was able to get some work done. I've also returned to my walking. I'm not going to over do it. I started with a 15 min. walk and will increase it gradually, God willing, to an hour. I used to do 3 miles a day so I need to get my cardio-vascular system in gear again. I hope this med does the job. Anti-inflammatories worked for me in the past after other type surgeries. One even better the morphine.
I am getting a second opinion from a surgeon but I am still waiting for an appointment call.

Rich. Glad you found a computer.

Carrianne, I am going to pray for you. We want you healed, girl.
D.Marie B.

Kathy.......So glad you let us know how Carrianne is doing. If she can stand it..........give her a big hug from us......and let her know that she is in our prayers............always.........mj57

Kathy, thanks for posting and letting us know how carrianne is doing. Give her my best and I'm praying for a speedy recovery for her. She's a trooper and will be up and about soon.

Rich,

So glad that the doc worked out for you. My doc's office was ready to get you in if needed, but to quote my doc "the apt won't be needed, what ever he says is what you do, I would." He's thrilled to know it worked out for you and said to tell you "keep on walking across the room, surgery is always a last resort, when done for the right reasons, it's the best tool we have, but do what you can do avoid it when you can, but don't be afraid of surgery either. In good hands it is a wonderful tool."

Looking forward to an e-mail with all the specific details.

If meds can work for you, go for it. I wish they had for me, but not only didn't they, but I ended up needing the surgery emergency.

Fran

Hello Fran,
Like radar amtenna, I picked upon you emergency surgery. A friend of mine also had Min. Evas surgery as an emergency due to stenosis and a few other problems. She has been urging me not to wait too long.

I'm amazed that Rich T got an appointment from a referral so quickly.
I must be living in the wrong area of the US.
I had a referral a week ago and I was told the office would call me. Guess what? I'm still waiting.
Does anyone get emotionally crabby in regard to these doctors? I do.

I just can't believe how many people go in for back surgery. And if yousit in enough surgeons offices, you speak to people who go in for surgery again, and again, and again.

D.Marie B.

Hi Kathy,

Was happy to read about what has been going on with Carianne. I have been praying for her and her outcome and have been following with interest because I had surgery scheduled at Bonati for the 17th of Sept but had to change the date to Oct. Are you guys still odwn there or have you returned home. That has been one of my fears that if something isn't right after the surgery and if we return home ( New York State) will I be able to find a doctor that will handle any complications. So did you stay there or maybe Carianne is from the area. Anyway any info along that line would be helpful. Will continue praying.

Barb

Hi to you all.
Today Carrianne got up and walked some. She was dizzy but the nurse said she would be. Being in bed for quite a while like that it's only normal that she would be. After 2 small laps around a room she got nausiated within seconds and upchucked. Had to lay back down but the good side of the coin is, her headache is gone. Thank God! Prayers will continue for her. The doctor said for her to get up and walk from time to time but she has to lay down a lot for one more day, just don't overdue it.
mbc1 - I'm from Western NY, 70 miles south of Buffalo, Carrianne lives in Tampa. I was here in July for 2 weeks and I was with her for her consultation, nerve tests, MRI and facett injection. I then went back home and my husband and I went to his 40th class reunion in Saranac Lake. I returned back to Tampa Aug. 10th, my husband Aug. 12th, he left 5 days after her surgery and I stayed on until things go better for her and she can return basically to work.
Bonati Institute will supply you with a list of places you can stay, people who can help you if you are alone. From what I gather when people from out of state come to Bonati they like them to stay for 3 weeks so they can do the surgery and physical thereapy as well. As for hrs. at Bonati, after hours they have an 800 number with a nurse on call all the time. If there were any problems she'd get in contact w/the doctor and he'd make a trip to Bonati after working hours. They request that one stays within a 10 min. drive from the Bonati Institute. Carrianne and I have been staying with Carrianne's husband's uncle in Hudson which has been quite a blessing.
Joebob, Roz - the two of you had surgery at Bonati. If there is something I left out or am not aware of maybe you two can help mbc1 with answers. Thank you.
Will keep you all informed of Carrianne's condition. Thank you all for your support and prayers. HUG - Carrianne got it!!
Take care, God Bless,
Kathy

Hello Everyone,

Kathy - Thanks so much for giving us an update on your daughter Carrianne. She is a super young lady. I'm glad she is making progress, though somewhat slow at this time. Please let her know that my thoughts and prayers are and will continue to be with her, her family and with you and your husband.

MBC - My thoughts and prayers will be with you for your surgery at Bonati in October.

Marie - Thanks for your words of caution - THAT is the real QUESTION - When is waiting TOO long not a good idea. Waiting until it is an emergency certainly is not a good idea. AHHHHhhhh if only one could look into the future!!

When my "regular" spine surgeon told me I needed fusion in two places, a 12 inch "slice" and I needed to have surgery in six months, you better believe I was "down".

Had better sign off before I lose this.

RichT

Hi Kathy,
Thanks for keeping us up to date on Carrianne, I hope she is feeling better soon. Please tell her that I am thinking of her and sending a little prayer that she will be on her feet in no time.

Barb,

As far as the leak in the dura that is somthing they do discuss with you as one of the risks with this type of surgery, it is not fatal but can be a real pain to deal with. I was told that if it did happen you can tell within 24hrs because you get a really bad headache that only goes away when you lie down, the fluid goes back up into the brain that releives the pressure and the headache goes away. They told me it will fix itself but you have to lay down with a catheter for 5 days and they do have a nurse check on you every day where ever you end up staying. I was willing to take the risk it was a small price to pay for the outcome of my surgery and my quick recovery. Don't let it scare you into not getting the surgery. I am thrilled with my results and would do it again in a hearbeat. I may have to have surgery again, I do have another issue in my L4 but it does not seem to be bothering me right now and it may be a long time until it does but I will not hesitate to return to Bonati, it is the only place that I will trust with my back again.

Take Care,
Roz

Hello Marie,

I don't think living in one area of the US vs another makes that much difference. Perhaps I just lucked out. I do know that the type of insurance one has can sometimes make a difference.

I'm a tough ole German Marie, and there ain't no way any doctor's office is going to tell me "we will call you later". I must say I have never ever had any doctor's office tell me that now that I think of it.

May I suggest that you call them back, or better still go to the doctor's office and speak with the person who sets up the appointments. A little "kind" arm twisting doesn't hurt. I wish you success.

Take care.

RichT

Roz when you went to Bonati for laser surgery, were you from Florida?
I missed where you from. If you were from another state, where did you stay when you went to Bonati.

DMarieB

O.k. everyone!

There must be a timed posting element going on on this forum. I just spent an bit of time posting replies to Kathy, Rich DMB, Roz etc. and when I submitted, I was bounced off and my reply was lost!

Needless to say I find this extremely frustrating and a problem of this site, as "time" is important to everyone . . . Administrators pls respond?

Is there a timing element? If so, can it be lengthened . . . too frustrating to do it again . . . grrrrrrr.
Need some info, before I invest in more lost messages . . .

Happy to read everyone's update . . . I'm thinking of you.
C